The sun set slowly, casting an amber glow over the city as Veer and his friends wrapped up their after-school outing. The fun and laughter still lingered in their expressions as they walked out of the restaurant.
Neha turned to Veer with a warm smile. "By the way, if Aryadhya replies in the group chat, let me know. I want to meet her."
Veer's eyes lit up. "Of course. If she agrees, it's a plan!"
Neha nodded. "Perfect. Let's make it special."
They all waved goodbye, walking in separate directions. Veer's heart felt a little lighter, a little happier. The group chat—once just a formality—now buzzed with life.
That Night…
At dinner, Veer sat with his father, spooning rice into his mouth absentmindedly. His dad raised an eyebrow. "What's going on? You're unusually quiet. That's either trouble… or a girl."
Veer blinked and coughed. "No-no! Just… stuff."
"Stuff, huh?" His father leaned in like a detective in an old movie. "School trouble? Gang wars? Secret girlfriend?"
Both of them silently looked at each other's faces.
...
Veer laughed. "Nothing like that! Actually… I made new friends. Kartik and Neha. We're planning to meet Aryadhya. After a long time."
His father put his spoon down. "Aradhya? That's… wonderful, beta. You should meet. Talk. Let the past stay where it belongs."
Veer nodded slowly. "I hope she's okay. I haven't seen her in so long."
"She'll be glad to see you," his father said, placing a supportive hand on Veer's shoulder. "Just be you. That's enough."
Later That Night…
Veer lay in bed, scrolling memes and smirking to himself, when his phone pinged
Aradhya: I'm in. Let's meet at NBC Restaurant. Sunday, 11 AM. 😄
Veer's eyes widened, and he practically jumped into bed. He sent a message instantly:
Group Chat: Avengers Squad
Veer: She said YES! 😁NBC Restaurant at 11 AM sharp!
Kartik : Let's goooo!Time to wear my lucky shirt! 😎🔥
Neha: I'm excited to o!Also… please don't wear that shirt. 😷It smelled like a dead raccoon last time.
Kartik:🤣That shirt has history, okay ?! Sweat and sorrow make it strong.
Ne ha: Then let it rest in peace. 😂Give us all a break.
Kartik: Noted. I'll wear my second-best tragic shirt.
Neha:😂😂😂
Vee r: You both should start a comedy club. Anyway, don't be late. We've got a VIP to meet.
Kart ik: Roger the Captain.Will arrive with stomach empty and spirit full.
Neha: Ha, ha, same. Can't wait to meet Aryadhya.
Veer:🙂Same here.
Veer's House – Sunday Morning
Sunlight streamed through the half-open curtains, and the birds outside chirped with irritating cheerfulness.
Veer groaned from under his blanket.
Then he remembered.
"Aradhya. Today."
He sat up immediately, rubbing sleep from his eyes and checking the time—9:03 AM.
He jumped out of bed and opened his wardrobe.
"What do I even wear to meet someone who once punched a boy for stealing my lunch?"A blue shirt? Too formal.A graphic tee? Too childish.The black hoodie? Perfect. Cool, casual, hides nervous sweat.
He laid it out and walked toward the mirror.
"Okay, Veer. No stammering. No sweating. Smile like a normal human."He practised a smile. It looked like a grimace. He tried again.Better.
Downstairs:
His father was sipping tea and reading the newspaper when Veer walked into the kitchen, trying to act like it was a normal day.
Father (without looking up): "Big day today?"
Veer (sitting across him ):"Sort of. Just meeting... friends."
Father (now looking up with a grin): "Ah. Friends. Like Kartik and Neha?"
Veer smiled sheepishly. "And… Aradhya."
His father raised an eyebrow, then sipped his tea slowly. "The Aradhya?"
Veer nodded.
Father: "She was a firecracker. Always protective of you. How is she now?"
Veer's face softened. "Better. Still recovering, I guess. Haven't met her in months. But… she said yes to meet us."
His father leaned back, his smile more thoughtful now. "You should go. Meet her. Laugh a little. Talk about stupid things and smart things. Let her feel normal again. Not everything has to be about the past."
