**One Week later**

"Sorry, I'm late," Derek's voice comes from behind. 

I turn around to look at him dressed in white shirt and faded jeans. 

"You were always like this!" I say playfully. 

"Haha. So tell me why did you want me to meet here of all places," he says looking around. 

The misty fog, the woods, the babbling brook, the small bridge on the trail all seemed perfect. 

"It reminded me of the good times you and I shared,"

"Yeah it sure was good when we were young."

"So you wanna tell now, why do you participate in illegal street fighting?"

 Taking a deep breath "Come with me," he says, hiking along. 

"Where?" I ask curiously, following him. 

"You'll see. Come along!" he says, not bothering to turn back. 

"Wait. Slow down," I yell. 

Slowly we reach a path, well trodden.

"Why are we here?" I say looking at the path that led to my mom. 

"It's been forever since we paid her a visit. Let's go," he says, walking towards the graveyard's entrance. 

Tears threaten to fall, as I take in the place. Memories of that day when we lost her, flood my eyes. I remember crying for days and not even eating properly. I remember how everything felt lonely after she left me, I remember the darkness that accompanied her absence. 

"Mom," I whisper as we reach her headstone.  We remain quiet. I mentally greet my mom. 

"Remember when mom died?" Derek asks, after spending a minute in silence.

"It's not like I can forget!" I say my voice quivering, "Dad started hating me after mom died,"

"I remember she went out that day. It was raining and she told me to take care of you. She promised she'd be back soon, but then dad arrived with a somber face before mom did,"

"I feel like Dad blames me for her death," I muttered, my voice cracking as I rubbed my arms nervously. "Maybe it is my fault. I went out to greet her. Maybe if I'd stayed inside, she'd have seen the car coming and avoided it." My eyes filled with tears as I struggled to keep my composure, my hands trembling.

He reached out, gently placing a hand on my shoulder. "Maybe," he said softly, his voice steady and reassuring. "But don't believe anything he says. It was the car driver's fault, the one who hit Mom. Not your fault. Dad loved Mom too, but he didn't know where to direct his anger. It doesn't justify his behavior, but it helps you understand his perspective."

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, sniffling. "Dad was better when Mom was around. I miss her. Maybe if she were alive, we wouldn't be such a broken family."

He leaned closer, brushing a tear from my cheek with his thumb. "Maybe. But you did turn out to be strong after all," he said, his eyes filled with empathy.

I looked down, my voice barely a whisper. "But what does this have to do with you fighting?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair as he looked away, gathering his thoughts. "This was my way to cope with the loss. You had your own way. I remember you shutting me out, and I know what Dad did wasn't right, but I was also trying to cope. She was my mom too, you know!"

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "What?"

He took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the floor. "I started fighting after Mom died. I was angry at myself. I blamed myself for her death. She went out to buy something for me that day. I always felt she died because of me, and I was angry at myself. I looked for ways to hurt myself. Fighting seemed like the best option."

I shook my head, disbelief mingling with sadness. "You're crazy!"

He chuckled softly, a sad smile playing on his lips. "Well, it made sense back then. Eventually, I got better and started defending myself. Now, I just enjoy the rush it gives me."

"I'm sorry for shutting you out. I should have been there for you!" I say. 

"You were a kid when that happened. I can't really expect that from a kid,"

"Do you think we can try now?" I ask.

"Friends?" he asks, smiling a little.

"Yeaaah," I say, lifting my pinky finger up like we did when we were kids. 

"Now about that boyfriend of yours!" he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Oh oo!" I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool but feeling my cheeks warm up.

"Yeah," he continued, leaning forward, "I've got to meet him once."

I tilted my head, puzzled. "Don't you already know him?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively.

"Not as my sister's boyfriend!" he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Fine. Whatever!" I huffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't tell Dad, though," I added as we started walking back.

"Yeah, yeah, alright. And you too!" he said, quickening his pace ahead of me.

I pause for a moment, turning back to my mom's grave. My eyes softened, and I whispered a silent goodbye. "Bye, Mom. Miss you."

A wave of emotions washed over me, but I shook it off, turning back towards my brother. "Wait up!" I yelled, breaking into a run to catch up.

"So, how did it go with your brother?" Naina asks, her fingers idly drawing patterns in the sand as we hang out at our spot by the beach.

"Better than I expected," I reply, taking a bite of my ice cream and savoring the cold sweetness.

"I'm sorry. I should have told you about Caleb before," she says, her eyes softening as she fiddles with a seashell.

I pause, then place my hand on hers. "No, he should have been the one to tell me. And I'm sorry that I thought you wouldn't want to be friends with me," I say, my voice tinged with guilt.

Naina squeezes my hand. "I know you had trouble letting people in, but I'm glad you did. And don't for even a second think I'll leave. You're stuck with me," she declares, a firm smile spreading across her face.

I chuckle, playfully grabbing her drink for a sip. "Yeah, even after death. I know!"

"Missed me?" comes a familiar voice from behind.

"Not at all!" Naina says, her eyes twinkling as Caleb sits down between us.

"Didn't ask you!" he retorts, turning to me and pressing a gentle kiss on my lips.

"So, did you miss me, beautiful?" he asks, a soft smile playing on his lips.

My heart flutters, and I catch his eyes on me. I feel the heat rushing into my cheeks.

Damn his smile!

I quickly glance away, trying to hide my flushed face. "No," I say, crossing my arms and giving him a teasing look. "Gotta agree with Naina. Didn't miss you!" I nudge him playfully with my elbow, a mischievous grin spreading across my face.

Caleb clutches his heart dramatically. "I'm hurt. Like really hurt," he says with a mock grimace.

"Oh, please!" I say, rolling my eyes and turning to look at Naina.

"Now, what are you going to do about Adarsh?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Naina's cheeks flush as she looks away, pretending to be interested in the waves. "What about him?" she asks, her voice a bit too casual.

"Well, I know you like him!" I tease, leaning in closer.

"No, I don't!" she protests, glancing at Caleb for backup. "And Caleb, you know you have to meet Derek, apparently," she adds, desperately trying to change the subject.

Caleb's eyes meet mine, a playful curiosity in them. "Is that what you wanted to tell me?" he asks.

"Yeah," I admit, sighing. "He's gone all big brother on me, says he wants to meet you as 'my boyfriend.'"

"Well, it will be nice to officially meet him," Caleb says, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "It'll be fun to see his reaction when I kiss you in front of him."

"Don't you try anything like that!" I scold, swatting his hand away with a laugh.

"Let's see," he says cheekily, winking at me.

Naina smirks, shaking her head. "Don't think I've forgotten about you," I say, pointing a finger at her.

She blushes, but her smile widens. "Yeah, yeah. We'll see," she mutters, tossing a pebble into the ocean.

A/N

The END. 

So proud I finally finished it!