Indhu POV
The night was unusually quiet. Everyone else in the house was asleep, but I couldn't bring myself to lie down. So I sat on the porch, knees pulled close, staring up at the stars. The leaves rustled softly, streetlights hummed in the distance, and everything felt calm… yet strangely alive.
"Me too."
Shweta's voice startled me a little. She walked over and sat beside me, hugging her knees.
"I couldn't sleep either."
I smiled. "Guess we're star buddies tonight."
We sat there for a while, talking in hushed voices—about random constellations we half-remembered, silly childhood memories, and ridiculous what if scenarios that made no sense at all. It felt easy. Comfortable.
Then suddenly—
"BOO."
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Rohan and Aditya appeared out of nowhere, each holding a small cup of leftover snacks, grinning like villains who had succeeded in their mission.
"Look at Charlotte," Rohan whispered, peeking inside. "Sleeping like she's in a coma. We're not disturbing her, right?"
Aditya chuckled. "Definitely not. Let's keep our secrets in the open air."
And just like that, the four of us sat in a loose circle on the porch, passing around a small flashlight like it was some dramatic campfire prop.
I went first. My heart thumped a little.
"Okay… truth. I once tried to prank Aditya by putting a fake spider in his bag. He screamed so much that I hid behind a wall laughing. Even now, whenever I see a spider, I remember that moment."
Aditya groaned dramatically. "Traitor! That was almost lethal. My heart rate still increases thinking about it."
We laughed, and the tension melted.
Then Shweta leaned in, lowering her voice like it was some huge reveal.
"Okay… my turn. I kind of like someone in class. And no, I'm not telling who. Only Indhu and Charlotte know. And don't laugh."
Rohan and Aditya exchanged looks, trying very hard to look serious.
"Who is it?" Rohan asked, failing.
Shweta crossed her arms. "Not telling. Next."
Rohan shrugged. "Fine. I sometimes… talk to my plants. Like they understand me. And if they don't grow properly, I argue with them."
Aditya burst out laughing. "I'm never touching your plants again."
I laughed so hard my cheeks started hurting.
Then Aditya cleared his throat, suddenly shy.
"Okay… I like someone from this class. Even Rohan doesn't know."
Without thinking, I blurted out, "I know who it is—it's Navamiiii—"
The laughter exploded. Shweta almost fell sideways.
"Aditya, you're impossible!"
Rohan teased, "Adi, oh Romeo! Who is your Juliet?"
Aditya buried his face in his pillow, completely embarrassed.
Things only got more chaotic after that. Shweta finally admitted she once had a tiny crush on a boy named Robin… in second grade.
I laughed so hard I nearly tipped over.
"This is gold. Absolute gold."
Even with all the teasing, there was this warmth wrapping around us. No judgment. No fear. Just us.
As the night grew quieter, Aditya handed me some popcorn.
"For your bravery," he said with a wink.
I smiled softly. "Thanks… for everything. All of you."
Shweta nudged Rohan. "You've been staring at the stars for a while. Daydreaming?"
Rohan smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just enjoying the company."
He pulled out a KitKat from his pocket.
"My mom gave me this… I just wanted to give you."
Shweta grinned and took it, and for a second, everything felt perfectly still.
We leaned back, gazing at the stars together, moonlight spilling gently across the garden. Friendship, laughter, secrets—it felt like the kind of moment you don't realize is special until later.
Eventually, we tiptoed back inside, careful not to wake Charlotte, who was still fast asleep. When I finally curled up in my sleeping bag, I knew one thing for sure—
These late-night secrets and starry moments were memories I'd carry with me for a long, long time.