Karan, Aryan, and Dhruv are fast asleep on the floor of Dhruv's new apartment, limbs tangled like a mess of wires, still recovering from their wild night out. The sun streams in through the window, but none of them stirs until Karan's phone rings loudly, jolting them all awake.
Karan groggily picks up his phone, squinting at the screen. "It's…Manvi."
At the mention of Manvi, Aryan and Dhruv bolt upright, the sleep quickly fading from their eyes. Karan reluctantly answers, "Hello?"
Manvi's voice crackles through the speaker, sharp and angry. "Karan! Where are you guys? It's almost 11 a.m.!"
Karan puts the phone on speaker, allowing Aryan and Dhruv to hear the scolding. Aryan, rubbing his temples and still fighting off the hangover, suddenly comes up with an idea.
"We're…uh…we're at my place," Karan starts, struggling to find words.
Aryan nudges Karan aside and takes over the conversation. "Manvi…we couldn't sleep the whole night. Karan's grandfather had a heart attack."
Manvi's tone softens immediately, surprised by the news. "Oh my god, really?"
Aryan, eyes darting nervously between Karan and Dhruv, continues with a serious face, "Yeah…and um…he passed away this morning."
Karan's eyes widened in shock, his face screaming, "I'm going to kill you for this!" but he stayed silent as Aryan carried on with the ridiculous excuse. Unable to control himself, Dhruv lets out a muffled laugh but quickly tries to cover it with a fake cough.
"What was that? Why is Dhruv laughing?" Manvi's voice is back to suspicious mode.
Dhruv quickly responds, his voice strained from holding back laughter, "I wasn't laughing…just…coughing."
Manvi, somewhat convinced but still on edge, sighs. "I'm really sorry about your grandfather, Karan. My condolences. I hope you're okay."
Karan, still glaring daggers at Aryan, forces out a solemn, "Thanks, Manvi."
"Take care, Karan. And let me know if you need anything." Manvi's voice softens before she hangs up.
As soon as the call ends, Karan rounds on Aryan. "My grandfather?! Really?!"
Dhruv, still giggling, pats Karan on the back. "At least it worked…for now."
Aryan, looking unbothered, shrugs with a grin. "Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures."
They all collapse back onto the floor, laughing at the absurdity of their situation, though Karan keeps muttering, "Grandfather…seriously…" under his breath.
The three of them are walking toward the office, still chuckling over Aryan's ridiculous excuse earlier.
Karan shakes his head, laughing. "I swear, Aryan, next time you come up with something that wild, at least warn us! My grandfather will probably rise from the dead to question you."
Aryan grins, unbothered. "Hey, it worked, didn't it? And besides, Dhruv's coughing cover-up was flawless. Manvi didn't suspect a thing!"
Dhruv shakes his head, amused but keeping quiet. The air between them is light and filled with laughter.
As they cross the parking lot, Dhruv's phone buzzes. He pulls it out of his pocket and sees "Mom" flashing on the screen. His laughter fades slightly as he answers.
"Hey, Mom. What's up?" Dhruv greets, his voice calm.
His mother's excited voice comes through. "Dhruv beta, your father and I were thinking… Since we have an appointment with the doctor in the city tomorrow, why don't we come over and stay at your flat tomorrow? It'll be nice to see your new place! We'll reach Delhi tomorrow night"
Dhruv's expression freezes. His smile falters, and a slight panic creeps into his eyes. The blood drains from his face as reality hits him—his parents think he's living in a fully furnished, luxurious apartment. But the truth is, the place is practically empty, save for the basics.
"Uh... tomorrow?" Dhruv stammers, his mind racing. "That's, uh, that's great, Mom. Yeah, of course, you can stay…"
"Oh good! I'll make your favourite dish and bring it along. We'll see you in the evening, okay?"
"Yeah... sure, I'll be ready," Dhruv says, his voice flat.
As he hangs up, his expression remains blank, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
Karan, noticing his sudden change in demeanour, nudges him. "Hey, man. What's with the face? You were just laughing a second ago."
Aryan joins in, his eyebrows raised. "Yeah, what happened? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Dhruv forces a weak smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's nothing… It's just that, uh, my parents are coming to visit tomorrow. You know, family stuff."
Karan smirks. "That's good, right? Why the long face? You get to have some home-cooked food!"
Dhruv laughs nervously. "Yeah, about that… I need to buy some furniture. My place is pretty empty, and, well, they're expecting it to be… you know… furnished."
Karan, Aryan, and Dhruv walk into the office, heads hanging slightly, trying to keep a low profile. But it's no use—everyone is already staring at them. Whispers ripple through the office as they make their way to their cubicles, and Dhruv notices Ananya take a glance at them before quickly returning her focus to her computer screen.
Feeling a bit guilty, Dhruv steps over to Ananya's desk. "Ananya, I'm really sorry about yesterday," he starts.
She doesn't even look up, her eyes glued to the screen, lips pressed tight. Dhruv awkwardly shifts his weight, trying to find the right words to continue his apology, but before he can get another word out, Manvi sweeps into the scene, her voice thick with sympathy.
"Karan, my deepest condolences," Manvi says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I can't imagine how hard this must be for you… losing your grandfather so suddenly."
Karan freezes, wide-eyed, then quickly composes himself. He glances at Aryan, who's biting his lip to keep from laughing, and then back to Manvi, forcing a solemn expression.
"Uh… yeah. It's been… really tough," Karan says, dramatically placing his hand over his heart. "I've just been so... so depressed. I couldn't even bring myself to talk about it."
Ananya looks up, confusion written all over her face. "Wait, what? Karan, you didn't tell me your grandfather passed away."
Karan, caught between acting for Manvi and trying not to blow the cover, gives Ananya a quick look, his eyes begging her to play along. "Yeah, um, I was just so heartbroken, Ananya… I… I couldn't talk about it with anyone. Too painful."
Aryan, never missing an opportunity to chime in, steps up with a pat on Karan's back. "He's lucky Dhruv and I were there with him. We stayed by his side all night, just making sure he was okay."
Dhruv tries his hardest not to laugh, biting the inside of his cheek. He manages a nod, barely holding it together.
Manvi sighs, looking even more sympathetic. "You two are such good friends. Karan, if you need to take any more time off, don't hesitate to ask."
Karan, still deep in his 'mourning' act, gives her a solemn nod. "Thank you, Manvi. That really means a lot."
Satisfied with Karan's display of sorrow, Manvi pats him gently on the shoulder again before walking off. The moment she's out of earshot, Karan's face falls, and he lets out a deep breath.
Ananya, eyebrows raised, looks at the three of them expectantly. "Okay… what the hell was that?"
Karan rubs the back of his neck, sheepishly glancing at Aryan. "Well… Aryan, uh, sort of made up this whole thing about my grandfather having a heart attack to get us out of trouble."
Ananya's eyes widen, and she stares at Aryan, who just grins and shrugs as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "It was either that or getting grilled by Manvi for hours. This was the lesser of two evils."
Karan nods quickly, jumping in. "Exactly! And, you know, it worked! But I didn't expect her to start… you know, consoling me in front of everyone."
Ananya rolls her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "You three are unbelievable."
"Hey, at least we're out of hot water, right?" Aryan quips, nudging Dhruv, who can't help but chuckle.
