Lost in a swirl of thoughts, Ayaan's world shifted unexpectedly, the once familiar surroundings now tinged with an air of uncertainty. Seated at the sleek bar, his mind wandered to Sarah while the bartender deftly slid his drink towards him. Casting a sweeping gaze across the pulsating club, he felt like an outsider amidst the vibrant throng. When had this disconnection settled within him so deeply? Downing the amber liquid in a single swift motion, he signaled for another round to be readied.

As Ayaan lost himself in his thoughts, Jerad observed him with a sense of concern. He had seen Ayaan frequent his bar for months now, always with a different woman on his arm every time. But tonight was different, he could see the turmoil in Ayaan's eyes and the way he downed one drink after another.

"You seem to drown something with whiskey," Jerad finally spoke up, breaking the silence between them.

Ayaan looked up at him and gave a half-hearted smile. "Is everything okay?" Jerad asked him casually while setting vodka shots for the couple beside Ayaan.

"Nothing that can't be done over with a drink," Ayaan replied, letting out a haughty chuckle. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he simply ignored anyone trying to strike a conversation with him. He was regular to Jerad's bar and most of the customers were actually known to him but tonight he paid no attention to them not even a simple hello.

Jerad sighed and poured himself a shot before leaning against the counter next to Ayaan. "I've seen you come here with different mood every time but tonight...something seems off."

Ayaan ran a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. "It's just...it's complicated."

"Complicated? That's it?" Jerad raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"No, it's just... I don't know what I want anymore," Ayaan confessed, taking another sip of his drink.

Jerad nodded understandingly. "We all go through phases like this. But you seem more lost than usual."

"I am," Ayaan admitted, his words slurring slightly as he finished off his third drink.

"Maybe you should take some time for yourself," Jerad suggested.

"I don't have time," Ayaan said bitterly. "Work is consuming me and I have to keep up appearances. And then there's Sarah..."

Ayaan found himself drawn into the energetic atmosphere as the DJ cranked up the volume with pulsating rock tunes. The crowd, a mix of men and women, eagerly abandoned their seats at the bar to surrender to the rhythm on the dance floor. Amidst the infectious energy, Ayaan suddenly realized he was left alone at the deserted bar counter, a stark contrast to the lively scene unfolding before him.

Just as he raised his glass for a sip, a recognizable voice interrupted his solitude with a casual request, "Hey there, could I grab a Bud Light?"

"Of course, Alexandra," Jerad responded to the lady. Ayaan, amidst the haze of smoke and pulsating red neon lights in the club, was drawn to her voice he hadn't heard in ages. As he swiveled his head for a clearer view, ensuring it wasn't a figment of his imagination induced by alcohol, he immediately identified her. Her familiar brown eyes sparkled, curls cascading down one side of her face, her porcelain complexion glowing under the vibrant lights. But what truly stood out was that infectious chirpy voice capable of brightening anyone's day.

She was right there. His best friend, Alexandra aka Ally.

"Stop staring at me like that," she turned her head in his direction, giving him a lopsided grin. "I know you still have a crush on me."

Ayaan couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over him as he looked at Ally. It had been five long years since they last saw each other and the memories came flooding back.

"So, it's really you," he said, realizing how she still carried herself the same way as five years ago. The same flirty comebacks and the same smile.

"It has been five long years and you haven't changed a bit, Ally," Ayaan remarked with a hint of admiration in his voice.

"But I see someone has changed completely." She taunted, taking a slug of the beer in her hand and swiveling her barstool to face him.

Ayaan shrugged nonchalantly, trying to brush off her comment. "I guess people change when life happens."

Ally studied him for a moment before responding. "I don't buy it. You were never one to give up easily. What happened to that guy?"

Ayaan let out a heavy sigh. "Life happened, Ally. Things didn't go according to plan and I had to make some tough decisions."

Ally cocked her head to the side, a concerned look on her face. "Tough decisions? What kind of decisions?"

Ayaan hesitated before answering. He wasn't ready to reveal all the details about his personal and professional life just yet.

"I don't want to bore you with my problems," he deflected with a weak smile.

"Hey, we haven't seen each other in five years! Catching up means talking about our lives," Ally insisted with a playful glint in her eye. She inclined her head slightly to take his look wearing office clothes and gave him a satisfied grin. "You look rather handsome in a suit."

"You look pretty good dressed as a woman for once." Ayaan said, giving her a quick once over.

They both laughed at that and shared a silent eye contact when the laughter subsided.

After a long pause and a quick sip of beer in her hand, Ally finally spoke. "Why didn't you visit me, Ayaan? You knew I was back in town. Hell, Fred even threw a welcome party to celebrate our reunion," Ally said, her voice tinged with a mix of hurt and curiosity. Ayaan shifted in his seat, avoiding her gaze for a moment before meeting her eyes with a sheepish smile playing on his lips. The dimly lit pub around them seemed to fade away as they engaged in a silent conversation through their intertwined stares. Eventually, breaking the intense moment, Ayaan let out a chuckle, the sound warm and familiar in the cozy atmosphere. He reached for his glass of beer, taking a thoughtful sip before replying to Ally's question.

