"Some friendships bloom in silence. Others start with awkward restaurant invitations."
The school bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Students spilt out of classrooms like freed prisoners, their chatter flooding the corridors.
Veer and Kartik walked side by side toward the gate, discussing the usual—homework, gym training, and which teacher might secretly be a retired soldier.
"Mr. Joshi has a scar under that thick moustache," Kartik declared, swinging his bag over his shoulder. "No one yells at chalk dust like that unless they've seen war."
Veer chuckled. "Or maybe he's just allergic to bad handwriting."
As they stepped out into the golden afternoon sun, Veer's gaze flicked to a figure walking a little ahead—Neha, alone, clutching her books against her chest, her ponytail bobbing with every step.
Kartik nudged Veer. "That's Neha, right?"
"Yeah."
"She's alone," Kartik said, then paused. "Should we ask her to come with us to the restaurant?"
Veer raised an eyebrow. "You want me to do the inviting?"
Kartik rolled his eyes. "You're the charming one. I'm just the ex-bully trying not to scare people anymore."
Veer grinned. "Fair enough."
He jogged a few steps forward. "Hey, Neha!"
She turned, surprised but smiling. "Hey, Veer! Kartik!"
"We were headed to that new café near the gym. Want to join us?"
Neha blinked, surprised by the offer. "Really? You want me to come?"
Kartik scratched the back of his neck. "Well, you've endured my terrible attitude. Free fries are the least I can offer."
Neha laughed. "Alright, I'm in. But only if I get to steal some of your fries."
"Deal," Kartik said.
As the trio walked off, none of them noticed the pair following discreetly behind a scooter across the street.
As they walked in sync toward the restaurant, the warm sun casting soft shadows behind them, Neha looked down at her shoes for a second, then spoke quietly.
"Thanks… for inviting me," she said, her voice barely rising above the noise of the street.
Veer turned his head. "Of course! Why wouldn't we?" Veer said, excited to go alone, while Kartik faced the chance to show his gratitude for your forgiveness.
Neha hesitated, then shrugged. "It's just… I don't have friends. Not since... well, since Kartik used to bully me."
Kartik stopped in his tracks.
Neha glanced sideways, not accusing, just... honest. "When people saw Kartik making fun of me or hiding my books, they started avoiding me, too. Like they thought they'd get bullied if they talked to me."
There was a moment of silence. The kind that tugged at the heart.
Kartik opened his mouth, then closed it. He looked like someone had punched the air out of him. Finally, he spoke.
"Who said you don't have friends?"
Neha blinked at him, confused.
Kartik straightened up, his voice stronger now. "I'm your friend. From today, from this moment. Anyone who has a problem with that can meet me in the boxing ring."
Veer raised a brow. "Figuratively, Kartik. No punching over friendship declarations."
Kartik huffed. "Fine, but you get the point."
Neha let out a small laugh through her nose, but her lips were trembling. She quickly wiped at the corner of her eyes. "You mean it?"
Kartik nodded, his tone softer. "I do. I messed up, Neha. I was stupid. But I swear, I'll make it right. You won't be alone anymore. Not if I can help it."
Neha stared at him for a moment. Then, without saying anything, she suddenly stopped walking and wrapped her arms around Kartik in a quick, grateful hug.
Kartik stood frozen like a statue.
"Thank you," Neha whispered, her voice catching.
Kartik slowly patted her shoulder, awkward but sincere. "You're welcome. Also… Veer, is she crying? Am I that good now?"
Veer smirked. "She's crying because you finally said something with a brain."
Neha laughed through her tears, wiping her cheeks. "I guess I'm friends with two idiots now."
"Two awesome idiots," Veer corrected.
Across the Street: Operation Spy Mode
Kiara pulled down her sunglasses and muttered, "They invited her. This is getting interesting."
Arjun adjusted his cap and kept his voice low. "Why is Kartik with them? Weren't he and Veer enemies?"
"They were. Something's changed. I need to know what," Kiara replied, her eyes sharp.
Arjun sighed. "And now they've invited that girl. I think her name's Neha. She's in Kartik's class."
"She doesn't look scared of him."
"Which is suspicious on its own," Arjun added.
