•| TWENTY FIVE |•
Coming out of the classroom, you were still busy talking nonstop to Riya, your hands moving in the air as you dramatically explained something that had happened during the lecture. Your voice was full of life, completely unaware of your surroundings.
“And then the professor literally looked at me like I committed a crime just because I asked one doubt—” before you could complete your sentence—
Thud.
You walked straight into someone’s chest.
Your forehead lightly hit the person, making you stumble a step back.
“Oh my God I’m so sorry!” you apologized instantly, your eyes still lowered as you rubbed your forehead. “I wasn’t looking—”
“Samira? …Is that you?”
The familiar voice made your body freeze.
Your eyes shot up immediately—
And the moment you saw the person in front of you…
Your mouth fell open in pure shock.
“Pratik?! Oh my God!”
Without even thinking twice, you lunged forward and hugged him tightly, almost crashing into him again—but this time intentionally.
He chuckled warmly, wrapping his arms around you in return, slightly lifting you off the ground the way he used to when you both were kids.
Your heart filled with sudden nostalgia.
Your childhood best friend.
The one who used to walk you home from school.
The one who stole your lunchbox but also shared his chocolates.
The one who left years ago when his family shifted abroad.
“Shorty!” he teased the moment you pulled away. “You didn’t change a bit. Still the same small Samira.”
You gasped dramatically, your eyes widening in fake offense while he laughed at your expression.
Pulling away fully, you hit his leg lightly with an innocent smile.
“I’m not short, okay!” you protested, crossing your arms.
He raised both his hands in surrender—but the smirk on his face clearly showed he was still mocking you.
“Yeah yeah… you grew maybe two inches. Congratulations.”
You glared at him while Riya tried hard not to laugh beside you.
“But how did you come here?” you asked eagerly, your irritation melting instantly into curiosity. “You were abroad right? When did you come back? Why didn’t you tell me? Do you know how many years it’s been?!”
He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly at your rapid-fire questions.
“Umm… I wanted to complete my further studies here… so that’s why I shifted back,” he explained casually.
You made a big “O” face.
“OHHHH… Mister Foreign Return has come back to his roots, huh?”
He rolled his eyes playfully.
“Relax, drama queen.”
Then suddenly you remembered—
“Oh wait! Meet Riya— she’s my best friend,” you said brightly, grabbing Riya’s arm and pulling her forward.
You turned to look at her—
But the sight in front of you made you pause.
Riya was… blushing.
Like… properly blushing.
Her cheeks were tomato red, her eyes slightly lowered, and she awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear the moment Pratik looked at her.
You blinked.
Then slowly a mischievous smile crept onto your lips.
“Riya…” you whispered teasingly near her ear, “breathe… he’s human, not chocolate.” she elbowed you lightly in embarrassment.
Pratik chuckled watching your antics before forwarding his hand politely.
“Hi. I’m Pratik.” Riya hesitated for a second before shaking his hand softly.
“H-Hi… I’m Riya.”
You watched the interaction like a proud matchmaker already planning imaginary wedding songs in your head.
“Ohhh so polite,” you teased. “Riya, this is the same Pratik I told you about— my childhood best friend. The one who pushed me into mud once and then cried more than me when I got hurt.” Pratik groaned.
“Samira! Why are you exposing my childhood crimes in public?” you grinned proudly.
“Because I have evidence.” Riya laughed softly seeing both of you bicker like kids.
“So… you both were really close?” she asked curiously.
Pratik nodded, glancing at you with a fond smile.
“She used to follow me everywhere. Like a tail.” you gasped loudly.
“Lies! You were the one who couldn’t stay without me.”
“Because you used to steal my snacks!”
“Because you used to eat mine first!”
The two of you continued arguing childishly in the middle of the corridor while Riya watched, amused.
After a moment, Pratik looked at you again—this time more carefully.
“You really didn’t change, Samira,” he said softly. “Same smile… same energy.” you smiled back—nostalgia flickering in your eyes.
“Some bonds don’t change, Pratik.” for a brief second, silence settled between you both… comfortable and warm.
But of course—
You being you—
Clapped your hands suddenly.
“Okay enough emotional reunion! You’re coming to canteen with us. No excuses.” Pratik laughed.
“Yes ma’am.” and the three of you started walking together—
---
After finishing your last class, you and Riya walked out of the building together, your bags hanging lazily on your shoulders while you both discussed random college gossip, assignments, and—of course—her obvious blushing episode from earlier.
You were still teasing her nonstop.
“Riyaaa… you were literally melting when Pratik held your hand,” you whispered dramatically, wiggling your eyebrows.
“I wasn’t!” she protested immediately, though her cheeks betrayed her again.
“You were. I saw it. Even the universe saw it.” before she could argue back—
“Samira! Wait for me!” Pratik’s voice echoed from behind.
You both turned around to see him running toward you, slightly out of breath, his bag slung carelessly over one shoulder.
You smirked instantly and elbowed Riya lightly in the ribs.
She gasped softly, glaring at you while you bit your lip to suppress a laugh.
“Shall we hang out?” Pratik asked once he reached you, brushing his hair back while catching his breath. “There’s a café nearby… we could catch up properly.” for a split second your smile stayed—
But it dropped the moment your eyes caught sight of your driver walking toward you from the parking area.
“No, Pratik… I won’t be able to come,” you said gently. “I have to go home.” he nodded in understanding, but before the awkward silence could grow—
You suddenly turned toward Riya with a mischievous sparkle.
“But why don’t you go with Riya? She’s free, right?” you signaled her with your eyes aggressively.
Riya’s eyes widened.
“Umm… okay,” she mumbled shyly, looking down while tucking her hair behind her ear again.
Pratik smiled.
“Fine then, let’s go—” Just as they were about to leave—
Riya’s phone rang.
“I’m sorry… I have to take this,” she said, stepping aside.
You and Pratik waited.
But the moment she ended the call—
Her face had completely fallen.
“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered, trying to hold herself together. “I have to go home… my sister is in the hospital.” your heart clenched instantly.
You walked to her without a word and gently patted her head before pulling her into a side hug.
“Hey… it’s okay. Go. Family comes first.” Pratik’s expression softened too.
“If you don’t mind… I can drop you,” he offered with an assuring smile.
Riya looked hesitant for a second… then nodded slowly.
“Thank you…”
Within minutes, they both left on his bike—Riya holding the back seat carefully, still shaken.
You watched them go…
And a soft smile spread across your lips.
“Love is in the air,” you murmured to yourself playfully before turning toward the car.
You got inside, placing your bag beside you.
The driver started the engine.
A few seconds of silence passed before you leaned forward slightly.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes, Mrs. Mehra?”
You still weren’t used to that surname.
It felt… strange.
But you ignored the feeling.
“What about Kiaan? Did he reach home?”
“Yes, young master already went home,” the driver replied respectfully.
You sighed in relief and leaned back.
But just then—
Something struck your mind.
A sudden thought.
You leaned forward again.
“Umm… can you please turn the car?” the driver looked slightly confused but nodded immediately.