Reunion

Avantika's POV

After a few days, I got a call from one of my old school classmates saying a reunion was being held at a café out of town.

I called my best friend, Nishita. She said she wouldn’t be able to come as she had some important family-related work. I didn’t want to go without her, but she convinced me to go and meet our old classmates.

Since it was out of town, it was kind of difficult for me to get there—cabs in this town are the most frustrating thing ever.

The day of the reunion arrived.

I wore a vibrant wine-red dress that hugged my figure perfectly, paired with glossy black heels and a touch of makeup. I looked at myself one last time in the mirror and told myself not to be nervous at all—because I knew she would come.

I went downstairs to the living room and found my family watching a horror movie.

“Darling, you look beautiful,” my father said with a bright smile on his face. He has always supported me in everything I do, and the same goes for my sister and mom.

“Let me take a picture of my princess!” my sister shouted as she ran toward me.

“I don’t have time right now,” I told her with a tired expression.

“Oh, come on!”

Then she wasted half an hour of my time taking pictures of me in a hundred different poses.

I headed out, telling my family I’d be late. I knew it wasn’t just going to be a casual hangout—everyone’s an adult now. There would be drinks and dancing. I wouldn’t touch a single drink though; I’ve never liked those things. (As in alcohol)

After an hour, I reached the destination—luckily, I got a cab within ten minutes of leaving home.

I walked inside. There were many familiar faces, though some felt like strangers. One face stood out immediately—it was him, Nisarg.

I had completely forgotten that he would’ve received the invite too. I tried not to look at him, but he was dressed in a white formal suit, looking effortlessly handsome.

“Hello there, gorgeous,” a guy came up to me and said in a flirty tone.

“Who are you?” I didn’t recognize him, nor did I care to.

He made a weird face and walked away.

I went to the drinks counter—it was kind of boring without my best friend.

“I’ll take a virgin mojito,” I ordered and sat on the chair in front of the counter.

“Well, well, well… look who’s here!”

I recognized that voice instantly. It was her.

Sam—my school bully. She made some of my school years hell, but I’m over it now, so it didn’t matter.

“Hey,” I said, disinterested.

The guy who had complimented me earlier stood behind her like a clown, with her two sidekicks, Lia and Ananya, just like old times.

“I knew you’d never forget me.”

“Oh, how could I? You were soooo good to me,” I replied sarcastically.