Baffled by Krish's ever-changing demeanor, I felt a growing need to distance myself from the complexities of his world. Remembering the promise I had made to my father about staying out of trouble, I decided it was time to focus on making new friends in this quaint village.

The idea was rather appealing, especially since I had just met Surya, a genuinely warm and friendly person who seemed to bring simplicity and joy into my life. I quickly pulled out my phone and began typing a message to Surya:

"Hey Surya, it's Veena."

With a sense of anticipation and a desire to move past the confusion surrounding Krish, I hit send, hoping for a fresh and uncomplicated beginning in my new surroundings.

A few minutes later, my phone tinged, and our conversation flowed for three hours straight. It continued in the same vein over the following days. Occasionally, I'd run into him during my jogs, but most of our interactions took place through our phones, particularly late at night. Surya soon became my 4 AM companion, and I found myself eagerly awaiting his messages.

Our discussions ranged from village gossip to movies and music, gradually evolving into deeper conversations about our childhoods and life experiences. It was fascinating to gain a fresh perspective on life from someone with such a different background. Surya would often send me pictures of his daily routines, providing a glimpse into his world.

I loved talking to him in ways I cannot really explain. It was different from what I felt for Tyler. This was different. He would occasionally flirt and we would brush it off as a joke, but eventually, I started liking that new attention. Time seemed to fly whenever we began talking, and I enjoyed sharing things with him, especially because he was a fantastic listener and always available. Unlike other friends I had, I didn't have to wait for a reply for hours or sometimes days; he would reply in minutes, and sometimes I'd say seconds.

Days turned into weeks, and our friendship deepened in ways I hadn't anticipated. Whenever his name appeared on my phone, my heart skipped a beat. I'd often try to guess how he'd respond to my messages, and he would invariably surprise me with his witty replies. Memes, music, and voice recordings of me attempting to sing Tamil songs added flavor to our conversations.

Finally, the day arrived for our much-anticipated ice cream date. Wanting to keep it a secret from my family, I concocted a few excuses to slip out unnoticed. I rendezvoused with Surya on his moped at the nearest bus stop, and we embarked on our adventure to the town, where we savored ice cream before returning the same way. The thrill of secrecy added an extra layer of excitement to our rendezvous.

The only person who knew about our budding friendship was Varun. When he visited during the weekends, the three of us would hang out together, creating a fun trio. One weekend, Krish made an appearance while we were enjoying each other's company. He greeted me with a formal smile.

"Varun, Mom wants you to come home for lunch," he announced.

"I'll come, don't worry. You go on," Varun replied, dismissing the lunch invitation.

Then Krish's gaze shifted to Surya, and an undeniable tension filled the air, mirroring a similar reaction on Surya's face. My curiosity was piqued, but I reminded myself of my decision to steer clear of their personal drama. However, in the end, my curiosity got the better of me.

"Have you two met before?" I inquired, gesturing towards Krish as he exited.

"They were schoolmates," Varun swiftly responded.

"Really? Then why didn't you talk to him?"

"Well, we weren't that close in school."

"Still, that's rather rude," I commented. "Is your brother always this impolite?" I jokingly asked Varun.

He chuckled. "Who cares? Why are you so interested in my brother anyway? Do you have a crush on him?"

His question caught me off guard, causing my heart to momentarily skip a beat. How could he even suggest such a thing? I mean, Krish, with his grumpy demeanor, was the last person I'd ever consider...

"Are you crazy?" I quickly retorted. "That guy? No way. I'd rather choose him," I teased, patting Surya on the back. We all burst into laughter, including Surya, whose reaction was both adorable and amusing.

That weekend, after Varun left, I sat on my balcony, basking in the evening breeze and listening to my playlist. It was during this moment of serenity that a message arrived on my phone.

"Veena, don't be alarmed by the length of this message. I've wanted to confess something for a long time, but I lacked the courage to say it. Ever since we met, I've started having feelings for you. You've become so special to me. I'm not even sure if I deserve to feel this way, but I wanted you to know. You're something else. P.S. I don't expect a response 🙂"

As I read the heartfelt message, I felt a mixture of emotions. Unsure of how to react, I replied casually, "Jee, thanks, Surya. You're sweet. I like you too."

His immediate response carried a hint of chagrin, "I told you not to reply."

"You shouldn't have sent it then," I quipped back.

"I just wanted you to know how I felt," he explained.

"Your honesty is appreciated." I reassured him before I could continue with my next message.

As I was about to craft my next message, my grandmother called me for dinner. I joined Grandma, Grandpa, and Krish's family at the dinner table, where the tantalizing aroma of Aunty's special fish curry filled the air. We indulged in the flavorful meal, savoring each bite.

After enjoying the delicious dinner, I collected the empty plates and headed to the sink to wash my hands. Unbeknownst to me, I had left my phone unattended on the dining table, where Krish was still finishing his meal. As I returned to retrieve my phone, I noticed a sense of urgency in Krish's expression. He was a slower eater than I, and it seemed he had managed to sneak a glance at something on my phone.

Anger surged through me as I snatched the phone from his grasp, and I hurriedly retreated to my room to read the message that had prompted such an intense reaction. It was a message from Surya.

Before I could reply, Krish suddenly entered my room. An unsettling feeling gripped the room.

"What are you doing here?" I exclaimed, taken aback.

His voice, tinged with concern, demanded, "Do you know what you're doing?"

My patience waned, and I retorted, "What are you talking about?"

Krish's index finger pointed accusingly at my phone, his face a turbulent mix of anger and anxiety.

"On your phone. I saw it," he uttered, a tinge of desperation in his voice.

My own anger flared, and I retorted sharply, "Don't you have any manners? You had the audacity to read my private messages, and now you want to confront me about it?"

With a deep sigh, Krish replied, "Look, I don't care what you think of me. What you're doing isn't right."

"Why do you even care?" I shot back, my voice laced with frustration.

"Because I do," he muttered almost to himself. "He's not a good guy."

I couldn't resist the urge to remind him, "Says the guy who slaps girls."

"Are you going to keep throwing that in my face?" Krish responded, his voice more subdued. "I thought you forgave me that day. Why are you so angry with me?"

I shook my head, my anger still smoldering. "I don't owe you an explanation. It's none of your business."

Krish left my room abruptly, and as he did, I noticed a deep-seated anger in his eyes. This was a departure from his usual grumpy, moody self. It seemed he had an uncanny knack for intruding into my life and disrupting my special moments. As he exited, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before composing the perfect reply. While I had a boyfriend, the excess of time in the village was undeniably affecting me. I found myself drawn to the attention I received and the exhilaration that washed over me every time I spoke with Surya. Despite the impending end of this friendship in a few months, I was determined to savor the remaining time to the fullest.

And so, I began to type my reply.

"Surya, your words touched my heart, and I appreciate your honesty. You've been a great friend, and I value that a lot. But, it's important for me to be upfront with you. I already have someone in my life who means a lot to me, even though we're separated by miles. I hope you understand that, and I genuinely want us to continue being friends."

With a deep breath, I sent the message, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. I knew I had done the right thing by being truthful, but I couldn't help but wonder how Surya would react to my response. Our friendship had taken a unique turn, and I hoped it could weather this new revelation.

As I waited for his reply, I couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty and curiosity about what lay ahead for us.

Do you have a 4 AM friend like Surya? Tell me.. :P

Btw, what do you think of the music suggestions in each chapter. I urge you to listen to it as you read to get into the mood of the chapter.

Any guesses what the next chapter has got in store??