People think survival stories are about danger. Mine began with hunger and a quiet place, with all of us sitting on the ground because there was no one here, we were waiting for someone to come ask us, the only good thing in this dead cold was that fire.
King didn't complain. He never does. While the rest of us argued about food and blamed each other for poor planning, he sat there like nothing could shake him—calm, cold, unmovable. Stone-like.
The owner finally came, he was same age as that grandpa.
"Hello guys, welcome to my place," he greeted us all. "My friend told me everything already, You can stay here but the only problem is you guys have to cook yourself. I will provide you raw veggies and fish," he then looked at august "and some drinks if you want."
"Sure sir, thank you." august replied.
"okay then wait here for sometime I will be back with food and other necessary stuff." he said "and you guys can put back in cottage and fresh up."
"There are 3 of it and we are eight, I would suggest.." king was about to talk...
"Yaa wait please Tina and I cant share it with anyone, we want it separate please." sand said.
mona who was standing beside me sigh I know she was about to fight with sand but her hunger and tiredness made her calm today, on the other hand king was quite because sand said please.
"Anyone have problem?" king asked rest of us but no one had problem lowkey because no one was interested either to share room with sand and Tina.
"Ok so," king said and took a pause, "Aug, Mona and Roy in one and May, Ava and I will be in another."
"yaaa why? we will split in ladies and gents cant we??" may said.
"No may, this place is shady we cant take risk at least a guy should be there in each hut." Roy replied.
"huh, at least a woman should be there." Mona said.
"Yes," august said smiling at her. "Protect me, I cant trust Roy."
"huh!!!" Roy replied "lets go now."
inside the hut it was warm and cozy but the problem was one bed, guess who will be sleeping on the floor? yes right. stone.
I came out after changing my cloths and the whole scenario was changed outside.
Roy was chopping vegetables like he had something to prove. May teased him for it. Mona tried to organize us. August nearly burned the food. It was chaotic, but somehow warm—like we were playing at being normal.
King sat close enough that I could feel him without looking. I didn't look.
Everyone else did.
"Relax," King said at some point, voice low, bossy in that effortless way of his. "Food will be ready."
I smiled without thinking. "You say that like an order."
His eyes met mine briefly. Just long enough to make my chest feel tight.
Dinner wasn't great, but we ate anyway. Shared food. Shared space. Shared glances we weren't supposed to catch. I laughed at Roy's jokes. I listened to May complain. I watched King stay silent, watching everything. I was enjoying.
Then Roy suggested truth or dare.
I should've known better.
When it landed on King, he chose dare. Of course he did. Roy didn't even hide his grin when he told King to make eye contact with me until he or I blinks looser will do dishes.
"you did it intentionally." King said to Roy.
I froze.
King didn't hesitate.
He sat in front of me, close—too close. His eyes met mine, solid and warm. He said nothing. I said nothing. The silence felt heavier than words ever could.
I looked into his eyes as long as possible, I wanted this forever, heart loud in my ears. I wondered if he could hear it.
his pupils observing mine.
And that was enough.
I didn't know someone was watching. I didn't know a picture was being taken. I only knew that moment existed—quiet, unguarded, dangerous.