Chapter 10 - The Trip

🚌 Saturday Morning – Just Outside Mumbai

Rohan was not in the mood for a group trip.

But when Dev—his roommate and best friend—booked a villa for the weekend getaway with "just a few close people," Rohan reluctantly agreed.

He hadn't left the city in months. Maybe fresh air would help him stop checking his phone every five minutes for a text from her.

But when he climbed into the minivan at 7:05 AM, sipping half-burnt vending machine coffee and fighting sleep, his eyes landed on something… no, someone that made him freeze.

Ishita.

She was there.

In a hoodie, oversized sunglasses, and a backpack that looked too fancy for trekking. Sitting beside her was a girl Rohan vaguely recognized from Instagram—Diya, her best friend.

"Oh…" Rohan said flatly.

"Oh," Ishita echoed, adjusting her sunglasses like they were emotional armor.

"You two know each other?" Dev grinned from the front seat.

Ishita spoke before Rohan could.

"We work together."

"Right," Rohan added. "Strictly professional."

Everyone laughed—except the two of them.

🏡 Noon – The Hillside Villa

The villa was exactly what you'd expect from a "Dev-style getaway"—a cozy Airbnb with a rooftop terrace, bean bags, a half-functioning speaker, and a kitchen nobody would use.

There were six of them:

Rohan

Dev (his best friend, comic relief and chaos generator)

Aanya (Dev's girlfriend, sassy and emotionally intelligent)

Ishita

Diya (Ishita's friend and quiet observer)

And surprise—Ajay, the hotel receptionist turned buddy, who'd apparently tagged along because "I got time off and a half tank of petrol."

"Ajay?" Rohan blinked.

"Thunder bro!" he winked. "Missed you."

"How do you know everyone?"

"Diya's cousin. Small world, huh?"

"You've got to be kidding me."

🌅 Evening – Bonfire on the Terrace

As the sun dipped behind the hills, music played low from someone's phone, and everyone sat around the bonfire, passing roasted marshmallows and roasted truths.

Truth or Dare had returned.

It always did.

"Ishita," Aanya smirked. "Truth."

"Dangerous. But fine. Go on."

"When was your last kiss?"

Rohan nearly choked on his cola.

Ishita took a breath. Cool as ever.

"A while ago. In the rain."

Eyes turned.She didn't say names.But Rohan knew.

He looked down at his soda can like it held the answers.

Then it was his turn.

"Rohan," Dev grinned. "Truth. Tell us your worst heartbreak."

Everyone laughed.

"Oh, that's easy," Rohan said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "She kissed me and called it a mistake."

Silence.

Only the fire crackled.

Ishita didn't react. But her grip on her mug tightened.

🌃 Later That Night – Rooftop Alone

Rohan stayed back when everyone went inside.

The stars were clearer here. The air was easier to breathe.

"You didn't have to say that," a voice behind him said.

Ishita.

"Was it a lie?" he asked quietly.

"No. But it was cruel."

"You think I've forgotten how it felt? Being nothing one day, something the next, and then nothing again?"

"I panicked, Rohan."

"And I bled for it."

Silence.

Then, softly—

"You think I haven't bled too?"

He looked at her.

"You could've just told me you weren't ready."

"I wasn't ready," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For someone like you."

He blinked. "What does that mean?"

"Someone who doesn't want me for my name. Someone who didn't even care I was rich. You scared me, Rohan. Because with you, it felt real."

His breath caught.

"So what now?"

"I don't know."

A pause.

"But I don't want to keep pretending like we're strangers."

He turned back to the fire pit.

Then patted the spot beside him.

She sat.

And for the first time in days, they said nothing—and it wasn't awkward.