Aditi walked over to Dhruv’s house, their homes practically sharing walls with how close they were. The bond between their families had always been strong, especially between their mothers.
Opening the door, she stepped inside with the familiarity of someone who practically lived there.
In the kitchen, Dhruv’s mother was busy cooking, her back turned toward the door. With a wide grin, Aditi sneaked up and hugged her from behind.
“Aditi!” Dhruv’s mother laughed, recognizing her instantly. “You always sneak up on me.”
“That’s because you’re my favorite,” Aditi teased, resting her chin on her shoulder. “Mom already left for work, right?”
“Ah, your mother… always busy. She’s a hard-working doctor, but I swear she needs to take a break now and then,” Dhruv’s mother said with a sigh. “Doesn’t even have time for me or you.”
“Oh, I know! She barely has time to breathe, let alone for us!” Aditi added with a playful pout. The two women shared a laugh, bonded not just by their long friendship but by the mutual understanding of how Aditi’s mother always seemed to be on the go.
“By the way, where’s brat?” Aditi asked, peeking around the house.
“That brat is still sleeping,” Dhruv’s mother said, shaking her head.
Aditi grinned mischievously. “Leave him to me, aunty. I’ll wake him up.”
With that, she bolted towards Dhruv’s room, her heart light, as if this was just another regular morning.
She pushed the door open quietly and walked in slowly, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Dhruv sleeping like a log. Without warning, she jumped onto the bed and pounced on him.
“Wake up, you lazy idiot!”
Dhruv groaned, startled, but immediately responded. In one swift move, he flipped her over, and before she knew it, she was pinned beneath him.
Their faces were mere inches apart, his weight pressing her into the mattress.
Her giggles rang through the room, and for a moment, Dhruv just stared at her, frozen.
The laughter stopped him in his tracks.
His gaze traveled from her eyes to her nose, her cheeks, and then finally settled on her lips.
He swallowed hard, his heart beating faster than usual. What the hell was he doing?
Without another word, he jumped up off the bed, visibly flustered, and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.
Inside, Dhruv turned on the shower, cold water rushing down his face as he tried to clear his head.
“What the hell was that?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his wet hair.
He couldn't believe he had just thought about Aditi like that. She was his best friend, his childhood buddy… and yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that had been creeping up on him for years now.
There was something more, something deeper, and he hated to admit it.
Shaking off the confusing thoughts, Dhruv got dressed and headed downstairs, only to find Aditi already seated at the table, munching on breakfast with his mother.
With a playful smirk, he walked up to her, grabbed her sandwich which she had already taken a bite from and took a huge bite himself.
“Dhruv!” Aditi yelled in mock anger, ready to yank his hair out.