Dhruv, feeling the weight of the unresolved issue with Ananya, tries multiple times to apologise to her, but each attempt is met with silence or complete disregard. Ananya's cold demeanour clearly shows she's not ready to forgive him yet, leaving Dhruv more frustrated as the day progresses.
Later, during lunch, Pritika from the first floor makes her way up to meet Ananya, but spots Dhruv first. She greets him cheerfully, and they begin to chat.
"Hey, Dhruv! Long time no see. How have you been?" Pritika greets, her voice full of energy.
Dhruv smiles back, welcoming the break from his thoughts. "Hey, Pritika. I've been good, busy with work and stuff. What brings you up to the third floor?"
"Oh, I came to meet Ananya, but you know how it is—ended up spotting you first," she says with a wink. "So, how's the new flat coming along? Got it all set up yet?"
Dhruv chuckles, shaking his head. "Not really. I still need to buy furniture, but everything's so expensive these days. My wallet is weeping."
Pritika laughs. "Well, don't wait too long. An empty flat's no good for you or your back."
"Tell me about it," Dhruv grins, the conversation easing the tension he's been feeling.
From a distance, Ananya glances over at them, noticing their laughter. Her brows furrow slightly as she watches them for a few seconds before deciding to walk over.
Interrupting their conversation, Ananya says, "Dhruv, Karan is calling you. Urgent." Her tone is sharp, but she tries to keep it neutral.
Dhruv blinks, confused, but nods. "Oh, uh… alright. I'll see you around, Pritika."
Pritika smiles, unaware of the tension between Ananya and Dhruv. "Yeah, see you!"
As Dhruv heads toward Karan and Aryan's cubicles, Karan looks up, curious. "What's going on?"
Dhruv shrugs, "No idea. Ananya said you were looking for me."
Karan furrows his brow, confused. "Nope. But now that you're here—how's that apology coming along?"
"Still pending," Dhruv sighs. "She's ignoring me completely."
Shifting gears, Dhruv starts venting about another issue on his mind. "On top of all that, I need to buy furniture for my flat. Mumma, Papa are coming for their doctor's visit. Everything's so expensive, though. It's cutting deep into my budget."
Aryan leans back in his chair, a mischievous grin on his face. "Why don't you go to Manvi and ask her for the company credit card?"
Dhruv raises an eyebrow. "Company credit card?"
Karan explains, "Every floor head has one. It's used to manage project and office-related expenses. The catch is, you're not allowed to use it for personal stuff."
Aryan, still grinning, leans in. "But you're not asking to buy everything for yourself… just some furniture."
Amused but unsure, Dhruv decides to give it a shot. He heads to Manvi's cabin, where he puts on his best 'charming' voice, attempting to butter her up.
"Come in," Manvi calls out.
Dhruv steps inside, flashing her a polite smile. "Hey, Manvi! Got a minute?"
Manvi looks up from her laptop, raising an eyebrow. "What's up, Dhruv?"
Dhruv rubs his hands together, trying to think of how to approach the subject smoothly. "You know, Manvi… you've been doing such an amazing job running this floor. Everyone talks about how well things are going under your leadership."
Manvi gives him a sceptical look but nods. "Uh-huh. Thanks, Dhruv. What do you need?"
Dhruv grins, realising he'll need to step it up. "Well, I've been meaning to ask for your expert advice on something. You see, I just got this new flat, and I'm looking to furnish it… but everything is so expensive. You, with your smart handling of budgets, I thought you might have some tips… or perhaps access to something like, I don't know, a company credit card?"
Manvi leans back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Dhruv, you realise the company card is only for office-related expenses, right?"
Dhruv gives her his best pleading look. "Of course, of course. But maybe there's some room for a little… flexibility? I'd never ask if it weren't for this furniture crisis!"
Manvi raises an eyebrow and stays silent for a moment, clearly unimpressed by the flattery. "Dhruv, the card is strictly for office expenses. Buttering me up won't work this time."
Dhruv's shoulders slump. "Worth a shot, right?"
Manvi chuckles and waves him off. "Nice try, but no. Better luck next time."
Defeated, Dhruv returns to his cubicle, where Karan and Aryan are waiting eagerly for the result.
"No luck," Dhruv mutters, slumping into his chair. "She didn't give me the card."
Later in the evening, as they prepare to leave, Karan and Aryan bring up the unresolved tension between Dhruv and Ananya.
"So, what did you actually say to her that got her so pissed off?" Karan asks, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Dhruv scratches his head, thinking back to the heated moment. "Long story short, I told her she was selfish."
Karan and Aryan exchange wide-eyed looks of disbelief.
Aryan, laughing, shakes his head. "And you wonder why she's ignoring you?"
Karan chuckles. "No wonder she's got you in the cold zone."
Jokingly, Aryan suggests, "Since you're upset about not getting the card and your apology still being up in the air, how about we go out for drinks again?"
Karan snorts. "Yeah, right. And next time, it'll be Aryan's grandmother who leaves us. Can't have another funeral excuse."
Dhruv laughs and quickly waves off the idea. "No way! We're not going to the bar again."
Just as they grab their bags and head out, Manvi appears at Dhruv's cubicle. She discreetly hands him the company credit card.
"Don't tell anyone," she whispers. "And don't spend too much."
Dhruv grins, beaming with excitement. "Thank you, Manvi! You're the best."
Manvi nods and walks away, leaving Dhruv standing there with newfound glee. He turns to Karan and Aryan, waving the card triumphantly. "Looks like I won after all!"
The Next Day at the Office
Dhruv hesitated before walking up to Ananya's desk. She was busy typing something, her eyes glued to the screen, completely ignoring his presence.
"Ananya, I—" he began.
Without looking up, she interrupted, "If you do everything I say for the next few days, maybe I'll consider forgiving you."
Dhruv, eager to fix things, replied instantly, "Deal."
Ananya's lips curved slightly, but she kept her gaze firm on the screen. "Good. Now, how about some coffee?"
Dhruv blinked but nodded quickly. He returned minutes later, balancing two cups of coffee. Ananya took hers without a word. Dhruv sat down, thinking he was off the hook, but an hour later, Ananya spoke again.
"I'm hungry."
Dhruv sighed internally but got up. A few minutes later, he placed a sandwich in front of her.
Karan and Aryan, who had been watching the entire thing, couldn't contain themselves anymore.
Karan smirked, leaning toward Aryan. "Dude, I think Dhruv's joined some secret service. 'Mission Impossible: Operation Coffee Delivery.'"
Aryan laughed, adding, "Next, she'll ask him to skydive into the cafeteria."
Karan shook his head, chuckling. "Poor guy. She's got him running around like he's in a Bollywood rom-com, minus the music."
They burst out laughing, exchanging more jokes at Dhruv's expense. Dhruv shot them a look but said nothing.
By evening, Ananya was at it again. She held up her water bottle, dangling it in Dhruv's direction. "Can you fill this up?"
In the middle of wrapping up some work, Dhruv muttered, "Give me a minute."
Ananya's voice turned icy. "I might not forgive you, then."
Dhruv sighed deeply and got up, grabbing her bottle. Karan and Aryan snickered in the background, enjoying the show.
