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A gentle breeze rustled the leaves as the reunited friends found themselves gathered on the college rooftop, a familiar space echoing with the ghosts of their younger selves. The setting sun cast a warm glow on their faces, illuminating a tapestry of emotions as they reminisced about their shared past.

"Remember that crazy trip to Manali?" Niya chimed in, her voice laced with nostalgia. "We were such a mess!"

Memories flooded back, vivid images of laughter-filled streets and vibrant dye splattered across faces. Abhimanyu, however, went quiet, a flicker of sadness crossing his features. Manali wasn't just about Holi; it was where he'd shared stolen glances and whispered secrets with Kunj.

Laughter erupted, a wave of memories crashing down upon them. Vivid images of Holi celebrations filled with vibrant colors, the thrill of conquering the mountain peak, and evenings spent huddled around a bonfire, sharing secrets under the starlit sky.

Suraj, a shy smile playing on his lips, glanced at Laksh. Their eyes met, a silent conversation passing between them. The memory of their stolen kiss under the moonlight, by the serene river, brought a warmth to his cheeks. Laksh reached out, squeezing Suraj's hand in a comforting gesture.

Rohit's smile dimmed slightly as the conversation drifted towards Manali. He couldn't help but think about Rudra, his absent roommate during that trip. The playful banter they'd shared, the unspoken feelings that simmered beneath the surface - it all came flooding back, leaving a bittersweet ache in his heart.

Manik, ever the energetic one, recounted another hilarious anecdote from their Manali escapade, his infectious laughter filling the air.

Suddenly, Niya's voice cut through the merriment. "Remember Nandini scolding Manik because he didn't book enough rooms?" she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Manik's face fell. The lighthearted mood evaporated, replaced by a heavy silence that descended upon the group. Nandini - the name hung in the air, a painful reminder of a devastating loss.

Suraj, his voice thick with emotion, was the first to break the silence. "Nandini was... amazing. Like the sister I never had." He choked back a sob, Laksh wrapping a protective arm around his shoulder.

A wave of grief washed over everyone. Nandini, their fierce friend and confidante, was no longer with them. Three years had passed since the tragic accident, but the wound remained raw.

"She'll always be alive in our happy memories," Arjun said softly, his voice heavy with sadness.

Rohit, tears welling in his eyes, leaned towards Manik, seeking solace. "I still can't believe she's gone," he mumbled.

Twinkle, ever the pragmatist, squeezed Rohit's hand. "Guys, dwelling on what we can't change won't bring her back. Let's just pray for her peace."

The night continued, a bittersweet symphony of shared memories. Laughter mingled with tears as they revisited their past, each anecdote a brushstroke on the canvas of their friendship.

Arjun, gazing at the starlit sky, couldn't help but notice the glaring absence of another friend. "Any word on Rudra?" he inquired, the question hanging in the air.

Abhimanyu shrugged. "Busy with work, I guess. He's become quite the celebrity."

Twinkle scoffed. "Busy is one way to put it. I heard from a client, a model who dated him for a while, that he's always jet-setting around. Apparently, business tycoons are lining up their daughters for him."

Niya chimed in, adding to the absent attendees. "Speaking of no-shows, Kunj didn't make it either."

"Typical Kunj," Twinkle muttered, feigning annoyance. "Needs his mom to scold him into showing up for things."

Manik sighed, a hint of longing tingeing his voice. "Yeah, I miss my buddy. Wonder what he's up to these days."
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The wheels of the plane kissed the tarmac, a screech that jolted Kunj back to reality. He had arrived. India. The land of his birth, the land of bittersweet memories, welcomed him with a cool breeze that sent shivers down his spine. A wave of nostalgia washed over him - the vibrant sights, the cacophony of sounds, the very essence of his homeland.

He had initially planned to attend the reunion, a chance to reconnect with his past, a past that held both joy and heartache. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. A frustrating 58-hour flight delay had dashed those hopes, leaving him with a gnawing sense of disappointment.

Nevertheless, here he was, back in India. A flicker of excitement ignited within him, a desire to reclaim his roots, to reconnect with the life he'd left behind. Hailing a cab, he directed it towards the familiar address - Leela Mansion, the opulent home he'd shared with his mother.

 Hailing a cab, he directed it towards the familiar address - Leela Mansion, the opulent home he'd shared with his mother

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The imposing gates loomed before him, a symbol of the life of luxury he'd once known. With a deep breath, he stepped out of the cab, the weight of the past settling upon his shoulders.

A wave of relief washed over him as the familiar face of Ramu Kaka, the household staff, greeted him with a wide grin. "Kunj Baba! Aap wapas aa gaye!" (Kunj, you're back!), he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.

Kunj smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through him. "Haan, Kaka. Wapas aa gaya." (Yes, Kaka. I'm back.)

He exchanged pleasantries with Ramu Kaka, learning that his mother, Leela, was away on business. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes. "Achcha, aap yeh mat batana Mummy ko ki mein aa gaya hoon." (Okay, Kaka, don't tell Mom that I'm here.) "Main surprise karunga unhe." (I want to surprise her.)

With a conspiratorial wink, Kunj headed towards his room, the familiar scent of home enveloping him. He yearned to see his mother, to feel the warmth of her embrace, but a part of him also dreaded the conversation that was inevitable. The reunion, his unannounced return - these were triggers that could potentially open old wounds.

Yet, a resolute determination filled him. He was here now, ready to face whatever awaited him. Tonight, he would cook, a meal laced with love and a silent apology. Tomorrow, he would confront his past, piece by piece, hoping to find solace and perhaps, a chance for a new beginning. As he unpacked his bags, a familiar photo slipped out, its edges worn with time.

It was a picture of him and Abhimanyu, their faces beaming with youthful joy

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It was a picture of him and Abhimanyu, their faces beaming with youthful joy. A bittersweet smile touched his lips. The reunion may not have happened, but the past, it seemed, was determined to find a way back into his present.

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Wounds of the Heart (दिल के घाव)💔Where stories live. Discover now