Party After Party

The warm, amber sunlight seeped into the hospital room, filtering through the fluttering leaves of the tree adjacent to the window, casting the golden hues on the hospital bed where Suryansh lay.

As the burning rays brushed against his face, he squeezed his eyes before opening his pearly blue eyes, progressively propping his back straight with fluid ease.

He sighed… his tousled hair fell over his forehead as his gaze settled on the plaster on his left side hand, before drifting his gaze toward the soft, swirling cacophony that had floated inside through the window.

"So you're awake?"

A voice startled him. Mr. Shah sat on the bench near the window, his hands clasped together with his large size. Suryansh hadn't expected to see him this early—especially since the sun had only just risen.

"Why so early?" Suryansh's voice was steady.

Rajeev shrugged, crossing his arms. "It wasn't me. Your friend hasn't slept for the last two nights." His gaze sharpened. "Even security tried to stop her, but she wouldn't leave your side." He watched through blooming window, "that's why I had to come."

Suryansh's pupils trembled.

Two days. It had been two days since the incident.

He closed his eyes briefly. "And Meera? She's okay?"

"Yes, she's fine." Mr. Shah studied him with newfound interest. "You two must be close."

"We barely know each other," Suryansh said quietly.

Rajeev huffed. "Don't worry. You can stay with us when you're discharged."

"Thanks…" Suryansh murmured, his head still lowered.

"I think she might visit you today," Rajeev added with a knowing look.

Suryansh smirked faintly.

Rajeev stood, slipping his suit jacket over his shoulder. He tilted the knob of the door and left without another word.

Suryansh sighed and lay back down, rubbing his temples.

Fuck… What now?

Just as he settled, a shift in the door handle caught his attention. A nurse entered the room, a clipboard in hand.

"Good morning," she said with cheerfulness. "How are we feeling today?"

"Like I've been shot i guess," Suryansh replied dryly.

The nurse chuckled as she checked his vitals. "Well, at least your sense of humor is intact. That's a good sign."

"When can I leave?" he asked, his gaze drifting toward the birds chirping outside the verdant window.

"The doctor wants to keep you under observation for another day at least." She adjusted his IV. "You lost a lot of blood, you know."

Suryansh frowned. "I don't remember much of what happened. After the shot, I was busy taking a bath inside."

She snorted. "That's normal with trauma," she said, making notes on her clipboard.

"Your friend—the pretty one who's been camped out in the waiting room—she's been asking about you every hour on the hour."

"Meera," he said softly.

"Yes, that's her name, I guess." The nurse smiled knowingly. "She must care about you a great deal."

"We barely know each other," he repeated.

"Sometimes it doesn't take long to form a connection," the nurse replied.

"Yeah, I see…" He watched her eyes that were staring him.

She blushed, glancing down. "Now, let me check your bandages. The doctor will be in shortly."

"Yeah… I think so…"

Just then a crisping sound came from that bed.Without any warning, he stood from the bed and with a snap he stripped off the plaster.

The nurse's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" she blurted.

He rolled his shoulder in a slow, circular motion, pressing it with his other hand.

"Hey, stop, Mr. Handsome—you might get another injury!" She moved toward him, concerned. "I should call the doctor—"

"No… stop. I'm fine," he said trying to form a calm smile

"Fine? You'll end up back in this bed if you push yourself," she said, exasperated, "then what will you do?"

"I'll heal," he smirked.

She shook her head in disbelief.

"Did someone bring a bag for me?" he asked streching his long hands.

"Yeah, a guy," she replied.

"You know a lot about me." He smirked, noticing the rose on the table next to his bed that he had forgotten was there and a bag beneath it.

She averted her gaze. "That's not true."

"It's okay," he smiled.

He reached for the bag and pulled out a black T-shirt and black pants.

"Can you step aside?" he asked, holding the clothes.

Her eyes widened as he began changing.

"I see you," he laughed when he caught her staring. Her cheeks flushed red.

After changing, he walked toward her w

Towering his broad shoulders. "What's your name?"