Later at Dhruv's Flat
That evening, Karan and Aryan showed up at Dhruv's place to help him arrange furniture. After a couple of hours of lifting, pushing, and shifting, they all collapsed onto the couches, utterly exhausted.
Karan, lying flat on the sofa, groaned, "I think I just broke my spine. Who knew moving a table could be such intense cardio?"
Aryan chuckled. "This is why I stick to clicking buttons and moving a mouse. Physical labour? Not for me."
They ordered food and, after eating, the conversation drifted towards online dating.
Karan leaned back, grinning. "So, Dhruv, ever tried online dating?"
Dhruv caught off guard, stammered, "Uh... no. Why?"
Aryan, still lounging, joined in. "Oh, man, you're missing out. Swipe left, swipe right, it's like playing a game, except the prize is... questionable."
Karan nodded, adding, "And the pros? You can reject someone without saying a word. Cons? They can reject you with equal silence."
The three laughed, and Dhruv, though clueless, found the banter amusing.
Aryan sighed, leaning forward as if about to share a life-changing story. "You know why we were drinking that night at the bar? It wasn't the girl dumping me that hurt. No. It was the fact that I spent so much money on her in one month, and now, I have no PS5."
Karan burst out laughing, while Dhruv just stared, trying to process Aryan's priorities.
Aryan shrugged dramatically. "I could've been gaming, man. Instead, I was out buying fancy dinners."
They laughed until their sides hurt, and slowly, one by one, all three fell asleep on the sofas.
An Hour Later
The doorbell rang, jolting Karan awake. Rubbing his eyes, he stumbled to the door and opened it to find Dhruv's parents standing there. His sleepy brain took a second to catch up.
He rushed back, shaking Dhruv and Aryan awake. "Dhruv! Get up, it's your parents!"
Aryan, half-asleep, jumped up in a panic.
Dhruv's parents entered, smiling at the chaotic scene as the three scrambled to make themselves look somewhat presentable.
The early morning light gently streamed into Dhruv's flat. Dhruv stirs awake, stretching out on his bed, only to see his mother entering the room with a cup of black tea.
"Good morning, Dhruv," she says warmly, handing him the cup. "Here's your tea."
Dhruv smiles, taking the cup. "Ah, thanks, Ma. You really know how to make the best tea."
His father's voice echoes from the living room, searching for something. "Where's the newspaper?"
Dhruv hesitates for a moment, already knowing where this is headed. His father walks into the room, eyebrows raised.
"Dhruv! You don't have a newspaper subscription?" His father's voice is filled with disbelief. "Reading the newspaper daily is important! It's good for keeping up with the world."
Dhruv scratches the back of his head, trying to think of an excuse. "Well, you know, Dad, I've been meaning to get one. Just…you know, busy with work and all."
His father shakes his head, clearly unimpressed. "Excuses, excuses. Start it from tomorrow."
Dhruv laughs it off as he sits down beside his father on the sofa with his tea. His mother can be heard in the kitchen, the clinking of dishes promising a delicious breakfast.
"By the way," his father says, eyeing the furniture. "I must say, you've kept the shine and polish on these furniture pieces really well. Just like new!"
Dhruv freezes for a moment before chuckling nervously. "Oh yeah, well… you know, I'm all about maintenance!" He makes a hand gesture as if buffing the furniture. "Got to keep things looking good. It's the first rule of flat management!"
His father nods approvingly, not suspecting a thing, while Dhruv mentally breathes a sigh of relief and quickly changes the topic.
As his mother places plates of fresh parathas and sabzi on the table, Dhruv's eyes light up. He eagerly sits down to eat, savouring the homemade food. "Finally, good food," he murmurs happily under his breath, taking a large bite of the paratha.
Once breakfast is done, he gets ready to leave for the office. After saying goodbye to his parents, Dhruv heads out.
At the office, as Dhruv walks up to the building, he notices a commotion. One of his floor mates is having a loud argument with her boyfriend right in the middle of the floor. Everyone is gathered around, watching the drama unfold with keen interest, as if it's the daily soap they had been waiting for.
Dhruv spots Karan, Aryan, and Ananya nearby, so he walks up to join them.
"What's going on?" Dhruv asks, glancing at the couple, who are still arguing heatedly.
Karan grins. "Just a daily dose of office spice."
Dhruv chuckles. "Seems intense." He watches for a moment, then looks at Ananya with a mischievous smile. "Ananya, you must know what it feels like fighting like this, right?"
Karan and Aryan laugh, but Ananya's expression immediately hardens. She turns to Dhruv, giving him a piercing stare.
"Don't be so frank with me," she says coldly, her voice cutting through the laughter. "I haven't forgiven you yet."
Dhruv's smile fades, and Karan and Aryan exchange awkward glances. He scratches his head, realising he probably went a bit too far.
After an hour or so, the office Wi-Fi suddenly goes down. The entire floor notices it, and moments later, a man arrives to inform them, "Server maintenance is going on, and it'll take 1-2 hours to restore the connection on all floors."
Everyone cheers, knowing they'll have an unplanned break. Around the office, small groups start forming, chatting, laughing, and passing time. Dhruv, Karan, Aryan, and Ananya push their chairs together and settle in for some conversation.
Aryan begins mimicking Manav in an exaggerated voice, "'Where are the files, Karan? Why are the numbers not matching? I want this sorted in 5 minutes!'" Everyone bursts into laughter.
Karan leans over to Dhruv, whispering something in his ear while glancing towards Drishti, a colleague from a different team seated at a distance. Dhruv chuckles, shaking his head, "You're totally misunderstanding her, man."
Aryan, curious, asks, "What's going on?" Karan leans in and whispers the same thing to him. Aryan raises his eyebrows, glancing at Drishti and smirking.
Ananya, noticing their secretive behaviour, crosses her arms, annoyed, "Tell me what's going on! I'm not a fool, Karan."
Karan smirks and shrugs, "I think Drishti has a crush on Dhruv. I've noticed every day that she's always looking at him."
Ananya raises an eyebrow and rolls her eyes, "That's ridiculous. You're reading too much into it. She's probably just staring off in the distance."
Karan shakes his head, leaning back, "Oh no, I'm sure. The way she looks at him? It's more than a coincidence."
Ananya scoffs, "Please. Not every glance is loaded with meaning, Karan. Some people just have a habit of zoning out. She's not into Dhruv."
Karan, not backing down, says, "Oh really? Then explain why she always chooses to look in his direction during breaks or whenever she's sitting idle."
Ananya narrowed her eyes, "Maybe she's looking at something else! Or maybe, just maybe, she's not looking at him at all, and it's in your head!"
Karan shrugs casually, "Think what you want, Ananya. But I'm telling you, the signs are all there."
Manvi strolls over, hearing the commotion, "What's this heated debate about?"
Aryan smirks and explains, "Karan thinks Drishti has a crush on Dhruv, but Ananya's not buying it."
Manvi raises an eyebrow, glancing at Drishti, who happens to be looking at Dhruv's way at that moment. "Interesting. So, what's the plan to settle this?"
Karan's face lights up. "Simple! Dhruv walks over to the coffee machine. If Drishti looks at him, I win. If not, Ananya does."
Ananya, irritated but determined to prove her point, adds, "Dhruv, go to the coffee machine. And while you're there, get me a coffee."
