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๐’ž๐’ฝ๐’ถ๐“…๐“‰๐‘’๐“‡ 1

"Oh my goodness!" I cried out, shooting up from my sleep, shaken by the horrid dream-memory that had just haunted me. "What the hell was that? Why now?" I wondered, my breath uneven, perspiration rolling down my face. I blinked at the wall in front of me, panic-stricken. I thought I had left it all behind. Why was it coming back now?

"Are you alright, BBgal?" my roommate and best friend from med school, Vishakaโ€”Vishโ€”asked groggily, her concern evident in her voice.

"Yeah..." I whispered, trying to steady my ragged breaths. "I'm fine..." But was I? I wasn't sure if I was trying to reassure her or myself. Apologizing softly for disturbing her sleep, I slid out of bed and stepped onto the balcony. It was a blessing that we had one in our room. Lucky, I suppose.

Oh! I forgot to introduce myself, didn't I? I'm Dr. Maha. I completed my MBBS just a few months back and recently wrote my UPSC exams. After getting selected, I came here for the UPSC training. I'd always dreamed of becoming an IAS officer, but on a whim, I chose IPS.

Among all the trainees here, the Tamil Nadu members were a small group of just twenty, so we were allocated the top floorโ€”our little haven in the academy.

Where was I again?

I shook my head and took a deep, calming breath, though my racing heart refused to cooperate. Fishing my mobile out of my pocket, I dialed a conference call. The phone barely rang before the line connected.

"Enna di? (What's up, girl?)" came Lathika's warm voice. My best friend, my sister in everything but blood.

"Ennama aachu? (What happened, dear?)" Adhithya, my brother from another mother, chimed in, his worry unmistakable. It was three in the morning, yet they both answered without hesitation.

Tears streamed down my face at the sound of their voices. Sniffling, I whispered, "Yen ennakku mattum ipadiellam nadakuthu? (Why does all of this happen to me?)"

"What happened, BBgal?" Lathi asked, her voice laced with concern. "Did someone say something? Are you homesick orโ€”?"

"Is this about him?" Adhi interrupted, his tone sharpening with quiet understanding.

A heavy silence filled the line at his question. My lack of response spoke louder than words.

"It was, wasn't it?" he pressed gently.

"Ye-yeah," I stammered, my voice cracking. I couldn't ignore how broken I sounded. "I had a dream... It seemed so real. I'm terrified it might happen," I half-whispered, my words tumbling out, tinged with hysteria. "I don't know what to do... Enna panna? (What should I do?)"

My sobs muffled into my trembling palms as their comforting voices swirled around me, trying to anchor me. But I couldn't focus. The vividness of the dream had shaken me to my core.

"Baby, you know we're always here for you, right? You can call us anytime. Day or night, we'll listen," Lathi reassured me, her voice a soothing balm. "Now, tell us. What has you so distressed?"

I sniffled, struggling to find the words. "He... He came here. To the academy. On that same Royal Enfield. That same carefree swag..." My voice faltered as the scene replayed in my mind. "It felt so realโ€”too real. He confronted me, accused me... He blamed me for leaving."

My voice rose with every word, almost hysterical by the end, reliving the confrontation I had long dreaded.

I was a broken soul, and the only thing holding me together was the unwavering love and support of my friends. My family hadn't been there for me when I left; it was these twoโ€”along with Vish and Tharunโ€”who pieced me back together when I had been at my most fragile.

As their reassuring words finally began to register, I felt myself slowly returning to the present. Their care, their loveโ€”it was my sanctuary.

"Thank you," I whispered hoarsely. "Thank you so much, guys... I love you both more than words can say."

"We love you too, BBgal," they replied in unison, their voices soft yet steadfast.

As their soothing words lulled me to peace, I slipped back into bed, phone still pressed to my ear. The last thing I heard before sleep claimed me was their gentle, heartfelt "I love you" echoing in my dreams.

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