"Tamanna… Tamanna Sharma," she stammered.

"I think we share the same surname." He smiled, rolling up his sleeve over his strong wrist. Her breath hitched as he leaned closer. "See you," he said before leaving the room.

"Hey! You need to stay another day!" she shouted after him. She sighed, shaking her head.

Suryansh walked down the hospital corridor, adjusting his shoulder with a smooth motion.

Man..I heal so fast…

Outside the hospital, Mr. Shah sat in his black car with the door open. Four guards stood nearby, watching the area. Another guard handed Mr. Shah a drink. He took it, sliding the straw between his lips.

"Mr. Vaghela came to visit you," the guard whispered.

"Send him," Mr. Shah replied.

A man in a dark yellow jacket and pants, with worn boots, approached. A thin mustache sat beneath his nose, and wrinkles framed his sharp eyes.

"It's been a while, Mr. Vaghela," Rajeev said, extending his hand as he sat on the edge of the seat.

"Nice to meet you again." Vaghela's smile was thin as he shook Rajeev's hand. "I'm on this case now."

"I see," he nodded. "I miss Mr. Rawat."

"I see," he replied, holding his hand near his abdomen. "Besides, Mrs. Rawat is too old now. She wants solitude."

He gestured to the guard to take his empty drink. "Yes, Mr. Vaghela, I couldn't agree more, I met her in party last time."

As Mr. Vaghela stood watching the street adjacent to the hospital's grassy lawn where they stood, clear blue sky could be seen behind them as a car pulled up and stopped in the middle.

"The young ones have arrived," Rajiv said, stepping out of his seat and resting his hand on the door frame.

"Hmm..." He inhaled deeply.

"Is your daughter with them?" Rajiv asked.

"Yes...Divya.. she should be among them," he replied quickly, turning to face him.

"Until next time, Mr. Vaghela. See you" He extended his hand.

Mr. Vaghela exchanged a firm handshake before they parted their ways.

"So, here's your friend," Vikram said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Let's see how he is."

They left the spot to see him. Before they reached the walkway, Anvika's gaze drifted over the man in black attire.

"Is that him?" Anvika whispered.

Meera watched, her breath catching in her throat. "How dare he?" she hissed, storming toward him.

As Suryansh saw her rushing toward him, he raised his hands defensively. "Whoa, whoa, whoa..." he said, leaning slightly forward.

"Where the hell is your plaster?" she demanded.

"I don't... need it anymore," he replied in a measured tone.

"What were you thinking when you decided to remove it?" she shouted, causing people around them to avert their gaze awkwardly.

"Please... calm down," Suryansh tried to pacify her. "It wasn't serious. I've already healed."

"What do you think you are... some kind of superhero?" she fired back.

"Hey, give the man some space. He just got discharged," Vikram interjected from behind. Suryansh glanced at him briefly before returning his attention to Meera.

"Hey, man..." Vikram extended his hand toward Suryansh.

"Hi... Suryansh." He returned the handshake.

"Good to meet you, buddy." Vikram then introduced the others to him. "Listen, since you're clearly doing fine, we should celebrate at your place."

Damn... so this is what rich people do.

"Since you're new to our group... I've got something special planned," Vikram smiled.

"Hey… I'm not into you guys," Suryansh replied calmly. "I think I should go."

Meera watched him with disappointment etched across her face. She turned and walked away while the others stared at him in stunned silence as he moved in the car's direction.

Suryansh closed his eyes, running his hands over his face.

Shit, I can't leave this like this.

He turned to follow her.

"Is he her boyfriend?" Anvika murmured.

"Doesn't seem like he cares for her," Divya replied.

"Hey, stop!" Suryansh shouted from behind. As Meera continued walking, so he finally had to rushed forward to caught her

"Okay, sorry…" he said with genuine emphasis. "I've been dealing with a lot lately, which is why I was ignoring everyone," he explained, his voice softening.

She crossed her arms, her face tense with emotion. "You did the same thing at the party. You've never actually talked to me like that. You poor people are all the same… just using us," she nearly cried.

