"Happy one-monthversary, my bookworm. We should do dinner tonight," Abhi had texted earlier.

I sighed at his antics. Why on earth did he think it was endearing to call me that?

Still, dinner tonight... Damn. It Kanika's birthday. There was no way I could ditch her.

"It's Kanika's birthday. Why don't you join us for her surprise party?" I texted back quickly, hoping he'd be okay with it.

Kanika had been single for the past two years, but honestly, even before that, we always celebrated her birthdays together. Sometimes it was planning a trip. Sometimes it was just a cozy night in, binge-watching our favorite movies with her signature cocktails.

I wondered, not for the first time, if I'd been playing the role of a pseudo-partner for her without even realizing it.

Either way, this year I had planned a surprise - nothing grand, just a small gathering with a few college friends and some colleagues.

I put down my coffee, pushed off the covers and padded over to Kanika's door. I knocked once, then barged in without waiting for a response.

Her door flung open, and I jumped into her arms, crushing her in a bear hug, before launching into the worst version of "Happy Birthday" ever sung.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to the only entertainment in my life, happy birthday to you!"

Kanika laughed, trying and failing to dodge my screeching.

"What's the plan for today?" she asked, already suspicious.

I played it cool. "Going out for dinner with Abhi. It's our... one-month dating thing," I said, rolling my eyes a little.

She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Ugh, who even celebrates one month? Besides, it doesn't even feel like dating. He treats you like shit."

"I know you're not exactly his biggest fan," I said lightly.

Kanika made a face but I kept going, needing her to understand.

"You know why he's important to me. It's not just a crush."

"Okay, okay," she said, waving me off. "I don't need a refresher on how his mom took care of you, or how protective he was, or how his whole family made things better when you were grieving."

"But it's all true," I said quietly. "Abhi was never the nicest guy, but he... he helped me. He fought with anyone who even looked at me wrong back then."

"Did he ever fight with himself?" Kanika muttered under her breath, but there was no real venom behind it.

Despite myself, I laughed. She always knew how to break the tension in the way only she could.

"Anyway," she continued dramatically, "since you've already decided to break tradition and go on your 'date'" - she even air-quoted the word - "what can I do except drown myself in sorrow and loneliness while my best friend betrays me?"

I laughed harder this time, throwing a pillow at her.

God, she could be such a drama queen.

But I couldn't have her stay in the house - otherwise I wouldn't get anything done for the party.

I called one of her college friends to take her shopping while I made an excuse about working on a story with a deadline tomorrow.

******

Food? Check.

Booze? Check.

Decorations? Check.

Guests?

They should start arriving any minute.

I needed to bring Kanika too. I hoped she liked the surprise.

I set the table with appetizers, my heart racing a little faster now.

Ryan was the first one to arrive, carrying a bottle of Kanika's favorite wine.

Lucky guess or eerie intuition - I wasn't sure.

All of Kanika's and my mutual college friends trickled in next, loud and ready to party.

Shlok and Aliyah arrived at the same time, Harsh a few minutes later.

That's when I called Kanika to come back home, pretending I had a headache.

She arrived within ten minutes - I was sure she must've rushed to get out. The happiness on her face was priceless when I turned on the lights and everyone wished her. It melted all the tiredness away that I felt while planning the surprise.

The party started, but there was still no sign of Abhi.

Not even picking up his calls.

Maybe he's driving, I told myself.

I looked around at everyone - at Kanika, radiant and alive - and smiled into my drink.

For once, it felt light.

No deadlines.

No worries.

Just the people who mattered, laughing and drinking like tomorrow wasn't breathing down our necks.

I took a deep breath, realizing I'd been holding it in all evening.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Shlok watching me. Serious? Concerned?

I turned to meet his gaze, and he raised an eyebrow.

I must have looked more worried than I realized.

I forced a smile and shrugged, as if to say I'm fine.

But he wasn't convinced.

He walked over.

"You look tired," he said quietly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, absolutely," I lied.

"Looking at your watch every second won't bring the person you're waiting for," he added, But the tone was cold.

"I so didn't do that," I protested.

He hesitated.

"Listen... I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Sure. Tell me."

"Not now," he said, glancing around. "After the party."

"Okay," I nodded.

He gave me a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. There was a weight on his shoulders tonight. A heaviness he couldn't quite shake.

All evening, his phone kept buzzing, and he kept ignoring it.

I also noticed Aliyah - always nearby, brushing invisible lint off her dress just to stay close.

She said something I couldn't catch.

Shlok let out a breath - half a laugh, half a sigh - and shook his head.

For a moment, they stood there, not speaking.

Aliyah nudged his shoulder lightly, and Shlok gave her a look - tired, too old for his face - but not angry. Just... worn out.

Most of the guests had started to trickle out, hugging Kanika goodbye, promising to meet again - lies we told ourselves at every gathering.

I finally sat down, heels kicked off.

Shlok walked over.

I was ready to listen.

Really listen.

"Navya, can we - "

But then -

the door creaked open.

