Abhiveer's pov

I was never someone who got attached easily.
Especially not to people who spilled coffee on me , talked at 3x speed, and acted so emotionally
But here i am , lying in bed at 1:37 AM, staring at the ceiling, haunted not by silence   but by her laugh.
The way she stood next to me on the balcony like she belonged there.

The way she didn’t flinch when I talked about the accident  didn’t try to fix it, or fix me just… listened. I know everyone knows about the death of the queen's but a little or I should say no one knows the reality how it happen
The way she didn’t treat me like i am fragile. Or broken.
She just looked at me and smiled
And now everything reminded me of her

That chaotic smile.
The way she made too much noise but left behind silence in all the right places.
The way she said my name when she was mad. And again, when she wasn’t.
I didn’t know when it started.
But it had already happened.
I'd fallen for her.
Fully. Quietly. Almost accidentally.
And now I can't un-feel it even if I tried.

Tomorrow’s coffee wasn’t just coffee anymore.
It was maybe.
It was what if.
It was let me just see where this goes.

Next morning:-

I don't know when I slept while thinking about her
Currently I'm sitting in a cafe waiting for madam to arrive
She’s late again. Of course.

And me??? I am just watching the door open with a soft grin already tugging at my lips.
She enters in an oversized denim jacket, her hair thrown up in a messy ponytail, muttering something to herself about traffic
She came near me and sat on the seat in front
“Okay before you say anything, it wasn’t my fault. The autos today were literally moving like snails” she said

“I didn’t say anything.” I said shrugging
“But your eyes did.” she said and laughed

“I am just happy to survive another of your dramatic entrances.” I said chuckling

“Admit it. You missed me.” she grinned
“…You make it impossible not to.” I sai shrugging

(She hides a smile behind the menu and I noticed , of course)

“Okay Mr. Broody-But-Witty, I have two questions.
One: how do you always look like a well-written novel in black?
And two: are you ever gonna admit you actually like my company?” she said

“For question one… genetics.
For question two… ask me after coffee.” I said and we ordered coffee while we waited She was just yapping and here I was watching her like she's the only thing I know how to focus on

“So this bride literally wanted feathers on her sleeves and pearls on her dupatta and I was like, girl, are we dressing you or a royal bird?” she said giving insane reactions
“You said that to her face?” I asked chuckling

“No! I said it in my head. I’m not insane.
I’m just passionate about not turning into Pinterest disasters.” she said rolling her eyes

“Honestly? I’d watch an entire show of you roasting wedding trends.” I said

“Coming soon to a screen near you: ‘Noorika Unfiltered: Confessions of a Designer Who Can’t Shut Up." She spoke grinning ear to ear

“I’d binge it.” I said shrugging when our drinks arrived and we took a sip of it

“You’re too quiet today. Processing my awesomeness again?” she said playfully

“Something like that.” I said softly  looking at her when she looked at me the moment lingering for some time

“You know… I was thinking.” I spoke again

“Oof. Always dangerous when you start like that.” when she cut me in between
“Everyone calls you Noor. Even in your work, your messages, your socials. It’s always just Noor.” when I ignored her teasing and said

“Yeah? It’s easier.” she shrugged

“But I like Ika more. Feels like the part of you most people don’t take time to know.” I said smiling faintly seeing her reaction when she's caught off guard no teasing now

“…You really say things that make people pause, don’t you?” she said which almost came as a whisper

“Only when I mean them.” I said softly

A beat passes. Then

“So…

If the name’s upgraded…”
She raises a brow.
“…does the friendship upgrade too?” I asked

“Upgrade to what? Sharing fries? Posting selfies? Coordinated outfits?” she asked

I asked leaning a little closer
“Maybe the part where you don’t pretend to hate me anymore.
And I stop pretending this is just friendship.”
She’s still smiling… but it’s different now. Softer. A little stunned. A little sure.

“Are you asking if we’re officially… in the ‘your-chaos-is-mine-now’ zone?” she asked stunned
I nodded slowly and said
“Exactly that.”
grinning, heart in her eyes she spoke
“Then yeah.
Welcome to the upgraded version of us.
But I’m still stealing your fries."
“As long as you’re here, steal whatever you want.”
I said grinning that my cheeks might hurt

____________________________ hey guys so here's a direct chp as due to some stuff I wasn't able to post recently and I have published this on wattpad too you can check out there also do vote and comment  and dont forget to follow