After parting ways with Soha and Sneha at the cafe, Ami decides she needs a breather. Her head is spinning--not just with grief, but with rage, plans, and layers of confusion. She walks along a quiet roadside that hugs the riverbank, her arms crossed lightly over her chest.
The road is quiet, dotted with the occasional cyclist and distant honk of a bus, but otherwise calm. The wind is cool, tugging gently at her ponytail, causing strands of her dark hair to float behind her like a ribbon.
Ami stops near the guardrail, her arms resting on the cool metal as she stares at the water. The sky is cloudy but not dark; it's the kind of weather that makes you feel a little more in your head, a little more introspective.
For a few moments, she allows herself to feel. To just be.
And then-----
Tap. Tap.
Someone taps her shoulder.
Ami quickly turns to the left. No one.
She frowns and turns to the right. Still no one.
Saad: "Yo." (grinning like a fox)
She jumps and spins around. Saad grins at her with both hands raised in innocence.
Ami: "Saad, you idiot!" (She grabs his hair and messes it up.)
Saad: "Ow! That's no way to greet someone offering you emotional support!"
Ami: "More like a surprise attack. Why are you even here?"
Saad: "Oh~ I was just passing by… and boom, I see a familiar cute figure, so here I am."
(Saad's POV: Thank you, Sneha, for ratting her location out. She was right---Ami looked like she needed someone.)
Ami: (sighs and leans back against the railing again) "So, stalker or savior? Pick one."
Saad: "I prefer emotionally available friend with perfect timing."
Ami: "Sure. But really, I just needed some fresh air."
Saad: (leans beside her) "Fair. Mind if I steal some of it too?"
Ami: (mock eye-roll) "You already steal everyone's peace of mind."
Saad: "Touché." (smirking)
They stand in silence for a few seconds, watching the slow ripple of water.
Saad:(looking more serious now) "Why do you look sad?" (He gently pats her head.)
Ami:(quickly brushing his hand off) "Who says I'm sad? Move your hand, idiot---" (slaps his hand away with mock irritation)
Saad: "Come on, you liked it. You were pouting like a grumpy cat."
Ami: "Saaaad!" (She slaps his back several times-- whack whack)
Saad:(laughing) "Okay, okay! But really---what's bothering you? Let me make it up to you."
Ami: "Nothing big. Just... family stuff."
Saad: (nods thoughtfully) "Okay. No pressure. But I'm here. Whether you wanna vent, scream, cry, or beat me up for existing."
Ami: (grins faintly) "Beating you up sounds tempting."
Saad: (laughs) "At least wait till I buy you ice cream first."
Ami chuckles under her breath. It's not a full laugh, but it's more than she's managed in hours.
Ami: "You're way too happy for a calm afternoon. What's going on?"
Saad: "Your presence is messing with my serotonin levels, that's what."
Ami: "Cheesy much?"
Saad: "Hahahhahaha"
Ami: (nudges him with her elbow) "Be honest. Why do you always seem so... effortlessly happy,?What's your secret? What's your happy pill?"
Saad: "Because I know what sadness tastes like. I just... choose not to chew on it too long."
Ami: "Wow. That's poetic for someone who once got stuck in a vending machine."
Saad: "Hey! That machine was rigged. Also, why are you bringing up my trauma?"
They both laugh, the tension easing just a little.
Then, out of nowhere--
Saad: (blurts out) "Maybe I do have a likable person."
Ami: "You what?!" (Eyes wide, excitement rising) "Damn, why didn't you tell me?! Who is she? Wait-no way-is it Soha?! I mean, I know she's gorgeous, but she's got Dylan over her already… wait--OMG!!!!----is it Sneha?!"
(In her excitement, Ami doesn't even consider herself as a possibility. Deep down, she doesn't think of herself as someone worth liking. She never even considers she could be the girl in question.)
Saad: "I--what!?" (He chokes, clearly not expecting this chaos.)
Ami: "It is Sneha, right?! I knew it! You're always giggling like an idiot around her. Don't worry--I got you. I'll help you out, wingwoman mode ON!"
(Saad's POV: What have I gotten myself into...)
Saad: "Ughhh... Whatever."
Ami: "Say no more, bro. Just say the word and I'll set the whole thing up. Sneha's gonna swoon."
(Saad forces a smile, heart a mess, wondering how the hell Ami managed to be this oblivious.)
They sit down on the grass for a while after that. Just watching the river, talking about school, random memes, music, old childhood stories. Saad tries to cheer her up with his usual nonsense.
Saad: "It's getting a bit dark... Let's go. I'll take you home."
Ami: (raising an eyebrow, smirking slightly) "Since when did you become such a gentleman?"
Saad: (grinning) "Since I met a this girl with trust issues and a killer punch. Gotta protect my skull."
Ami: (laughs and gets up, brushing dust off her jeans) "Fine. You can walk me. But don't get used to this. Next time I'm leaving you stranded."
Saad: "Deal. But only if I get another accidental slap on the back."
They begin walking, shoulder to shoulder. The city lights slowly come alive around them .