The night had just begun.
Outside, the rain was pouring heavily, crashing against the hostel windows. But inside the room, something even more intense was brewing. Mina sat only six inches apart from Nisha. Neither of them spoke, yet the tension between them was thick, electric. Every breath they took seemed to heat up the room.
They both knew the kiss video had been recorded... and sent. There was no taking it back.
Suddenly - CRACKKKK!
A loud thunderclap shook the sky, and without thinking, Nisha jumped straight into Mina's arms. Her body clung tightly, trembling. Mina froze.
Two minutes...
Three minutes...
They stayed like that, pressed together, not saying a word.
Mina (thinking):
What do I do now? She's holding me so tightly... her neck is right by my lips, and the scent of her hair is driving me insane. Maybe... maybe this is the moment I've been waiting for. Maybe tonight, I can finally-
Her hand slowly slid down Nisha's back, gently, until it rested on her waist.
But just then-
Nisha pulled away, blushing hard. She stood in front of Mina, flustered.
Nisha:
"It's getting late. We should... go to sleep."
Mina:
"Y-Yeah. You're right... we've got college tomorrow too."
Nisha didn't move.
Mina:
"Um... why are you still standing?"
Nisha (shyly):
"Because... you're sitting on my bed."
Mina (laughing awkwardly):
"Oh! Sorry, sorry-I'll go back to mine."
They both turned in for the night, crawling into their beds. But what they didn't know was...
Tonight was far from over.
---
2:30 AM
BOOM!
A loud explosion echoed across the area. The fan stopped. The lights went out.
Nisha (half-awake):
"W-What was that?!"
Mina (sitting up):
"I don't know... and the power's gone too."
She grabbed her phone and turned on the flashlight.
Mina:
"Let's go check outside."
They stepped into the corridor and saw a group of girls already gathered.
Mina:
"Salma? What's going on?"
Salma (concerned):
"No clue. There was a loud bang, then the lights went out. The security guard went to check what happened."
Just then, the hostel warden appeared.
Warden:
"Girls, please stay calm."
The guard returned and spoke loudly:
Security Guard:
"A lightning bolt hit the big transformer outside. It exploded. Power is out in the entire area."
Warden:
"When will it be fixed? Did you talk to the electricity department?"
Security Guard:
"Yes. They said it'll take at least a day to fix."
Warden:
"Alright girls, you heard him. Go back to your rooms. We'll manage without power tonight."
Everyone dispersed.
Mina and Nisha returned to their room, but as they opened the door...
Someone was already sitting on Mina's bed.
They both froze.
Then came a voice from the shadows-
???
"Come on in, girls. I've been waiting for you."
Nisha:
"W-Who are you?"
? (stepping into the light):
"Don't you recognize me? It's me-Neha."
Nisha (shocked):
"Wh-What are you doing here?!"
Neha:
"Is that even a question? I live in this hostel too."
Mina (stern):
"But what are you doing in our room?"
Neha's smile was dangerous. Something about her presence in the dark room, during a power outage, felt off.