Life rarely handed out neat packages with instructions—mostly, it felt like a messy, unpredictable puzzle. Today was no exception for Haya, who stared down at the remains of a shattered coffee cup sprawled across her kitchen counter, dark liquid pooling and seeping into her placemats like spilled secrets.

The shrill chime of the doorbell broke through her sigh, sharp and unwelcome. "Aunty, the door's open! You ring the bell every single day, and I tell you the same thing—it's time to get used to it!" she called out with mock exasperation, her voice echoing down the hallway.

Moments later, the door swung open, revealing none other than Aditya Agnihotri, her best friend since those chaotic college days, standing there with his usual mix of smirk and mischief. "I've been called a lot of things, but ‘Aunty’ is definitely a new one," he teased, kicking off his shoes and stepping inside like he belonged.

"Adi?" she blinked, surprised—she'd expected the usual delivery guy or the neighbor, not him.

Aditya smiled, the familiar warmth in his sharp features softening. Their friendship was a strange but comforting constant; seven years ago, he’d been a senior with a gruff exterior, and she a nervous freshman. Over time, they'd become confidants, the kind of friends who knew all the cracks and crevices in each other's lives.

"The one and only," he answered, strolling in like he owned the place.

Haya gestured at the mess. "Hold on, I need to clean this up before you trample through it." She grabbed some paper towels and began collecting the shards, but Aditya beat her to the table, wiping coffee stains with an efficient swipe.

Returning to the freshened surface, she grinned despite herself. "Thanks—wait a second, Adi, what the hell?" she exclaimed, snatching the now coffee-stained blouse from his hand. Her eyes narrowed as she held it up before playfully smacking him with it.

"You absolute imbecile," she murmured under her breath, tapping his back with the fabric. "Clumsy, useless, hopeless buffoon."

"I was just trying to help—" he began, raising his hands in mock defense.

"Help? Is this your version of help? You’re hopeless—"

"Hey, no parents please," Aditya interrupted with a grin.

"Hopeless...hopeless brother of a donkey!" she finished, tossing the blouse aside and flopping onto the sofa.

"So, what brings you here at this unholy hour?" she asked, still catching her breath from the little skirmish.

With an exaggerated sigh, he slumped beside her. "Got kicked out of my own home. This woman showed up claiming she's pregnant with my child. Mom didn’t even hear me before disowning me," he said, shaking his head. "Spoiler alert: I’m still a virgin."

Haya’s expression softened as she reached to ruffle his hair. "Oh, poor Adi."

"Now I’m just waiting for someone to call and ask where I am," he muttered, grabbing the remote and propping his feet on the coffee table like he owned the place.

"And if no one does?" she teased, biting down on her smile.

"Unlike you, I’m downright irresistible," he shot back, flicking her ear.

"You wrote me a love letter in college!" she accused, arms crossed.

"Did not," he retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Did too!"

"I just handed you a letter my brother got once. That’s it," he explained.

"Wait, your brother gets love letters? Poetic ones, even? I should’ve guessed. No wonder you flunked English," she teased, shaking her head.

"Excuse me? I was no slouch. Shakespeare would blush reading my essays," he declared, puffing his chest.

"That’s not blushing, that’s fear," she chuckled, rolling her eyes.

"You wouldn’t get the highbrow poetry, peasants like you," he quipped. Then, changing tack, "Anyway, I wanted to ask if you’d come to a party with me this weekend?"

"Party?" she repeated cautiously.

"My brother’s turning thirty, and guess what—I got promoted!" he said, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Promoted?" she echoed, eyebrows raising.

"Yep. COO of the company. Fancy, right?" He leaned back, clearly enjoying himself.

"That’s amazing, Adi! I’m so proud of you!" She threw her arms around him in a quick hug before stepping back to clap her hands. "See? Hard work does pay off!"

"Four years of it," he muttered, exhaling deeply.

"Still, I’m thrilled. Really," she said, pulling him into another hug.

"Honestly, I didn’t expect it myself. My brother’s not big on parties, but this one’s a triple celebration—Papa’s retiring, I’m promoted, and it’s his birthday. He still insists on keeping it low-key, though," Aditya explained.

"Speaking of family, I just realized I’ve never met yours," she said, eyes wide with sudden realization.

"Because someone didn’t want to invade personal space," he teased, raising a brow.

"It feels weird going to someone’s home," she admitted.

"Ouch, the attack is real," he said, clutching his chest dramatically.

"No, it’s not like that. I mean, you’re close with my parents, but I’ve never spoken to yours. It’s a weird contrast," she clarified.

"Is that your polite way of saying you don’t want to come? ’Cause trust me, no means no," he warned with a smirk.

"Are you sure you want me there?" she asked, hesitantly.

"Why wouldn’t I want my best friend by my side on my big day?" he countered.

"This weekend?"

"Saturday," he confirmed.

"That’s in two days!" she gasped.

"Yeah?"

"Adi, that’s not how invitations work—you’re supposed to give people time to prepare!"

"I know you too well. If I’d given you more notice, you’d have come up with a hundred excuses," he teased.

She buried her face in the sofa cushions, muffling a groan. "This is so annoying," she muttered.

"Wear green," he called over his shoulder as he stood, heading toward the kitchen.

Haya sank back against the couch, trying to remember if any green dress in her closet could do justice to the occasion.

Parties were not exactly her scene. They meant dressing up, navigating awkward social dynamics, and pretending to care about things she wanted to ignore. She’d much rather stay home with a movie, a greasy slice of pizza in one hand, and a cold drink in the other. Maybe a strong coffee if it was one of those days.

"Adi?" she called.

"Yeah?"

"Stop raiding my kitchen!" she shouted, catching him mid-snack.

He quickly returned the chocolate bar he’d secreted into his pocket to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water instead. "Just staying hydrated," he said.

"Sure, sure," she teased, rising from the sofa as she headed to get ready.

"Did you drive here?" she asked casually.

"Yeah," he replied.

"Drop me at my office?"

"No problem," he answered with a grin.

As she prepared herself, Haya felt the strange mixture of excitement and anxiety curling in her stomach. This party wasn’t just any celebration; it was a glimpse into the world of the Agnihotris—Aditya’s family—and maybe, just maybe, a turning point in their complex friendship.

With a final glance at her reflection, she whispered, "Okay, green it is."

And just like that, the chaotic rhythm of life had thrown another curveball, wrapped in emerald satin and hidden glances.