I greeted everyone and walked straight into my uncle's room, locking the bathroom door behind me. My heart was racing. It had been four years since our breakup, and this was the first time I saw him again. He had stopped coming here after everything ended between us, and now, suddenly, he was here.
I removed my makeup, freshened up, and went to the guest room where my grandma, aunts, mom, uncles' wives, and female cousins were gathered. All I wanted was for dinner to end quickly so I could escape.
But during dinner, someone suggested that everyone should stay the night together.
"NO!" I blurted out instinctively.
The entire room fell silent. Everyone turned to stare at me.
"Never mind," I mumbled quickly, "I just saw a horror reel earlier… I got spooked."
My younger uncle shook his head. "Stop playing with your phone while eating."
I clenched my jaw. I hated him from the bottom of my heart.
After dinner, my cousins gathered in the living room, planning to watch movies together. I had no way to escape, so I joined them reluctantly. The girls sat on the sofa, the boys on the floor. The first movie was a survival thriller, the kind I usually liked. But through it all, I couldn't help noticing—Tori never once looked at me. Maybe it was only me who felt awkward. Maybe he didn't care at all.
Then came the horror movie. I begged them not to play it. "I'll die if I have to watch this!" But no one listened. I was forced to sit through it, screaming, covering my eyes and ears while everyone laughed at me.
Frustrated, I demanded to switch seats and sat beside my cousin Anin. But he only pranked me more, making me almost cry. I was ready to leave when Neel called out, "Sit next to me."
"I won't watch the movie," I protested.
Then, for the first time that night, Tori spoke. "Sit here. He won't bother you. If you guys keep this up, I won't enjoy the movie."
His words silenced me. I sat beside Neel, my buddy, who kindly covered my ears while I covered my eyes. That was how I survived the movie.
When it ended, most of them had already fallen asleep. I nudged Neel playfully. "Why did you guys force me to watch that?"
"Stop hitting me," he laughed. "You liked it, admit it."
"Not even a little!" I glared.
"Fine, fine," he said with a dramatic bow. "Allow me to serve you, my lady." He stood up and returned with soft drinks and snacks.
One by one, everyone drifted off to sleep in the living room. I checked the guest rooms, but there was no space left. So I came back, sat down, and texted my best friend. She had already fallen asleep.
Neel and I snacked quietly. Then he started cleaning the mess. I didn't realize when my eyes closed.
A loud ringtone jolted me awake. The thing I realised I was asleep—resting on Neel's arm. I didn't know how. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep as Neel stirred. The noise stopped, and then I felt his hand brush against my cheek. He gently tucked my hair behind my ear. His hand lingered, slowly lowering toward my neck—
Then, suddenly, he froze and pulled away.
A whisper cut through the silence.
"What are you doing?"
It was Tori's voice.