Dhruv reluctantly stands up, "I'm getting roped into this for no reason, but fine, I'll go."
He heads to the coffee machine, and after a few moments, Drishti stands up from her cubicle and heads to the coffee machine. On her way back, she greets Dhruv with a soft, "Hi," as she passes.
Karan, Aryan, and Manvi all burst into laughter, Karan especially proud, "See! What did I tell you?"
Ananya, now more irritated than ever, snaps, "That was just a coincidence! You're jumping to conclusions again!"
Karan laughs, "Coincidence or not, the timing's too perfect to ignore. Admit it, Ananya!"
Ananya clenches her jaw, "I won't, because I still think you're wrong!"
Dhruv returns with Ananya's coffee and notices her sour expression, "What happened now?"
Aryan grins, "Oh, Karan teased Ananya a bit too much, and now she's a little… irritated."
Dhruv shakes his head, "Seems like nothing ever changes around here."
After some time, the WiFi gets restored earlier than expected. A collective groan echoes across the floor as everyone realises the break is over, and they have to return to work. Dhruv, sitting at his cubicle, glances over at Ananya, who's engrossed in her phone. Nervously, he leans in a bit, asking, "So, how many more days will it take for you to forgive me?"
Ananya doesn't look up, her expression unimpressed. "You must be really happy now that it's officially proven Drishti likes you," she says with an irritated tone.
Dhruv chuckles softly, shaking his head. "We were just joking around. I'm sure it's nothing like that."
Before the conversation can go further, Manvi calls out to the group, "Karan, Aryan, Dhruv, Ananya! In my cabin, now!"
The four of them exchange curious glances before heading to Manvi's cabin. Once inside, she hands them a few files and informs them, "I've got a new task for you. It's not tough, but the deadline is tight, so you'll have to move quickly."
Karan, ever the joker, leans in slightly and asks, "How tight are we talking about?"
Manvi raises her eyebrow and says, "You've got a week. But let's be real, you've all been sitting idle for almost a week now without any major project, so this should be manageable."
They exit the cabin with collective sighs and dull faces, already feeling the pressure of the upcoming deadline. Suddenly, Ananya's phone rings. She steps aside to attend the call, while Dhruv and the others loiter in their cubicles, slightly grumbling about the workload.
A few minutes later, Ananya returns with a slightly anxious expression. "So, I've got a family thing tomorrow evening. Some religious function at home," she explains. "I'll need you all to be there latest by 7 PM."
Dhruv, upon hearing this, looks visibly uncomfortable. "Uh, I'm gonna have to pass on this one," he mutters. "I hate social gatherings."
Ananya narrows her eyes at him. "I wasn't asking, Dhruv. I'm telling you."
"I'm serious. I have social anxiety, I feel very suffocated around a large number of unknown people. It's not that I don't want to come, but I just can't," Dhruv insists, his voice a bit more strained.
Aryan and Karan jump in, attempting to convince him. "C'mon, dude. It's not gonna be that bad," Aryan says. "Plus, free food."
Karan adds with a grin, "Yeah, and you're trying to get on her good side anyway. This could be your chance."
Dhruv shakes his head. "I'll go anywhere you want instead. No tantrums, I'll even pay the bill, but just don't drag me to a family function. I can't deal with that kind of gathering."
Ananya crosses her arms, unimpressed. "Oh really? So you'll pay the bill, huh? How about you accompany me to the parlour then? Maybe that'll win me over."
Dhruv laughs, trying to lighten the mood. "Deal! Just not this family gathering."
Ananya rolls her eyes, finally giving up. "Fine. But just know, if you had come, I might've forgiven you. Now, you're going to have to work twice as hard."
"I know", Dhruv replies disappointed.
Pritika is sitting in her living room, holding her phone. She dials Dhruv's mother's number.
Dhruv's Mom (cheerfully): "Hello, Pritika beta! How are you?"
Pritika : "Hi, Aunty! I'm doing well. How are you and Uncle?"
Dhruv's Mom: "We're good, dear. It's been a while. What's the occasion?"
Pritika: "Actually, Aunty, I'm calling to invite you both to a small family function we're hosting tomorrow evening. It's a simple religious gathering at our place."
Dhruv's Mom: "Oh, that sounds lovely! It's been a while since we had a family get-together."
Dhruv's father, overhearing the conversation, chimes in.
Dhruv's Dad: "Of course, we'd love to come, Pritika. It's always nice to attend family functions. What time is it?"
Pritika: "It'll start around 7 PM. I'm looking forward to seeing you both there!"
Dhruv's Mom: "We'll be there, beta. Thank you for the invite."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they hang up, and Dhruv's parents smile, excited about the upcoming event.
Dhruv arrives home after a long day at work. As he steps inside, his parents sit on the couch, looking excited.
Dhruv's Mom (calling out): "Dhruv, beta, come here for a minute!"
Dhruv walks over to them, curious about what's going on.
Dhruv: "What's up? Why do you both look so excited?"
Dhruv's Dad : "We're going to a family function tomorrow evening at Pritika's place."
Dhruv: "Oh, Pritika's function? Yeah, Ananya invited me to that one. She's Pritika's cousin, just to let you know."
His parents exchanged a surprised look.
Dhruv's Mom: "Ananya, your colleague, is Pritika's cousin? Small world!"
Dhruv: "Yeah"
His parents nod, still processing the connection. After a moment, they try to convince him to come along.
Dhruv's Mom: "Well, since you're already invited, why don't you come with us?"
Dhruv: "No way, Ma. I hate these kinds of gatherings. I'm not going."
His parents exchanged a knowing glance, realising that convincing him wouldn't be easy.
Dhruv's Mom: "Beta, it's just a simple family function. Come on, it'll be nice to spend some time together."
Dhruv: "I really can't, Ma. Social gatherings aren't my thing. I'd rather stay home."
His mom narrows her eyes, thinking momentarily before resorting to emotional blackmail.
Dhruv's Mom: "So, you're saying you no longer care about spending time with your family? First, you stay busy with work, and now you can't even make time for a small family function? Fine, do what you want. Your father and I will go alone, without our son."
Dhruv groans, knowing what's happening.
Dhruv: "Ma, please… don't start. It's not about that."
His mother touches her heart, pretending to be deeply hurt.
Dhruv's Mom: "It's okay. You've grown up now. You don't have time for your parents anymore. I'll remember this."
Dhruv's dad, trying not to laugh, shakes his head at her antics.
Dhruv's Dad: "Looks like you've upset your mother again, Dhruv. Better be careful, or you won't get dinner tonight."
Dhruv, finally giving in, throws his hands up in defeat.
Dhruv: "Alright, fine! I'll go with you. Happy now?"
His mother's expression changes instantly as she smiles brightly, her mission accomplished.
Dhruv's Mom: "See? That wasn't so hard, was it? Now, make sure you're ready on time.
Dhruv shakes his head, unable to believe he's been roped into this. His father chuckles as his mom walks away, victorious.
The Function Venue:
Karan and Aryan are standing with Ananya in the middle of the bustling function. The atmosphere is lively, with guests mingling and chatting. Karan and Aryan, always in the mood to joke around, start teasing Ananya.
