AVANTIKA

I stared at the tall skyscraper in front of me.

SR Hospital.

A dream hospital for many... and a nightmare for me.

I glanced at Hayat, who was grinning from ear to ear, looking at the hospital.

Of course, it was her dream hospital.

Her eyes were shining, like a little girl who just got her favorite chocolate from her mother.

She looked at me and smiled, “Let's go,”

linking her arm with mine and she dragged me inside.

As we started walking my gaze fell on the beautiful landscape in front of the hospital.

There were trees all around, with small potted plants placed neatly in between, making it look even more beautiful.

There were benches and many places to sit and relax, surrounded by all this greenery.

“It's beautiful,”Hayat whispered, her eyes wide with awe as she looked around.

It really was beautiful.

A peaceful spot for patients to sit, breathe, and clear their minds.

As we moved further, I noticed an ambulance pulling into the hospital and disappearing into a tunnel-like passage.

Oh, so the ER is at the back.

I nodded to myself.

When we reached the reception desk, the receptionist glanced at us and sighed.

She said sharply, “Dekhiye, abhi sir ki appointment band hai. Aap log kal aana!”

(“Look, Sir's appointments are closed for now. You both come tomorrow!”)

Hayat and I looked at each other, confused.

“See, ma'am—”Hayat began, but the receptionist cut her off sharply.

“Bola na, sir busy hai! Kal aana!”she snapped, glaring at us.

("I told you, sir is busy! Come tomorrow!")

What’s her problem?

Can’t she even let us explain?

I looked at her and gave a fake smile before saying,

“Dekhiye ma'am, hum log izzat se baat kar rahe hain, toh aapko sunna chahiye. Aur hume yaha bulaya gaya hai.”

(“Look, ma'am, we’re talking respectfully, so you should at least listen. And we were called here.”)

I paused and pulled out the email we had received last night — the one Hayat printed out this morning — and continued,

“We are the new residents.”

A look of shock crossed her face.

Her eyes widened slightly, and she leaned forward to look at the paper in my hand.

Her attitude changed instantly.

“Uh... please wait here,” she said quickly, her voice suddenly softer. She picked up the intercom and dialed a number.

Hayat and I exchanged a glance, trying hard not to roll our eyes.

A few minutes later, I saw a man rushing to us. He was wearing his white coat, and was wearing specs and I was this close to not recognizing him and then I noticed the Watch — A watch gifted by me — Anirudh Verma.

My Ex- best friend.

Anirudh froze mid step when his eyes fell on me. The corner of his lips curved up, we made eye contact— briefly before I looked away. His smile vanished, replaced with a blank look but i know him better, my move tugged a string deep in his heart and he Masked the pain with that blank look.

He walked to us, and ceased in front of me. He pulled his hand out to shake hands, then his eyes fell on Hayat and he quickly smiled, masking his emotions.

“ Hello doc, I’m Anirudh Verma. Your guide for the day”

I glanced at his hand then at him. Then in a voice that neither was soft nor cold, i said “ Hello I’m Avantika,”

Anirudh’s ears turned red, at my rejection, before he could take his hand back, Hayat reached out, shaking it with a bright smile,

“Hello doc, I’m Hayat Sulaiman. The Friend of this Now- attitude -giving - girl -beside -me.”

Anirudh chuckled, and I scowled at her, “ What? He deserves that!”

Anirudh looked away hearing me, his jaw tightened while Hayat chuckled nervously, she leaned in towards me as she whispered, “What the hell are you doing? Stop acting weird as if you know him!”

Oh. Babe, I know him. All his fucking history along with his family too, especially his brother.

Anirudh cleared his throat, gaining our attention back to him, “ let's go up now. Everyone is waiting for you both”

Hayat nodded enthisiasumly, while I just forced a nod.

Few minutes later, we were on the 20th floor. The floor was calm, as if there were no patients here. The smell of a rich scent and antiseptic lingered in the air. As we walked further, my gaze fell on a nameplate, which read Mr. Jaswanth Singh, VIP patient number 2380.

Ah. VIP ward.

