I stood at the threshold of my childhood home for the second time since I got back. The wooden door stared back at me unflinchingly as I waited for someone to open it.

The door opened, and this time it was my father who let me in. His face was impassive as I stepped in and kicked out of my shoes. He grunted as he took in the mismatched socks and the careless way I'd left my shoes.

I waited for him as he aligned my shoes neatly beside his own and then looked up at me. His gaze was hard and unyielding. But in that moment it softened and he muttered, "some things never change."

I smiled and trudged towards the living room. The smell of garlic and onions filled my nostrils and I could hear the clatter of utensils from the kitchen.

My father sat on the sofa facing the TV and I automatically found myself walking towards the armchair beside the large window overlooking the garden.

Pulling out my phone, I began looking through my email when my dad spoke up.

"Where were you for the past few days?"

I looked up to see that he'd turned his gaze from the TV to look at me.

"I met a few friends and I've got a little work here. I was doing that," I replied.

He nodded, then asked, "How long are you staying here?"

There was hope in his voice. Despite it being subtle, I could feel it. It almost tore me apart to break it. Almost.

"I'm leaving for Goa tomorrow."

He fell silent and neither of us spoke for a long time. I scrolled through my messages to find one from Jake:

U looked sexyyy. Can't w8 2 C u <3

I smiled. That morning had definitely been exciting. His husky voice had been my undoing.

I shook my thoughts away and looked up at my father. His eyes rested on the TV, but he looked a million miles away. Perhaps he was regretting telling me to dream big.

He had always been supportive and had coaxed me to get out of my comfort zone. I had. But he hadn't anticipated my brutal unexplained departure.

The doorbell rang and he stood up. I got up too and rushed upstairs to my bedroom. I didn't want to intrude.

The sound of female laughter rang out and I wondered who it was before shutting the door behind me.

I scanned my former bedroom. Everything was as it had been. The large bookshelf at one corner of the room was still there and it was still filled with books I had used during college. The large picture collage still adorned the wall adjoining bed. The dressing table was dotted with the accessories I had before.

I walked in slowly, allowing myself to absorb everything.

This room was a part of my childhood. My former safe haven. A place where I could be whoever I wanted to be without any judgement getting in the way.

Voices drifted into my ears from outside. But I ignored them as I examined my room. This had been my place before. But now... I felt like an intruder.

The girl who lived in this room was not the same one who had returned years later.

"...should've told me! What if she's gone now?" My mother's muffled voice floated in accompanied by the sound of soft footsteps.

"How would I know that she'd disappear? I went to open the door!"  My father defended himself. A door slammed shut.

"She's not here," my father said.

The doorknob to my room rattled and the door swung open. My mother stood with a smile on her face.

"Come, Naira is here!" she exclaimed.

Dread filled my bones.

Naira. She used to be my best friend and the only family I cared for... apart from my brother. I hated family but she was my only cousin that I got along with.

And she was definitely more than pissed at me for disappearing without a word. She had every right to be. After all, I'd missed a lot of important moments in her life and I'd betrayed the trust she'd had in me.

"I- uh-I have to leave now actually," I said.

My mother frowned and her happiness deflated like a pricked balloon.

"But you haven't seen Naira in so long," she said quietly.

"I know, but it's urgent," I replied.

My father snorted from behind her. "Do you actually think she's got any work? She's a coward, that's all."

I frowned.

"What's going on?" A female voice trailed into my room. My father turned to look at the side but before he could reply, she came to the door.

I held my breath as I faced Naira. She looked the same, perhaps even more beautiful than before. Her once long hair was cropped short into a curly bob that framed her small face. She was short and curvy with a no-nonsense attitude. Her eyes had grown softer from the rebellious stage we had shared back when we were in high school.

Her eyes which were usually crinkled with laughter were now narrowed and the receiver of her glare was me.

"What the hell, Sara!" she demanded.

I didn't reply. She stalked towards me, her posture stiff and I could feel the anger radiating off of her. She stopped only when she was right before me. Her fists were clenched.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say anything, her arms came to wrap around me in a tight grip. Her shoulders shook while I stood shocked.

I'd imagined how this reunion would go, but I'd never considered the possibility that she'd actually embrace my return.

Over her shoulder, my eyes locked with those of my mother's who gave me an encouraging smile. I smiled to myself and closed my eyes, cherishing this moment between us.

We were two sides of the same coin—one incomplete without the other. Being the same age made us closer until we couldn't cross a single milestone without the other's notice. I'd broken that bond and I had always wondered if it would ever fall into place.

But judging from the playful smile and the twinkling of her eyes when she pulled back, the bond had never broken in the first place.

~

"So, how's New York?" Naira asked after lunch. We were both lying on my bed. She lay on her front whilst I lay on my back, my hand mindlessly stroking her daughter's hair.

"It's amazing. The life I'd wanted. The moment I met Frank, everything just fell into place, you know?" I paused. "It was scary at first. I was new and I only knew him. But he hooked me up with Diane who managed everything for me. I finished my art major there."

"Any guys?" she asked. I turned to my side to see her smirking.

"About a year ago, I met Jack. He's a photographer but he's had some experience modelling too. I wouldn't say we were exclusive. But you know.. we messed around," I grinned.

"Oooh! Pictures!" she exclaimed.

Her infective happiness seeped into me and soon I couldn't help but join in on her laughter. She hadn't changed much. Sure, becoming a mother had made her more responsible and emotional than I'd known her, but she was still the same vivacious Naira that I'd grown up with.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked finally. Her eyes grew serious as she asked the question I knew she'd wanted the answer to for a long time.

I mulled over my answer and the silence of the room made me nervous. I could feel her burning gaze, but I turned away and looked at the ceiling.

"...I did. Almost," I whispered.

"What?"

"That day, when we went to that party. I was going to tell you. But Rahul showed up. I knew how much you'd love to join me. I mean we did promise that we wouldn't run away alone." I laughed humourlessly. "But that day, when I watched you both dancing, I just knew that those stupid wishes that you'd made with your best friend didn't matter anymore. I was the immature one, besides, you had him. And I just—I just knew you wouldn't want to come."

I didn't let her speak as I went on, "I'm sure you would've been excited at first, but you loved him. And leaving him behind was never an option. You'd regret that decision. I mean look at you now, you're married to him. And I'm so happy for you!"

A solemn silence took over the room as I waited for her reply.

"But you could've told me," she said.

"I could've, and I almost did. But you'd hate me eventually, Naira. You didn't know it then, but everyone saw it when you were together. You guys were just meant to be. And if you would've come with me, it wouldn't have happened."

"But that's not it, is it? You felt alienated after I started dating Rahul. Heck, even Faraaz knew where you were," Naira hissed.

I laughed.

"It's not funny. I was so mad at you. I wanted you to tell me. When I found out that Faraaz knew, I went ballistic because I thought we tell each other everything. But then I realised that it was my fault. I cut you off when I met Rahul. I realised that I had started spending much more time with his friends and my new friends and that I barely ever talked to you. I'm so so so sorry, Sara," she apologised.

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she took my hand and wrapped them in hers. "It was my fault. Don't deny it. I didn't realise what I was doing and I felt horrible about blaming you when I was the one who forgot that we'd been cut from the same cloth. You were my best friend and I pushed you away. Obviously, you wouldn't feel comfortable about asking me anymore. I'm so sorry."

I remained silent, just staring at her face. Her apology was sincere and the passive resentment I had possessed over her insincerity towards our friendship floated away.

~~~

A/N:
I always get so mushy whenever I watch or read scenes where two close friends patch up after a fight. I hope I've presented this chapter well :) tell me what you think!