Ishq Hua | 18+

Shreya

Today we're going to picnic. Usually I would have said no but there's lots of going on now-a-days so a little day out won't hurt. Manvi has an exam so she couldn't make it. Anish suggested that we should give our couple some privacy so we decided to let them take their car and we will go together Me, Reyansh and Anish. It's 6 a.m and here I'm half asleep going to a picnic spot. Why 6 a.m because the location is very faar they said. And sunrise is very beautiful.

The car was quiet for the first ten minutes—partly because Reyansh had taken the wheel and looked too focused for morning conversation, and partly because I was still fighting sleep. My head rested against the window, eyes half-closed. Anish sat behind us, fully awake and far too chirpy for someone who claimed he hated mornings.

Anish (with a dramatic sigh):
Wow. Two couples off to a picnic. The sun is rising, the birds are singing, and here I am… the third wheel of destiny.

I cracked one eye open.

Shreya (sleepily):
You’re not a third wheel, Anish. You’re… just… an attached sidecar.

Anish (mock gasp):
Wow. So now I’m a luggage compartment? Rey, are you hearing this? This is how your future wife treats innocent single men?

Reyansh (without looking away from the road):
You brought it on yourself. You were the one who said, “Let the couple have privacy.” Now suffer.

Shreya (smirking):
You should’ve come with Radha and Veer. You could’ve sat between them and given commentary the whole ride.

Anish (grinning):
Nah, they would’ve kissed in front of me out of spite. No thanks.

I chuckled softly, stretching my arms above my head.

Shreya:
You talk too much for 6 a.m., Anish. After a while we reached Badi lake and some time later Veer and Radha also came in.

The sun was climbing steadily, casting sparkles on the surface of the lake just across from the villa. After the early morning laughter, nature walks, and a hearty breakfast inside the villa, Veer pulled me aside for a private chat. A few murmurs, a knowing glance from me, and the plan was clear—Veer and Radha were off to enjoy some alone time. That left the rest of us: me, Reyansh, and Anish.

We stood outside the villa, staring at the calm water.

Anish (stretching lazily): “Boating, any one?"

Minutes later, we were in the boat. It was a three-seater—Anish at the back handling the oars, Reyansh in the front seat, and I sat in the middle beside Anish. Initially.

Anish, being his usual chatterbox self, leaned closer toward me as he rowed.

Anish (smirking): “So, Shreya… if you had to pick between a sunrise date or a midnight drive, what would it be?”

Shreya (grinning): “Hmm… maybe both. Why choose when I could just drag someone through a 24-hour date?”

Anish: “Oof. Dangerous. You hear that, Rey? She's high-maintenance!”

Shreya- “Correction—I’m just used to quality.”

I caught Reyansh sneaking a glance at me from over his shoulder. His jaw was slightly tight, his eyes narrowing as I laughed at one of Anish’s one-liners. The next time I laughed and lightly hit Anish’s shoulder, I saw Reyansh’s grip on the boat tighten.

Reyansh (deadpan)- “Anish.”

Anish-“Yes, Captain?”

Reyansh-“Switch.”