We were just kids

Ria was all set for the ride. The city lights were calling, the playlist was ready, and everything pointed toward one unforgettable night.

Or so she thought.

Ria, Divya, Aarohi, and Vedika had been planning this night for days. It wasn’t just a drive—it was a celebration of friendship, freedom, and the sweet thrill of youth. Soon, they picked up two more friends—Anika and Aryan—completing the gang.

The plan was simple. Loud music, chilled vodka, and a box of rich Theobroma pastries. They weren’t heading to any destination in particular; the ride was the destination.

The car turned into a private concert. Laughter echoed, reels were shot, and jokes flowed freely. With every sip and song, they felt invincible.

But the city had its own plans.

As they neared Churchgate, things started to shift. Divya, usually calm and collected, wasn’t feeling okay. The vodka had hit her harder than expected. She began rambling, her words slurring, her body unsteady.

Concern replaced laughter.

Aryan and Aarohi immediately stepped out to find a store nearby. Water—something so basic—suddenly became the most important thing.

Minutes passed. Then a call for help.

Aryan had lost his phone.

Tension crept in. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not tonight. Not like this.

“Track it!” someone shouted.

“There’s no signal,” Aryan mumbled, panic rising in his voice.

They looked around, helpless.

And then, just when things seemed to hit a low, a street vendor approached them quietly.

"You dropped this near the curb," he said, holding up a phone.

Aryan’s eyes widened. It was his.

Relief swept through the group like a wave.

Divya slowly sipped on the water. Her breathing steadied. No one spoke for a while. The ride back was silent, not because the night was ruined, but because they all knew—they had narrowly escaped something that could’ve gone so wrong.

Ria looked out at the passing streetlights and whispered, more to herself than anyone else:

“It wasn’t the night we imagi

ned…

But it’s one we’ll never forget.”