The school reunion was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and nostalgic conversations. The grand banquet hall in Hyderabad had transformed into a time machine, pulling everyone back to their carefree teenage years.
Deepthi stood by the buffet table, her fingers wrapped around a glass of lemonade. She had been reluctant to attend but was dragged in by her persistent friends. Now that she was here, she felt an odd mix of emotions—curiosity, nostalgia, and a simmering bitterness she had buried deep within.
Across the room, Nisha was laughing, her three-year-old son, Ayaan, playfully tugging at her saree. She looked radiant, like a woman who had found happiness. Deepthi’s stomach twisted.
Nisha had once been her best friend—until she wasn’t.
Years ago, she had done the unthinkable: dated Arjun behind Deepthi’s back. The betrayal had shattered their friendship, but more than that, it had left Deepthi unable to trust love again.
Now, here they were, in the same room after all these years. But Nisha wasn’t even behaving like someone who had done something wrong. She was chatting, playing with her son, acting as if time had erased everything.
Deepthi had vowed never to speak to her again. And she intended to keep that promise.
The reunion was in full swing, with games, music, and a lot of teasing about past crushes. Deepthi had just started loosening up when a piercing shriek shattered the lively atmosphere.
Heads turned. Panic spread like wildfire.
Ayaan was on the floor, clutching his throat, his small body writhing in distress. His face was turning red, his little hands clawing at his throat.
Nisha screamed. “Somebody help! He’s choking!”
For a moment, everything froze. Then Deepthi’s instincts kicked in. She shoved aside the stunned guests and dropped to her knees beside Ayaan.
“Nisha, step back!” she commanded, scooping up the child.
Her doctor’s training took over. She turned Ayaan over, delivering firm back blows. One, two, three—nothing. His body tensed, the oxygen rapidly depleting.
Come on, baby. Stay with me.
She adjusted her grip and performed the Heimlich maneuver, pressing into his abdomen. A second later, a bright red candy shot out of his mouth and rolled across the floor.
Silence. Then a loud gasp as Ayaan inhaled sharply. A beat later, he burst into tears.
The tension snapped, replaced by relieved murmurs. Someone clapped. Others patted Deepthi’s back. But her focus was on Nisha.
Nisha, who was sobbing as she clutched Ayaan close, turned to Deepthi. Tears streaked her face. “I— I don’t know how to thank you.”
Deepthi exhaled, shaking off the tension. “Just promise me one thing.”
Nisha nodded frantically. “Anything.”
Deepthi gave a small smirk. “No more red candies.”
Nisha let out a half-sob, half-laugh, nodding. “Deal.”
Later that evening, as the energy settled and people returned to their old selves, Deepthi found herself at a table with old friends, sipping chai. The conversation naturally drifted to past relationships.
“Hey, whatever happened to Arjun?” someone asked, grinning mischievously.
“Oh, man,” Rohan, the class clown, cackled. “Last I heard, he tried to start a business and ended up scamming his own investors.”
Deepthi raised an eyebrow. “Not surprised. He always had startup ideas that started up and shut down faster than a power cut in summer.”
Laughter rippled through the group. Another friend added, “He got married twice, and both ex-wives basically ran for their lives.”
Deepthi couldn’t help but smirk. So much for the ‘great love’ Nisha betrayed me for.
Then, to her surprise, Nisha let out a loud sigh. “You guys have no idea how much of a disaster he was.”
Deepthi, intrigued, turned to her. “Oh? Do tell.”
Nisha shook her head, groaning. “Okay. So, once he took me to this fancy restaurant and, in the middle of dinner, he suddenly ‘forgot’ his wallet.”
Rohan gasped theatrically. “Classic scam.”
Nisha rolled her eyes. “Then he borrowed money from me for ‘urgent work’ and spent it on a limited-edition football jersey.”
Deepthi widened her eyes. “Tell me you dumped him after that.”
Nisha cringed. “Nope. The final straw was when I found out he was texting other girls—one of them was his ex, the other… well, I think she thought he was her ‘cousin brother.’”
Everyone burst into laughter. Deepthi shook her head. “So, let me get this straight. You betrayed me for that guy?”
Nisha sighed dramatically. “Look, I was young, stupid, and in love.”
Deepthi crossed her arms. “Correction—blind.”
Rohan leaned in, whispering, “There’s a scientific name for that—it’s called Temporary Boyfriend Delusion.”
Deepthi chuckled. “You know what? Thank you for your service, Nisha. You took the hit for me.”
Nisha groaned. “You should be thanking me! You got to be single, thriving, and not stuck with that mess.”
Deepthi burst out laughing. “Fair point.”
And just like that, the bitterness melted into something else—something lighter.
Later that night, as the party wound down, Deepthi and Nisha found themselves sitting outside on the lawn, sipping another round of chai. The cool night air carried the scent of freshly watered grass.
Nisha broke the silence first. “Deepthi, I know I don’t deserve it, but… I really am sorry.”
Deepthi sighed, watching the steam rise from her cup. “You were young, Nisha. We both were.”
Nisha looked down, picking at her dupatta. “Still. I should’ve never chosen a guy over our friendship. It wasn’t worth it.”
Deepthi smiled, shaking her head. “No boy ever is.”
Nisha chuckled. “So true.”
She hesitated, then looked up, her voice softer. “I missed you, you know.”
Deepthi took a sip of her chai. “I missed you too, idiot.”
Nisha grinned. “So, does this mean we’re friends again?”
Deepthi pretended to think. “Hmm. I’ll consider it. On one condition.”
Nisha sat up eagerly. “Name it.”
Deepthi smirked. “You have to agree that all men should come with a warning label.”
Nisha laughed. “Agreed. And the label should say: Handle with caution. Contents may cause temporary delusions.”
They both burst into laughter, the years of pain dissolving into the night.
The past would always be the past, but maybe—just maybe—some friendships were meant to find their way back.
