A few days later....

"You're sure you want to go?" Chaya texted me which I texted, "Yes."

"Why such a sudden change in plan?" She asked which I said, "Dad asked me overcome my fear. I also want to see how I end up there." I texted.

After a moment later Chaya texted, "Wah mere Sheer! 💀. Don't worry. If something happens I'll make sure they go home naked!" "Wow. Wow. Calm down. No need to rip people's cloth." I texted as I chuckled.

"I can't get enough of her." My smile immediately dropped about what I just thought. My phone buzzed again as I looked down at it and saw, " Bro! You wear black! I'll wear white! Contrast! Girls will flattttttt!" "Really? That's too soon to judge." I texted.

Time skipped.....

"You're done? Get out. I'm outside." I texted her as I got out of my car and waited for her while leaning against my car. I must say that the neighborhood was quite peaceful.

I wore a white dress shirt, unbuttoned quite low. A dark blazer. It's oversized, loosely fitted, which adds to the casual yet refined look. Matching dark trousers, high-waisted and slightly wide-legged. I was going through my phone even though my mind was going other ways. I was too conscious about my look. 10 years. I'll stand there again after 10 years. How will they react? Will they mock me? Am I doing this right? Nervousness filled my consciousness as for a moment I regretted going there. But then it stopped when I heard a voice. "Wow! Hero!"

I looked up as I saw her.

A white button-up shirt with a relaxed fit and a front pocket on the left side. The sleeves are rolled slightly, giving it a casual yet polished look. High-waisted, wide-leg trousers in a dark gray color. They have pleats at the front, adding structure and a vintage touch.

She looked so smart in that attire. Her open hair danced in the air. The dusky skin contrasted with the light of street light.

I bit back my tongue as I didn't want to get it awkward but damn I wanted to compliment her. But I couldn't. I never did before. God knows why do such odd things happening to me. I never looked at her like this way. God! She is my good friend! I've been seeing her like this for 10 years! Then why now!? Maybe I'm taking father's words too seriously. I shook my head as I tried to get a grip on my emotion.

Chaya waved at me as she almost ran towards me. "Shall we go?" She asked with her bright smile. I took her appearance as I nodded. "Sure."

Time skipped....

We got into a restaurant. Before we could go upstairs, Chaya stopped me and said, " Bro. You'll handle it. Yeah? " "I'll handle it." I nodded. "Just calll me if anything happens." Chaya gave me a reassuring time. "I will." I gave her the same smile. The upstairs of the restaurant was basically booked by school's ex students. Only higher classes were there, on separate tables. I saw Chaya walking to her friends with a bright smile. I felt peace at her smile as I took a deep breath, getting ready for my battle ground.

"Excuse me?" I tapped on a guy's shoulder. He turned around to face me,"Yeah?" "Batch 2014?" I asked which he nodded. "Yes. But you?" He frowned curiously. "I'm Divansh. Divansh Rana."

"Who!?" The guy asked in disbelief as others in the group also stopped talking and looked back at me. I raised my eyebrows in amusement as I saw their awe face. "You changed so much." A girl chuckled as her eyes were roaming on me. Disgusting.

I was about to say something but I paused when I heard a voice. A voice which once humiliated me. Shiver ran through my body. A known fear trapping me at the place.

"Everyone is here?" I turned back as I her again. After so many years. Mira and her husband. My eyes narrowed as a pang of hatred and disgust stuck me. I could tell she felt the same.

"Wow. Who is that?" Mira scoffed.

Time skipped.....

I didn't speak much but I felt eyes on me. Damn it was getting awkward now. I ignored most of them as I continued small eatings. I decided that I'll leave as soon as I finish eating. I was about to text Chaya when some called, "Divansh Rana?" I looked up and saw it was Mira's husband, I immediately narrowed my eyes as I didn't say anything in response. Her husband smirked as if he was getting ready to throw a fist,"So? What do you do now?"

"Business." I said briefly. "Oh. I see. So you're a businessman?" He scoffed. I felt Mira's smirk but I ignored it as I said,"What about you?"

"Same. Business." He smirked. "And? Got settled? Or still alone? Just like years ago? You know Mira told me a lot about you." He scoffed as my eyes narrowed.

"Babe. What are you even saying? Who will get along with him? But at least he is not a weirdo." Mira scoffed.

"Mira. I'm not here to fight. So stop making a scene." I said firmly, Feeling mocking, pitiful gazes on me. Just like 10 years ago. A sense of helpless occured in me. But I had to fight today.

"Or what? You'll go cry behind Chaya? Spineless . Then do it. You're no better. Back in time, because of you I was about to be expelled from the school!" Mira snapped.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked in confusion.

"Don't act dump. You're the reason Chaya dragged to the principal's office and threatened me that if I disturb you again, She'll make sure I'll be expelled! Her grandfather also agreed to her! That Bitch!" Mira added, her voice dripping venom. I continued to sit stiff in my seat as I couldn't believe my eyes.

All this time, I thought maybe Mira felt sorry that's why she stopped disturbing me like before. Now I knew what Chaya meant at my home when she said that Mira won't disturb me again. Yeah, I was scared after that Incident. I was too afraid to leave my house. My father was tensed. But one day Chaya, my junior came to my house. I still remember her gentleness when she said.

"Divansh Dada. Don't worry. Everything is settled at school. None will disturb you now."

I didn't understand how is happened, but I know now.

Chaya, I mattered that much to you? That you did it for me without any expectations in return? What did I do to get such blessing like you?

I clenched my jaw as I looked up at Mira. My eyes were cold, showing no mercy. "Mira. Mind your tone. There are people. I don't want to make a mess here."

