Veer's knuckles stung from the last sparring drill. He and Kartik had just wrapped up a gruelling hour in the ring—jabs, crosses, footwork, and a string of defensive drills that left them both breathless and drenched in sweat. The gym's echoing clangs of leather on leather still reverberated in Veer's ears as he wrapped his wrists in fresh tape.
"Whew," Kartik panted, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. "How do you keep going, man?" He flexed his sore forearms. "I'm beat already."
Veer offered a tired grin. "I've got too much on my mind to burn out that fast." He pulled out his phone—on silent mode—and nearly jumped when it buzzed.
"Who's that?" Kartik asked, craning his neck to see over Veer's shoulder.
Veer glanced at the screen and frowned. The number wasn't saved. The only clue was a short message: "Restaurant– 7:30 PM. Usual place. – Pihu"
His heart rate quickened. Pihu.
He showed the message to Kartik, who whistled low. "She wants you… to come eat? Random much?"
Veer scrolled up to check for context. None. No mention of what they would talk about, no additional hints—just that cryptic invite.
"I… I don't know why she'd send me an invite to a restaurant," Veer said, voice uncertain. "But… if she can help me, maybe I should go."
Kartik rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'll go too. You know, just in case it's dangerous—or—awesome."
...
Veer shook his head. "No, I need to go alone."
Kartik crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow. "You said that last time, too. But I came along because we're friends. We spar, we train, we got each other's backs. I'm not letting you rock up there solo—she's unpredictable."
Veer hesitated, then cracked a grin. "Fine. You win. We go together. But promise you'll keep cool?"
Kartik saluted, grinning. "You got it."
By seven thirty, dusk had painted the sky in soft purples and oranges. The Moonlight Garden Restaurant—a quiet spot nestled behind a row of aged brick buildings—was only half-lit, its neon sign glowing dimly. The outdoor patio lanterns illuminated round tables draped in checkered cloth. Veer and Kartik approached, pulling their jackets tighter against the mild breeze.
Kartik peered toward the table at the far corner. "I see her," he whispered. Seated there was Pihu, back straight, her braid swinging over one shoulder. She wore a dark-green bomber jacket over a casual T-shirt and black jeans. Her sneakers were scuffed at the toes. A faint glow from the overhead lanterns caught the sharp angles of her face, her eyes alert. She looked… fierce. And yet, as she rose to greet them, there was a softness, a cautious warmth in her half-smile.
Veer felt his pulse race. He and Kartik exchanged a glance, then walked toward her table.
Pihu stood straight, hands in her pockets, and nodded. "You made it."
Pihu was already seated at a booth near the window, sipping on a fruit punch with that same unbothered, bossy expression like she ruled the place.
But the moment she saw Kartik trailing behind Veer, her eyes narrowed sharply.
Her drink lowered halfway to the table.
"What is he doing here?" she asked, voice flat but filled with heat.
Kartik immediately stopped mid-step, nearly knocking over a waiter. "M-me?"
Pihu tilted her head with a dangerous smirk. "Yeah, you. You here for round two? Or do you enjoy getting beaten like a drum in public?"
Kartik's face turned pale. He raised both hands like he was surrendering in a warzone. "No, no, no! Not at all! I've changed! I'm a friend now. I'm with Veer. We're allies! Teammates! Gym buddies!"
Pihu raised an eyebrow.
Veer quickly nodded, jumping in to help. "Yeah! He's with me now. He's cool. Not a bully anymore."
Kartik nodded rapidly like a bobblehead. "Not a bully.
Pihu's expression softened a bit. "Hmm. Good. Because if I have to break your arm again, I might get kicked out of this place."
Kartik's eyes went wide. "Again?! Wait, the first time wasn't real, right?"
Pihu took a slow, dramatic sip of her juice. "You sure about that? I swear I heard some serious cracking."
Kartik whimpered and quietly slid into the seat next to Veer.
Veer leaned over with a grin and whispered, "Welcome to the family, buddy. You're officially on the 'broken bones' list now."
Veer smiled tightly. "Thank you for inviting us."
