Mission Forensic
Part 4: The Freshers' Party
By Milik Ahmed
Read Previous Parts: Click Here
The auditorium pulsed with life as Edward, Catherine, and Shawn stepped into the vibrant chaos of the Freshers' Party. The air vibrated with the thrum of loud music, a heady mix of pulsing beats and soulful melodies that spilled from the speakers. The dance floor was a sea of swaying bodies, students clad in a dazzling array of traditional and modern attire, their laughter weaving through the rhythm like a thread of light. Fairy lights twinkled above, casting a warm glow over the scene, while the scent of spiced snacks and sweet perfumes mingled in the air.
Catherine’s eyes lit up as the music called to her, her Mekhela Sador swaying gracefully as she joined a group of her female friends on the dance floor. Her movements were fluid, a natural elegance that drew glances from across the room. Edward watched her for a moment, his heart catching at the sight of her, radiant and free, before Shawn elbowed him playfully, pulling him toward their rowdy group of friends—the self-proclaimed Crazy Boys Gang.
As the night unfolded, Edward found his gaze drifting back to Catherine. She moved with an effortless grace, her silken attire catching the light with every turn, transforming her into a vision that seemed to belong to another world. He had always seen her as a friend, a constant presence in his life, sharp-witted and fiercely independent. But tonight, under the spell of the music and the soft glow of the lights, she was something more—a mystery unfolding before him, stirring feelings he hadn’t dared to name.
The music shifted, slowing to a soft jazz melody that seemed to hush the crowd. Catherine caught Edward’s eye across the room, a small smile playing on her lips. Without a word, she extended a hand, and he crossed the floor to her, his heart pounding in time with the gentle rhythm. Their hands met, warm and sure, and they began to dance, their movements slow and deliberate, as if the world had narrowed to just the two of them.
"I didn’t know you could dance like this," Catherine murmured, her voice soft, her eyes locked on his.
Edward grinned, his usual confidence tinged with a rare vulnerability. "I’m full of surprises, you know."
In that moment, lost in the music, Catherine felt something shift within her. Edward’s presence, steady and warm, was no longer just comforting—it was electric, sparking a realization that she cared for him deeply, more than she had ever admitted to herself. The way his hand rested gently at her waist, the way his eyes held hers with unspoken questions, made her heart race in a way she couldn’t ignore.
Shawn, meanwhile, was in his element, a whirlwind of energy as he laughed and joked with the crowd, a drink in hand and a grin that never faltered. He moved through the party like a comet, leaving a trail of laughter in his wake. But as he caught sight of Edward and Catherine on the dance floor, their closeness undeniable, a shadow flickered across his face. He was happy for his friends, truly, but a quiet ache settled in his chest—a twinge of jealousy, a sense of being left behind as the two people he cared about most drifted into a world of their own.
He turned away, forcing a laugh as he rejoined his friends, but the feeling lingered, a subtle crack in his usual bravado. Shawn was no stranger to fun, but tonight, the joy felt bittersweet.
As the party wound down, Edward and Catherine found themselves outside the auditorium, the cool night air a sharp contrast to the warmth of the crowded hall. The stars glittered above, a vast canvas of light that seemed to mirror the unspoken emotions between them. They stood close, the silence heavy with possibility, their breath visible in the chilly air.
Edward shifted, his usual confidence faltering as he looked at Catherine. Her face was illuminated by the soft glow of a nearby lantern, her eyes searching his with a quiet intensity. He took a deep breath, his hand finding hers, their fingers intertwining naturally.
"Catherine," he began, his voice low, almost a whisper. "I’ve always thought of you as my best friend. But tonight… I realized it’s more than that. I have feelings for you, and I don’t want to keep them hidden anymore."
Catherine’s heart skipped a beat, a wave of relief washing over her. She squeezed his hand, her smile soft and genuine. "I’ve been feeling the same way, Ed. I didn’t know how to say it, but… I care about you. A lot."
Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world fell away. They leaned closer, sharing a sweet, tentative kiss under the starlit sky, a moment that felt both fragile and infinite. It was a promise, a beginning, sealed in the quiet of the night.
From a distance, Shawn watched, his heart heavy with a mix of happiness and loss. He turned away, shoving his hands into his pockets, and walked back toward the fading lights of the party. The night had changed everything, and he wasn’t sure where he fit in anymore.
"Some moments are like clues," Catherine had said earlier, her voice echoing in Edward’s mind. "They lead you to truths you didn’t know you were searching for."
The Freshers' Party had been more than a celebration—it was a turning point, a spark that would ignite new paths and unravel secrets yet to come. Edward and Catherine stood hand in hand, unaware of the challenges that awaited, their hearts alight with the promise of something new.
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