Kunal left for Dubai a day later. It was still bittersweet, still aching. But at least none of us were wasting our tear glands over it. His short stay in Boston was like living a bonus chapter after the last one— an unexpected yet welcome surprise. God knows when we would ever meet again.

Coming back to Vansh, I abided by my word. I stopped bothering him. At least in a way that suggested a scandalous game of the sort. My ego didn't fancy hearing another no. He, too, remained in his safe bubble. I still pulled his leg at times. He just looked like someone begging to be teased. While he burnt me with roasts. That's because we were friends first— not hookers.