Darshan was sitting quietly, lost in his thoughts.
His usual smile was missing.
Ayesha stopped when she saw him. One look was enough for her to know something was wrong.
"What happened? Why do you look so sad?" she asked softly.
"Nothing, yaar," Darshan replied, avoiding her eyes.
"We've been best buddies since childhood," Ayesha said, sitting beside him. "I never thought you'd need so much thinking just to tell me something. Come on, tell me. What's wrong?"
Darshan let out a slow breath.
"It feels like no one really cares about me. Everyone just thinks about themselves."
"Who are you talking about?" Ayesha asked.
"Papa… my dad."
"Oh," she said gently. "What happened?"
"Tell me honestly," Darshan said, looking at her. "What do you think about my dad? Please be frank."
Ayesha thought for a moment before answering.
"To be honest, I think your dad is a very good person and a very successful businessman."
"You really think so?"
"Of course. We both completed our 12th grade from Global School, and it's run by him. He has achieved so much in life."
Darshan nodded slowly.
"Yes, you're right. He's a great businessman… but he's not a good father."
Ayesha looked surprised.
"Why are you saying that, Darshan?"
"You know we both dream of becoming successful business tycoons," he said. "We even planned to start a business together."
"Yes," she said. "Then what?"
"He wants me to study just enough and then take over his school business," Darshan said bitterly. "He keeps underestimating me. I want to become one of India's top businessmen, but he doesn't understand. He only sees me as someone who should follow his path."
Ayesha nodded slowly.
"So that's the issue."
"Yes. I don't want to join his school business. I want to build something of my own. I want to become a writer, a video editor—there's so much I want to do in my life. And you understand this, because your dreams are big too."
"You're right," Ayesha said. "I don't want to spend my whole life doing a small job either. I want to be the most successful person in my entire bloodline."
Then she added softly, "But your dad isn't your enemy. He just wants security for your career. The way you explained this to me—explain it to him too. I'm sure he'll understand."
Darshan smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Ayesha. Talking to you always makes me feel better. I don't know why, but whenever I talk to you, everything feels positive. No matter how much tension I have, it disappears when I'm with you."
"We met after so many days," Ayesha said with a smile. "Right, Darshu?"
"Yes," he laughed lightly. "You're right."
"Ever since 12th grade ended and our streams changed, we hardly meet," she said. "You're doing BBA, I'm in BTech, and our colleges are so far apart. But true friends aren't the ones who meet every day. True friends are the ones who don't change, no matter how long it's been."
"That's true," Darshan said. "In life, only lucky people get three things— a true friend, a good child for their parents, and a meaningful life."
Ayesha laughed.
"No, no. People get three things only when their luck is bad—a crazy friend, a foolish friend, and a friend who cracks useless jokes."
"Shut up," Darshan said, smiling.
"Come on," Ayesha said, standing up. "Let's finish the work we came here for."
Neither Darshan nor Ayesha knew that this simple conversation would change everything.
Their dreams, their friendship, and their lives were about to be tested in ways they had never imagined.