2 years later.....

Her

Dante was in the kitchen, sautéing something that must have smelled incredible. He balanced his phone against a jar so I could watch him cook, and we chatted about our days as if we were just across the room from each other.

"So, how did your meeting go today?" I asked, propping myself up with a pillow and enjoying the warmth that came from hearing his voice.

He smirked, stirring the pan. "Another round of convincing investors that we're the best choice on the market. I think it went well, but you know how it is. How about you?"

I grinned. "Oh, you know, the usual—a few new projects, finalizing some designs, and dealing with clients who suddenly think they're experts in design."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds like you're still the best designer in the city." He winked, sending a thrill through me.

"How was therapy today?" I asked.

Dante paused for a moment, his stirring slowing slightly, but then he smiled softly, his eyes meeting mine through the screen. "It was good, actually. Tough, but good."

I nodded encouragingly, feeling a mix of pride and relief. He’d been so reluctant at first, brushing off my suggestions for months. It had taken a lot of gentle persuasion—and a few not-so-gentle arguments—but he’d finally agreed to try therapy a few months ago.

"I know it wasn’t easy to start," I said gently. "But I’m so proud of you for sticking with it."

He gave a small, self-conscious laugh. "Yeah, yeah. You and your stubborn persistence. I wouldn’t even have gone if it weren’t for you." He stirred the pan again, the steam wafting up around him. "But... I have to admit, it’s helping. Talking about it-its hard, but it’s helping me breathe a little easier, you know?"

My chest tightened with emotion."That’s all I wanted for you, Dante. You deserve to feel lighter."

He nodded, his eyes softening. "I’m starting to feel it. Slowly. And I’ve got you to thank for that, Petardo."

I smiled, a lump forming in my throat. "You’re doing the work, Dante. That’s all you."

Before I could respond further, my door creaked open. Without thinking, I quickly hid my phone under the blanket and lay back, covering myself as if I’d been caught doing something illicit.

Ma stepped in, raising her eyebrows. "Tara, I already know about Dante and you. Why do you keep hiding it?"

I laughed, sheepishly shrugging. "Hehe, childhood reflexes."

She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing!" I replied a little too quickly, catching Dante's laughter from under the blanket.

Ma, catching the sound, gave me an amused look. "Now let me see him," she said with a playful tone.

Sighing, I pulled the phone out and held it up. Dante grinned at her. "Mrs. Basu! Always good to see you."

"Good to see you too, Dante," she replied with a warm smile. "How have you been?"

"Busy, but all good. And yourself?"

"Oh, I’ve been fine," she said, nodding. "And Tara’s been very busy, as you know. But... soon, she’ll have some changes, isn’t that right?" she asked, her tone a little too casual.

I jumped in quickly, giving her a pointed look. "Right, right, Ma. Just... small changes. New things coming." I felt Dante's confusion through the screen and prayed he wouldn’t catch on. Thankfully, he simply nodded, unfazed.

"Anyway, it’s late for you there, Mr. Grump," I teased, putting on my best fake yawn. "Shouldn’t you be heading to bed?"

Dante chuckled, shaking his head. "Yes, yes, Petardo. But you should, too."

Ma cleared her throat, drawing our attention. Dante’s tone softened. "Good night, Mrs. Basu."

"Good night, Dante," she replied, smiling warmly before I ended the call.

As I lowered the phone, I turned to Ma, trying not to laugh. "Ma..."

She raised her hands in mock surrender. "Okay, sorry! I nearly ruined your surprise. I’ll be quiet now."

"Ma, listen..." I took a breath, looking her in the eye. "You’re... happy, right? With my decision?"

She smiled, her eyes soft. "Yes, dear. I am. Completely. I trust you, and I know this is the right choice."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you, Ma."

"Now," she said, pulling my blanket up around me. "Go to sleep. I’ll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Ma."

"Good night, dear."

Him

I sank into the chair at the dinner table, the clinking of cutlery the only sound in the room. The plate in front of me was filled with sautéed vegetables and bread—simple, nothing fancy. But tonight, even food felt like a formality rather than something I truly cared about.

I stared at the food, the memories of dinners past creeping into my mind uninvited. Dinners with Arjun. How we used to talk about everything—from business deals to our dreams about taking QuantumTech global. Back then, things were different. We were a team, a unit. Brothers, in every sense of the word. But now... everything had shifted. The bond we once had was hanging by a thread, just barely holding on.

We were civil now. Polite nods, brief conversations, necessary interactions. All of it was for QuantumTech, a professional facade that barely scratched the surface of the reality beneath. Arjun's eyes no longer held the same trust they once did. Not after everything that had happened. The kidnapping. The risks. The mistakes. He still saw me as the guy responsible for Tara being in danger—and I couldn't blame him for that. Not really.

My fork clinked softly against the plate as I poked at the bread. My phone buzzed on the table, breaking my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—it was Brian. 

I picked up the call. "Brian."

"Dante!" Brian's voice was full of energy, a bit of that familiar, youthful enthusiasm that never really left him. "Man, I need to talk to you about something. Like, seriously."

"Shoot." My mouth twitched into a small smile. Brian always had this knack for turning even serious conversations into something lighter.

There was a pause, and I could almost hear his hesitation. "Okay, so... I've been thinking about Natty. You know, us. Everything. It's been five years now."

I nodded, a fond smile slipping onto my face.

"What about Natty?" I asked.

Brian's voice wavered. "I want to propose to her, Dante. I'm planning to do it soon. Like, now."

I felt a rush of excitement mixed with surprise. "Brian, man, that's amazing! It's about time, you know. She's the one. You both deserve that happiness."

"Yeah, but... I need your help with everything, man. Planning the proposal, organizing stuff. I don't know, I just... I want everything to be perfect."

I could hear the vulnerability in his voice, a side of Brian that he rarely showed. It reminded me of the times we had all sat together late at night, strategizing our way through challenges, laughing one moment and planning the next. We'd always been there for each other, a team.

"You've come to the right place, Brian." My voice was steady, a promise. "We'll make it happen. Together."

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