Abhi walked in, swinging a small gift bag like he hadn't just ghosted the entire evening. "Hey, Sorry, I am late," he cut in, slinging an arm over my shoulders.

His grip was casual.

Too casual.

"Can I steal her away? Already on thin ice for being late," he joked.

"Perfect timing," Shlok said. "Wouldn't want you to miss your own entrance." Voice sharp enough to cut glass.

I blinked.

Shlok didn't do snide.

Not unless something was seriously wrong.

I excused myself quickly, telling Abhi I needed to see Shlok out.

I gestured for Shlok to follow me outside.

In the corridor, Shlok stood stiffly, fidgeting with his sleeves, avoiding my eyes.

"Shlok, what the hell was that?" I whispered sharply.

He shook his head, like he could physically fling away whatever was boiling inside him.

"Forget it," he muttered.

"No. Spill."

He let out a heavy breath.

"Listen," he said, running a hand through his hair, "I don't want to cause drama. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. But... I saw Abhi last week. With someone.

I don't think he is being loyal to you."

He swallowed, hard.

"I didn't know if I should tell you," he said, voice dropping lower. "I didn't want to be the guy who ruined things for you."

"No matter what answers you get after this, I think you deserve better."

He looked torn, guilt swimming behind his tired eyes.

"Just... think about it."

Then he gave a half-smile - more apology than comfort - and turned to leave.

"I'll see you Monday," he said.

The world tilted for a second.

I clutched the door handle to steady myself.

No.

Not Abhi.

He wouldn't -

But how could I deny it?

The missed calls.

The canceled plans.

The excuses that never quite made sense.

And why would Shlok lie?

Wait -

Was that hypothetical question earlier about me?

How long had he known?

How long had he been biting his tongue while I walked straight into it, smiling like an idiot?

I needed to talk to Abhi.

I needed to clear this up.

I should.

I should.

I stumbled back inside, heart hammering.

Abhi walked toward me, flashing that easy, familiar smile -

but now all I could notice was the faint perfume clinging to him.

The way he always stepped out to take calls.

The way I hadn't wanted to see it.

"What took you so long?" he asked.

What took me so long, exactly.

I stared at him.

"What took you so long?" I asked back, voice cold.

He blinked, thrown off.

"What do you mean?"

I glanced toward the couch - Kanika was sprawled out, half-asleep, unaware.

I grabbed Abhi's wrist and pulled him out onto the balcony.

"I'll ask you this once," I said.

"Are you seeing someone else besides me?"

His face twisted in confusion - fake confusion.

"I... what... I don't understand - "

"Don't you dare lie to me," I snapped. "At least respect our friendship if nothing else."

Abhi frowned like I was being ridiculous.

"Navya, we never said we were exclusive. It's just been a month."

My mouth fell open, Abhi saw it, he hesitated,

"No, wait, I didn't mean it like that. I.....I am in love with someone else"

I felt my stomach drop.

"And that makes it okay?"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Look, I like you, I do. But don't make this bigger than it needs to be.

And for god's sake--"

his voice dropped into a desperate hiss

"--please don't tell my mom."

I always thought that if there was one person in the world who wouldn't betray me, it would be Abhi.

After all, I'd known him my entire life -- watched him grow from a cocky, annoying teenager into... well, a cocky, annoying adult.

His bad jokes.

His self-absorbed rants.

His careless teasing.

I tolerated all of it.

Even laughed along sometimes.

Because I believed, underneath it all, he cared.

That he was loyal, if nothing else.

Turns out, I didn't know him at all.

Not really.

And the worst part wasn't the cheating.

It wasn't even the lies he didn't bother to tell.

It was the way he looked at me just now -- exasperated, defensive -- like I was the crazy one.

Like it was my fault for expecting loyalty.

He didn't apologize.

He didn't even try.

He just wanted to make sure I wouldn't tell his mother.

I felt humiliated.

Ashamed.

Stupid for not seeing what was right in front of me.

I wasn't in love with Abhi.

I knew that already.

I had always known.

But I trusted him.

And somehow, that hurt worse.

"You should leave," I said, voice low but resolute.

Abhi opened his mouth, like he might argue -

but when he saw my face, he just left.

No fight.

No apology.

Nothing.

I turned around to find Kanika watching me, concern etched all over her face.

Her soft eyes felt like a warm surface melting the block of ice around my frozen heart -

and before I knew it, it started spilling through my eyes.

Kanika rushed over and pulled me into a tight hug.

I cried myself out and ended up on the floor, wrapped in a blanket, watching another rerun of Friends.

"Men are literally a human glitch," Kanika said solemnly, handing me a can of beer.

"You have to reboot your brain every time you deal with them."

"Note to self," I muttered, cracking open the can. "Next time, date a toaster. At least it only burns you when you ask it to."

Kanika chuckled.

"Or... don't date at all," she amended.

I threw my arms around her dramatically.

"Guess it's just you stuck with me now."

Kanika leaned her head against mine, warm and steady.

"I've been stuck with you for years," she said. "What's a few more decades?"