That explains the eerie quiet. No chaos. No urgency. Just clean walls and cold luxury.

Rich people’s problems, apparently.

Great. I already hate this place.

From the corner of my eyes, I caught Hayat looking at the ward in awe, her eyes scanning each and every corner of this floor.

“ Damn,” She mumbled. “Only billionaires could afford this kind of ward. It looks more like a hotel suite than a hospital.”

True.

We stopped in front of a tall, sleek door—the kind that screamed restricted access. It clearly separated the luxurious part of the hospital from everything else.

Anirudh placed his hand on the fingerprint scanner. A soft beep followed, and within seconds, the system recognized him. The doors slid open silently, revealing a room—or more like a miniature command center—buzzing with doctors.

A soft gasp escaped from Hayat beside me.

I, on the other hand, closed my eyes for a second. Already tired. Already annoyed. Too many white coats. Too many eyes.

We walked further, drawing the attention of the doctor's, who started gossiping seeing us.

I could feel their eyes on us, calculating, judging, assuming. The noise didn’t stop—it just changed direction.

Finally, Anirudh came to a halt, his step ceased, he tilted his head sideWays glancing at me over his shoulder. “ Don't worry, There is no one who will make you uncomfortable inside there.”

I knew exactly what—or who—he was referring to.

But it doesn’t matter anymore. Not to me.

Even if she stands in front of me and throws every insult she has left, I won’t flinch.

Because I’ve changed.

I don’t react to petty things anymore.

He opened the door and stepped inside followed by Hayat then me.

As soon as I entered, the room fell silent. I exhaled sharply, as I forced myself to look at them.

There they are.

The ones I had once called my people.

And now... strangers with familiar faces.

Revathi Verma

Armaan Verma

Ankush Verma

Dhriti Seghal

And Avyansh Verma.

They all stood there, unmoving—like they'd just seen a ghost.

Dadi was the first to react.

She took quick steps toward me and, without a word, wrapped me in a hug so warm, it shattered something inside me. A hug that finally felt like home—

The kind I had never received from my own grandmother… but always from her.

My eyes closed instinctively, soaking in the familiarity, the comfort.

I didn’t hug her back, not yet. But I stayed there.

Still. Silent.

She pulled back, gently cupping my face, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. Tears glistened in her eyes as she placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

“Mera bacha,”she whispered, her voice thick with emotions.

Those two words—so simple, yet so full of love—were enough to break me apart.

Enough to make me cry my heart out, to fall into her arms and finally let it all out.

But I won’t.

Not now.

Not here.

I just gave her a small nod, my lips pressed in a tight line, holding myself together by a thread.

Then, Armaan bhai, walked to me as he gently ever carefully took my hand in his as he placed a small kiss on the back of my hand and he pulled me in a hug.

Few seconds later he pulled back glancing down at my face, “ I missed you, Little one.” He murmured against my hair. Tears welled up in my eyes, My throat tightened.

But I still didn’t let them fall.

Not yet.

Then I felt another pair of arms wrap around us—warm, secure, and trembling just a bit.

A familiar voice mumbled into my hair, “I missed you too, little Ava.”

Ankush bhai.

I didn’t look up. I couldn’t. The moment was too fragile. Too full.

They were both holding me—two pieces of a past I tried so hard to bury but never truly let go of.

And then came the third.

The hug loosened slightly as a hand gently settled on my shoulder— hesitant.

“Ava…”

That voice.

I stiffened, my breath hitched.

Anirudh.

He stood just behind me, not close enough to hold, but close enough to feel the storm beneath his calm.

“I—” he began, but stopped. His voice cracked, his eyes searching mine as I finally looked up at him. His specs fogged slightly, either from the air-conditioning or something he wouldn't admit.

I didn’t speak. I didn’t pull away.

But I didn’t step closer either.

And yet, in that small moment, his presence spoke volumes. Not forgiveness. Not forgetfulness.

But acknowledgement.

I wish I could've got this comfort Seven years ago, maybe just maybe this wouldn't have come.

