Reunion and Regret

With a glimmer of hope in his heart, Jai walked toward Daksh's house. As he rang the doorbell, inside the home, Daksh was busy feeding his daughter breakfast.

"Baby, finish your breakfast. Let me see who's at the door," he said, placing the spoon down gently and walking over to the door.

As Daksh opened the door and saw who it was, he froze for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. "Jai!" he exclaimed, pulling him into a tight hug.

Jai embraced him back just as warmly. They had been best friends—Jai, Daksh, and Manav—the inseparable trio. But after Daksh's marriage, he had moved to Shimla with his family, and distance had created a silence among them.

Breaking the hug, Jai smiled. "Shall we talk inside?"

"Of course!" Daksh led him into the living room and gestured for him to sit on the sofa. He settled himself across from him, still smiling in disbelief.

"So, what brings you to Shimla?" Daksh asked, leaning forward.

"Oh! I almost forgot—would you like something? Coffee? Cold drink?" Daksh started to rise, but Jai quickly stopped him.

"No, stay. I don't want anything. Let's just talk. It's been too long."

Daksh hesitated. "But—"

"Come on, man. Don't get all formal on me. I'm not a guest," Jai interrupted with a chuckle.

Reluctantly, Daksh sat back down, smiling. "So, you still haven't told me—why Shimla?"

"Just a meeting," Jai shrugged. "But you tell me—after your wedding, you completely forgot about us. If you hadn't found out I was in town, I doubt you would've even insisted on meeting."

Daksh sighed. "It's not like that. Life got... complicated. So much happened that I never found the time or headspace to reach out. I guess I just got lost in my own mess."

As they spoke, a sweet little voice echoed through the hallway.

"Papa! I'm done with breakfast. Now help me get ready for school!"

A small girl came running toward Daksh.

He picked her up in his arms with a loving smile. "Okay, baby. I'll help you get ready in just a little while. Papa's friend is here, let's meet him first. Will you say hello?"

The little girl nodded.

"This is Jai Uncle—Papa's best friend," Daksh introduced her.

She turned to Jai with a spark in her eyes. "Oh! So you're Papa's grumpy friend! He talks about you and Manav Uncle all the time!"

Jai raised an eyebrow and shot Daksh a playful glare. Daksh coughed awkwardly, clearly caught off guard.

Jai chuckled. "And what's your name, little angel?"

"My name is Payal, Uncle," she replied sweetly.

"That's a beautiful name, sweetheart. So tell me—what else has your Daddy told you about me?"

With childlike innocence, she said, "That you're Papa's best friend. You're really nice and you take great care of your friends… but you're a little grumpy. You always have anger on your nose."

"Payal!" Daksh quickly interrupted. "Go pack your tiffin, sweetheart. Papa will get you ready soon. Don't be late."

"Oh no, I almost forgot! I'm going now. Bye, Uncle!"

"Bye, beta," Jai smiled warmly as she skipped away.

Watching the father-daughter bond, Jai couldn't help but smile. After she left, he turned to Daksh. "So… I'm the grumpy one, huh?"

Daksh shrugged with a sheepish grin. "She said good things too! Don't forget that part."

Jai laughed. "Your daughter is adorable."

"Yeah," Daksh said, pride in his eyes. "Takes after her father, of course."

"So… where's Tanya? And your family? I don't see anyone around."

At the mention of his wife, Daksh's smile faded. "Tanya and I… we're divorced."

Jai's face fell. "What?"

"Yeah," Daksh nodded, his voice laced with pain. "Because of that, even my family stays with my younger brother now. They're still upset with me. So it's just me and Payal here. Her nanny helps, but… otherwise, we're on our own."

Jai sat in stunned silence.

"I didn't tell anyone, Jai. What was the point? It's been four years. I tried everything to save my marriage. I fought for it. But… it didn't work. And now, what's the use of holding onto old wounds? I've made peace with it. My daughter and I—we complete each other."

Jai's voice lowered, gentle and full of concern. "But why the divorce? I thought your parents accepted your marriage?"

"Tanya… she was done with the marriage. Her constant partying, new obsessions every day… it all led to fights. She barely cared for Payal. My parents couldn't handle it either—they eventually left. And then... I was alone."

He took a deep breath, the weight of past years evident in his eyes. "No one tried to understand me. Everyone left me when I needed them the most. Payal was just two—she had no idea why her mother abandoned her. I was completely alone. My daughter… she was the only reason I survived. That's why I severed all ties with everyone."

Jai's heart ached for his friend. He had suffered so much—alone. And his friends hadn't been there for him. A pang of guilt pierced his heart.

Just like Vaani, he thought bitterly. She, too, bore her pain in silence. And I... I was the one who left her alone. God knows what she must've gone through.

The guilt weighed heavy on Jai's chest.

He looked up at Daksh and asked gently, "But why didn't you consider marrying again? Your daughter is still young. She needs a mother."

Daksh hesitated, a shy smile playing on his lips. "Actually… I do like someone. She's a cardiologist in my department. Her husband left her too. She lives alone with her son. I've tried approaching her, but... she's not ready for a new relationship. She says she's happy with just her son and doesn't need anyone else."

Jai listened intently.

"We're good friends now. Payal really likes her. She's got a golden heart—always helping others. God knows what kind of fool broke her heart. But anyway, enough about me," Daksh smiled. "I've spoken too much. You tell me—no news from your end either."

Jai smiled faintly. "My life's going the same way. Let's just say I'm that fool who never recognized the value of a diamond."

Daksh tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"I mean… I hurt someone really close to me. So much that she walked away. And now, she's gone so far that I can't even find her. All I can do is wait… wait for her to return, if she ever does."

Daksh placed a hand on Jai's.

"Don't lose hope, brother. Wherever she is, I'm sure she'll come back to you. I'll pray to God… that you get your khadoos back."