Avni, Arjun, and Sid had grown very close in a short period. Their daily routine became predictable, but it was something they all enjoyed. They worked together during office hours, but their true bonding moments came after work when they would unwind with tea breaks and pool games. Avni was new to pool, but Sid took a special interest in teaching her. He was always the one encouraging her, saying, "Arjun, let's teach Avni how to play. She's getting better!" And though Arjun was more of a playful tease, he joined in with the fun. Every time Avni missed a shot, Sid and Arjun would make fun of her-light-heartedly, of course-before urging her to try again. It became a cherished part of their routine.
"Come on, Avni! Don't let the ball escape again!" Sid would say with a grin, always enthusiastic, despite Avni's occasional struggles.
"Hey, the ball's got a mind of its own, alright?" Avni would joke back, trying again, always laughing at herself.
The trio often met for tea in the afternoons, spent time together during office breaks, and played pool. They also indulged in their favorite snacks-momos, rolls, and coffee-on evenings when the office would empty out. It wasn't just the games that brought them closer, but the quiet, unspoken moments of sharing space, laughter, and food together.
One evening, after a few rounds of pool, Sid introduced Avni to a new video game, Valorant. He was keen on teaching her, but it was clear that Avni wasn't as interested in gaming as he was. She tried it once but quickly realized it wasn't for her. She said, laughing, "Okay, I'm good. Pool's my game, not this."

Sid, not one to give up easily, chuckled, "I knew it! You'll come back to Valorant eventually."
But pool remained their game. Even as Arjun's teasing became more frequent, Sid and Avni continued their friendly competition. They had fun, even if it meant missing a shot or two.
Over time, things shifted slightly. Arjun, who was more emotionally involved in the friendship, had started to share more about his personal life with Avni. He would tell her everything-from funny anecdotes about his hometown to struggles at work. Avni listened intently, happy to provide a listening ear. Yet, when Arjun mentioned Sid and a girl named Sara, Avni couldn't help but feel curious. Rumors were flying around the office that Sid was seeing Sara, and everyone seemed to be speculating. Were they in a relationship? Or was Sid just leading Sara on?
Avni, always one to enjoy a bit of harmless teasing, couldn't resist. One day, she confronted Sid after a game.
"Sid, so... what's going on with you and Sara?" Avni asked, a playful smile on her face.
Sid, who was never one for drama, grew visibly irritated. "It's nothing. Stop asking about it," he replied, clearly uncomfortable.
But Avni wasn't ready to drop it. "Come on, you two seem to be spending a lot of time together. I'm just curious."
Sid, now visibly annoyed, snapped, "Can you just drop it? It's not a big deal. I don't want to talk about it."
Avni, sensing the tension, backed off. She hadn't expected such a strong reaction from Sid. The light-hearted teasing had always been a part of their dynamic, but this time, Sid didn't find it funny.
Later that day, Sid pulled Arjun aside. "Tell Avni not to interfere in my personal matters. It's really irritating when she teases me about Sara," Sid said, frustration evident in his voice.
Arjun, who had always been the mediator in their group, was taken aback. He knew Avni didn't mean any harm, but Sid's irritation was clear. The next time he saw Avni, he gently said, "Avni, Sid doesn't like it when you tease him about Sara. He gets irritated."
Avni was caught off guard. She hadn't meant to upset Sid. In fact, she felt a pang of disappointment. "I was just joking... Why does he have to be so serious about it?" she thought to herself.
A bit sad, Avni decided to stop teasing Sid, but the incident lingered in her mind. She thought, He's always been so supportive, so friendly, but this... it felt different. Maybe he's just too arrogant. The playful camaraderie they shared was suddenly clouded with this new tension.
Then, shortly after, Arjun went back to his hometown for his best friend's wedding. With Arjun absent, Avni and Sid found themselves spending more time together at the office. Though their interactions were fewer and more subdued than before, a quiet understanding grew between them. They would still share a cup of tea, still talk about work, and still occasionally play pool together, but now, their conversations felt deeper, more personal.

And as the days passed, a new chapter in their friendship began-one that was quieter, but no less significant. Would Sid and Avni's bond grow stronger, or would the shadow of his irritation linger? Would Avni ever understand what was really going on between Sid and Sara? Only time would tell.