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Chapter 44 - Falling in Love

The hike to Kudle Beach in Gokarna was nothing short of breathtaking. The group started their trek at the mouth of the trail, surrounded by lush greenery and the earthy aroma of the forest. The trail was a mix of narrow paths, rocky terrain, and occasional steps carved into the landscape. As they began their descent, the beauty of the surroundings unfolded before them.

The sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves accompanied their journey, making it feel like a harmonious symphony of nature.

As they ventured further down, the trail opened up to offer glimpses of the shimmering sea in the distance. The breathtaking view of the azure ocean contrasted beautifully with the greenery, making it a sight to remember. The sea breeze gently caressed their faces, adding a touch of freshness to the air.

Alan was talking to Vineet and Chandan. "So," said Priya. "Chandan and I are now official." She was grinning. "But we are taking it slow," she explained. "Took a leaf out of Fiza's book and am playing hard to get." She laughed.

"Hey!" Chuckled Fiza, "that's not what I'm doing. And don't take it too far, or he'll lose interest." She added, her face falling. Shahana put her arm around her. "What happened?" She asked.

"We kinda got in a fight. He... he crossed a line, and I yelled at him," she said. "Now he has his walls up. He's been exchanging numbers with other girls right in front of me. To hurt me."

If what he had said was true and he had not been with anyone else all these years, then the only reason he was doing this now was to hurt her. She shook her head. Her Alan, who had always bent over backwards trying to make her happy, would never intentionally hurt her. Unless she had crossed a line with him too. She must have really hurt him too, she realized.

"You guys are inseparable," said Priya, "you'll figure it out."

As they lounged on Kudle Beach, the friends continued to discuss their plans for the rest of the day. They shared ideas, debated, and eventually settled on exploring some nearby caves the next day.

Jokes and laughter filled the air as they recounted funny incidents from their past, pulling each other's legs and sharing inside jokes that only close friends could comprehend.

Priya and Fiza playfully teased each other about their respective love interests, while Shahana and Vineet couldn't stop giggling as they exchanged sweet glances.

Alan, who had been distant since the earlier misunderstanding, couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie of his friends.

Chandran, had everyone in stitches with his humorous anecdotes and quirky impressions. His infectious laughter lifted everyone's spirits and brought an air of lightness to the atmosphere.

As the day wore on, they relished the simple joys of being together - the warmth of the sun on their skin, the soft sand beneath their feet, and the soothing sound of the waves. They played beach games, built sand sculptures, and splashed around in the water like carefree children.

Finally, Alan got up, expressing his desire to attend the private party that Anjana had invited him to. Fiza's face fell, a mixture of disappointment and worry washing over her. She hadn't anticipated him going through with it, especially considering how much fun they had all been having together as a group.

"Let's all go," suggested Vineet, stepping in to offer a solution. Fiza felt grateful for his intervention, hoping that being in a group would prevent Alan from getting too close to the other girls.

Alan hesitated for a moment, seemingly reluctant to have the group join him. Nevertheless, he agreed, perhaps realizing that it would be a easier for him to ignore Fiza's presence if they all went together.