Unfinished Bonds

The streets of Delhi hadn’t changed much. The same old buildings, the same narrow lanes, the same faint smell of street food lingering in the air. Yet, something inside him felt different. Maybe it was the weight of time, or maybe it was the realization that he had stayed away for too long.

After years of silence, stepping into his relatives’ home felt unfamiliar. Their shock, their laughter, their endless questions—it was overwhelming. He gave vague answers, dodging anything too personal. He wasn’t here to reconnect—just to visit. That’s what he told himself.

But as the evening stretched on, the house filled with warmth. Stories were exchanged, childhood memories revisited. It was almost comfortable. Almost.

Still, he needed air.

So, he left. Wandering through the streets, hands in his pockets, he let the city guide him.

And then, a voice behind him—loud, disbelieving.

"Oye… No way! This can’t be real!"

He turned, and for the first time in years, he smiled without forcing it.

His childhood friend stood there, mouth open in shock. The next second, he was pulled into a tight hug, laughter filling the air.

"You idiot! You disappeared on us! Not a single message, not a call—nothing!"

"I was busy."

"Busy? Dude, you ghosted all of us! We thought you joined some secret agency or something."

He chuckled. It felt strange—laughing like this.

"I can’t believe it," his friend said, shaking his head. "You look exactly the same—just a little more serious. But I bet you're still the same troublemaker."

"Says the guy who once tried to climb the school wall just to bunk class and got stuck."

His friend groaned, covering his face. "Oh, come on! That was years ago!"

"And who ran straight into the principal while sneaking back inside?"

"Hey! In my defense, I thought it was the peon!"

They burst out laughing, the years of distance momentarily forgotten.

"Man, those were the days," his friend sighed, shaking his head. "Remember our dream? We were supposed to travel the world together."

"Yeah. And open a small café near the beach."

"Where we’d sit all day, drink chai, and laugh at stupid things."

He nodded. Once upon a time, they had all dreamed big. But life had pulled them in different directions.

"I miss those days," his friend said, his voice softer now.

"Me too," he admitted, surprising even himself.

A pause.