Minnie POV
Days passed after I blocked Will. Slowly, I started healing myself, but every place we once spent time together still hurt like an open wound. I forced myself to smile and stay strong, telling my heart that memories cannot control my future. I continued my regular work at the coffee shop, but inside I was shaking-today was result day.
What if I failed?
What if my dream job slipped away because I trusted the wrong person?
Before Will came into my life, exam results never scared me like this. But now, my mind was heavy with fear and regret.
Just then, the coffee shop door opened and Sara walked in. One look at her face and my heart dropped.
Me: "What happened, Sara?"
Sara: "The results are out."
My hands started to tremble.
Me: "Uh... did we clear?"
She looked at me seriously and said, Sara: "I cleared but..."
My breath stopped. "Did I fail?" I whispered, my voice breaking.
Suddenly, she burst out laughing.
Sara: "You should see your face, Minnie! I was just teasing you. You passed all the papers, topper madam!"
I hit her arm lightly.
Me: "You scared me to death, idiot!"
She pulled me into a tight hug.
Sara: "See? I told you, nothing can stop my future CEO."
I laughed through my tears. Me: "Future CEO? First let me breathe properly."
She grinned and said dramatically, Sara: "Come on, celebration time! Tonight, dinner is on me. Two cleared girls, one big party!"
Me: "Only if you promise not to give me heart attacks again."
We both laughed, and for the first time in days, my heart felt lighter not because everything was perfect, but because I chose my career, my strength, and my life again.
I checked my marks slowly, one by one, my heart beating fast with every scroll. When I finally saw the results clearly, I felt a deep sense of relief wash over me. I was satisfied with every subject. It wasn't just a pass-it was proof that I hadn't given up on myself even when life tried to break me.
Without wasting a single minute, I started applying for jobs. I didn't want to sit and wait anymore. Even if the opportunity wasn't in Chennai, I was ready to go anywhere. My dream mattered more than my fear now.
I picked up my phone and called my mom first.
Mom: "Minnie... I am really happy for you, dear. You worked so hard for this."
Then my dad spoke, his voice soft but proud.
Dad: "You deserve this, Minnie. I am proud of you."
I smiled through the tears. Me: "Thank you, Mom... Thank you, Dad."
These days, I felt closer to my father than ever before. He was finally keeping his promises. He had joined a good job, stopped his bad habits, and started taking care of my mom and me like a real father should. Watching him change made my heart peaceful. For the first time in a long time, our house felt warm again.
Dad suddenly smiled and said,
Dad: "Let's celebrate this. Minnie. How about a one-day trip? Just us as a family."
I blinked in surprise, then nodded with a small happy smile.
Me: "Uh... yeah, Dad. That sounds nice." In that moment, I realized something important- life didn't become perfect, but it became hopeful again.
By the time I reached home, my mom was waiting for me at the door. She hugged me tightly and smiled like I was still a little girl coming back from school. I told her about our dinner plan with Sara, and she nodded happily. I also saw Dad watching us from the hall, smiling softly. I went straight to my room, changed my dress, and got ready for the evening.
Just when I was fixing my hair, I heard the doorbell ring.
Ding dong...
I thought, Oh, Sara must be here already.
I ran to the door and opened it without thinking.
And there he was.
Akil.
Standing like a movie hero... with a bunch of roses in his hand and a big smile on his face.
For a second, my brain stopped working.
Akil (grinning): "Surprise."
I stared at the roses, then at his face, then again at the roses, like my eyes didn't trust him.
Before I could say anything, my mom came from behind me.
Mom: "Who is that, Minnie?"
I turned slowly.
"Uh... Mom, he is Akil... my school friend."
My mom raised her eyebrows like she was watching a daily serial twist.
At the same moment, I heard another familiar voice from beside him.
Sara: "Hello aunty! How are you?"
I looked at Sara like, Ahhh, so this was the plan!
My mom smiled politely and said,
Mom: "Oh... come inside, children."
Before she could say anything more, I panicked.
"Mommmm, we are getting late for dinner!" I said quickly. "We'll talk later!"
I grabbed Sara's hand with one side and Akil's sleeve with the other and dragged them toward the car like a police officer catching criminals.
Akil was still holding the roses and waving at my mom.
Akil: "Bye aunty! Nice to meet you!"
My mom stood at the door, shocked and confused, watching us leave.
In the car, Sara started laughing nonstop.
Sara: "Minnie, did you see your mom's face? She looked like she saw a hero entry scene
I hit her arm playfully.
"Idiot! Why didn't you tell me?"
Akil smiled and said, "I thought surprise is better than message."
I looked at the roses in my hand and shook my head. "Next time, just come without flowers. My heart and my house both can't handle this drama."