Karan (grinning): "So, Ananya, where's your favourite person, Dhruv? You invited him, didn't you?"
Aryan (laughing):"Yeah, I thought he couldn't resist free food. Maybe he's scared of your family functions."
Ananya rolls her eyes, trying to hide her irritation.
Ananya: "Very funny, guys. He's not coming. He already told me he hates social gatherings."
Karan feigns disappointment, placing a hand over his heart.
Karan: "Aww, that's a shame. I was hoping to see him suffer through small talk with aunties."
Just as they're laughing, Pritika walks by and overhears the conversation. She joins them in their chit-chat.
The four of them—Pritika, Ananya, Aryan, and Karan—are standing together at the function, surrounded by the noise of the crowd. They're deep into conversation, swapping jokes and gossip, the mood light and casual.
Karan (grinning): "So, Pritika, you've been handling all the family functions lately. How do you survive all the aunties asking about your 'plans for the future'?"
Pritika (laughing): "Oh please, I've become a pro at dodging those questions. You know how it goes. Smile, nod, and act like you didn't hear them."
Aryan (teasing): "Classic. And when they try to introduce you to their 'nice nephews'?"
Pritika (rolling her eyes): "Let's not even go there. The matchmaking is relentless. Every other function, they've 'found the perfect guy' for me."
Ananya (grinning): "Well, you're handling it better than I do. Last time, I almost snapped at one of them."
Karan: "Almost? That's a miracle. I was expecting a full Ananya-rant."
They all laugh, and Pritika nudges Ananya.
Pritika: "Speaking of rants, have you guys heard about Rhea? She's apparently left her job because she's planning to start her own fashion line."
Aryan (raising an eyebrow): "Rhea? Our Rhea from the office? Wow. I didn't think she was the entrepreneurial type."
Ananya (nodding): "Yeah, I heard about that too. Honestly, good for her. But it's a huge risk."
Karan (grinning): "She was always the 'I'll do my own thing' kind of person. Just didn't think she'd actually follow through."
They dive deeper into their conversation, talking about people they know and laughing at old stories, the banter flowing easily.
Aryan - Dhruv is really missing all this fun
He should have come, his bad.
Pritika – Not for long though, he is on his way, and should be here any time soon.
As soon as Pritika completed her sentence Dhruv entered from the front gate.
Ananya's expression fades in anger.
She clenches her jaw but keeps her expression neutral, deciding to let it go for now.
Dhruv - What's up guys sorry for being late. I hope I didn't miss anything !! You all are familiar with Delhi traffic.
Pritika – Glad you came
Aryan (mockingly): "You missed quite the show, though. Karan was just telling us about his legendary speech at his cousin's wedding."
Karan's face lights up with a mischievous grin.
Karan (grinning): "Legendary is right. You should've seen it, Dhruv. I had the entire hall in tears... mostly from laughter."
Aryan (laughing): "Yeah, tears of embarrassment! Karan mixed up the bride's name with the dog's."
Karan: "Hey, in my defence, they both start with the letter 'M'!"
They all burst out laughing, except for Ananya, who seems to be growing more distant. Pritika notices this but chooses to stay quiet for now.
Dhruv (grinning): "I'm kind of glad I missed that disaster. I can only imagine the horror."
Karan shrugs, still laughing.
Karan: "Trust me, the horror was real, but I recovered like a champ."
As the conversation continues, they start gossiping about work and people they know.
Aryan (raising an eyebrow): "Speaking of disasters, did you hear about Mehta's meltdown in the office last week? He went full Hulk mode after someone deleted his presentation."
Karan (chuckling): "Yeah, and apparently he sent out a mass email with nothing but a string of angry emojis. I didn't know you could rage-quit by email."
Dhruv (laughing): "What's worse is that he accidentally CC'd the entire office, including the higher-ups. He's been avoiding eye contact with everyone since then."
Pritika laughs softly, joining in on the fun, while Ananya remains silent, her face unreadable. The others are too engrossed in their conversation to notice her discomfort. Dhruv, enjoying the moment, continues the banter.
Dhruv: "Honestly, with the way things are going, Mehta might just start smashing keyboards next."
Aryan: "I wouldn't put it past him. I heard he broke a coffee machine last year after it ate his coins."
The group laughs again, but as the banter continues, Ananya's irritation grows. Without saying a word, she suddenly turns and walks away from the group, heading upstairs toward her room. The others don't notice at first, but Pritika sees her leave, a slight frown crossing her face.
Karan, Aryan, and Dhruv are seated comfortably on a couch in the corner of the function hall. The crowd is busy mingling, but the three of them are deep into a competitive game on Karan's phone. The banter is light and teasing, each trying to outdo the other.
Karan (grinning): "This is it, Dhruv. One more wrong answer and you lose!"
Aryan (mocking): "And we all know what happens when Dhruv loses… a dare!"
Dhruv rolls his eyes but focuses on the final question. His confidence falters, and when the buzzer rings, Karan and Aryan erupt into victorious laughter.
Karan (laughing): "Looks like Dhruv's our loser tonight!"
Aryan (smirking): "You know the rules, Dhruv. Time for a dare."
Dhruv sighs, already sensing where this is going.
Dhruv (groaning): "Alright, what ridiculous dare are you going to throw at me this time?"
Karan leans in with a wicked grin, pulling out his phone.
Karan (mischievously): "Simple. You're downloading a dating app. Right here, right now."
Dhruv's eyes widened in disbelief, shaking his head.
Dhruv: "No way! I'm not doing that. You guys know I'm not into that stuff."
Aryan: "Come on, man! A dare's a dare. You can't back out now."
Dhruv looks from Karan to Aryan, hoping for some leniency, but they both wear identical smirks. The peer pressure is too strong.
Karan : "We're not letting you off easy. Download the app, or we'll find something even worse."
Dhruv, cornered, groans and pulls out his phone.
Dhruv (reluctantly): "Fine, fine. But if this ends badly, I'm blaming you two."
Karan and Aryan laugh triumphantly as Dhruv grudgingly downloads the app. They crowd around him, throwing in playful suggestions as he sets up his profile.
Aryan (laughing): "For your profile picture, use that one from the office event."
Karan : "Yeah, and under hobbies, just write 'surviving my friends' bad ideas.'"
Dhruv sighs dramatically, half-laughing at their ridiculous suggestions as he sets up the profile. Just as they're wrapping up, Ananya walks by, heading toward her room. Aryan spots her and calls out.
Aryan : "Hey, Ananya! Come check this out."
Ananya hesitates for a moment but walks over, her curiosity piqued. As she approaches, she notices the mischievous expressions on their faces and the phone screen displaying Dhruv's new dating profile.
Aryan: "Look at this masterpiece we just created. Dhruv's officially in the game now!"
Karan: "Swipe right on life, Dhruv!"
Ananya's expression changes subtly as she takes in the scene. She crosses her arms, her eyes narrowing just a bit, though she tries to maintain a neutral tone.
Ananya: "Wow, a dating app? Really, Dhruv? I thought you had higher standards than this."
Dhruv shifts uncomfortably, caught between embarrassment and annoyance, but before he can respond, Aryan jumps in, still grinning.
Aryan: "Hey, a dare's a dare. It's not his fault we gave him no choice."
