The air in the room was thick with tension.
Shumaila stood near the bathroom door, arms crossed, trying to act unfazed, while Hamza leaned against the window, watching her with an unreadable expression.
She was the first to break eye contact, muttering, "I'm going to sleep."
Hamza, of course, wasn't going to let her off that easily.
He smirked, stepping away from the window. "So, are we going to pretend this isn't happening?"
Shumaila feigned confusion. "What isn't happening?"
Hamza chuckled, shaking his head as he took a slow step closer. "You staring at me just now."
She scoffed. "It was one second."
"Mmm," he hummed, taking another step. "Felt longer to me."
Before she could respond, he tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes again. His touch was light, but it sent a sharp jolt through her.
"Then why do you look so nervous?" he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.
Shumaila's breath hitched. She wasn't nervous. She was frustrated. With him. With herself. With the way her heart refused to listen to logic when he was this close.
"You can keep pushing me away," he murmured, leaning in just enough for his breath to brush her cheek. "But we both know you don't hate this."
Shumaila felt her back press against the wall, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. Her lips parted, but before she could form a retort—
A loud knock echoed through the room.
Over in other room, Komal and Siddarth were locked in a battle of wills.
"There's only one bed," Siddarth pointed out.
Komal raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, and?"
"I'll take the couch," he said, moving toward it.
She smirked, flopping onto the bed dramatically. "Scared to sleep next to me, huh?"
Siddarth shot her an unimpressed look. "I value my life. What if you move too much in your sleep?"
Komal gasped. "Excuse me? I sleep like an angel."
Siddarth rolled his eyes. "An angel that kicks. I remember that time during group study—"
"That was ONE TIME!" she defended, but her cheeks heated. "Also, you deserved it."
He shook his head, getting comfortable on the couch. "Just don't wake me up with your flailing."
Komal scoffed, turning away. But despite her teasing, she was hyper-aware of the fact that Siddarth was in the same room, mere feet away. And somehow, the air between them didn't feel as fake as it used to.
Meanwhile, Akansha and Sneha were far from sleeping.
"So…" Sneha grinned. "You and Aarav."
Akansha groaned, pulling her blanket over her head. "No."
"Yes."
"Sneha."
"Akansha."
Akansha peered out, already regretting this conversation. "What do you want me to say?"
"That you like him," Sneha said casually, lying on her stomach and propping herself up on her elbows.
Akansha hesitated before muttering, "He's… persistent."
Sneha smirked. "You mean, he's winning."
Akansha threw a pillow at her, making Sneha burst into laughter.
"Shut up and sleep."
"Fine, fine. But you're blushing."
"I swear to God, Sneha—"
"MUHEHEHE"
Back in Shumaila and Hamza's room, the tension shattered as Shumaila quickly pushed Hamza away and swung open the door.
Rudra stood there, grinning like an idiot.
"Heyyyy," he drawled. "Just checking in! You guys good? Need anything?"
Shumaila glared. "Rudra. It's midnight."
"Yeah, I know. Just making sure no one's being murdered."
"Leave."
Rudra peeked over her shoulder at Hamza, who was leaning against the wall, watching with amusement.
"Ohhh," Rudra smirked. "Did I interrupt something?"
Shumaila slammed the door in his face.
Hamza chuckled. "Saved by the idiot."
She shot him a glare. "Go to sleep, Hamza."
He smirked, stepping closer one last time, lowering his voice. "Sweet dreams, trouble."
Shumaila turned away, pretending not to care. But her heart was pounding.
Rudra returned to his room, still grinning.
Aarav, already lying down, gave him a side glance. "Why do you look so smug?"
"Because I witnessed history."
Aarav raised an eyebrow. "You interrupted Hamza and Shumaila, didn't you?"
Rudra flopped onto his bed. "I sure did. And it was GLORIOUS."
Aarav sighed. "You enjoy chaos too much."
"And you don't enjoy it enough." Rudra stretched. "Also, random thought—what if ghosts are real?"
Aarav groaned. "Here we go."
"No, seriously. Imagine if this resort is haunted. What if a ghost is watching us sleep right now?"
Aarav grabbed his pillow and threw it at him. "Shut up and sleep."
Rudra muttered, "I'm just saying."
Silence.
Then, after a moment—
"Aarav?"
"What, Rudra?"
"…Do you think ghosts have favorite colors?"
"Go. To. Sleep."