The pulsating beats of the music reverberated through the crowded club, drowning out the chatter and laughter of the partygoers. Neon lights danced across the dimly lit space, casting an otherworldly glow over the scene. It was a celebration—a birthday bash for one of the team members—but for Dev and Avi, it felt more like a fish out of water.

Both introverts at heart, they found themselves gravitating towards the corner of the room, seeking solace in the shadows away from the chaotic energy of the dance floor. Avi, her gaze fixed on her phone screen, brows furrowed in concentration as she scrolled through messages or perhaps indulged in her latest obsession. Dev, on the other hand, couldn't tear his eyes away from her, his heart swelling with an indescribable warmth as he watched her.

But amidst the quiet moment between them, Dev's keen gaze caught something peculiar—a man across the room eyeing Avi with a strange intensity. His instincts prickled with unease, but before he could react, the man disappeared into the throng of dancers, leaving Dev with a sense of foreboding lingering in the air.

A sudden interruption shattered the fragile tranquility as Dev's phone rang, pulling him away from his thoughts. With a muttered apology, he excused himself and stepped outside to take the call, his mind buzzing with worry for Avi's safety.

When he returned moments later, his heart sank as he realized Avi was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through him, threatening to overwhelm his senses as he frantically scanned the crowd for any sign of her. Spotting KL across the room, he hurried over and asked, "Have you seen Avi?"

KL furrowed his brow in confusion, his words slightly slurred from the alcohol. "Avi? Nahi to . Maybe she went outside for some air," he suggested, gesturing towards the exit.

Without hesitation, Dev bolted towards the door, his heart pounding in his chest as he pushed his way through the crowd. And there, illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights, he found Avi standing with her hands on her hips, scolding the same man who had been eyeing her earlier. Scolding might be a little underexaggerated by the way her hands moved. She looked like she was ready to throw some hands if needed. Not overlooking the tension on the man's face who looked like he just wanted to get out of the place. He looked as the guy rushed to his aide out of the club.

Relief flooded through him as he left a deep breath he didn't even know he was holding.

Dev's POV :

Ok i admit. My fault. I should have known she has it in her. She can keep herself safe.

As I stood  in the cool night air, I couldn't help but release a heavy breath, my shoulders sagging with relief. And as KL stumbled out of the club behind me, muttering something about out of which I could only pick out ' Lady Gabbar', I couldn't help but smile. She still the same person. Still the girl I fell in love with.
Black hair. Creamy skin. Grace and sunshine clad in her sleeveless floral black summer dress.
She stood there near a tree, completely oblivious of my presence until..
I stepped on a dried piece of branch probably from the same tree causing it to crack.
Avi turned. Our eyes met, and the breath stole from my lungs. For the past few years, I'd only had the memory of her to cling to and seeing her in person felt overwhelming. It had always been. The first time, when the coach introduced her as the new team psychologist, when our eyes first met, when she had aided my forehead that day, and every freaking time she was near me.
I turned my heels intending to walk away muttering a slight 'sorry', no matter how much my heart was begging not to. We needed to talk. Talk everything out.
"Wait. We need to talk" She said, adding almost whispering "Please, Dev"
I took a deep breath and turned.
We stared at each other. Even from a distance, I could see the pulse fluttering at the base of her throat. The way her hair flowed in the soft summer winds.
"About what, Avi?" I said in a low but slightly harsher tone, than I had intended it to be. I didn't want to shout at her. I would never, knowing her.
Her lips tugged a bit at the corners , and by the look of it, it was definitely not a happy one.
She looked down and said," You probably hate me, don't you?"
Hate her? Seriously?
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at her question, though it wasn't out of amusement. It was the kind of laughter that comes from a place of understanding, of shared experiences.
" Hate you? God, are you crazy? I would not be able to hate you even if I wanted to, Avi. You're way too well entanged in my soul for that. I could never hate you,Avi."
She let out a shaky breath as I continued," At first, I was pretty mad at you. Frustrated, maybe. But then it was you, Avi. I know you. You won't ever do anything without a reason."I don't if I'm sounding stupid right now, but it was true. I trusted her with my everything. She used to tell me, that there was something beautiful waiting for me something worth everything. It was her. It  had always been her. And look at this girl. She thinks I hate her. " Every smile every laugh I've had with you. Everything means the world to me. You were and still are the most precious thing I had in my life."
"You're mad" Her voice cracked. Red rimmed her eyes, and I could've sworn she was on the verge of crying.
" You don't want to know what happened?" She asked.
I did, but not now. Not when she was on the verge of breaking down. Shaky breaths. Red eyes.
Definitely not now.
" I do, but whenever when you want to. It's ok. We don't have to talk about it right now." I said as I moved closer to her to wipe the solitary tear that had fallen to her cheek.
"But for now, can we please stop pretending that we don't know each other? Can we be friends, at least? Can I please have my best friend back?"