Kartik added, "Yeah…thanks, Didi."
Pihu's gaze flicked to Kartik, and her expression sharpened. She crossed her arms and leaned slightly forward.
"Yeah—Didi. Not aunty. Never call a girl aunty again, especially one who can beat you into the next," she said, her voice laced with playful menace, but her eyes deadly serious.
Kartik instantly straightened up, eyes wide. "Okay, Didi! I promise! Never again!"
He muttered under his breath, "I think I'd rather die than get beaten up by another girl at this point…"
Veer chuckled under his breath while Pihu smirked and slid the menu across the table. "Good. Now that we understand each other, let's eat."
They took their seats. A server brought bowls of steaming noodles, salads, and rice dishes, setting them on the table in neat rows. The fragrance of ginger, garlic, and spices wafted through the mild evening air.
The Awkward Beginning
After the food arrived and the plates began to empty, Veer finally leaned forward, curiosity overcoming his hesitation.
"Pihu… why are you helping me?" he asked, voice low but sincere. "I mean… why go out of your way for someone you've never even talked to before?"
Pihu glanced at Kartik, then back at Veer. Her playful smirk softened into something distant, more vulnerable.
"It's not just about you," she said, fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "You remind me of… myself."
Kartik raised an eyebrow, confused, but stayed silent.
"I was once in a school like yours," she began. "Same corridors. Same bullies. Same helplessness. I was quiet… like Aradhya. I never thought anyone would come to help. But one day, someone did."
She looked up, eyes serious now.
"It was the instructor. He saw me getting cornered after school. A group of seniors were—" her voice tightened for a second, "—making my life hell. He stepped in. Fought them off like it was nothing. For the first time, someone didn't walk away."
Veer listened closely, eyebrows knit together.
"After that," she continued, "he started training me. Secretly. At night. In parks. On rooftops. I was just a scared girl trying to defend myself, but he pushed me. Said I had potential. Said pain makes the best fighters—if they channel it right."
Kartik looked visibly moved, and even Veer felt a sudden knot in his chest.
"But then," Pihu said quietly, "my father got transferred to the U.S. I had to leave. Before I left, Instructor told me, 'If you ever need help, or if someone else does—find my friends.'"
"And you did?" Veer asked.
She nodded. "In America, I met his old comrades. Mercenary-level fighters. They trained me the way he never got to finish. They made me strong."
She took a breath.
"And then I heard about Aradhya," her voice dropped. "My family had come to India for a few months. When I visited the hospital… I met her. I was deeply affected by the devastating damage I saw.. And I saw her father too."
She looked at Veer. "He told me about you. About how you were changing. Trying to fight back. I knew I had to step in. Because I was her once."
Silence fell across the table. Even Kartik had no sarcastic comeback.
After a moment, Pihu leaned back and smiled. "So yeah… I want to help. I'll be heading back to the U.S. for some work soon.
Pihu took a final sip of her drink, then set the glass down gently.
"I'll help you," she said, looking at Veer. "But when the time comes."
Veer tilted his head, a little confused. "What does that mean?"
She grinned. "It means I won't babysit you, Veer. But if you're ready, ready when it matters most… I'll be there."
Kartik raised his hands in surrender. "Please don't be cryptic. I already got beaten up once by you. Now riddles too?"
Pihu chuckled. "Just be glad you called me Didi this time."
"Yeah," Kartik said dramatically, "I swear, from now on every girl is didi. I'd rather die than get whacked again!"
Everyone burst into laughter—even Veer, who hadn't laughed so freely in weeks. For a moment, the weight of revenge, pain, and past trauma lifted, replaced by the warmth of unexpected friendship.
As they continued eating, the conversation shifted to silly stories, gym mishaps, and awkward sparring moments.
In that moment, under the dim lights of the restaurant, surrounded by food and loud banter, it almost felt like things were… normal.
Almost.
And as Veer looked at Pihu and Kartik joking across the table, he thought to himself:
"This... this is the start of something."
