Unlocking my phone, I scrolled through my direct messages, searching for a young up-and-coming influencer. Perhaps I could turn my loneliness into a PR opportunity? A message caught my eye. I had that moment of morbid curiosity, when logic tells you not to get involved, yet, somehow, you end up doing so anyway. Latika’s message was a jumble of gratification for our newfound friendship, sorrow and anger over her breakup with Gaurav, and admiration for the amount of work I was receiving. Contemplating the drama it could bring for only a second, I hit reply.

‘He’s not worth it, anyway! You busy later today?’

I wasn’t even sure if Latika would be awake. It was three in the morning, but the energy drink and vodka were still coursing through my veins, doing the job I requested of them. It wasn’t long before Latika’s reply came through. She had been at a party earlier that night, and was making her way home. Perhaps I should invite her to the club opening? She liked a good party, was relatively well behaved and full of energy. At least I wouldn’t have a constant eye watching me, judging my behaviour. I lay on the bed and closed my eyes, trying to get the sleep that I knew I desperately needed. But it wouldn’t come. My mind played tricks on me, willing me to rid myself of the guilt that was building inside after losing my temper with Kavya. But my stubbornness was deep-rooted, and I fought the feeling.

‘No more emotion, Jhanvi; only control,’ I told myself in the darkness. I repeated it over and over again, until my bedroom turned orange and the sun burned through the darkness. I closed my eyes, knowing that my alarm would go off in two hours. Ignoring the burning hunger pangs, I finally fell asleep.

I jolted awake, sure that I had heard someone in my apartment. Sitting bolt upright in my bed, I looked around. The room spun, and my head throbbed. There was a knocking sound. Why was I finding it so difficult to orient myself? I swung my legs out of bed and fought the rising nausea in my stomach. I reached for my phone, squinting my eyes as the blue screen came to life.

‘Shit!’ I cursed; I had slept through the alarm. I grabbed a hair tie and loosely pulled my hair away from my face, realising where the banging was coming from. I unlocked the front door and shouted that it was open as I dashed to the bathroom. Latika walked into my apartment, confused on seeing me walking down the passage.

‘Am I early?’