I groaned internally, adjusting my t-shirt as I nudged Jiya, whom I had forcefully dragged along today.

"Do you think we're too early?" I asked, glancing at the empty bench. The vibrant energy of the basketball court buzzed around us, echoing with the sounds of sneakers squeaking and distant laughter.

Jiya, standing next to me with a bored frown etched on her face, nodded. "Maybe?" Apparently, I couldn't let her rot in her room reading murder mysteries, duh.

It was Sunday — Veer's basketball match — starting in about half an hour. And that idiot still hadn't shown up. I called him, and he assured me that he would come within minutes.

As for Vikram, well, I did text him a minute ago, and he informed me he was 'getting ready.' Right, his usual excuse. I could practically hear him saying, 'Oh, you know me, I take my time getting ready,' and then going around claiming, 'You girls take a lot of time getting ready.'

Men.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted Ishanvi walking toward us, waving. Her long hair in a high ponytail swayed with each step she took.

"You didn't bring Vivan along with you?" 

"I did," she said, glancing down. There he was, peeking at me from behind her legs. The moment he noticed that I had spotted him, he quickly hid again. I don't look dangerous, do I?

Jiya bent down to meet Vivan and gave him all of my chocolate bars. She had this soft spot for kids, and I really couldn't blame her. He is such a cutie.

Vivan giggled at her but didn't take the chocolates. He looked up at Ishanvi for approval, and when she nodded, he shyly took the chocolates from Jiya.

Veer arrived not too late in his classic deep navy-coloured sleeveless jersey. And did I mention he had grown some muscles?

"Wassup!" He flashed us a smile, twirling his basketball on his fingers. His teammates were already on the basketball court, warming up, while he seemed completely unbothered by his tardiness.

Nonetheless, Vikram arrived after a few seconds, wearing his signature luxurious sunglasses, their dark lenses contrasting with the gloomy, rain-soaked sky. What's the need for sunglasses when there's no sun?
"Why are you alone?" Veer asked Vikram, his brow furrowing slightly.

"He's at the car park, had to take an important call," Vikram shrugged nonchalantly before his gaze shifted to me and then behind me.

"Yeh battakh jaisi bhi aayi hai?"

(Why did this duck-faced come?)

"Kyun? nahi aa sakti kya?" Jiya retorted, rolling her eyes at him.
(Why can't I come?)

"Nahi maine kab mana kiya hai, aao, jao, doob jao mera kya," Vikram gave her a slight smile and walked away.
(No, when did I stop you? Come, go, drown, what do I care?)

"Galeech saand!" Jiya muttered under her breath as her eyes narrowed in anger.
(Filthy bull!)

"Behen tu kyu meri job khane ne peeche padi hai?" I muttered to her and patted her shoulder to calm her down.
(Sister, why are you after to take away my job?)

"Anika, can you get my headband from my car, please?" Veer jogged over to me, handing me his car keys with a grin.

"Huh?"

"I need to be in the court, be quick, okay? Thank you!" He dashed away as swiftly as he had appeared, leaving me with no time to argue.

I sighed, slipping on my headphones and glancing briefly at my side where Jiya and Ishanvi were deep in conversation, with Vivan circling around them energetically. Deciding not to disturb them, I made my way to the parking lot.

Reaching Veer's car, which was parked beside a grey Mercedes, I retrieved his headband and closed the door.

But as I turned around, I almost bumped face-first into someone's chest.

"Shit, andhe ho kya— Advik?" I blinked up at him, confusion and surprise mixing on my face. So, he was the 'he' Veer had mentioned? Did I just call him blind?

"Yeah?"

I realised we were standing very close, and the only thing I could smell was his cologne. Vanilla, with a hint of something musky. He was wearing black jeans and a white polo shirt that clung to his broad shoulders like a second skin. And Damn, how sexy his arms were—

Anika. Shut the fuck up.

I slapped my forehead lightly, trying to shake off the intrusive thoughts.

"What happened?" Advik furrowed his brows, looking at me.

"Nothing. What happened to me!" I blurted out. Did I think out loud? Was I that obvious?

"Let's go, they must be waiting. You're late!" I said, trying to pull the conversation away from my inner thoughts, and grabbed his hand before pulling him towards the entrance door along with me.