Kiara smirked. "Let's get a seat behind them. Operation 'Espionage and Eclairs' begins."
The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling spices greeted Kiara and Arjun as they stepped into the cosy restaurant. The soft hum of conversations and clinking cutlery created a comforting backdrop. Kiara's eyes scanned the room until they landed on Veer, Kartik, and Neha seated at a corner booth, engaged in animated conversation.
Arjun," Kiara whispered, adjusting her sunglasses despite being indoors, "we need to get closer."
"Let's sit over there," Kiara whispered, pointing to a booth diagonally behind them, partially concealed by a decorative plant.
Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Eavesdropping now?"
She smirked. "Observing. There's a difference."
Arjun, ever the vigilant bodyguard, scanned the room. "They're at the corner booth. If we sit two tables behind them, we can eavesdrop without raising suspicion."
Kiara smirked. "Perfect. Let's move."
They settled into their chosen spot, menus in hand, pretending to peruse the options while their ears tuned into the conversation ahead.
The Trio's Table
Kartik leaned back, a sheepish grin on his face. "Neha, about earlier... I'm sorry for how I treated you back then. I was a jerk."
Neha chuckled softly. "You were. But people change. And it's not like I was perfect either."
Veer nodded. "Growth is part of life."
Neha turned to Kartik, pulling out her phone. "So, can I get your number? And yours too, Veer? It's about time we all stayed connected."
Kartik's eyes widened. "Are you sure? After all the chaos?"
She smiled. "Especially because of the chaos. It's nice to have friends who understand."
They exchanged numbers, the atmosphere lightening with each passing moment.
Back at Kiara and Arjun's Table
Back at their table, Kiara leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "Did you see that? They're exchanging numbers. This is getting interesting."
Arjun sipped his drink thoughtfully. "They seem different. Not like the gang rumours we've heard."
Kiara nodded. "People aren't always what they seem."
Conversations and Connections
Neha's smile faded as a cloud of seriousness settled on her face. She looked directly at Veer, her tone soft yet piercing."Veer… I heard about Aradhya. How is she?"
The question hit like a silent gong. The clatter of the café, the low hum of background music—everything seemed to fade for a second. Veer lowered his gaze, his fingers curling slightly around the edge of his glass.
"She's…" he began, his voice low, barely above a whisper. "She's breathing. That's what I keep telling myself."
Neha leaned forward, eyes locked onto him. Kartik, too, had grown quiet, listening.
Veer exhaled sharply, like he'd been holding in a storm."She used to be unstoppable, Neha. Loud. Brave. Wild. Like nothing could break her." He paused, clenching his jaw. "But now… she doesn't laugh like she used to. She rarely even steps out of the house. She says she's okay, but I can feel her pulling away from the world. From me."
A beat passed. Even the sound of the spoon stirring in Neha's cup stopped.
"That day…" Veer continued, his voice growing husky, "I was supposed to be there. But I was late. Just ten minutes late. And in those ten minutes—"He stopped himself, biting the inside of his cheek."They broke her."
Neha's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Veer…" she whispered.
"She saved me all those years," Veer said, eyes fixed on the table. "Now I don't even know how to reach her. Sometimes I feel like she's fading… like she's somewhere far away, even when she picks up my calls."
Neha, visibly moved, reached out and held his hand gently."Then let's bring her back," she said firmly.
Veer blinked. "What?"
"Let's call her," Neha said. "Right now. Put her on speaker. Let her know she's not alone anymore. That she still has people—new ones, too—who care."
Kartik gave a small, encouraging nod. "Yeah, Veer. What if she just needs one reason to believe again?"
Veer looked at them both. For a moment, the weight in his chest lightened. He pulled out his phone, stared at the screen for a second, then tapped her contact.
The phone rang.
Once.Twice.Three times.
Then a click. A familiar, weary voice answered.
"Hello?"The voice was softer than he remembered, but still unmistakably Aryadhya.
"Hello?"The voice was soft, hesitant… but it carried a thread of warmth Veer hadn't heard in a long time.
Veer's lips curled into a faint smile. "So… you do remember how to answer a call."