"I'm sorry, Al." Ayaan sighed, looking at the dancing crowd and twisting the wedding ring in his finger. "I wanted to come visit you but there was some serious stuff that I had to deal with first."

"You don't need to explain. Freddy told me everything about your wife." She said, her eyes fixated on his wedding ring. "Sometimes our life gets too complicated for us that it's really difficult to make others understand what's exactly going on."

Ayaan's expression turned serious. "That's the thing, Ally. You can never truly understand unless you're in the same situation."

Ally nodded, understanding his point but still feeling a pang of hurt that he hadn't reached out to her.

"I just wish you had told me yourself," she said softly.

Ayaan took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry, Al. I didn't know how to face you after everything that happened between us."

"But we were friends, Ayaan. And friends support each other through tough times," Ally replied, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

They both fell into a comfortable silence, gazing at each other with unspoken words passing between them.

After a while, Ally cleared her throat and let out a small chuckle. "Well, enough of the heavy stuff. Tell me about your wife," she said with a sly grin.

Ayaan couldn't help but smile at her attempt to lighten the mood. "Her name is Sarah and she's amazing. We met through mutual friends and it was love at first sight."

Ally raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Love at first sight? That sounds like something straight out of a romantic movie."

Ayaan chuckled again before continuing. "I know it sounds cliché but it's true. We just clicked on so many levels and before we knew it, we were married."

"Wow," Ally said impressed. "I guess you really did change."

Ayaan smiled wistfully as he thought back to his old self and how different he was now.

"Yeah, I guess I did," he replied softly.

Ally studied him for a moment before breaking into a mischievous grin. "Well, I can't wait to meet this amazing wife of yours."

"Rather than delving into the depths of my tragedy, share with me the happenings in your world. How are things going for you?" Seeking a change of subject, he attempted to steer the conversation away from his own turmoil, and to his relief, she complied. "Well, career-wise, things are quite exciting. I recently wrapped up my studies in psychology in the United States and am now practicing at the prestigious Central Institute of Mental Health. However, on a more personal note, luck hasn't been on my side like it has been for you. I found myself falling for a man who, unfortunately, ended up marrying someone else," she disclosed with a wistful smile. Amidst Ayaan's own romantic struggles crumbling around him, he almost missed the unmistakable longing reflected in her gaze.

Ayaan couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for Ally as he listened to her talk about her career. He had always known that she had a passion for psychology and it was heartwarming to see her living her dream.

"You are a psychiatrist now and that's what you always wanted to be. I'm really happy for you, Ally," Ayaan said sincerely.

Ally smiled gratefully at him. "Thanks, Ayaan. It hasn't been easy, but I'm glad I pursued my dream."

"And look at you, the bestselling author of the year," Ally quipped playfully, changing the subject once again.

Ayaan couldn't help but chuckle at her teasing. "Well, I never thought writing would become my career, but I'm grateful for the success."

They continued catching up on each other's lives, talking about their successes and struggles over the past few years. It felt like old times - just two friends chatting and laughing without any tension or awkwardness between them.

As they finished their coffee and were getting ready to leave, Ayaan couldn't resist one last question that had been nagging at him since they started talking.

"Ally, can I ask you something personal?"

She raised an eyebrow in surprise but nodded nonetheless. "Sure, go ahead."

"I remember when we were younger, we used to talk about our future plans all the time. You always said you wanted a big family and lots of children. But now...do you still want that?" Ayaan asked hesitantly.

Ally's smile faltered slightly before she answered softly. "Yes, I still want a family someday."

"Then why..." Ayaan trailed off with a frown, not sure how to continue.

"Why did I choose not to get married? Is that what you're asking?" Ally completed his sentence with a small smile. When Ayaan nodded, she took a deep breath before continuing.

Ayaan nervously fidgeted with his glass, not quite sure how to react to Ally's answer. He had always known that she wanted a big family and he couldn't understand why she would choose not to get married if that was still her dream.

"I'm sorry, Ally. I didn't mean to pry," Ayaan apologized, feeling guilty for bringing up such a personal topic.

"It's alright, Ayaan. You have every right to ask," Ally assured him with a small smile. "The truth is, as time went on, I realized that I didn't need a husband or children to be happy."

Ayaan nodded in understanding and admiration for her strength. He could see the pain in her eyes as she spoke about her past, but also the determination and peace in her voice as she talked about her present.

"I'm proud of you, Ally," Ayaan said sincerely, placing a hand on hers in a comforting gesture.

"Thank you, Ayaan. That means a lot coming from you," Ally replied gratefully.

"Toast to our successful dreams and broken hearts." Ayaan said, clicking his glass with her glass and downing the amber liquid in one go.

Alexandra gazed at him with deep thoughtful eyes for a long second before giving him a tight-lipped smile.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before deciding it was time to part ways. As they walked out of the club and onto the busy street, Ayaan couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected reunion with his childhood friend.

"Hey Ayaan," Ally called out suddenly, causing him to turn around curiously.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I know we haven't kept in touch over the years, but I just wanted to say that if you ever need someone to talk to or give advice...I'll always be here for you."

Ayaan smiled at her genuine offer of support and friendship. "Thank you, Ally. That means a lot."