two

The very next day, Adi was on a plane, staring out of the window as the clouds drifted by. His mind was a mess. Sleep had been impossible. Every time he closed his eyes, he heard Peter's voice, broken and heavy with grief.

Dan committed suicide… he jumped from a tall building. It still didn't feel real.

By the time the flight landed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the exhaustion in Adi's body was overshadowed by a cold sense of unease. He grabbed his suitcase and made his way through the bustling terminal, his heart pounding.

Through the glass doors, he spotted Peter waiting outside, arms crossed, looking like he hadn't slept in days. His eyes were red, and his usual energy was nowhere to be seen.

'Hey, man' said Peter giving Adi a tight long hug

'you okay?' asked Adi

'Nah man'

'It's okay…it's gonna be alright'

'Nothing gonna be alright' Peter sighed, looking away

After a pause of avoiding eye contact and discomfort, Peter broke the silence 'Let's get out of this place'

They walked to Peter's car in silence, the weight of grief sitting between them like an invisible storm cloud. As soon as they got in, Peter started the engine, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Adi glanced at him. "How's his family?"

Peter's jaw clenched. "Destroyed."

Adi swallowed, unsure of what to say.

The drive to Peter's house was quiet, except for the occasional honking and the low hum of the radio playing in the background.

Adi stared out of the window, his mind racing. The city lights blurred past, but his thoughts remained stuck in the past.

Peter pulled into the driveway of a modest suburban house. The porch light was on, casting a dim glow on the front yard. Adi grabbed his suitcase and followed Peter inside.

The living room was a mess—fast-food wrappers, unopened soda cans, and a few hoodies scattered across the couch. It looked like Peter had barely moved from the couch for a long time.

'You hungry?' Peter asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

'No, man. Just…wanna get some rest.' Adi shook his head

'Your room's down the hall, second door on the left. Bathroom's right across.' Peter nodded.

'Thanks.'

Adi dragged his suitcase to the guest room. It was small but clean, with a single bed and a desk against the wall. He lay on the bed and got some sleep.

After some time, loud knocks on the door broke his sleep. Peter peeked in.

'Just checking in, You good?'

'Not really.'

'Tomorrow's the funeral. You sure you wanna go?' Peter stepped inside, leaning against the doorframe.

'Of course. I have to.' Adi looked up, making a face which was like - why do you think I am here?

'His parents… they want to talk to you.' said Peter 

'To me?... Why?' confused Adi, he wanna talk to them but he never expected them to reach him

'They found something in his room.' equally confused Peter

'What do you mean?'

'I don't know…When I told them, you are coming then they asked me to get you to their house after the funeral

The next morning was cold and overcast as if the sky itself was mourning. Adi adjusted his black shirt, staring at himself in the mirror. His eyes were tired, slightly sunken from the lack of sleep.

Peter was waiting for him in the living room, dressed in a dark suit that looked slightly wrinkled. His usual energy was gone, replaced with a quiet, heavy sadness.

'Ready?' Peter asked, his voice low.

Adi nodded.

The drive to the cemetery was silent. As they arrived, a small crowd had already gathered. Dan's parents stood near the casket, his mother clutching a tissue, her face pale and tired. His father, a tall man with graying hair, stood stiffly, his jaw clenched as he greeted people.

Adi swallowed hard. He had never met Dan's parents in person, but now, here he was—at their son's funeral – the worst possible way to meet them.

'Come on' Peter placed a hand on Adi's shoulder.

They walked toward the casket. Peter exhaled sharply beside him.

'He didn't deserve this' he muttered.

Adi didn't respond. He couldn't. Dan's mother turned to them, her tired eyes landing on Adi.

'You're Aditya, right?' Her voice was weak, but there was something firm beneath it.

Adi nodded. 'Yes, ma'am.'

She stepped closer, studying his face. 'Dan talked about you a lot' Her voice wavered, but she quickly composed herself. 'Said you were so supportive…you came here in a day, shows how close you guys were…I am happy to know, he had some wonderful true friends in his life'

'He was the best in all of us' said Adi, it was so hard to use past tense for Dan 

'Came to visit us after funeral' 

'Yes, Peter and I will come'

Mrs. Smith gave him a sad smile and joined her husband. 

The funeral continued with quiet sobs and the soft murmurs of prayers. The priest spoke solemnly about Dan, about his kindness, his dreams, and the life he had left behind too soon. His mother clung to his father's arm, her silent tears falling onto the fabric of her black dress.

Adi stood beside Peter, watching as the casket was lowered into the ground. It felt surreal—just days ago, Dan was alive, texting, calling, making jokes. Now, he was gone, reduced to a memory.

Peter wiped his face, 'I still can't believe it, man.'

Adi didn't reply. He just stared as the first handful of dirt hit the casket.

As the ceremony continued, Adi's gaze drifted across the small crowd. That's when he saw her.

Anne miller

she was not so short, with dark brown hair styled in a slightly tousled bob. Her greenish-gray eyes were striking, framed by naturally arched eyebrows. Her fair skin had a soft glow.

She was a 22-year-old Hollywood actress. Known for her lead role in the crime thriller series. 

Peter noticed his staring and leaned in. 'Yeah, I was gonna tell you… Anne knew Dan'

Adi turned to him sharply. 'What?'

'When I went to Dan's house to check on his parents, she was already there. I was also shocked. Remember when Dan once told us that he started editing yt videos for a celebrity…she was that celebrity from the editor he became her good friend'

'Man…he never told us' said Adi

'Maybe…he was not allowed' defined Peter

Nodded Adi slowly

Then suddenly Anne started walking toward them.

She approached with a quiet grace, offering Peter a small, solemn smile before speaking. 'Hey, Peter…' slowly looked behind her shoulder '...he was a good person'

Peter nodded, his expression tight.

Then she turned to Adi. 'Aditya Sharma' Adi's brain stopped working - how in the world freaking Anne Miller know my name - 'Dan told me all about you…he had a lot of respect for you, Aditya'

There was a painful smile on Adi's face 'Adi, you can call me Adi'

'Adi, you are a Youtuber…as I know. About a mili right?' said Anne

'Yeah' After a long time, there was a slight smile on his face which quickly vanished

'Bro, we need to leave' said Peter, tapping at Adi's back - they needed to get something to eat and then went to Dan's house.

'Are you guys going to Dan's house?' asked Anne

'Yes but first we are going to grab something to eat' answered Peter

'Can I join you guys…I need to grab Dan's computer. He asked me to have it in the letter'

'Letter?' asked Peter and Adi together

'You guys don't know…Dan wrote a letter before…' said Anne with an uncomfortable pause

'No, we don't know anything about the letter' told Adi

'Oh, maybe Mr. and Mrs. Smith will tell you later' answered Anne

'I think they called us today to their house because of that letter' added Peter