CHAPTER XXIX
"Wine, Warnings, and Whispers of Love"
The game had already begun — the iconic spin of the bottle, the teasing dares, the shy confessions. Laughter echoed through the room like music, and everyone was buzzing with energy. But me? My heart was dancing to a different tune altogether. A strange kind of joy swirled inside me, light-headed not just from the wine… but from her — from Sita.
Just as someone spun the bottle again, I suddenly raised my hand and said, "Wait! Stop the game. Sita hasn't had any wine yet!"
A few surprised glances turned toward us. Sita, sitting beside me, immediately pinched my arm and hissed, "Ved!"
I winced playfully. "Sitaaa, come on, just have a little. Please…"
Before she could say anything else, Shruti leaned over, tugged my cheek and giggled, "If Sita won't drink, then Vedu, you can feed it to me instead."
I laughed — but not for long.
Sita smoothly stepped between us and gently nudged Shruti away with a firm hand, her voice cool but clear. "Ved, are we playing this game or should I leave?"
Oof. That got me.
I sat up straight like a schoolkid getting scolded and said quickly, "Okay! Fine. No wine for you. Let's play, baby. You stay — you don't have to drink."
That seemed to settle the air a little.
But not for long.
From the other side of the circle, Gorya — who was definitely more than a little tipsy — raised her glass and giggled, "Aww look at that! She's already saying yes to everything Sita says!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Sasha chimed in next, raising a teasing eyebrow. "Vedu, how about you give the rest of us some coaching, hmm? I'd love to reach that level of agreement with Mia someday."
Mia rolled her eyes, blushing ever so slightly, and playfully smacked Sasha's arm. "Can you stop embarrassing me for five minutes?"
The laughter in the room doubled as Sasha rubbed her arm with a mock-wounded expression.
And just like that, the room was glowing again — warm, chaotic, full of love and playful teasing. The kind of evening you want to bottle up forever.
Then Avika clapped her hands dramatically and said, "Alright! Enough delays. Guys — are we playing or not?"
"YES!" came the unanimous cheer, loud and cheerful.
And in that moment, I looked around the room — at all these people who had slowly become family… at Sita sitting beside me, quiet but always watching, always steady… and I realized:
I didn't need wine to feel dizzy tonight.
Love was already doing that for me.
And I was completely, hopelessly drunk on her.
The bottle spun.
The night unfolded.
And our story — like always — continued just a little further, one laugh, one glance, one whispered dare at a time.
"Spins, Secrets, and Sudden Confessions"
The bottle spun, glinting under the warm light like a little mischief-maker, ready to stir chaos and secrets. It twirled with suspense and finally… slowed… and stopped.
Right at Sasha.
A chorus of teasing erupted instantly — voices ringing with laughter and excitement.
"Truth or Dare?" everyone called out in unison.
Sasha smirked, brushing her curls off her shoulder. "Truth," she said confidently, sitting up straighter like a warrior ready for battle.
Minaci's eyes sparkled as she leaned in. "Alright then, I'll ask the question," she said, a devilish grin tugging at her lips.
Sasha tilted her head. "Okay, go on then."
Minaci folded her arms, dramatically paused, and asked, "How many girlfriends do you currently have? And how many have you had in total?"
The room gasped, followed by "Oooohhh!"s and a round of laughter.
Sasha's eyes immediately darted toward Mia, who was sitting beside her with one brow already raised like a ticking time bomb. Sasha gave her a sheepish look and then turned to Minaci. "You're setting me up, aren't you?"
I couldn't help but jump in, giggling. "Answer her, Sasha. We're all waiting!"
Sasha sighed, scratched the back of her neck, and said, "Well… currently, I have just one girlfriend — Mia."
She paused and added carefully, "But before her… I've had twenty-two girlfriends."
The room went silent for two seconds before it exploded into laughter and shock.
Mia, stunned, grabbed Sasha's ear and cried, "You told me it was just two!"
Sasha panicked, holding her hands up. "Miaaa! You looked like you'd explode if I said the real number! I didn't think we'd be sitting in a truth circle!"
"Too late now!" Mia huffed, still holding Sasha's ear.
Sasha whined, "I'm sorry! Let go, please!"
Avika clapped her hands. "Alright, alright, lovebirds. Enough ear-pulling. Let's keep the game going!"
The bottle was spun again, everyone watching eagerly as it made its rounds.
And this time, it stopped… on Gorya.
Cheers echoed again. "Truth or Dare?"
"Truth," she said softly, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Alfiya leaned forward with a curious glint in her eye. "Are you currently dating someone?"
Gorya's cheeks turned pink. She glanced sideways — toward Sweetie.
Then, with a shy but bold smile, she said, "Yes."
Everyone leaned in with excitement.
"Who?" Alfiya asked, leaning forward even more.
Gorya took a breath and said, "Sweetie."
There was a beat of stunned silence.
And then — Brownie gasped, placing a hand over her heart. "Wait… what?! Since when?! And why didn't I know?!"
Alfiya laughed. "See? Told you I'd pull the truth out."
Gorya, now fully leaning into the moment, wrapped her arms around Sweetie and said, "We were keeping it low-key… but yes, we've been dating for a few months now. And if everything goes well… we'll be getting married soon."
The room burst into cheers and claps. Avika grinned, "That's amazing! You two are adorable together!"
Everyone gathered in celebration, laughter bouncing off the walls like confetti. Sweetie blushed, hiding her face in Gorya's shoulder while the others teased and congratulated them.
I glanced at Sita beside me, catching the way she was smiling — genuinely, softly — at the joy surrounding us. There was something in her eyes… something tender.
I leaned in and whispered, "Now that everyone's confessing, maybe I should tell them about my obsession with a certain someone who hates loud music…"
Sita rolled her eyes, trying not to smile. "Don't make me spin the bottle toward you on purpose."
"Do it," I challenged playfully. "I dare you."
And the game continued — hearts lighter, secrets uncovered, love blooming openly in corners of the room.
Some nights sparkle not because of the lights, or the wine, or even the music — but because of truth, laughter… and the courage to hold someone's hand in front of the world and say, this is who I love.
And tonight, that sparkle lived in all of us.
To be continue.....