Riya and Pavithra had been inseparable since childhood. Their families weren’t just neighbors but best friends, and the two girls had grown up together, sharing everything—from toys to dreams. Both were brilliant students, excelling in their academics, always pushing each other to be their best. When it was time for higher education, they chose the same path—pursuing B.Tech in Software Engineering from a reputed university.

But while they had a lot in common, there was one difference between them: Pavithra had a dream to join the Indian Navy. From a young age, she had been fascinated by the life of a sailor—the discipline, the sense of purpose, and the pride that came with serving the country. Riya, on the other hand, didn’t share that dream. Her passion lay in the IT world, a space of logic, creativity, and technology. Despite their differing ambitions, they always supported each other throughout their college years.

As graduation approached, both friends focused on their futures. Pavithra dedicated herself to preparing for the Navy entrance exams, and with her relentless determination, she succeeded. She was selected to join the Indian Navy—her dream finally turning into reality.

Riya, however, faced disappointment. She had also prepared for the same exams, hoping to stand beside her best friend in uniform, but despite her efforts, she didn’t make the cut. Though heartbroken, she hid her pain behind a smile. “Go follow your dreams, Pavithra. I’m proud of you,” she said, her voice steady but her heart heavy. Pavithra, in return, hugged her tightly. “We’ll always stay in touch,” she promised.

But life had other plans. Pavithra left for her Navy training, and Riya, though sad, tried to move forward. She reluctantly took up a job in an IT company—not out of passion, but out of necessity. The corporate world felt suffocating, far from the dreams she had once nurtured. Days turned into months, then years. Pavithra thrived in the Navy, living the life she had always dreamed of. But Riya felt increasingly lost. The spark in her eyes dimmed, and she slowly withdrew from the world.

Loneliness consumed her, and before she knew it, she was battling depression. The once cheerful, optimistic girl now struggled to even get out of bed. She began seeing a doctor, taking medications to help her cope, but deep inside, she felt hollow—like a part of her was missing.

One day, out of the blue, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. The name "Pavithra" flashed across it.

Her heart skipped a beat. For a moment, she hesitated before answering.

“Hello?” Riya’s voice was barely above a whisper.

“Riya! It’s me!” Pavithra’s familiar voice came through, warm and full of excitement. “How have you been? I miss you!”

A lump formed in Riya’s throat. She had longed to hear this voice, but the weight of her sadness was too overwhelming. She forced a small, awkward reply before ending the call quickly. After that, no more calls came. The silence between them grew heavier.

Then, a month later, something unexpected happened.

One evening, as Riya sat in her room, staring blankly at her laptop, she heard a knock on the door. Assuming it was her mother, she opened it without much thought.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Standing there, in her crisp Indian Navy uniform, was Pavithra.

Riya froze. Emotions crashed over her like a tidal wave. The sight of her childhood friend standing there, after all these years, made her heart race. She wanted to say something, but no words came.

Before she could react, Pavithra stepped forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Riya stood stiff for a moment before breaking down completely. Tears spilled from her eyes, years of bottled-up emotions pouring out. Pavithra, too, felt her own tears falling. The tough, disciplined soldier had learned to control her emotions, but at that moment, nothing else mattered.

Behind them, Riya’s mother watched silently, her own eyes welling up with tears.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally let go. Pavithra gave Riya a soft smile and pulled her inside. They sat in the living room, sipping the coffee Riya’s mother had prepared, talking as if no time had passed at all.

Later, when Pavithra went to Riya’s room to change, she noticed the bottles of depression medication lined up on the table. Her heart clenched. She realized just how much her absence had affected her best friend. Without a word, she picked up a gray T-shirt and black track pants from Riya’s wardrobe, changing into them.

When she walked back into the living room, Riya stared at her for a moment before breaking into a small, genuine smile. Seeing Pavithra in her old clothes—it felt like childhood again, like nothing had changed.

That night, they went for a walk, just like they used to. They wandered through the quiet streets, talking about everything—dreams, disappointments, fears. Pavithra spoke about her life in the Navy, while Riya confessed the emptiness she had been feeling. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly heard.

Pavithra placed a firm hand on her shoulder. “Riya, promise me something,” she said softly.

“What?”

“No more depression pills. If you ever feel like you’re drowning, just call me. That’s all you need to do, okay?”

Tears welled up in Riya’s eyes. She pulled Pavithra into a tight hug and let go of everything—her anxiety, her sadness, the pain she had been carrying alone. Pavithra held her, whispering words of comfort. “It’s going to be okay. I’m here.”

By the time they returned home, the air between them was lighter, filled with laughter and warmth—just like the old days.

And for the first time in years, Riya felt something stir inside her.

Hope.

No matter how much life had changed, their friendship had endured. And it always would.