The following morning dawned bright and sunny, casting a warm glow over the city. Avi woke up feeling more refreshed than she had in days. She was staying with Dev for the moment and this was something that her family did not know.She stretched and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was still early, but she could hear the faint sounds of activity coming from the kitchen. Smiling to herself, she got out of bed and padded softly down the hallway, following the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee.As she entered the kitchen, she was greeted by the sight of Dev bustling around, preparing breakfast. He wore an apron that read "Kiss the Cook" and had a look of intense concentration on his face as he flipped pancakes on the griddle."Morning, Chef," Avi greeted, her voice still a bit husky from sleep.Dev turned around, a broad smile spreading across his face when he saw her. "Good morning, sleepyhead. I hope you're hungry because I made enough food to feed an army."Avi laughed, feeling a sense of normalcy settle over her. "You know me too well. I could eat a horse right now. By the way, I love your apron,huh"Dev set down the spatula and walked over to her flashing his famous smile that everybody falls for, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Well, in that case, take a seat. Breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes."Avi took a seat at the kitchen island, watching Dev as he expertly maneuvered around the kitchen. It was a sight she never grew tired of—seeing him so at ease and in his element, cooking up a storm."What's on the menu today?" she asked, leaning forward on her elbows."Let's see," Dev replied, ticking off items on his fingers. "We've got pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit salad. Oh, and of course, your favorite—freshly squeezed orange juice."Avi's stomach rumbled in anticipation. "Woah.Chandni di would be proud.Everything sounds amazing. You really outdid yourself this time."Dev grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I figured you could use a little extra pampering after these few days. Consider it my way of making sure you start the day off right."Avi's heart swelled with gratitude. Despite the shadows of her past, moments like these reminded her of the simple joys in life and the incredible people who made it all worthwhile.Soon, the table was laden with a feast fit for royalty. They sat down together, laughing and chatting as they enjoyed the delicious spread. It felt good to share this time with Dev, to let go of the worries and just be present in the moment.After breakfast, they decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and head out for a walk in the nearby park. The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers. They strolled along the winding paths, talking about everything and nothing, simply enjoying each other's company.
"Thank you," she murmured, closing her eyes and savoring the moment."For what?" Dev asked, wrapping an arm around her."For everything. For being here, for making me laugh, for reminding me that there's still so much to be happy about," Avi replied softly.Dev pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Always, Avi. That's what friends are for."They sat there for a while, enjoying the tranquility of the park and the simple pleasure of each other's company. It was in these moments that Avi realized how much she cherished her friendship with Dev—how it had the power to bring light to even the darkest of days.As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the landscape, they decided to head back home. The walk back was filled with lighthearted banter and shared memories, each step bringing them closer to the comfort of their familiar routine.When they finally arrived home, they settled onto the couch, feeling content and at ease. Avi rested her head on Dev's shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips as she thought about the day's events."Today was perfect," she said quietly, her voice filled with gratitude.Dev's arm tightened around her, a reassuring presence by her side. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Dev turned to Avi, his expression serious yet tender. "Avi, do you know why I love you so much?"Avi looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat. "Why?"Dev took a deep breath, his eyes locking with hers. "I love you because you are the most genuine person I've ever known. You're kind, compassionate, and you always put others before yourself. I've loved you since we were kids. Do you remember the time we got lost in the woods during that trip with out families?"Avi nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "How could I forget? We were so scared."Dev chuckled softly. "Yeah, but even then, you were the one who stayed calm and found the way back. You were always so strong, even when you didn't realize it. And then, when we were teenagers, and I was struggling with cricket and school, you were there to support me, to cheer me on. You believed in me when even  I didn't believe in myself."Avi felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "Dev...""You've always been my rock, Avi," Dev continued, his voice filled with emotion. "And as we grew older, my feelings for you only grew stronger. You're not just my friend; you're my confidant, my biggest supporter, and the person I want to share my life with. I love you because you see the good in people, because you make me want to be a better person. I love you because you're you, and there's no one else in the world like you."Avi's heart swelled with emotion. "Dev, I..."Dev placed a finger gently over her lips, silencing her. "You don't have to say anything, Avi. I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me."Avi took his hand in hers, squeezing it tightly. "Thank you, Dev. For everything." And for the first time in a long time, she felt truly at peace.