"Tum hamesha itni jaldi me kyu rehti ho?" he asked me, tugging at my wrist as we started walking.
(Why are you always in such a hurry?)

Because you're so distracting!

"Because you're late."

As we walked inside, my footsteps halted shortly when I noticed a familiar figure in front of me. My gut tightened when his eyes met mine, sparkling with a familiar twinkle that made my heart shrink with a familiar ache.

"Hey, Anika. Long time, how are you?" Naman said with a soft smile, his red jersey reminding me of our shared school days. His favourite colour. It took me a moment to realise he was wearing the opponent team's colour.

Naman, Veer, and I had been in the same class during high school, and he and Veer were well-known players on our school's basketball team.

"Hi?" I forced a smile back, but seeing him after three years felt surreal. I had heard he got a sports scholarship to some Australian university and left before college. 

Yet, here he was, standing in front of me, his gaze shifting to my hand, which was still encircled around Advik's. We were standing too close to be labelled as boss and employee.

My bad habit of holding everyone's arm while walking will be the reason for my misery someday.

I bit my lip, letting go of Advik's hand. But Advik caught my hand before I could pull away, holding it firmly as if he thought I might slip away if he let go.

"I missed you, seriously," Naman said further, and I shifted on my feet uncomfortably. I could notice the tension in Advik as his hand still held mine.

"Oh, I—" I began to respond, but Advik cut me off.

"The match is about to start. We should get going." His voice was calm but firm, and he began walking, pulling me along before I had the chance to even glance back at Naman.

As we found our seats, Advik didn't ask me anything. After I handed the band to Veer, the match started, but neither of us focused on the game.

Gradually, the crowd's cheer and the court's squeaking shoes died in the background. All I knew about basketball was that Veer's team had to dunk the ball into the basket to gain points, and the team with the most points would win.

Yet, all I could focus on was Advik sitting near me. I avoided looking at him, but I could feel his eyes glancing at me from time to time. He must have noticed the shift in my behaviour when Naman was around, but still, he didn't ask, respecting my privacy.

"Thank you," I said in a low voice, unsure if he heard me, but he did. Advik's head snapped in my direction as he leaned back in his chair, his attention now entirely on me. 

"Why?"

I bit my inner cheek, looking down and holding my head in my palms, which had been throbbing with a headache ever since I had stepped into his company. The tension in my mind is compared only to the confusion in my heart. It was a mess, and I never felt more overwhelmed than before.

"Hey... you alright?" Advik asked, looking at me with worry as if he knew that I was bothered by something.

When I didn't reply, he leaned forward and placed his hand on my forehead. "You don't have a fever?" he muttered, knitting his brows.

Then, Advik touched my cheeks with the back of his hand, the rough texture of his fingers against my skin sending goosebumps rising along the back of my neck.

My eyes unintentionally travelled to his, and I found him already staring at me. Being caught in his gaze felt like ecstasy, a strange feeling that made me forget everything else. He looked at me with a certain longing in his eyes which spread an unusual warmth in my chest.

"Ishanvi madam, can you pass me the water bottle, please?" I jumped in my seat, startled as Veer's voice boomed, ruining the moment and drawing everyone's attention.

"None of my friends are focussing on the main character of the match and are busy in their fairytale worlds," he continued, his tone dripping with sarcasm. My cheeks burned as I sat up straight, blushing furiously.

"You're just jealous because we've got better things to focus on than your average performance," Ishanvi stated and handed him the water bottle.

Veer feigned offence before clutching his chest dramatically. "Average? I'm offended, but I'll forgive you since you're pretty."

I glanced to my other side, where Jiya was seated. Vivan was cutely asleep in her arms, and to my utter shock, Vikram was also sleeping...resting his head on Jiya's shoulder?

I blinked, trying to process the scene. Weren't they fighting for each other's life a while ago? Did I miss something?

"Dekho agar meri team jeeti to mai ice cream khilaunga," Veer remarked, looking directly at me with a smirk as he gulped down the water.
(Look, if my team wins, I'll treat everyone to ice cream.)

"Or nhi jeeti toh?"
(And what if you don't win?)

"Shakal sadi hai par baate to acchi kar liya kar!" he hit my head lightly, and I punched his stomach in response.
(Your face is obsolete, but at least make sure your words are good!)