Ananya glances at Dhruv, her eyes briefly flicking with something unreadable before she offers a sarcastic smile.
Ananya: "Oh, how chivalrous. There's nothing more gentlemanly than a man who succumbs to peer pressure."
Her words land like a soft sting, enough for Dhruv to flinch slightly, but he doesn't argue.
Karan: "Come on, Ananya, it's all in good fun."
Ananya raises an eyebrow, her voice a little sharper now.
Ananya: I hope so.
She turns on her heel, leaving the group to themselves.
Aryan: "Oof, tough crowd."
Dhruv (sighing): "Let's just get this over with."
Ananya (offering a polite smile): "Good evening, Uncle, Auntie. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Dhruv's mother (returning the smile, her tone formal but courteous): "Good evening, Ananya. We've heard much about this family gathering. It's a lovely function."
Dhruv's father (nodding in agreement): "Indeed. Your family has organised this so well. It's a pleasant change from the usual rush of things."
Ananya: "Thank you. We try to keep everything as smooth as possible."
Dhruv's mother (noticing the decor): "The décor is quite elegant. Whoever managed this has a keen eye for detail. You must have had a hand in it?"
Ananya: "Just a little input here and there, Auntie. The credit goes to the team behind it."
Dhruv's father (glancing around, keeping the tone polite): "Well, it's been executed with great care. We appreciate such attention to detail."
Ananya: "That's kind of you to say. I'm glad you're enjoying the evening."
Dhruv's mother (with a polite nod): "It's been wonderful so far. We're not often able to attend functions like these, so this is a nice change."
Ananya (smiling): "I'm glad you could make it. It's always nice to see new faces."
Ananya leaves them and goes to her room without informing anyone.
As Dhruv and his parents prepare to leave, Pritika and her parents come to see them off. Dhruv's mother looks around and asks, "I noticed Ananya isn't here. Is she feeling alright?"
Dhruv – It's fine, she must be stuck in the middle of something important don't worry I'll thank her in the office
With a final round of goodbyes, Dhruv and his family head out, leaving Pritika and her parents behind, who watch them go with friendly waves.
Two days later:
The sun had set, and the street lights flickered on one by one, casting a warm glow across Dhruv's apartment. His parents had left for their home a few days ago, and now he had the flat to himself again. As usual, Dhruv sat down at his desk, going over his monthly expenditure and savings review. It had always been a calming routine for him — balancing out his income, accounting for his expenses, and putting something away in savings. But today, as his fingers danced over the calculator, his face slowly lost its colour.
The screen stared back at him, cold and unforgiving.
For the first time in months, his net savings had gone into the red. He had spent more than he earned.
His heart pounded as he reviewed every expense: the hospital bill for his father's treatment, the new furniture, Muskan's college fees, the groceries… Everything added up. He blinked hard, trying to process it. How did this happen?
Slumping down on the sofa, he rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of it all settling on his shoulders. He was lost in thought when his phone rang, pulling him back to reality.
"Hello, bhaiya!" Muskan's cheerful voice rang through the phone.
Dhruv forced a smile, trying to push the financial worry aside for now. "Hey, Muskan. What's up?"
"I passed, bhaiya! My undergraduate exams, I passed with flying colours!" She sounded ecstatic, her excitement palpable through the phone.
"That's amazing, Muskan! I knew you would ace it," Dhruv replied, his voice warm with pride.
Muskan continued, "Now comes the real deal, post-graduation. I've been looking at a few colleges, you know?"
Dhruv leaned back, trying to relax into the conversation. "Oh yeah? Which ones?"
"Well, I have a few in mind," she hesitated slightly before adding, "but some of them… Well, they're in Mumbai, and they're super expensive. Plus, the living costs there…"
Dhruv stayed silent for a moment, his heart sinking even further. He could sense the worry in her voice, and it only added to his own. He wanted to tell her not to worry about the expenses, but the financial mess he had just discovered loomed large in his mind. He pushed the thought aside and took a deep breath.
"Listen, Muskan, don't think about the costs right now. Just focus on choosing the best college for you, okay? Fill in your desired colleges on the form, and don't worry about the rest."
Muskan hesitated. "But bhaiya… the fees… I don't want to put that kind of burden on you. It'll be too much…"
Dhruv straightened up, his voice gentle but firm. "Muskan, you've worked so hard for this. Don't let money be the reason you don't go where you deserve. I'll manage it. You just pick the best colleges for you, no compromises."
"But, bhaiya—"
"No buts, Muskan. Please, just trust me. I'll handle everything."
After a pause, Muskan finally gave in. "Okay, bhaiya. Thank you… really."
Muskan: "Oh, and guess what happened during my exams, bhaiya?"
Dhruv: "Hmm? What now?"
Muskan (giggling): "So, you know how strict the invigilator was, right? Everyone was terrified of her. But in the middle of the exam, I heard this loud snore... turns out the invigilator herself fell asleep! Can you believe it?"
Dhruv (chuckling): "Seriously? During the exam? She must've been more tired than the students!"
Muskan: "Yeah, right? At first, we thought it was some prank, but no... full-on snoring. And then... Rohan, that guy I told you about, dropped his pen by accident. The noise woke her up, and she looked so confused like she didn't even know where she was!"
Dhruv: "Poor woman. Did Rohan get caught?"
Muskan: "No, luckily! But the way she tried to act like nothing happened was hilarious. She even pretended she was just checking the time on her watch... while everyone was holding back their laughter!"
Dhruv (laughing): "I bet you were the loudest."
Muskan: "Of course not! I'm always the serious one."
Dhruv (teasing): "Sure you are, Ms. Perfect Student."
Muskan: "Hey! I'm telling you, I kept my cool."
Dhruv: "So what happened next?"
Muskan: "Well, after the exam, Rohan was like, 'Bro, I thought I was done for!' and we all started laughing so hard. I swear, that invigilator's expression is etched in my brain forever."
Dhruv (smiling): "Sounds like a memorable exam for sure."
Muskan: "Anyway, enough about exams. Tell me what's happening with you? Any office drama?"
Dhruv (shrugging): "Same old stuff. Just work piling up and... oh, Karan and Aryan are their usual crazy selves."
Muskan: "Oh no, what did they do now?"
Dhruv: "You don't even wanna know… Anyway, I can't chat anymore. I have got some work to do, so bye.
Dhruv's heart ached as he ended the call, staring at his phone in silence. He felt the weight of the promise he had just made. His sister's future was his priority, no matter what it took.
He let out a slow, deep breath and walked to his desk. He opened the drawer, searching for something amidst the clutter. He pushed aside old pens, papers, and a few random items until finally, his fingers closed around a small packet.
A cigarette.
Lighting it, Dhruv stepped out onto the balcony. The night air was cool, and the city stretched out before him, a sea of lights and distant honks. As he took a drag, his thoughts raced.
How was he going to make this work? The expenses were already too high, and now with Muskan's college fees on the horizon… He blew out a cloud of smoke, watching it dissipate into the night.
Then, an idea struck him.
He stubbed the cigarette out, walked back inside and quickly set up his laptop. His fingers tapped hurriedly across the keyboard as he browsed through websites, searching for something. Finally, he found what he was looking for — freelance opportunities for backend developers. He scrolled through a few listings, read the requirements, and immediately began registering his account on one of the freelancing websites.
