Episode 13 : Between the Noise and the Silence
1293 Words
The moment Aarohi’s teasing words left her lips, the table fell into a brief, unexpected silence.
“Maybe he’s afraid to lose control.”
The air shifted.
Not awkward—but charged.
Kayish didn’t react immediately. His gaze stayed on her for a second longer than usual, unreadable, calm… and then, without a word, he signaled the waiter.
“One drink,” he said.
Abhay raised an eyebrow. “Well… that’s new.”
Within minutes, a glass was placed in front of Kayish. He picked it up, took a slow sip, and placed it back down—composed, unaffected, exactly the same as before.
No change.
No looseness.
No visible reaction.
As if the drink meant nothing.
Aarohi watched him for a second, a strange curiosity flickering inside her.
He didn’t lose control.
He never did.
---
The night moved forward again, louder this time. Another round was ordered, laughter grew freer, voices higher. Everyone had started to feel the effect—everyone except Abhay and Kayish.
They were steady.
Grounded.
The ones who would eventually make sure everyone reached home safely.
---
After what felt like endless dancing, the group collapsed back onto their seats, breathless and laughing.
“So…” Abhay leaned forward, glancing around, “what do you guys want for dinner?”
Nisha immediately grabbed the menu. Kritika leaned in beside her, and Pooja followed quietly.
Aarohi, however, made a small face.
Abhay noticed instantly. “What happened, Miss Dance Queen?”
She pouted slightly, resting her chin on her hand. “I want something spicy.”
They all looked at her.
She continued, “Everything here is Italian, Mexican… I want something street-style. Proper spicy food.”
There was a pause.
Then—
“Same,” Nisha said.
“Agreed,” Kritika nodded.
“Yes, please,” Pooja added.
Abhay laughed. “Unbelievable. After all this, you want street food?”
Before anyone could respond, Kayish calmly called the waiter and asked for the bill.
“We’ll split—” Abhay started.
“It’s on me,” Kayish said, leaving no room for argument.
And just like that, it was settled.
---
Outside, the night air felt cooler, quieter.
“So… where are we going?” Abhay asked.
Kayish simply replied, “Follow me.”
---
They divided into two cars.
Kritika, Nisha, and Pooja got into Abhay’s car.
Aarohi found herself standing beside Kayish’s.
Just the two of them.
---
The drive started quietly.
For a few minutes, there was only the sound of the engine and the faint hum of the city passing by.
Then—
“You were very confident today,” Kayish said suddenly.
Aarohi turned slightly. “Today… or after the drink?”
“Both.”
She smiled faintly. “Maybe the drink helped.”
“Or maybe it didn’t,” he replied.
She looked at him. “You’re very hard to understand.”
“And you think too much,” he said calmly.
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not new.”
A small silence followed—lighter this time.
---
After nearly thirty minutes, both cars stopped near a lively stretch filled with street food stalls. Lights, smoke, laughter, the sound of sizzling oil—it was alive in a completely different way.
“This is perfect!” Nisha almost jumped out of the car.
Everyone ordered different things—chaat, momos, spicy noodles, rolls—plates filling up quickly.
Eventually, they all gathered around Kayish’s car, sitting casually, balancing plates, talking, laughing.
A few of them stepped aside for cigarettes—Abhay, Kritika, even Pooja.
But not Nisha.
Not Aarohi.
---
“You don’t smoke?” Nisha asked, leaning beside her.
Aarohi shook her head. “No. Never liked it.”
“Same,” Nisha smiled. “We’re the only sane ones here.”
Aarohi laughed softly.
---
It was nearly 3 AM.
And they were still there.
Still waiting for food.
Still talking.
---
When the food finally arrived, it was worth the wait.
Spicy.
Hot.
Perfect.
“This is what I wanted,” Aarohi said, smiling fully.
---
By the time they finished, it was almost 4 AM.
The sky was still dark.
The world still quiet.
---
“Time to go,” Abhay said, stretching slightly.
He looked at everyone. “Locations?”
As they shared their destinations, Aarohi mentioned her new place.
Abhay frowned slightly. “That’s completely opposite for me. I’ll drop Pooja and Kritika.”
He turned to Kayish.
“And you?”
“I’ll take Aarohi and Nisha,” Kayish replied.
---
The cars split again.
This time—
three of them.
---
Nisha took the front seat.
Aarohi slipped into the back.
---
Within minutes—
she fell asleep.
---
Her head tilted slightly, breath steady, completely unaware of the world around her.
---
Kayish drove in silence.
Calm.
Focused.
---
They reached Nisha’s place first.
Before she stepped out, she turned slightly. “Thank you, sir.”
“Get home safely,” he replied.
She nodded, then glanced once at Aarohi—sleeping peacefully—and smiled faintly before leaving.
---
Now—
it was just the two of them.
---
“Aarohi,” Kayish called softly.
She stirred slightly.
Half-awake.
Half-asleep.
---
“Come to the front,” he said.
She obeyed without thinking, moving slowly and sitting beside him.
Within seconds—
she fell asleep again.
---
He adjusted the seat slightly, making her more comfortable.
Moved her hair away from her face.
Careful.
Gentle.
---
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Unnoticed.
---
He tried to wake her again.
“Aarohi… your location?”
No response.
---
She shifted slightly, her hand moving—
and suddenly, she grabbed his hand, pulling it beneath her head like a pillow.
---
He froze.
---
Her nose brushed lightly against his hand as she adjusted, settling comfortably.
---
For a moment—
he didn’t move.
Didn’t pull away.
---
Just… watched.
---
The city was silent.
The car still.
---
And something in that moment—
felt softer than anything before.
---
After a while, she stirred again, waking slowly.
A slight frown on her face.
“My head…” she murmured.
---
He immediately started the car and drove to a nearby stall.
---
“Come,” he said.
---
She followed, still sleepy.
---
He ordered lemonade.
---
“Drink this,” he said.
---
She took a sip, then another.
---
“It helps,” he added.
---
They stood there quietly.
---
“You don’t lose control,” she said suddenly.
---
He looked at her.
---
“You manage everything.”
---
“That’s not always a good thing,” he replied.
---
She frowned slightly. “I think it is.”
---
He shook his head faintly. “Sometimes… letting go shows more truth.”
---
She looked down at the glass.
---
“Maybe I’m not ready for that,” she said softly.
---
He didn’t reply.
---
They sat in the car again.
Soft music played.
---
“Your choice?” he asked.
---
She selected a song.
He listened.
---
“Good taste,” he said.
---
“You don’t say that often, do you?”
---
“Only when it’s true.”
---
She smiled.
---
The rest of the drive was quiet.
Comfortable.
---
When they reached her building—
Riya was already downstairs.
Waiting.
---
She rushed forward. “Aarohi!”
---
“I’m fine,” Aarohi smiled tiredly.
---
Riya glanced at Kayish. “Thank you.”
---
He nodded.
---
And then—
just like that—
the night ended.
---
But something from it—
remained.
---
Something quiet.
Unspoken.
---
And impossible to ignore.
- Writer
