Invisible Strings

Chapter 1

Arjun chuckled, lifting the cupcake in a mock toast. "Deal."

I watched them walk away, exhaling a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

The room buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the occasional burst of music, but I found myself gravitating toward the edges, quietly observing rather than diving in. Rhea and Kabir were in their element, effortlessly hosting, and while I felt happy for them, I couldn't shake the faint tug of solitude.

The party felt incomplete without the rest of the group here. Normally Monica, Dimple and Simran would be here as well, it felt strange, being at something this big without all of us together. We'd be making sly jokes or having our senseless conversation. Tonight, though, it was just me, and the realization left a small, hollow space in the corners of my mind.

I shook it off and smiled as someone passed with a tray of appetizers. It wasn't that I didn't know anyone here-I did-but making small talk didn't feel quite as appealing as it usually might. Maybe I just needed a moment to myself.

With that thought, I slipped into the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the counter. The cold pressed against my palm as I scan through the counter for an opener. Nothing. I checked near the other bottles, next to the coffee machine, on the fridge - still no luck.
With a small sigh, I pulled open a drawer, my fingers trailing through a few scattered utensils, but nothing useful.

"Need some help with that ?"

The unexpected voice behind me made me pause. I turned around to find Arjun standing a few feet away, with an amused expression.

"Oh - uh, yeah. Can't seem to find the opener." I admitted, feeling a little ridiculous.

Arjun stepped further into the kitchen, glancing around. "Let's see..." He began opening the drawers nearby, shifting things around. "You'd think they'd keep it somewhere obvious" he chuckled.

I leaned against the counter, watching as he moved from one drawer to the other, this time however with a little more certainty.

A second later, he lifted the opener with a small smirk. "Found it"

Great. He gets to be effortlessly charming while I look like a clueless idiot searching through drawers like a lost diamond ring.

Before I could even respond to it, he took the bottle from my hand, popped the cap off with ease and handed it back to me. I hesitated for half a second before accepting it, my fingers brushing his in the exchange.

"Thanks" I said, lifting the bottle slightly.

Before I could think twice, I reached for another bottle for him.

"Ohh-do you want one too ? I asked, glancing up mid-motion. He lifted a brow, amused " I wouldn't say no."

I handed it to him, watching as his fingers brushed over the label before twisting it open with ease.
Arjun took a sip of his beer, his gaze flickering between me and the party beyond. "Didn't expect to see you in here, needed a break as well ? "

I huffed a quiet laugh. "It's less about needing a break and more about not knowing half the people here."
His brow lifted slightly, with a curious look on his face. "Really? I thought this would be your crowd."

I shook my head. "More like my best friend's crowd. I know people here, just don't know-know them, you get what I mean?" I laugh slightly.

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Guess that makes two of us."

I nod slightly, taking a sip of beer hiding my nervous smile beneath it.

A brief moment of silence washes over us as we watch the party from afar while sipping on our cold beers.

I let the warmth of the scene settle in-watching Rhea dance under the soft glow of the fairy lights with Kabir, utterly in love. It's the kind of joy that fills your heart completely, yet leaves a little trace of wishfulness behind-a quiet reminder of how much things have changed and yet, somehow, stayed the same.

My thoughts are interrupted when I realize his gaze is no longer on the party but on me instead. My cheeks turn a bright shade of red as I meet his eyes.

He smirks, caught in the act, and breaks the silence.

"So... um, any plans on going back out there?"
I scrunch my nose, pretending to think as I glance between him and the crowd. "Maybe... in a while."
His face lights up. "Yeah, I don't feel like going back just yet either."

I nod, letting the warmth of the kitchen and the quiet hum of the party in the background settle between us. Something about this moment lingers. It's easy. Maybe too easy.

After a beat, he speaks again. "You know, when Kabir first introduced me to you, I assumed you'd be out there in the middle of everything-laughing, dancing, making sure everyone's having a good time."

I blink, caught off guard by how quickly he's picked up on that part of me. A nervous laugh escapes. "You got all that from one interaction?"

He tilts his head as if considering. "Well, that, and the way you've been running around making sure your friends can actually enjoy their night."

I huff out a laugh, shaking my head in disbelief. "Fair point."

My heart does a little flip, and I have to remind myself to breathe. I roll my eyes, trying to mask the warmth creeping up my neck. "That's a lot of observations."
He grins. "Maybe. Or I just notice the little things."

His words settle between us, heavier than before, and for a second, I don't know what to say. I should brush it off, laugh, make some lighthearted joke-but instead, I let the moment linger, hanging in the space between what was said and what wasn't.

I tell myself it's nothing. Just a passing moment. Nothing more.

And yet, as I turn my gaze back to the party, I realize I'm still thinking about it. About him. And for some reason, I can't quite shake it off.

Author's Note

Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of Invisible Strings!
This story means a lot to me, and I'm so excited (and a little nervous!) to finally share it.

If you enjoyed it even a little, I'd love to hear your thoughts-comments, feedback, or just a quick "hi" are always welcome.

I'll be posting new chapters regularly, so I hope you'll stick around to see where Anamika and Arjun's story goes. 💖

- From a very grateful new writer ✨