A Moment of Vulnerability
Veer studied her face—the fierce warrior softened by sadness and loyalty. He swallowed hard, trying to find the right words.
"Didi… you saved me once," he began hesitantly. "When Aradhya was in the hospital, you visited and gave me strength just by being there. I don't know how to repay you."
Pihu reached across the table and placed her hand on his. "You repay me by living. By becoming what Aradhya always saw in you—a protector. That is enough."
Veer nodded, tears welling up suddenly. He quickly blinked them away
Kartik cleared his throat awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I, uh… owe you, too. Seriously. If you weren't there when I was… accidentally beating someone else, I think I would've died."
Pihu raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh?"
"Yeah," Kartik continued with a sheepish grin, "If you hadn't shown up, she would've smashed me like a cricket ball. Because of you, she spared me! So technically… You saved my life, Veer."
Veer burst into laughter, nearly choking on his drink. "So dramatic, bro."
Pihu smirked, sipping her juice. "Then consider this dinner a down payment on both your debts."
As their laughter mixed with the clatter of dishes, the tension that had weighed on them for days began to fade, replaced by camaraderie, warmth, and the quiet feeling that something big was about to start.
Closing the Night
By eight-thirty, the plates were empty, and the bill had been discreetly slipped under the table by Pihu. She waved to the server to not worry about the payment.
Veer and Kartik stood, stretching sore muscles from sitting.
"Thank you," Veer said again, genuinely. "For everything."
Pihu smiled—a rare, gentle curve to her lips. "Don't thank me yet. Just survive until I return."
She looked at Kartik. "And you… Stay out of trouble."
Kartik saluted again. "Yes, Didi."
Veer opened the door to the restaurant and held it for Pihu. Outside, the evening's cool air greeted them.
"Stay safe," Veer said.
Pihu nodded. "I will. I promise." She turned to Kartik. "See you both soon."
Then, almost without warning, she slipped into a sleek black motorbike parked by the curb. The engine roared to life. She gave them a quick wave, pulled on her helmet, and sped into the night. In seconds, she was gone, leaving Veer and Kartik standing in the soft glow of lampposts.
Unspoken Bonds and New Beginnings
Veer and Kartik walked back from the restaurant side by side, their footsteps echoing in the quiet street. The night air had a chill, but something warm buzzed between them—something like camaraderie… or destiny.
Kartik nudged Veer with a smirk. "Well… that was intense. This Didi is something else."
Veer couldn't help but smile as he looked up at the night sky, which was beautifully illuminated by countless stars. The sight sparked a sense of wonder within him, reminding him of the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.. "I know. She's… incredible. Scary, but incredible."
Kartik groaned dramatically. "Bro, scary is an understatement. If she hadn't seen me with you, I'd be hanging from a tree by now."
...
Veer chuckled. "At least you didn't call her 'aunty' again."
Kartik winced. "I'll never say that word again in my life. From now on—Didi for life."
They both laughed, and the tension of the day melted away.
"Hey," Kartik said suddenly, "you think Pihu is going to America?"
Veer "Yeah. She said it. But she'll be back. She said, 'When the time comes.'"
Kartik sighed. "Right. And when the time comes, I'll be hiding behind you."
"Your wish," Veer grinned. "I'll be hiding behind her."
They both burst out laughing.
As they reached the fork in the road that would take them to their homes, Kartik clapped Veer's shoulder. "Alright, warrior. See you tomorrow. And hey—"
"Yeah?"
Kartik smirked. "Let's survive school first. The real battlefield."
Veer smirked back. "Hmm."
They turned away, heading toward their houses, but right before Kartik disappeared around the corner, he shouted over his shoulder, "Don't be late tomorrow!
Veer waved his hand lazily and called out, "Bye, bro. Try not to break anything else before then!"
Kartik laughed and kept walking, while Veer turned and strolled home,
The streetlight flickered as Veer reached his gate. He looked back at the empty street, then down at the metal badge in his palm.
PIHU.
"Thanks, Didi," he whispered again. "Let's do this."
The wind carried his words away, into the night.
Chapter 11 end