"Oh! You're threatening me? All of us here know what kind of pervert you are!" Mira snapped. "You'll face the consequences." I said, my tone serious and calm. "You think I'm afraid of you? Do you even know who my husband-" her words were cut by me. "Akshay Dixit."

"What?" She asked dumbfounded. "Akshay Dixit. Owner of a car manufacturing company. If I'm right, I think you need an investment in your new car launching, yeah?" I asked with a smirk as the man shuttered, "How did you know all this?"

"Wow. Akshay. You want an investment but you don't know the head of investors?" I scoffed.

I stood up,"Mira. I thought you would have changed. I thought I'll come here to get along with you guys. But I was wrong. You people can't change."

I looked at a waiter beside me at a distance. I gestured for him to come to me. And he did. "Bill please." I smiled. "Your bill?" The waiter asked in confusion. "Both the tables bill. I'll pay with card." I growled. The waiter stayed silent at a spot as he didn't know what to do. "What? My words didn't reach your ears?" I snapped. "Sorry sir." The waiter immediately left.

"You. Akshay. My company makes deal with top companies. Not some local, mid level company. In fact last year, your company was dragged to court cause of money laundering. I checked your profile, but now I think I'll make sure sensible people will stay away from you." I said as the bill came in the meantime.

I felt the gazes which were mocking me just a while ago, held fear and astonishment in their eyes. Some even whispered among themselves. About what? I didn't care. I entered my card's pin in the swip machine.

"What do you mean?" Akshay shuttered,both of their faces were pale as Mira also gave me scared eyes.

"You know damn well." I dismissed the waiter after paying the bill. "Don't take it personally, Akshay."

"Bye. Everyone. I hope I don't get to see such losers like you again, in my life time." I said as I went to Chaya's table.

"Let's go." I said to Chaya. She faced me and looked up at my towering figure."You're done? Fine. Let's go. But bill?" She took her bag and waved at her ex batch mates before leaving with me. "Already paid." I said.

Time skipped....

Inside the car....

"You did what!?" Chaya laughed out in amusement. "You heard me. I kicked their asses." I scoffed, my eyes on road. "That's my tiger!" Chaya gave me a pat on shoulder. "I'm proud of you." She made a proud face while nodding. I sighed as I stayed silent before I said, " I should be the one saying this to you."

"Huh?" Chaya looked at me with confusion. "Mira told me what happened in school and how you prevented her back then." I said. "Oh that?" Chaya chuckled. "I just paid you back for helping me out in the math test. If it wasn't you. I would have failed." She added. "Still Chaya. The thing you did for me. Now I realise I never thanked you for what you have done for me now and in these 10 years." I said, guilt whelming inside me. "Divansh, don't say such things." Chaya's voice held softness.

"No Chaya. It won't change the fact that I never noticed your support. But you're always there for me!" I said, my voice getting louder in self anger.

"Divansh." Chaya sighed. "You've always bearded my tantrums. What can I more expect than this?" Chaya chuckled. "It's not enough. I want to do more for you. I want to do something for you." I frowned, my voice filled with sincerity. "Oh really? And?" Chaya joked as she kept looking at me with her dazzling eyes, resting her chin on her hand.

"I want to invest in your restaurant. I'll find sponsors for it." I said which made Chaya's smile disappeared, replacing it with shock. "What?" She asked with big eyes.

"You heard me right." I said as I stopped my car in front of her house and turned to face her. "I'll help you to grow. No need to worry. It's my time to pay back." I said as the car fell silence.

Chaya continued to give me big eyes. Gratitude, shock and tears were playing in her eyes which struck my heart.

"You're crying?-" before I could say much, she hugged me by my shoulders which caught me off guard. But I immediately hugged her back by wrapping my hands around her waist. Her small waist fit so well in my hands. She was so small.

I noticed such things I shouldn't notice. She was nothing but my friend. But I can't but think such odd things.

"Bhai. Rulayga kya?" ( Bro. You'll make me cry now.) Chaya chuckled as she patted my head which I leaned more in it uncontrollably. My breathing hissed at her touch. I tried my best not to bury my face in her neck and inhale her rose perfume. But she was oblivious to it. She broke the hug and the warmth was gone which got me irritated, longing for more but I held back.

"Fine. Help me then. And I'll make your eating free in my restaurant." Chaya chuckled which I can't help but took her face details, shamelessly.

I said nothing. Nothing came out of my throat except a hum. I nodded. "Then we'll start work then? As a team?" She asked with her gleaming, doe eyes which I couldn't take off my eyes.

I nodded like a spellbound. "Great!" She clapped her hands. "If that's it then I have to restart my plan again! With you, this time! Then we have big things to be done! Divansh. I'll go now! Without a power nap I can't work! We'll start as soon as possible! No problem, yeah?" Chaya asked again as I just said in my raspy tone, "Yeah. No problem." "Great. I should go now." Chaya said as she unbuckled her seat belt and got out of the car. I frowned slightly as she was gone, away from me now. "Bye! Drive safe!" She waved. "You too. Stay safe." I said as I locked the gate. Chaya smiled for the last time before she got into her house and closed door.

I stayed like that for some moment. I still can't make out what I just felt just a while ago. I felt so guilty. She was my friend. She thought me as her good friend. Yet, today ,when she hugged me...

Why did I feel like that? Like I don't want to let her go. I tried to ignore my thoughts but I knew.....

It was about feeling her presence, her touch. I wanted to feel her touch. I wanted to feel her. God this is so wrong. But it felt like my need now.