The observation felt intimate enough to irritate her.
“My turn,” Tanya said. “Kabir surprised me because he occasionally completes a thought without making it a line.”
“Occasionally?”
“Do not damage the compliment.”
The bowl produced a harder question: What is your worst romantic habit?
Rhea argued instead of asking for reassurance. Meher staged perfect dates and felt cheated when emotion ignored the plan. Naina waited for proof she mattered and resented people for not producing it. Tanya withdrew before anyone could reject her.
Kabir read the question twice.
“I make people feel promises I did not say,” he answered.
The terrace became quiet.
“Alarmingly self-aware,” Dev said.
“Awareness is not reform,” Zoya replied.
Kabir lifted his glass. “Surrounded by judges.”
“You collect them,” Tanya said.
She recognised the warning. Later she would understand that confession had become part of Kabir’s charm. He displayed the flaw in elegant language so others felt unreasonable for being surprised when it remained a flaw.
The final paper asked: What stays in Goa?
“Sam’s hat,” Rhea said.
“Rejected.”
“My dignity,” Meher said.
“Never arrived,” Naina replied.
Kabir looked at Tanya. She had declared their intimacy geographically sealed. Now the statement felt less like freedom and more like fear.
“Nothing stays anywhere,” Zoya said. “People carry the part that suits their luggage.”
After midnight, both groups walked back along the road. The women moved ahead, arms linked. Vikram took the photograph Tanya would later frame. The men followed several paces behind.
Kabir caught Tanya near Casa Estrela.
“Coffee,” he said.
“You have mentioned it.”
“Improving the argument through repetition.”
“Poor method.”
“Delhi. No decorative lights. If you still like me, evidence becomes stronger.”
“One coffee,” Tanya said.
“No promises.”
“Correct.”
He kissed her once at the gate. Mrs D’Souza switched on the reception light.
“Departure is tomorrow,” she called. “Do not create checkout delay.”
Tanya entered laughing. The coffee had been agreed before she reached Delhi. She would later call the market meeting coincidence because coincidence protected her self-image better than intention.
Delhi appeared beneath the plane in straight roads and crowded lights.
The holiday felt complete because it had an ending.
That was its first lie.