"Okay…" he shook his head, placing his hands on his back for a moment. "There's a party... Tonight at my house, okay? I'll wait for you. Fine."

After saying that, he left the place.

It was 6 PM. The sun was dipping into lustrous clouds of fading twilight. The last rays shone through the high apartment glass building.

Suryansh stepped out of the bathroom, his face damp from washing. He slipped into his black clothes again—his toned body and the faint cuts strained against the fabric.

Fine…

He stood in the kitchen where the food had finished cooking. He sighed with a smile of relief then he sat down near the glass wall.

From his high-floor apartment, the entire city spread beneath him, lights flickering in the dusk.

The doorbell rang.

Suryansh reached the door and slid it open slightly, stepping out. He smiled.

"Welcome."

Everyone stood outside, wearing suits and stylish outfits. The party wasn't big, but the group was lively.

"You have a really nice place," Anvika said, surprise evident in her voice.

"Yeah... I think it's decent," he smiled.

"It's perfect," Divya said, looking around appreciatively.

"Thanks," he replied.

"Meera didn't mention you were shy," she laughed softly.

"I'm not really," he chuckled quietly.

"So what's happening with this party?" Vikram asked.

"Sorry to disappoint you," Suryansh crossed his a hands, "it's more of a family dinner than a party."

"That's not a problem at all," Divya interjected watching through everybody's eyes.

Meera still stood with her arms crossed as Suryansh glanced at her, then deliberately looked away.

"Please, have a seat at the dining table. The food is already there," he gestured. "I'm getting some fruits."

As he left for the kitchen, everyone settled into chairs.

"Man, I thought he'd have some tiny place or something," Vikram muttered, "but this guy's apartment is better than I expected. Still some boring nobody," he thumped the table, "who the hell enjoys this kind of thing? This person is completely outdated."

"I'll be right back," Divya said, rising from her seat and heading straight for the kitchen.

"What's her problem?" Vikram frowned.

When she reached the kitchen, Suryansh was slicing an apple with a long, gleaming knife. She lingered in the doorway, watching him cut the fruit with precision—his forearms flexing, veins prominent with each movement.

"Why are you here?" He half-turned toward her, the knife resting in his right hand. "You might be left hungry." He smirked.

"Nope," she replied quickly, her eyes locked on him.

"Then?" he questioned, returning to cutting the fruit, the rhythmic chopping sound filling the space.

She stepped closer. Suryansh could feel her presence, the air between them charged.

"I think—" suryansh turned left, as his eyes widened as he realized how close she had come just few inches away from his face.

His hand tightened on the knife as he suddenly grabbed her by the hips, lifting her onto the slab.

His eyes burned with intensity as he brought the knife within inches of her face near her Iris—just a few inches away.

"Don't... ever... come... near... me..." The words escaped through clenched teeth, his voice barely above a whisper.

"What was that?" Rohan asked, hearing the commotion from the kitchen.

"Maybe we should check," Anvika whispered as they all rose and moved toward the kitchen.

While her gaze become grew sharper sitting over the slab, she smiled and jolted her legs through her red dress, "You look even hotter when you're angry," she giggled.

He sighed.. taking her down from the slab.. his anger melted as he wasn't able to maintain the eye contact, "Just go. I am... I am.. coming in a minute."

She left, laughing, as the others approached.

"What happened?" Arav asked.

"Nothing," she replied.

Suryansh gathered the fruit platters in both hands and gestured for everyone to return to the table.

Afterward, they ate the meal. Most of the girls seemed surprised that he had cooked the food himself.

By 8 PM, they began to leave, gathering near the door.

"Meera, are you coming?" Anvika called out.

"No, I'm staying," she replied, her face still tense.

"Why?" Anvika asked with concern.

"I told you already. Now go," she hissed.

They glanced at Suryansh, who stood looking perplexed before offering a small smile. They departed without Meera.

Suryansh strode directly to the sofa and collapsed onto it with a heavy sigh. "Finally, it's over..."

"Why are you acting like this?" she asked.

"Well," he grinned, "I have plans for us tonight."