"Okay enough. Veer get your ass in the court," Ishanvi's face was set in a no-nonsense expression as she shoved Veer toward the court.

"Jaa rha hu, jaa raha hu, inti pyaari shakal kisi ko pasand hi nhi hai–" Veer grumbled as he shuffled away, but he stopped when Ishanvi shot him a warning glare.
(I'm going, I'm going. No one likes this pretty face anyway–)

I sat upon my creaking chair and exhaled. My mind kept wandering back to Naman at the basketball court. This sudden resurfacing of old feelings tinged with some new, illogical sensations I was experiencing around Advik.

"Don't worry, I'll treat you to ice cream anyway," Advik replied.

"What are you? An ice cream man?" I asked him expressionlessly, my eyes not meeting his.

"Nope, but I can be one for you," he whispered near my ear, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

Can he stop?

I refused to answer, but his eyes were fixed on me the whole time, as if he was trying to read thoughts lamely flitting through my mind.

A part of me wanted to look into his eyes, to find out just what was behind those deep browns, but another part was scared of what I might find in there.

So instead, I focused on the game, trying to ignore the flutter of elation and anxiety in my chest. I excused myself to use the washroom and dragged myself to the area, needing a moment to collect my thoughts.

Oh God, the day had just started, and I was already at my lowest energy point. My stomach was growling from hunger. I wonder if I should have picked three parathas instead of two for breakfast.

Maybe I should call Amaira to ask her for some lame advice and give her "updates." Before I could ring her, her call came through.

"Thank God, Amaira, I was about to call you."

"Umm... Anika, did you see Ahsan yet?" She fumbled on the speaker. How could I forget her long-term crush was on the same team as Veer's? But she refused to come with us, saying she'd not be able to hold her 'sassy I don't care' attitude if he smiled at her.

"Yes."

"And YOUR reputation saver Romeo?" she added.

"Shut up! He is not MY Romeo." I don't know why she and Jiya call him this after all that bar drama.

"I'm sure you must be blushing right now, but whatever."

"I'm confused, Amaira!" I whined, sitting on the toilet seat and grabbing my hair in frustration. "He looks at me with a certain longing in his eyes that confuses the heck out of me!"

"Sounds like love to me...hmm..." she snickers.

"Sounds like another heartbreak to me," I mumbled, feeling the mood swings intensify. Why does everything become an extra twenty per cent emotional when I'm on my periods?

"Oh god, Anika, don't be crazy. You are a freaking queen. Ignore that creature of xy chromosome, give him a hard time getting you–"

"Okay, Amaira, we need to stop being delusional."

"It's manifestation, Jaan!"

We talked for a while and she gave me a whole lecture about the science behind love and those emotion-causing chemicals in our brain and how it affects them when we're menstruating. In the end, it concluded that I needed to record a video of Ahsan while playing and she'd pick extra parathas for us for dinner.

I was walking back when the roar of cheers and shouts from Veer's team reached my ears, and I immediately assumed they had won the match.

"ANIKAAAAA, WE WONN!!!" Veer's voice rang out as he grabbed both my hands and started jumping up and down.

A broad smile spread across my face, and I leapt with him, shouting, "YAAYYY ICE CREAMMM!" I gave him a big hug before leaving him with his team to celebrate together.

Vikram was already woken up, yawning. He whispered something to Jiya, and she replied by hitting his abdomen with her elbow, making him growl in pain. That ... must've hurt...

"Then who told you to sleep!"

"Ab itni boring ho tum, neend to aani hi thi na," Vikram said while rubbing his tummy in pain.
(Now that you're so boring, I was bound to fall asleep, right?)

I could easily guess that Ishanvi wouldn't have allowed him to eat fries and chips if he had been seated next to her. And speaking of which, I remembered something.

"Where is Vivan?" I asked.

"With her mom. He was whining about wanting to take the basketball home," Vikram replied, making my mouth form an 'Oh' in understanding.

Before I could turn, Veer called me and put his arm around my shoulder, dragging me off to meet our old classmates. I could feel Naman's eyes on me the whole time we chatted, his sight reminding me constantly of the past.

Veer knew. He noticed the tension and soon excused us, pulling me back to our friends. "Why didn't you tell me Naman was also here?" I side-eyed him, feeling already frustrated.