Veer: "Yeah... I think that's why we're meeting."
Father: "Then wear deodorant. It's a sacred duty."
Veer laughed. "Noted, General."
Scene: Veer's Room – 10:12 AM
Veer stood in front of the mirror again, fully dressed. Hoodie: check.Wallet: check.Confidence: shaky… but getting there.
He picked up his phone and checked the group chat.
Neha: Leaving now! 😄Kartik: On my way. Hope NBC has milkshakes. Veer: See you all there. Let's make this a good day.
As he locked the door and walked out, a strange feeling crept into his chest.
Hope.
Reunion Over Milkshakes
Scene: NBC Restaurant – Sunday, 11:01 AM
The NBC Restaurant wasn't glamorous, but it had something better—heart. Bright red chairs, walls filled with outdated posters, and a fan that squeaked like a dying mouse. For Veer, it felt like home.
He sat by the window, scrolling memes with restless thumbs, glancing at the door every thirty seconds. His heart thudded louder than the fan.
Ding!
The door opened.
Kartik and Neha walked in together.
Neha was smiling shyly. Kartik was wearing sunglasses indoors like some discount movie star.
Veer raised an eyebrow."You wore the 'lucky' shirt?"
Kartik struck a pose."It's not just lucky, bro. It's legend—wait for it—dary."
Neha rolled her eyes."More like laundry-deprived."
They laughed and slid into their usual booth. The table was sticky. Classic.
Neha glanced at the clock."Will she come?"
Veer:" She said 11. She'll come."
Just as he said that—
The bell over the door jingled.
And she walked in.
Aradhya.
Still fierce. Still composed. Wearing a simple kurti with her hair tied up. Her eyes scanned the room, then landed on Veer.
She walked over, arms crossed, eyebrow raised.
Aradhya raised an eyebrow at Kartik."Oh, so you're that Kartik. The one who used to bully everyone?"
"Veer. So… you joined Kartik's gang now?"
Veer choked on air. "What?! No! I'm innocent! Reformed citizen!"
Kartik stood up, hands raised."We don't do gang stuff anymore. I've become a motivational speaker."
Neha snorted. "You made three kids cry last week when you tried to 'motivate' them into push-ups."
Kartik rubbed his neck sheepishly. "Guilty. But now I only bully calories."
Neha chimed in: "He's changed. Really. I mean… I was scared of him, and I'm still, once. But now? He's like my bodyguard."
Veer smirked: "Ohoho… personal bodyguard, huh?"
Kartik pretended to dust off his shoulder."Protector of the weak. Guardian of cafeteria peace."
Neha rolled her eyes but smiled."Yeah, yeah. I'm Neha, by the way," she said, turning to Aryadhya and offering her hand. "Ex-victim of this cafeteria guardian's terrible one-liners."
Aradhya shook her hand with a grin."So you survived the Kartik E, too, huh?"
Neha laughed."Barely. But turns out, once he stops being a menace, he's actually… tolerable."
Kartik gasped."Excuse you! I'mm delighted"
Veer smirked."Delightfully annoying, maybe."
Neha winked at Aryadhya."Anyway, I'm in the same class as Kartik now. But we've only recently stopped being enemies. And started being... well, chaotic lunch buddies, I guess."
Aryadhya nodded."Well, I like your energy already."
Kartik leaned toward Aryadhya with a playful grin."She's the only one who can roast me back. It's scary and beautiful."
Neha elbowed him gently."See? No one asked you."
Just as the waiter returned with a tray of fries and drinks, the bell above the restaurant door jingled again.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the entrance.
Kiara.
Dressed in a breezy lavender top and jeans, her long hair tied in a loose ponytail, she stepped in like she owned the place. Behind her, Arjun followed, hands in pockets, wearing a plain black T-shirt and jeans—but the alertness in his eyes betrayed his laid-back look.
Veer's jaw paused mid-bite. "Uhh…"
Kartik leaned sideways to Neha. "NBC or Netflix episode one?"
