DEDICATION

To all those younger me, the ones who loved deeply, lost painfully, yet still believed in the magic of second chances.

PROLOUGE

The bracelet still smelled faintly of him. Cedarwood and something sharp—like the leather seats of his car. Like late-night drives with music too loud and words too quiet.

Kiara’s fingers traced the tiny charms dangling from the silver chain: a basketball, a music note, and a heart. Each one a memory. Each one a promise. Each one a lie.

The notification had come at 2:17 AM.

She had stared at the message until her tears blurred the words.

She whispered into the dark.

Tomorrow she’d see him. She’d wear the bracelet. She’d give their friendship—whatever was left of it—one last shot. But deep down, she already knew. She wasn’t his lucky charm anymore. Not when Adira’s laughter was the sound he chased across basketball courts and crowded hallways. And she had no idea that tomorrow, when she tried to hand it back, it wouldn’t be Nevan wearing it. It would be Ekaksh. His older brother. His rival. The one who wasn’t supposed to touch her—let alone ruin her. But Ekaksh never played by the rules. And this time, neither would she.

"I love you" the three words he never said, Those three letters which I longed to hear each passing second If only I could tell him how it hurts when I see him with her ADIRA. How I long for him to love me and chase me instead If only we could be together as a couple not just as 'Friends'

Nevan he's my childhood buddy honestly I don't know What I do without him. He's been my light in this dimly lit world from the past 12 years If only I'm a whirlwind chaos Then Nevan is my rock.

But,

Who knew This friendship will turn into my one-sided love for him At first I thought it was just a fling...

But no it wasn't I realised it too late When she ADIRA stepped in our lives everything that I have saved was shattered by her one step Indeed a homewrecker. As for Nevan, from the moment he saw her he just couldn't stop talking about her and it was the first time I felt envious of someone.

FLASHBACK:

It was evening I lounged on my bed while flicking to my phone while nevan sprawled Beside me his head nestled on my lap making my heart flutter

his voice light but the hint of mischief in his voice unmistakable

I rolled my eyes, trying to mask the pang of jealousy in my heart

he grinned while I, I was not liking the effects his word were having on me.

I scoffed tossing my phone aside now my complete focus on him

I muttered jealousy getting the best of me.

Nevan chuckled, shifting slightly getting comfortable on my lap.

I sighed closing my eyes trusting his every word.

-but now I reminded myself that Adira has already replaced me.

The notification blinked on my phone at 11:37 p.m., exactly when I was about to throw my phone away and pretend to sleep like a responsible human.

I should’ve ignored him. Bilkul ignore karna chahiye tha. Maturity aur dignity dono bol rahe the:

Three dots popped up. phir gayab

I was sitting on my bed staring at the bracelet just then someone pounces on me.

He plops beside me.

Wish it were that simple.