It wasn't going to be easy. But he had to do this.
As Dhruv sent out his applications, the weight of the financial stress still lingered. But amidst it all, he felt a glimmer of hope. This was his first step towards managing the situation.
Dhruv's days began to blur into a monotonous rhythm of exhaustion. Mornings were spent at the office, and evenings morphed into late nights with freelance work. He kept this new routine to himself, preferring not to burden anyone with the extra weight he was carrying. Still, it didn't go unnoticed.
At the office, Karan and Aryan, seated across from Dhruv, exchanged glances when they saw him rubbing his temples, his eyes half-lidded. "Dude, you look like you haven't slept in days," Karan said, leaning forward.
Aryan added, "Yeah, what's going on? You're like a zombie these days."
Dhruv, forcing a chuckle, waved them off. "I've just been having trouble sleeping. You know, shifting to the new place and all... takes some getting used to."
They didn't press further, but the concern lingered on their faces. The weight of his freelance projects kept piling up, and every night after office hours, Dhruv would sit in front of his laptop, hammering away at code until the early hours of the morning. Coffee became his closest ally, but even that couldn't mask the fatigue that clung to him.
One day, as he sat at his desk, typing away at some reports, the weight of his eyelids became unbearable. His head drooped forward, and within moments, he was out cold. Karan, passing by, saw Dhruv dozing at his desk and nudged Aryan. "Look at him. He's completely out."
Before they could wake him, Manvi stepped out of her office, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Dhruv slumped over. She walked past them and knocked on his desk. Dhruv jolted awake, blinking rapidly.
"Dhruv, can I see you in my cabin?" Manvi's voice was calm but firm.
He dragged his feet to her office, his mind still fuzzy from the sudden wake-up. Once inside, Megha gestured for him to sit. "Your work has been slipping lately. Lower productivity, missed deadlines... Is everything okay?"
Dhruv straightened in his seat, his mind scrambling for an answer. "I... it's just been some insomnia. Since I moved to the new place, I haven't been able to sleep well."
Megha nodded, her expression softening slightly. "If you need time to adjust or take a break, let me know. But don't let this affect your work for too long."
"I understand. It won't happen again."
With that, Dhruv walked out of her office, but the exhaustion still clung to him like a shadow.
A few days later, Karan and Aryan made plans to catch a movie after work. "Dhruv, you're coming with us, right? It's been ages since we all hung out," Aryan said, nudging him.
Dhruv shook his head with a weak smile. "I would, but... I think this insomnia thing is catching up with me. I should probably just head home and rest."
Karan gave him a curious look but didn't push it. "Alright, but you can't keep bailing on us forever."
Ananya, overhearing their conversation, frowned. "You've been avoiding everyone lately, Dhruv. Maybe a break would help."
Dhruv simply smiled. "Maybe next time."
At home, the routine continued. His laptop glowed late into the night as he picked up project after project, chasing every opportunity to make up for the financial gap he'd uncovered. His days blended into nights, with little rest in between.
One evening, Dhruv was hunched over his laptop, working on his freelance project when his phone buzzed. It was his mother calling. He rubbed his face, trying to shake off the fatigue, and answered.
Dhruv's Mother: "Beta, where are you these days? You don't even call me anymore. Always busy?"
Dhruv (forcing a smile): "Sorry, Ma. Just been caught up with work."
Dhruv's Mother: "Work or a girlfriend, huh? You're avoiding your poor mother."
Dhruv (chuckling): "No girlfriend, Ma. Just work. I promise."
Dhruv's Mother (sighing): "Take care of yourself, Dhruv. You sound tired. Make sure you're eating and getting enough rest."
Dhruv: "I will, Ma. Don't worry."
After hanging up, Dhruv stared at his screen, feeling the weight of exhaustion press down on him. But even as he said it, Dhruv knew the routine wouldn't change. The weight of his commitments was too heavy to put down, and every night was another race against time to balance the load.
For the past week, Dhruv had been juggling two worlds—his daytime job at the office and his freelancing work late into the night. Every day was a battle to stay awake, but Dhruv hid it well, or so he thought. His team had noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the way he slouched more than usual, and how often his head would dip, only to jerk back up as he fought off sleep.
Aryan, concerned, leaned over from his desk one morning. "Dude, you need to get some rest. This insomnia thing is getting worse."
Karan chimed in, "Yeah, man. Why don't you take a break tonight? We can all head to that new café or even watch a movie. You've been working too hard."
Dhruv forced a tired smile, shaking his head. "Maybe next time, guys. I just need to power through this project."
As the week dragged on, Dhruv's condition only worsened. His friends exchanged worried glances whenever they saw him nod off at his desk, and every time he turned down an offer to hang out, they knew something was off. Ananya couldn't help but notice the way Dhruv's energy was slowly draining away.
On the final day of the deadline, the team worked late into the night, fueled by determination and coffee. Manvi had been overseeing their progress closely, and the tension in the office was palpable. Everyone was on edge, knowing the project needed to be flawless before being handed over to the client.
At long last, it was time to test the program for the first time in full. Dhruv sat at his desk, his fingers twitching slightly as he stared at his screen, the lines of code blurring together. His friends noticed his unease but didn't comment, assuming he was just exhausted from the workload.
Manvi, walking up to their desks, clapped her hands together. "Alright, team. Time to run this and see the fruits of your hard work. Dhruv, execute the code."
With a heavy sigh, Dhruv ran the program. The screens flickered as the code began executing... and then suddenly, the entire program froze. A series of red error messages flooded the monitor.
The room remained frozen in disbelief as the red error messages flooded the screen. Dhruv's heart raced, and his stomach churned. This couldn't be happening. They were minutes away from submission, and now everything was falling apart.
Manvi, her face paling, barked, "Dhruv! What's going on? Run the code again."
Dhruv's fingers trembled as he attempted to re-execute the code, but the result remained the same—errors and, ultimately, the code corrupted. His breath quickened as panic set in. The entire project, the countless hours of work, everything was destroyed.
Before anyone could react further, Manav barged into the room, his face a mask of fury. "What the hell is going on here? We're supposed to be submitting the final product, and I see this mess?!"
His booming voice filled the room, and the tension became suffocating. Dhruv, still seated at his desk, felt his body stiffen under the weight of the moment. He began hurriedly scrolling through the code, searching for the error with a rising sense of dread.
Manav (glaring): "Who screwed this up? I need an answer now!"
Dhruv continued checking the lines of code, his pulse pounding in his ears. The air was thick with silence as everyone stared at him. After a few agonising minutes, Dhruv's eyes landed on the error.
His chest tightened as he rose from his chair slowly, his gaze locked on the floor. The silence stretched until it became unbearable.
Dhruv (softly): "It... it was me. I... I missed a comma."
The weight of those words hung in the air, as everyone exchanged shocked looks. A comma? A simple punctuation mark had caused the entire project to fail.
Manav's face turned red with anger. "A comma?! You're telling me we're on the verge of humiliating ourselves in front of a major client because you missed a comma? Are you even serious right now?!"
Dhruv kept his head down, his fingers fidgeting nervously.