There was a pause. Then a tired chuckle."Veer. Still as dramatic as ever."
"I learned from the best," he replied. "The legendary Aradhya."
On the other side of the line, Aradhya let out a breath, as if his voice alone brought back memories she'd locked away.
"Why are you calling?" she asked gently.
Before Veer could speak, Neha suddenly leaned forward and whispered, "Put it on speaker!"
Veer glanced at her, then at Kartik, who raised his eyebrows like a mischievous cartoon character. With a sigh, Veer tapped the speaker button.
"You're on speaker, Aradhya. I'm not alone."
"Huh?" Her voice lifted an octave, caught between surprise and panic. "What—who else is there?! Veer?! Did you seriously—?"
"Hi!" Neha said brightly, waving at the phone like Aradhya could see her. "I'm Neha. Veer's friend. And you're amazing, by the way."
Aryadhya paused. "…Um. Thanks?"
Kartik leaned in. "And I'm Kartik. Former certified idiot. Recently turned decent human being."
Another pause. Then Aradhya asked in a flat tone, "The Kartik?"
Kartik winced. "Yeah. That Kartik."
"You bullied half the school."
Kartik held up three fingers. "I only remember bullying about a third. But yes, guilty."
"Are you with Veer now?" she asked suspiciously.
"I mean—" Kartik looked at Veer. "We're not together. Unless this is your way of finding out if he's single."
Veer groaned. "Kartik."
"What?" Kartik grinned. "Just trying to help."
Neha giggled.
On the other end, Aradhya let out a small laugh despite herself. "Still surrounded by clowns, I see."
Veer softened. "Yeah. But the good kind now."
There was a beat of silence. Then Aradhya's voice lowered, softer, hesitant."Why did you call, Veer?"
Veer looked at his friends, then back at the phone."I missed you. And I realised something… I've been walking this path, training, fighting, growing—but without you, none of it feels complete."
Aradhya didn't answer.
Veer continued, his voice steady but vulnerable."You protected me once. When no one else did. And now… maybe it's time I returned the favour."
"Veer…" Her voice wavered. "You're not responsible for what happened to me."
"I know. But that doesn't mean I won't be here."
For a long moment, all that came from the other end was quiet breathing. The n finally, Aradhya whispered, "Thank you."
Neha leaned closer to the phone. "Also, just putting it out there—we want to meet you. All of us. Maybe a café, maybe tomorrow? Please?"
Kartik added, "We promise we're much less scary in person."
Aradhya chuckled again. "You're terrifying already, honestly."
"But you'll come?" Veer asked gently.
There was a pause.
"…I'll think about it," Aradhya said softly. "But it's not a no."
"Progress!" Neha whispered with a cheer.
"Small steps," Veer murmured, but there was a smile on his face now.
Before the call could end, Aradhya added one more thing. "And Veer… thank you for not forgetting me."
"Never could."
The call ended. Veer stared at his phone for a second, as if still hearing her voice.
Neha nudged his arm. "So… when's the wedding?"
Veer choked on his drink. "What?!"
Kartik leaned in dramatically. "I'm just saying. The way you talk to her. The way she talks to you. If it's not love, it's at least a blockbuster romance plot."
"Focus, both of you," Veer muttered, hiding his smile.
Neha stretched. "Okay, okay. But seriously… that was sweet."
Just then, the waiter brought in dessert—gulab jamun and sizzling brownie.
Kartik gasped. "This is what heaven tastes like. I've changed, but I haven't changed that."
They all burst into laughter again.
At the back of the restaurant, two pairs of eyes peeked over the menu from another table.
"Did you hear that whole call?" Kiara whispered.
"I did," Arjun replied. "Aradhya. That's the name."
Kiara sipped her mocktail thoughtfully. "And Neha. She's not just a friend, she's a real one. Loyal."
Arjun nodded. "And Kartik… I think his apology spree wasn't an act."
Kiara leaned back, her brows narrowing. "Looks like they're not just randoms anymore. They're a unit."
"Should we intervene?" Arjun asked.
"Not yet," Kiara replied with a smirk. "Let's see how their little story unfolds.
Chapter end [14]
Next Chapter: [15] Reunion of Scars and Smiles.