Inside the car, I looked at Sara suspiciously and asked teasingly,
"So... why is Akil joining our dinner plan today?"
Before Sara could open her mouth, Akil answered proudly while driving.
Akil (smiling): "Actually, she is the one who told me you girls are going for dinner. So I came for your safety. You know... night duty bodyguard."
I rolled my eyes.
"Akil, you know one thing? Me and Sara sometimes come home at 12 midnight also, and we are not scared of anything."
Sara tried to act normal.
Sara: "It's okay, Minnie. He can also join us. He doesn't have many friends in Chennai. We are the only ones."
I slowly turned my head toward her and raised one eyebrow.
"Ohhh... since when did you become his lawyer"
Akil laughed loudly. "She is a very kind girl. She adopted me in Chennai."
I crossed my arms and said dramatically, "Wow! Are you taking his side now, Sara?"
Sara quickly replied, "I'm just telling the truth, Minnie."
But I noticed her voice was shaky, and she was avoiding my eyes. Something was definitely wrong.
I leaned forward from the back seat and said playfully,
"Both of you are behaving very suspicious today."
Sara pretended not to hear me and looked out of the window.
"Minnie, please focus on the road, not on our faces. I'm already hungry."
Akil laughed and said,
"See, she is nervous because of hunger, not because of me"
I shook my head and smiled. "Fine, fine... but I know something is going on between you two."
We reached the restaurant, and I froze at the entrance. I slowly turned to Sara and asked, "Can you explain this?"
Sara smiled innocently and said, "Hey, hey... don't get angry, Minnie."
"Ohhh... so this is why you invited Akil also? For this resto-bar experience, huh?" I asked in a fake dramatic tone.
Sara held my hand and said,
"Minnie, I know you don't like these kinds of places. But you have only one life-at least try to enjoy it. Relax, we're not here to drink. We came only to eat, okay? Trust me."
I narrowed my eyes and warned her, "Only food. If I even smell alcohol, I'm leaving."
She rolled her eyes and nodded like a kid.
"Yes yes, madam"
I slowly followed them inside, still holding Sara's hand tightly like she might disappear in the dark.
I whispered to her,
"Sara... this place is too noisy. I feel like my heart is beating with the music."
Akil laughed and pulled the chair for me. "Relax, Minnie. No dancing, no drinking. Only eating and talking. Promise.'
looked at him seriously.
"If I see even one glass coming near our table, I will run away from here."
Sara burst out laughing. "Drama queen! Sit first, then complain later."
We sat at an empty table near the corner. The lights were dim, the music was loud, and people were laughing and dancing around us. I kept looking everywhere like a lost child.
I leaned close to Sara and said,
"I feel like I came to the wrong movie theatre."
She squeezed my hand under the table and smiled softly.
"Just for today, Minnie. Forget everything and try to smile."
Akil handed me the menu and said, "Order anything you want. Today is your result celebration."
I took the menu and sighed.
"Fine... but if someone pulls me to dance, I will hide behind you both."
Sara laughed.
"Deal. We are your bodyguards now."
After we finished ordering our food, we were sitting and waiting. Akil leaned back in his chair and suddenly asked seriously,
"So... what are you girls going to do in the future?"
Sara stretched her hands and said dramatically, "Akil please, let me breathe first. I just completed my studies. I need some freedom from books and tension."
Akil laughed and shook his head. "I'm not asking what you'll do tomorrow. I'm asking about your career plan, madam."
Sara thought for a second and said proudly, "It's very simple. First I'll get a suitable job... then I'll get Marry yo-"
She suddenly stopped in the middle of the sentence.
I noticed Akil raising his eyebrows suspiciously. I slowly turned toward Sara.
She quickly completed, "I'll get married and settle down." She said
I narrowed my eyes and leaned closer to her. "Oh really? Such a sudden marriage plan? Whose idea is this? Your parents' or someone sitting opposite to you?"
Sara avoided my eyes and started playing with the spoon.
I put my hand on her shoulder and lifted her chin gently.
"Look at me. Are you going to tell me the truth, or should I use my best-friend power?"
She pushed my hand away and sighed. "Okay okay, don't act like police. I'll tell you."
I folded my arms with a proud smile. "Good girl. Confession time."
She looked at Akil and then at me and said softly, "Akil and I... we are in a relationship."
I almost dropped the water glass. "WHAT?! And you didn't tell me first? Madam, this is friendship cheating!"
Sara groaned,
"I was scared you would get angry."
"Angry? No," I said dramatically. "I'm angry that I didn't get this love story update earlier!"
Akil cleared his throat and said, "So... should I be scared now?"
I pointed at him and said,
"Yes. Welcome to Minnie's emotional court." I said in fake anger tone.
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Author note
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