Manav (furious): "How the hell do you make such a ridiculous mistake? Didn't you recheck your code before submitting? It's the most basic part of coding! Do you even know how catastrophic this is?"
His voice grew louder as he advanced toward Dhruv, glaring at him.
Manav: "You've been dozing off at your desk every other day. I should have known this would happen. Is that why you're making such silly mistakes? Too busy napping on the job instead of working?"
Dhruv winced at the accusation but didn't respond. His friends looked on in silence, unsure of how to intervene.
Manav (seething): "Look at you. You can't even stand up straight. If you can't handle your work without falling asleep, maybe you should take a break—permanently. This is embarrassing. Absolutely embarrassing!"
Manav's words cut deep. Dhruv swallowed hard, still staring at the floor, his face burning with shame. His friends exchanged uncomfortable glances, knowing there was nothing they could do to ease the tension.
Manav (still raging): "And now, thanks to your lack of attention, we're probably going to lose this client. Do you even understand the gravity of this situation?"
Manvi tried to step in, her voice softer, "Manav, maybe we should—"
Manav (cutting her off): "No! He needs to hear this. If he's going to screw up a project this big because he can't stay awake, he needs to get it together."
He took a step back, shaking his head. "A damn comma. This is beyond ridiculous." Without another word, Manav stormed out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence.
Dhruv stood there, frozen, unable to meet anyone's eyes. His friends, still stunned by the harshness of Manav's words, walked over to him.
Karan (softly): "Dhruv, hey, it's okay, man. Mistakes happen."
Aryan nodded, his voice gentle. "Don't take what he said to heart. It's just... stress. Just shrug it off. We've got your back."
Ananya also stepped forward. "Dhruv... it's fine. Don't beat yourself up."
But Dhruv just shook his head. The weight of his mistake hung too heavily on him. He barely heard them as they tried to reassure him.
Karan (trying to cheer him up): "Alright, enough of this. Let's get out of here. Ananya's place for dinner. Come on, you need to relax."
Aryan (grinning): "Yeah, Dhruv. You need a break. Come with us. We'll grab some food, and you'll feel better."
Ananya added, "Seriously, Dhruv. It'll help. You can't keep beating yourself up like this."
Dhruv's shoulders slumped as he shook his head, his voice low. "No... I think I need to just go home and rest. You guys go ahead."
His friends exchanged concerned looks but didn't push him further.
Karan, patting Dhruv's shoulder, said, "Alright, Dhruv. Then we'll drop the plan I guess"
Dhruv nodded weakly, offering them a faint smile before turning and leaving the office. The words from Manav's scolding still rang in his ears as he walked into the night, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Dhruv walked slowly through the dimly lit streets, his footsteps heavy and deliberate, with the weight of the day pressing down on him. Midnight had already passed, and the cool night air brushed against his face, but his mind was elsewhere. The exhaustion from the endless workload, the scolding from Manav, and the thoughts swirling in his head all blended together, dulling his senses.
Just as he reached into his pocket for his phone, a sudden realisation struck him. The electricity bill. Today had been the last day to pay it, and in all the chaos, he had forgotten. His heart sank, and he quickly pulled out his phone, hoping to pay it online before it was too late. But as he opened the app, it refused to load.
No service. He had forgotten to recharge his SIM card as well. Dhruv stared at the screen for a moment, frustration building up inside him. He was too tired to deal with this right now. He shoved the phone back into his pocket and kept walking, the exhaustion creeping into every step.
He passed by a small park on his route, spotting a bench under the soft glow of a street lamp. His legs felt weak, his body aching from the lack of rest, and he decided to stop for a moment. Sitting down on the bench, he leaned back, letting the cold metal support his weight. His hands fumbled into his bag, searching for his water bottle, but when he pulled it out, it was empty. He sighed, putting it back in without a word.
For a few minutes, Dhruv just sat there, leaning his head back against the bench. He closed his eyes, not thinking of anything, just trying to drown out the noise in his head. It was a rare moment of stillness in the chaos of his life.
But the silence was short-lived. The sudden ringing of his phone startled him, jolting him awake from his brief moment of peace. He glanced at the screen and saw Muskan's name flashing. He gathered the little energy he had left and answered.
Muskan (cheerfully): "Happy birthday, bhaiya!"
Dhruv (with a tired smile): "Thanks, Muskan."
Her voice was full of excitement, completely unaware of the exhaustion in her brother's tone. Muskan immediately launched into a conversation, asking about his plans for tomorrow, and wondering if he had anything special planned.
Muskan: "So, what's your big plan for tomorrow? How are you celebrating?"
Dhruv (casually): "I don't know yet. Probably nothing much."
She didn't seem too happy with his answer, her excitement still bubbling over as she told him about her day. Dhruv listened, his mind drifting in and out, barely processing the words. Muskan's voice filled the emptiness around him, and for a moment, he could almost forget the weight of the night.
Muskan (excitedly): "Why do you sound so tired?"
Dhruv (reassuringly): "Nah! I was just asleep and you woke me up. Anyways, are you done with your packing for your new college? Don't leave anything for the last minute, I am warning you."
Muskan: "I will, you don't worry, I still have time left."
Dhruv (forcing a smile): "That's what you say every time. Anyways, I am hanging up, I am feeling very sleepy, bye goodnight ."
Muskan: "No, I still want to talk. Dare you cut the call."
They chatted a bit more, Muskan sharing random stories about her friends and hostel life, making Dhruv smile faintly at her carefree nature. After a while, Dhruv wished her goodnight and hung up.
A few moments later, his phone rang again. This time it was Ayan.
Ayan (jokingly): "Happy birthday, you old man! Still alive, or has work killed you already?"
Dhruv (chuckling weakly): "Barely hanging on. How is your wife doing?"
Ayan: "She is not my wife, just a girlfriend. Stop teasing me."
Ayan, always the joker, cracked some more light-hearted jokes, teasing Dhruv about growing older, about when he was finally going to settle down. Dhruv laughed along, trying to keep up the banter, though his heart wasn't in it. They exchanged a few more jokes, and after a couple of minutes, Dhruv ended the call.
And then the phone went silent. Not because Dhruv had put it on silent mode, but because no more calls came. The streets around him were empty, and the heaviness of the night returned, enveloping him in its loneliness.
Dhruv leaned back on the bench again, closing his eyes. As he sat there, the memories of past birthdays began to flood his mind. He saw flashes of his childhood, the warm, familiar scenes playing out like a movie in his head.
He could picture his younger self, excited as midnight struck, being surprised by his parents and Muskan with a cake. His mother's smile, his father clapping, Muskan giggling by his side. The morning was filled with excitement, waking up knowing that his favourite dish would be waiting for him at breakfast. The small party in the evening, friends and family gathering, the laughter and joy that filled the room. His father handed him a cricket bat—the very one he had been dreaming of for so long.
A soft smile crept onto Dhruv's face as the memories washed over him. The warmth of those days filled the cold, empty space around him. For a few moments, it was just him and his childhood—those carefree days when the world was simpler and when peace was easy to find.
The smile lingered as his eyes remained closed, his mind drifting further into the past. Slowly, the exhaustion began to take over, and Dhruv's body relaxed. The cold night wrapped around him like a blanket, and with the memories of better times still playing in his mind, Dhruv slowly drifted off to sleep.