DIVYA
My head is still spinning when the ride finally slows down. For a moment the entire world tilts sideways—bright lights blurring together, the sky and ground trading places like they’re arguing about who belongs where. The metal bar in front of me rattles as the ride groans to a stop, and I cling to it for an extra second before daring to move.
“Didi!” Neel’s voice bursts beside me. “That was AMAZING!”
I blink rapidly, trying to convince my eyes to behave. The amusement park lights flicker into focus again—yellow bulbs strung along railings, neon signs flashing somewhere near the entrance, the faint smell of fried food drifting through the evening air.
My hair has escaped whatever dignity it had earlier and is now flying wildly around my face.
I laugh. It's a genuine laugh. The kind that bubbles out before you have time to think about it. “I think my soul left my body halfway through that,” I say, pressing my palm to my forehead.
Aditya’s voice comes from my other side, steady and amused. “You’re the one who insisted on the spinning ride.”
I turn toward him and narrow my eyes. “That was before I realized it spins like it’s trying to send people into another dimension.”
Neel is already unbuckling himself with the enthusiasm of someone who has discovered pure joy. “Again!” he declares.
“Absolutely not,” I say immediately.
Aditya raises one eyebrow. “I thought you said you were brave.”
“I said I was willing to try things.”
“That sounds like bravery.”
“No, actually it sounds like bad decision-making.”
Neel jumps down the moment the attendant lifts the bar and runs ahead toward the exit gate, bouncing on his heels like his body contains too much energy for normal walking.
Aditya climbs out more gracefully. Then he turns toward me.
“Need help?”
I wave him off confidently. “I can get out of a seat without assistance, Mr. Gupta.”
I stand up. But the world tilts again. My confidence vanishes instantly. Before I can embarrass myself further, his hand appears in front of me.
I grab it without hesitation. For a second I forget to let go. His fingers are warm. Strong. And unfortunately very distracting. “Better?” he asks.
“Much,” I mutter, releasing his hand quickly.
Neel is already halfway down the path when he notices we haven’t caught up.
He spins around dramatically. “Why are you two walking like grandparents?”
Aditya sighs. “Because some of us enjoy having functioning internal organs.”
Neel ignores him and grabs my wrist, pulling me forward. The amusement park is exactly the kind of place I would never normally come to.
Too noisy.
Too chaotic.
Too many people laughing and shouting and moving in every direction.
And yet—right now it feels strangely wonderful.
Maybe it’s because it’s a weekday and the crowds are thinner. Maybe it’s because the evening air has cooled just enough to make walking comfortable.
