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 Siddharth. He had punched the middle-aged man so hard, the guy struggled to get up.
“Stalking a girl, huh?” Sid growled, stepping forward. “Wanna take a trip to the police station? It's nearby.”
The man scrambled to his feet, trembling. “I-I’m sorry! Please, I won’t—”
Sid didn’t let him finish. He punched him again. “You’ve got till the count of three to disappear. One... two—”
Before he even reached three, the man bolted like lightning.
Avneet stood there, visibly shaken at first, but once the creep was gone, her expression turned unreadable.
“Tha—” she began, but Sid cut her off.
“You’re seriously crazy,” he snapped, annoyed. “This isn’t your California. This is India. You have to be careful here. Walking around at night like this? Not smart.”
Avneet lowered her gaze and muttered, “Thanks anyway…”
Sid rolled his eyes. “I don’t need your thank you. I’m a gentleman. I help girls—it’s what I do.”
She chuckled and mimicked his tone, “I’m a gentleman. I help girls…”
He glared. “Don’t copy me, crazy woman.”
She copied that too.
Before he could respond, his phone rang. It was Abhishek. Sid answered, but for some reason, his eyes stayed on her the whole time.
After hanging up, he said, “They’re at your house. They want to see you. Let’s go.”
Avneet nodded and walked beside him. Soon they reached the house, and as they stepped inside, Vaishnavi rushed over and hugged Avneet tightly.
“Oh my god, I missed you so much!”
Avneet hugged her back, smiling. “I missed you too, di.”
Then Abhishek walked over with a playful grin. “And what about me? No hug for your bhaiya?”
Avneet laughed and ran into his arms. Abhishek had always been like a real brother—supportive, protective, and full of warmth.
After the hug, she looked between the two of them and suddenly remembered something. “Wait—when are you two going to get mar—”
Vaishnavi flashed her ring.
Avneet’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “What?! Di, that’s so unfair! You didn’t even invite me to your wedding! After everything I did for you two—delivering those secret love letters back and forth!”
Vaishnavi giggled and pinched her cheek. “I know, I know. I’m so sorry, Avu. It all happened so fast, even we didn’t have time to process it. But the good news is—we’re happy.”
She looked at Abhishek with a glowing smile, and he returned it with quiet pride.
While the three of them caught up, Siddharth sat nearby, helping Vibha peel peas in the kitchen.
“Go join them, Sid,” Vibha nudged him.
He groaned, “They’re boring…”
Vibha gave him the look. “Go. Now.”
Defeated, he sighed and stood up.
Back in the living room, Avneet was telling stories from California, and the others were sharing what had happened while she was gone.
“You know how Sid fell from the—” Avneet started, but Abhishek quickly cut her off with a look.
Siddharth frowned. “Who are you all talking about? Go on, continue.”
Avneet turned to him, her smile soft and slightly sad. “A friend of mine... someone who doesn’t remember me anymore.”
Siddharth burst into laughter. “Oh my god…”
She frowned. “What’s so funny, jerk?”
Still chuckling, he said, “Well, lucky him. Who would want to remember a crazy woman like you? I’d do the same.”
Avneet’s eyes glistened. She tried to hide it, but her voice cracked when she said, “Right…”
“Chote!” Abhishek snapped. “Enough with this nonsense.”
But Avneet interrupted, “No, Bhaiya. He’s right. Who would want to remember me?”
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