They were childhood best friends, inseparable until fate tore them apart.
Years later, Avneet returns-hoping, longing-for even a flicker of recognition in Siddharth's eyes.
But he looks at her like a stranger.
Every memory... gone.
Every promise...
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It was currently 6 AM. Siddharth had just finished his morning workout and was drying off the sweat with a towel. As he was about to leave the gym, he heard a familiar voice approaching.
It was his sister-in-law, Vaishnavi, walking in with a tray carrying a cup of tea.
“Where are you going, Sid?” she asked.
Sid chuckled, taking the cup from the tray. “Nothing, just felt like going for a run.”
Vaishnavi raised an eyebrow, slipping into her usual motherly tone. “Did you even check the weather today? It’s about to rain—heavy winds too.”
His eyes widened. “Oh damn, thanks for the heads up, Di.” He gave her a quick side hug before heading off to freshen up.
Inside the shower, warm water cascaded over his skin, relaxing every tired muscle. His well-toned abs glistened under the spray. After a while, he wrapped a towel around his waist and admired himself in the mirror.
“Still need to work on the abs,” he muttered with a smirk before stepping out.
Soon, he changed into something casual—a white half-sleeve T-shirt and shorts. While setting his hair, he heard Vaishnavi calling him from downstairs for breakfast.
He headed down and joined his family at the dining table.
In between bites, his brother Abhishek spoke up, “Mumma, Avneet’s family is returning to Mumbai today.”
Their mother, Vibha, smiled warmly. “That’s wonderful. I’m so glad they’re finally giving India another chance.”
Vaishnavi's voice lit up with excitement. “Let’s go pick them up from the airport, Abhi. What do you think?”
Abhishek nodded in agreement, then turned to Siddharth with a grin. “Chote, you're coming with us, right?”
Sid blinked, confused—as if hearing the name for the first time. “Sure, I can come… but who’s Avneet?”
The smile on Abhishek’s face faltered. “We’ll introduce you to her later,” he said softly.
An odd silence fell over the table as everyone resumed eating.
After breakfast, Sid went back to his room to get ready for college. He threw on a grey jacket over his T-shirt and slipped into a pair of jeans. Waving a quick goodbye, he headed out.
Avneet’s POV
Finally, I’m back. Back in the country where I lost my one and only best friend. I should feel happy… but all I feel is emptiness.
I sat quietly in the waiting area of the airport, people rushing around me with excitement and reunions—but my heart felt stuck in time. My fingers clutched the small keychain he gave me on my birthday, worn but precious. I traced its edges gently, my thoughts drifting.
“How can I be happy when you’re not here?” I whispered under my breath.
Before I could sink deeper into the memory, my mom called out to me.
“The cab’s here. Let’s go. What do you keep thinking about all the time?”
I shook my head, hiding the ache with a practiced smile. “Nothing.”
We walked out of the terminal, the city’s familiar air brushing against my face. In the cab, my mom glanced at her phone and sighed.
“Vibha said she wanted to come pick us up, but something came up. She won’t make it.”
I just nodded, staring out of the window, trying to stop my mind from wandering to the one person I never stopped missing.
˚˖𓍢🌷✧˚.🎀⋆
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