We pulled away slowly, the warmth of their hug still lingering around me. I gave them a small smile—fragile, unsure, but real.

Then my eyes landed on the other two persons who I didn't dare to look at ever since I walked inside the room.

I glanced at Dhriti, — My Ex- bestie. She was already looking at me, her face red with anger, her eyes red with range, her fists clenched tightly by her sides as if holding herself back from saying everything that was burning on her tongue.

The tension between us thickened, suffocating and sharp. I didn’t flinch, didn’t look away. I just held her gaze—steady, unreadable.

The person beside her moved closer to dhriti, an attempt to get my attention on him. But I didn’t. I kept my gaze fixed on Dhriti, my jaw clenched, my spine straight.

He shifted again, lightly brushing Dhriti’s arm, a subtle movement, yet loud in intention.

Still, I refused.

I won’t look at him.

Even if he calls my name.

Even if he begs me.

He doesn’t deserve even a single second of my attention.

Suddenly, I remembered Hayat.

My eyes widened as my head snapped at her. She stood there, awkwardly fidgeting with the hem of her kurti, eyes bouncing between all of us—between the silent tension and the overwhelming emotions.

Hayat offered me a half-smile, unsure, her eyes filled with confusion and a million unspoken questions.

Of course she’d be confused. She had no idea who these people were to me. No clue why the room felt like it was charged with electricity and heartbreak.

I walked to her quickly and grabbed her hand, “ it's Okay. It will be over soon. Just wait for a little while.”

Then I turned to them and they were already looking at me as if I would disappear if they looked away.

“ It's good that we’ve finally met.” I said my voice firm.

“ From now on, I don't want to keep any relation with Verma’s or with any one related to them.”

Silence.

Nobody spoke. They were stunned. Frozen. As if someone had just poured ice water over their heads.

Then I heard it—a laugh. A low, sarcastic one. A voice I knew all too well.

Avyansh Verma.

He laughed like I’d just delivered the joke of the century. But it didn’t last long. He suddenly stopped.

“What did you just say?” he asked, stepping toward me. I didn’t look at him.

“I don’t want to keep any relation with the Vermas,” I repeated, my voice like steel.

He scoffed, mocking me. “That’s what you want to say after meeting us seven years later?”

No. There’s more I want to say—so much more—but what’s the point? Even if I scream it out, he won’t understand.

“ Yes, that's what I wanted to say.” I said my voice was cold as ice. “ I don't have anything to discuss with you or with your family. It would be better if you all stay away from me.”

I took a step back and i heard him saying,

“ Seriously, are you out of your mind Ava. You are the one who disappeared that night and now we are meeting after seven fucking years and that's what you are saying?”

He said, his voice was not calm as it used to be, instead it was Cold and sharp enough to cut anything.

I finally glanced at him, my eyes met his. His blue eyes darkened, turning into a deeper shade of blue that I have never seen before.

His jaw was clenched, tension radiating through his shoulders.

He was angry.

But why?

Why was he angry?

If anyone has the right to be angry, it’s me.

But seeing him like this,..... it made me feel different.

He isn't like this before, he had changed

and

So did I.

The corner of my lips curved up, turning into a small smile. Not of happiness—something else.

“Zindagi mein har cheez pehle jaisi nahi hoti, Avyansh,” I said, softly. I paused and glanced at the glass wall behind him. “Kuch cheezein hamesha ke liye toot jaati hai… jaise ki—”

I picked up the heavy paperweight from the side table and hurled it at the glass wall.

It struck with a hollow thud, creating a small hole—and then, the cracks spread like wildfire. In seconds, the entire pane shattered, collapsing in a cascade of shards.

“—iski tarah,” I finished.

Avyansh didn't even flinch, he just stood there, looking at me with those stormy eyes.

I turned and reached for Hayat’s

hand. She looked up at me, stunned, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“Chalo, Hayat,” I said calmly. Then glanced over my shoulder one last time. “And Mr. Verma—”

My voice turned ice-cold.

“Don’t let me see your face tomorrow. Or I’ll quit.”

And with that, I walked away. Without looking back.