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Meher pulls me into a tight hug, her tears seeping into my dress. “We’ll get through this. All of it. You’re not alone anymore.”

Devika joins in, wrapping her arms around both of us. “And we’ll show you that you can have both—your independence and your family. It doesn’t have to be one or the other.”

The three of us stand there, clinging to each other as tears and laughter mix together in an unspeakable bond. “I love you both,” I whisper, my heart finally feeling lighter than it has in months.

“We love you too,” Meher says, wiping away her tears. Then, with a teasing grin, she adds, “But there is a price to our forgiveness—we want all the juicy details!”

My jaw drops, and I blink at her, too stunned to react to her implications.

“What?” I manage to ask.

“You’re not getting off the hook so easily, Simran. You owe us some juicy details about how you managed to turn the super serious brother of mine into a romantic.”

Devika laughs. “Exactly! We need to know everything—every single detail. How did you melt that stoic heart of his? That man was practically a robot before you came along.”

“Oh my god, yes!” Meher chimes in, grinning. “He actually smiles now. Like, real smiles!”

I groan, half-laughing as I playfully push them away. “You two are impossible!”

I blush furiously, but I can’t resist responding to their teasing. “Let’s just say that beneath all that stoicism, he’s full of surprises.”

Devika wiggles her eyebrows. “Details, woman!”

I laugh, the sound light and genuine, and lean back against the counter.

“Don’t remind me of all that right now. We have a dinner to cook.”

“Alright, fine, dinner first. But after that, you’re giving us every single detail about your first time with my brother. I seriously cannot wait to know that story from you,” Meher says, her excitement evident.

“Me too,” Devika chimes in, and the three of us burst into laughter—light, effortless, and full of warmth—the kind that feels like it’s mending all the cracks that time and distance had created. For the first time in months, I feel like I truly have my friends back, and the relief is nothing short of magical.

“What the f*ck,” Vishnu’s voice breaks through our moment. We turn around to see him standing in the doorway, looking thoroughly confused and, dare I say, slightly horrified. His gaze bounces between the three of us as if trying to make sense of the madness he’s walked into.

I smirk, already anticipating what’s about to come. He is adorably flustered and slightly embarrassed, and at that moment, all I want to do is hug him tight.

“Simran is giving no such details,” he declares firmly, trying to sound stern, but I can see the corners of his mouth twitching.

“Yes, she is,” Meher replies casually, not even bothering to mask the mischief in her tone. “Simran’s giving us the full story of your first time.”

“What the hell, Meher!” Vishnu exclaims, his ears turning red as he shoots her a scandalised look. “Have some shame. You can’t just ask about your brother’s first night!”

Meher raises an unimpressed eyebrow, daring him to argue with her.

“Oh, please! If you could do it with your sister’s best friend, the least we can do is ask her to share a few details.”

I can’t help it. I grin and decide to add fuel to the fire. “Don’t worry, Vishnu,” I say sweetly, turning to him. “I’ll skip the juicier parts.”

His eyebrows shoot up in that sexy way, making my heart flutter. “Like?” he asks curiously.

I lean in close, letting my lips graze his ear as I whisper something so scandalous it makes him freeze. The blush on his face spreads all the way to his neck, and I swear I hear him swallow hard.

“What did you say to him?” Meher practically bounces with curiosity. “We want to know that part specifically!”

“Damn hell,” Vishnu groans, running a hand through his hair, looking thoroughly embarrassed, but there’s a sparkle of amusement in his eyes. “You women are absolutely mad.”

Devika and Meher burst out laughing, clearly enjoying his embarrassment. His expression softens as he looks at Meher and Devika.

“Thank you,” he says warmly, “for finally bringing the real smile back on my wife’s face. She’s missed you both more than you know.”