Kiara waved with a soft smile. "Hey! What a coincidence. We didn't expect to see anyone here."
Arjun said nothing, but his sharp eyes did a full sweep of the table and restaurant.
Kiara continued cheerfully, "Mind if we join? We're still figuring out this city… and school. It's hard being the new kids."
Aradhya looked curious but kind. Neha gave a polite smile. Kartik made a face like this. Should be fun. Veer nodded slowly. "Sure, yeah. Grab a seat."
All seats were full, except one chair awkwardly placed at the corner.
Neha leaned forward with a cheerful clap. "Alright! I think it's intro time. We can't sit like strangers and expect the fries to taste better.
Everyone chuckled
Neha started."I'm Neha. I'm from the 10th. And yes, I'm friends with Kartik even though he once bullied me."She elbowed Kartik.
Kartik held up his hands."Reformed bad boy. I'm Kartik. Same class as Neha. Once the villain, now the occasional comic relief."
Everyone laughed. Kiraara smiled, her shoulders relaxing.
Aradhya spoke next."Aradhya. I was Veer's childhood friend. Recently returned… well, kind of."She looked toward Veer with a soft expression.
Veer gave a small, flustered nod.
Kiara smiled and stood slightly, raising a hand."I'm Kiara. Transfer student, same class as Veer. Moved here recently. And this—" she gestured to her side, "—is Arjun."
Arjun gave a casual wave, his expression unreadable."Just… Arjun. I watch things."
Kartik whispered to Neha, "I think he's Batman."
Neha giggled. "Qui, et Batman."
Then came the moment of unexpected connection.
Aradhya tilted her head at Kiara, eyeing her with thoughtful recognition.
"Kiara... I've heard about you."
Kiara blinked. "Me?"
Aradhya nodded slowly. "Your family's company. The media attention. That scholarship article, right? You're sort of famous."
Kiara laughed nervously. "I try not to be. My dad says attention is like fire—good for light, dangerous when uncontrolled."
Aradhya smiled. "Well said. But... It's nice to meet you for real."
Kiara, slightly flustered, replied, "You too. I mean… I've heard about you, too. What you went through... you're brave."
Aradhya's smile faded just slightly, touched with emotion, but she nodded in appreciation. "Thanks."
Veer, caught between both girls, scratched the back of his neck. "Okay, can we order now before I start chewing the napkin?"
Everyone laughed
And though everyone laughed and joked as they browsed the menu, there was one shared thought beneath it all:
This wasn't just a group hangout.
It was the start of something bigger.
The laughter from the group still echoed around the table. Fries were half-eaten, milkshakes half-drunk, and everyone was beginning to relax — until the bell above the restaurant door chimed.
A thick silence dropped like a hammer.
A group of men walked in — black shirts, scarred arms, sunglasses indoors. Every step they took made the atmosphere tenser. People sitting nearby froze. Even the waiter backed up behind the counter, pretending to clean a spoon.
The leader stood out like a dark lion in a school of goldfish.Heavy boots. Silver rings. A jacket stitched with something that looked suspiciously like a gang insignia. And a stare so cold it could freeze lava.
Neha whispered, "Uh... anyone else feel like we're in a gangster movie?"
Kartik stiffened. "Nope. Not scared. Just... chewing very slowly."
But just as the gang leader scanned the room, his eyes landed on Aradhya.
And suddenly... he smiled.
A broad, genuine smile.
"Aradhya?!" he said, striding forward like an excited elder brother.
Aradhya lit up. "Heyyy! What are you doing here?!"
Everyone at the table blinked. Including Veer, who suddenly felt like the small kid in a mafia movie.
The gang leader chuckled. "Just came for a bite. You know, gangsters get hungry too."
Aradhya laughed and stood to hug him, which shocked the table even more. A full gang boss… hugged her like she was his little sister.
"You shouldn't just walk into places like that," she teased. "You scare the civilians."
He smirked. "Not my fault they think I'm going to rob the salt shakers."
Aradhya turned and motioned toward the table.
"Let me introduce you to my friends!"
He nodded, folding his arms with a casual grin.
