"Kitna late ho gaya hai... bas ab jaldi ghar pahunch jaaye. Kahin mummy gussa na ho jaaye," Aisha muttered, quickening her pace. But the heels weren't helping-they felt more like enemies than accessories tonight.

"Pata nahi yeh cab wala kab aayega," Aarohi huffed, equally frustrated. Her saree wasn't cooperating either, slipping off her shoulder every few steps.

"Sach bata rahi hoon, Aishu... agar woh cab wala aur 5 minute late hua na, toh mein uske paise kaat loongi," she snapped, attempting to readjust her saree one more time.

Aisha nodded, trying her best to match Aarohi's hurried steps.

A flashlight suddenly lit up the path in front of them-it was their cab.

Aarohi glared at the driver, a man who looked to be in his early 30s.

"Uncle, kahaan the aap?! Aap poore 15 minute late ho. Pata bhi hai hum kabse wait kar rahe hain? Sach bol rahi hoon, agar hume late nahi ho raha hota na, toh-"

"Bas kar Aarohi," Aisha cut in, opening the back door and pulling her in. "We are already late. Abhi time nhi hai."

She turned to the driver with a stern voice.

" Bhaiya, jaldi chaliye."

The driver silently started the cab. The girls leaned back, exhaling in relief.

The memory of the evening brought a soft smile to their faces. It had been a perfect night-filled with laughter, friends, and everything that made it unforgettable.

But their peace didn't last long.

The cab halted suddenly mid-way. The driver tried again and again, but the engine wouldn't start.

The thrill of the farewell party faded quickly, replaced by a growing sense of unease. The driver apologized before stepping out to check the engine.

Aarohi, now more irritated than ever, got out of the car.

"Uncle, aap sach mein chahte ho ki hum ghar pahunch jaayein ya aap hume beghar karna chahte ho?"

"Sorry ma'am, but-" he tried, but Aarohi cut him off sharply.

"Rehne dijiye. Ab hum khud chale jaayenge."

Aisha joined her, clearly done with the whole situation.

The road was eerily quiet-no voices, no cars. Just the middle-aged driver fumbling with the hood of the car.

Aarohi tried booking another cab, again and again, but no luck. Eventually, the girls gave up and started walking in hopes of finding another taxi, auto, or even a bus.

But the road remained empty.

After walking a fair distance, they paused. Aisha raised a hand as a car approached from the other side.

To their surprise, it stopped just inches in front of her.

She walked up to the window, knocked gently, and leaned forward slightly. A few strands of hair fell across her face, but she didn't bother to fix them.

"Kya hume lift mil sakta hai? Dekhiye, mana mat kijiye. Aap chahein toh hum iss lift ke paise bhi de denge," she said softly, worry in her voice.

The man in the driver's seat didn't respond-as if he hadn't heard her at all.

His gaze was fixed... completely lost in her honey-brown, wide, captivating eyes.

And then-

" Yeah sure, aap itni raat ko kaha bhatkengi, raat bhi bahut ho gyi hai or hamara farz banta hai hum apko safely ghar drop kare" Armaan spoke, sitting in the passenger seat, grinning.

He smirked and turned to the person sitting in the driver seat who still looked like he'd forgotten how to breathe. Armaan smacked his arm playfully.

"Oye, tu zinda hai ki gaya?"

Hope you love it....

Byeeee Pookies 🎀❤✨👋.