Manik: "Life doesn't come with choices; it comes with responsibilities. You live it on your terms or get buried under someone else's."
Nandini: "Love is a word people use too lightly, a hollow promise made to be broken. I've never believed in it, an...
Even when life pulls you apart, it’s the laughter and love of those who matter that keeps you whole.
Manik's POV,
The airport buzzed with the usual chaos-loud announcements, hurried footsteps, and the faint hum of distant conversations. Mukti practically bounced beside me, her excitement contagious but a little too much for my morning mood.
"Can you calm down?" I muttered, glancing at her as she kept checking her watch. "Alya's flight landed ten minutes ago. She's not teleporting out here."
She rolled her eyes, her grin wide and unapologetic. "Oh, shut up, Mr. Grumpy Pants. Unlike you, some of us are actually excited to see our best friend."
I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets as we stood near the arrivals gate. It wasn't that I wasn't happy Alya was back, but Mukti's hyperenergy at this hour was testing my patience.
"We're going to have so much fun when Cabir and Dhruv get here too," Mukti said, nudging me. "It'll be like the old days-our whole gang together again. Admit it, Manik. You're excited too."
I smirked. "Sure. Can't wait to babysit you a lot."
Before Mukti could retort, I spotted a familiar figure walking through the sliding glass doors. Alya Saxena, in all her fashionable glory, wheeled her suitcase behind her like she owned the place. Her sunglasses perched on her head, her casual yet stylish outfit screamed effortless elegance.
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"There she is," Mukti squealed, bolting toward her. I stayed put, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement.
Mukti launched herself at Alya, enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug. Both of them squealed like schoolgirls, causing more than a few heads to turn. I groaned internally, knowing this was only the beginning.
"You guys are embarrassing," I called out, walking toward them. "People are staring."
Alya pulled back from the hug, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Aww, did we hurt your delicate male ego, Manik?"
Mukti snorted. "He's just mad as he can't squeal and hug like us. Poor baby."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. The day I act like you two is the day pigs fly."
Alya raised an eyebrow. "Careful, Malhotra. That grumpy expression of yours is starting to get permanent. Might scare off your admirers."
"Yeah," Mukti chimed in. "We wouldn't want the great Manik Malhotra to lose his fan club, would we?"
"Funny," I said dryly. "Can we leave now, or are you planning to perform a musical number next?"
Both of them exchanged a look before bursting into laughter, their synchronized teasing almost impressive.
On the way to the car, they kept up their antics, whispering and giggling behind me like school kids with a secret. Every so often, I'd catch a word or two-something about my 'brooding hero' vibe and how I probably practiced it in the mirror.
