Abhishek smiled brightly when he saw Kiaan and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I've missed you so much," he murmured against Kiaan's ear, and before Kiaan could react, he placed a soft peck on his cheek.
Kiaan stood stiffly, frozen like a puppet on strings, his arms awkwardly at his sides.
Kavi, standing just a few steps away, felt a sharp stab in his chest so sudden it stole his breath for a moment.
Maybe it was the cold night air, maybe it was just… the shock.
But whatever it was, it didn't feel good. Not at all.
Abhi finally pulled back from Kiaan and turned, shooting a strange, almost dismissive glance at Kavi.
Kiaan caught Kavi's eye and said quietly, "You should go home."
Kavi forced a small, strained smile.
"Oh. Yeah. I should," he said, trying to play it cool but failing miserably.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his flip-flops slapping softly against the floor, his heart heavier with every step.
Kiaan watched Kavi disappear into the street before he lead Abhi inside.
"What are you doing here? He demanded his voice low and sharp.
"I thought you left for good".
Abhi stepped closer, reaching for his hand,
Kiaan instinctively wanted to pull back but somehow couldn't.
"And I'm back for good," Abhi said softly, squeezing Kiaan's fingers.
"I'm sorry I left. I was scared… stupid… but now I realize I can't live without you. I love you, Kiaan. I always have."
Kiaan shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his throat.
"No," he said, his voice thick with hurt.
"You don't get to come back now. Not after I spent months to get over you . Not after I finally healed. After I finally found my peace."
Abhi's face crumbled slightly, but Kiaan didn't waver.
Not this time.
Kavi trudged down the quiet street, the cool night air biting at his skin through his sweater and thin pajamas.
He rubbed his arms absentmindedly, not from the cold but from the pain he felt inside his chest.
His vision blurred for a second and he realized, with a sting of humiliation, that tears were gathering in his eyes.
Before he could stop himself, a soft sob slipped out, catching him completely off guard.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" he muttered under his breath, wiping at his cheeks angrily.
"I'm supposed to be straight. I'm supposed to be his friend. So why… why does it feel like my heart just shattered into a thousand pieces?"
He sniffed hard, forcing down another sob, but it only made it worse.
Every step he took away from Kiaan's house felt heavier, like he was dragging broken pieces of himself behind him.
He shoved the door open and collapsed onto the nearest couch, burying his face in his hands.
"It doesn't make sense," he thought desperately.
"He's just my friend. He's always been just my friend. I don't care if he's with his ex. I shouldn't care. I shouldn't care this much."
But deep down in the raw place he was trying so hard to ignore he already knew the truth.
It wasn't just friendship anymore.
It hadn't been for a while now.
Kiaan yanked his hand out of Abhi's grip, his face hardening.
"I want you to leave," he said, voice like stone.
"Now."
Abhi blinked, momentarily stunned by Kiaan's coldness.
Then a slow, mocking smile crept onto his face.
"Is this because of that boy?" Abhi asked, tilting his head. His voice was dripping with disdain.
"That little thing you were walking with? Pajamas and flip-flops? Really, Kiaan?
Kiaan's jaw clenched so tightly it hurt.
He took a step forward, his whole body radiating fury.
"Keep his name out of your mouth," Kiaan growled, low and dangerous.
His fists were balled at his sides, and for a second it looked like he might actually throw a punch.
"I mean it, Abhi. You lost the right to have an opinion about my life. About anyone around me."
Abhi's smile faltered, the arrogance slipping from his eyes.
He saw it now the fire in Kiaan that hadn't been there before, not even during their best days together.
Kiaan wasn't just angry.
He was protective.
Over someone else.
Abhi swallowed hard and took a small step back, hands raised.
"Fine," he said quietly.
"I'll go."
He moved toward the door, but paused with his hand on the handle, glancing over his shoulder one last time.
"You're making a mistake, Kiaan," he said.
"You'll see."
But Kiaan didn't answer.
He didn't even look at him
He just stood there, staring past Abhi like he was already gone, heart pounding with one single, overwhelming thought:
"I need to see Kavi."
The moment Abhi slammed the door behind him, Kiaan didn't waste a second.
He grabbed his keys and practically ran out of the house, his heart thudding hard against his ribs.
He didn't even think about it.
His body moved on instinct, on need.
In minutes, he was standing in front of Kavi's house, slightly breathless, his hands shaking from adrenaline.
He rang the bell once.
No answer.
He tried again, tapping the door lightly with his knuckles.
Still nothing.
Panic twisted inside him until he realized the door wasn't fully closed . Kavi must have been too upset to lock it properly.
"Kavi?" Kiaan called softly as he pushed the door open.
The house was dim, the only light spilling from the small lamp in the living room.
Then he saw him.
Kavi was curled up on the couch, still in his sweater and Hello Kitty pajamas, his flip-flops kicked off carelessly at the side.
His face was buried into the cushions, his shoulders rising and falling in tiny shuddering breaths.
Kiaan's heart broke right there.
He stepped closer and knelt down beside the couch, reaching out a trembling hand but stopping himself just before touching Kavi's hair.
"Kavi…" he whispered.