"Because I knew you wouldn't agree to come; worry not, your Romeo is still here—"

"NOT MY ROMEO, WHAT THE FUCKKK!" I slapped him multiple times in annoyance, and he started running away. I chased him around the whole ground, hitting him with his basketball, laughter bubbling up despite myself. We ended up sitting and gossiping about people, just like the old days.

"Woah, look at him," Veer said, pointing to a guy.

"Who's he?" I question.

"He was your library crush, remember?"

"I don't even remember his name." I rolled my eyes on him.

"And that Daksh?"

"Who–"

"The one who saved you from falling from the stairs while you were running late for viva." he continued, undeterred.

"But why would you remind me of such a thing?"

"Leave him. I didn't like him either. Shravan was way better, you should've agreed..." His eyes glistened with mischief.

"Veer, why are you–"

"Oh, Advik bhaiya! Come join us." he looked over my shoulder, flashing a smile at him and patting the seat near us.

I wonder if he'd sit with us. I mean, the VP of M&Co. sitting on the ground—okay, he actually sat down. 

I shouldn't have judged him so fast.

Veer's eyes darted to tiny Vivan, who was struggling to kick the basketball a few feet away. Without a second thought, Veer sprang to his feet and dashed towards the child, leaving me alone with Advik. Alone.

"Seems like you aren't enjoying here." I smile, looking at Advik's bored expression.

"Maybe I'm not used to attending games and all..." His voice was flat, almost disinterested, as he scanned the nearly empty arena. People were slowly trickling out, leaving in ones and twos.

My eyes kept drifting back to Naman, who stood a few feet away from us, even though I wished they wouldn't. For God's sake, please disappear. I'm over you– Wait, wait, wait. Don't come here. Go away!! My anxiety increased suddenly 

"Advik, can you do me a favour?" I quickly turned to him, the words spilling out before I could stop them. "Can you—no, never mind. It's not a good idea." I shook my head, feeling foolish.

Advik's eyes studied my face for a moment, then shifted to where Naman stood, as if trying to understand my sudden anxiety. "Who's he?"

"My ex," I bit my lip, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. My first boyfriend. My first kiss. My first relationship.

Advik blinked at me, surprise written on his face in bold letters. His gaze snagged onto mine and I saw something flash in his eyes before it faded.

He looked back at Naman, then returned his gaze to me. "Did he say something? Is he bothering you? What's wrong?"

"Um, it's the first time I've seen him since breakup," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "He probably wants to talk, but I really don't want to engage." I looked away, my mind flashing back to the day he ended things over a text. It was supposed to be a memorable start to college, but instead, it was a painful end. 

We dated for a year before it started getting bad. He moved out, and gradually everything started fading away. The separation was mutual, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

"Is he someone you should be worried about? Did he ever... cross any lines?" Advik's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Not really," I replied, my voice wavering. "It's just— seeing him now, I feel exposed."

"Should I talk to him?" Advik's voice was calm, but there was a steeliness to it that made me uneasy.

"No."

I didn't trust the look on his face right now. What if he ended up punching Naman like Swaraj?

"Then?"

I wanted to ask him to hold me so Naman wouldn't approach me, but I feared it would seem like I was using him. I'm not selfish, I'm not, really. 

I think that's my problem. I can forgive and forget, but I never truly let go.

I bit my lip, struggling to keep my emotions in check. The lump in my throat made it hard to speak.

"It's okay," I managed to say. "I think. . . I'm just overreacting... No, Never mind."

"Yeah?" Advik held my hand, tilting his head and looking at me. Before I could further reply, he slid his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close.

"It's not overreacting. We all have different levels of sensitivity. If it hurts, it hurts. No explanation needed."

His words, his touch, the way his arm felt around me, it was overwhelming. I wanted to pull away but felt drawn to his embrace. I hated how it made me feel safe, and I hated even more that I liked how it made me feel. Because I am sure he'd never feel the same.

"Is this okay?" he asked, searching for any trace of discomfort in my face. "I'm here, Anika. If you need to talk, or if you just need to be close to someone, I'm here."

I nodded against his shoulder, trying to steady my breathing. His arm was warm and firm around me, and I could feel his breath — shallow and uneven — against my temple.

And his heartbeat quickening — or was it mine? I wasn't sure. He must be sympathising with me and trying to comfort me. Why in the world would his heart race for me? I must be losing my mind.