"That's Neha, Kartik, Kiara, Arjun..." she pointed to each person as they awkwardly smiled, waved, or gulped nervously.
Then she got to Veer.
She hesitated just a second too long.
"And this is Veer," she said. "My... um... close friend."
The gangster's eyes lit up. "Veer! The Veer? The one you always talked about in the hospital?"
Aradhya went pale. "No! I didn't always talk about him—"
Kartik leaned in, whispering to Neha. "Plot twist."
Veer coughed into his water. "Uh, hi?"
The gangster winked. "Don't worry, bro. She said good things."
Aradhya waved her hands frantically. "Can we move on?!"
He laughed and lightly ruffled her hair.
"If you ever need anything," he said, suddenly serious. "Call me. No matter what."
"Got it," she said softly, nodding.
The man gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, then looked around at the stunned faces at the table—Neha halfway through sipping her milkshake, Kartik frozen mid-fry, and Veer blinking like his brain had just blue-screened.
"I'll eat somewhere else," he said with a chuckle. "It'll get awkward. Your friends look like they'll drop their forks if I sit down, and I don't want to be the villain in someone's chicken nugget story."
Neha blinked. "I mean… you're not wrong."
Kartik raised his hand weakly. "Respectfully… yeah, thank you for your service. From a distance."
The man smirked and turned to leave. "Take care of her, Veer."
Veer nodded, stunned. "— eah. Of course."
As the gang quietly exited the restaurant, the atmosphere slowly returned to normal, except now everyone at the table was very awake and mildly traumatised.
Kiara whispered, "Are all her friends this... intense?"
Arjun muttered, "I don't trust anyone who wears sunglasses indoors. Except maybe that guy."
Aradhya laughed, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "He's just protective. But he's a good person. Deep down."
Neha leaned over to Kartik, smirking. "Still think you're the scariest one here?"
Kartik frowned. "My intimidation game just got nerfed."
Veer, finally finding his voice, said quietly to Aradhya, "You have interesting connections."
She smiled. "Let's just say… my recovery journey came with some very colourful characters."
"What—WHO—was that?" Kiara blurted.
Aradhya sat back down, sighing. "It's a long story."
Everyone stared.
She explained.
"When I was going through rehabilitation... I could barely walk. One da,y I slipped, and he caught me just before I fell. He had bandages all over his stomach, looked like he walked out of a gang fight... but he was the one helping everyone."
Her voice softened.
"Everyone thought he was dangerous. But to me... he was kind. Supportive. Encouraging."
Neha blinked. "So he's, like… your gangster guardian angel?"
Aradhya chuckled. "Pretty much."
Kartik whispered to Veer, "Dude… you've got competition."
Veer glared. "He's like an older brother!"
Kartik smirked. "So? He's buffer."
The table exploded in laughter again, breaking the tension. But deep down, Veer wondered—
Just how many people had helped Aradhya when he wasn't around?
And could he ever mean as much to her as they did?
As laughter slowly returned to the table, Veer forced a small smile, nodding at everyone's jokes, pretending to sip his drink, eyes occasionally drifting to the door the underworld man had exited through.
Just how many people had helped Aradhya when he wasn't around?
The thought clung to the corners of his mind like a shadow he couldn't shake.
She had suffered.
He hadn't been there.
And others had.
Strangers with scars, bodyguards with sunglasses, and now, new friends entering her life.
And could he ever mean as much to her as they did?
He looked across the table—Aradhya was talking to Kiara now, the two of them smiling, connecting like they'd known each other for years. Kartik was doing his usual one-man comedy show. Neha laughed too loudly, teasing him with ketchup like it was war paint.
Everything felt warm. Full. Whole.
And yet Veer… felt quiet.
His fingers curled around the edge of the table. His chest tightened—not with jealousy, but with the ache of distance. The painful realisation that even when people come back… some pieces don't fall into place the way they used to.
He looked at Aradhya one more time.
Would she ever see him again as the boy she once protected?
Or just another friendly face… sitting across the table in a life that had moved on without him?
chapter end