Chapter 1: Opening Image
"Ouch! Seriously, Ravi, watch where you're packing that thing!" Kavya yelped, hopping on one foot and rubbing her freshly-bruised calf. The four friends - Kavya, Ravi, Raj, and Vikas - were crammed into Kavya's small apartment, packing for a weekend trip to the coast.
Ravi, the tallest of the group and with elbows to match, looked genuinely surprised. "Oh, damn! I'm so sorry, Kavs." He turned to their other friends.
"You guys gotta forgive me, I'm just too excited about this trip!" he said, grinning ear-to-ear. Kavya couldn't help but roll her eyes, chuckling softly. She loved Ravi's enthusiasm, even if it sometimes came at her expense.
Meanwhile, Raj was sprawled out on the couch, scrolling through his phone and occasionally sipping from a steaming mug. He glanced up as Kavya approached. "Hey, Kavs, you got any more of that chai?
My cold brew just ain't cutting it," Raj called out, poking Vikas who, shockingly, was actually being helpful for a change. He was meticulously rolling up Kavya's travel clothes and placing them neatly into her suitcase.
Kavya turned back to her kitchen and poured herself another cup, trying hard not to smile at Vikas' newfound domesticity. She added honey and milk to her own mug, trying to warm herself against the chill in the air. Despite it being spring, a late cold front had blown into the city.