Roshni stormed out of the board room, down the corridor and through the hallway to our dorm.

I chased after her.

"Roshni! Please just wait up! I'll do something I promise! Just - just give me time, Roshni WILL YOU STOP!?" I panted, trying to keep up with her furiously fast pace.

"What will you do? I've been kicked out of this university. You're no-one to do anything about it!" She cried, turning around and tearing her hair band off her pony tail.

My voice went shaky.

"But...."

"It's just better if you let me go, and - anyway, you'll get those grades if the bad influence is out of the way." She went across to the cupboard and thrust the clothes into her suitcase.

She stopped and saw me staring at her unbelievably.

She was crying and tears pricked in my eyes.

"I love you Reem." She couldn't control it anymore and pounced to embrace me.

I sobbed at her melancholy state and wiped my tears.

"Don't go." My cracked voice said.

"I have to...." she whispered.

Why does life have to be so harsh?

I couldn't refrain her from leaving and I didn't have the right to; emotionally nor verbally.

Roshni zipped up her suitcase reluctantly and wheeled it across the room to the door.

She stopped and turned around to see me one last time in the doorway.

I was standing with my hands crossed over each other.

She gave me a warm smile and slammed the door. I dropped onto the couch and tears wetted the fabric.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

Did Roshni come back?

"Hi Reem." A sweet voice sounded.

"Oh! Hi Tunisha." My throat still had a lump in it and I sniffed quickly.

"It's Roshni isn't it?" She sat beside me, looking outside the window.

I didn't reply.

"She breaks everyone's hearts." Tunisha smiled strangely.

"She's one of the most amazing friends I've had." I said.

"Stop crying now, here - "

"Thanks."

"And remember you still have me." She smiled gently which made me feel better.

"Thanks."

"You say thanks too much."

"Thanks... oh what - wait -" we burst out laughing.

Graduation day wasn't far away, and finally that day did come. One month passed away like the wind and even without Roshni, I started feeling happier around Tunisha. I missed her of course, but I was settled into my 'new life'.

My graduation day went smoothly and I now had a degree in criminal investigation.

💓

Five years had passed since my new job; a criminal investigator. I worked for many famous companies and earned lots of money. Everyone told me it's a risky job, but to give the world justice gave me happiness so that was the path I would follow.

With so much pressure and work, I didn't have time to contact any of my friends, not even the close ones. I can't even remember some of them. I definitely remember the mean one called Jannat and the really nice one was called Tunisha. There was one other friend but I don't really remember her. Woops!

Oh and of course - my first ever crush. Sidd Nigam.

How could I forget him? He really was an entertainer. Here I am five years later, admitting all this - and the hatred that followed after it.

Love is deceitful.

"Ahem ahem...." a husky voice coughed gently.

"Yes inspector?" I asked, turning around quickly in my swiveling office chair.

"Afternoon, Miss Sheikh. I have got some reports on the next investigation for you."

"Ah, alright go ahead." I breathed in anxiety.

It was always such a big task.

"This one is a real time bugger, still up for the challenge?"

"Time is not a problem for me inspector." I smiled proudly.

He laughed in surprise and handed me a few papers.

"Kalia Singhania. Biggest bootlegger in Mumbai."

I looked admirably at the papers with a few quantities and awed at the reward.

"A million US dollars if you can find him and disrupt his alcoholic business. We need you to help desperately. No one has the same skills as you and your intelligence is key in this search."

I gulped at his persuasion and wondered whether I should take it up or not.

A bootlegging case was one of a kind to study, but this one was big and serious and I really did doubt if I could make justice to this.

"Where do I sign?" I asked the inspector who suddenly straightened up and his doubtful face turned into a face of pure delight.

"Here my darling. It is very brave of you to do it alone. You're doing it alone okay?"

"I am?"

"That is so brave! You offered yourself! Alright then - good luck and I wish you all the best."

I nodded and he left my cabin.

Woah. I had a real responsibility on my shoulders.

I wandered across the room in deep thought.

"Hmm, Kalia Singhania....."

His name was so weird.

"Hello, Faisal? Yeah....? Okay - yeah sure. I'll forward you the papers."

Faisal was my co-worker and assisted me in my decisions. We were friends in the latter stage of uni and we graduated with the same degree together.

He was now helping me to track down Kalia.

Suddenly, my phone beeped.

A message appeared on the lock screen which made me stare at it for a few seconds in dumbness....

I almost forgot to breathe for a second and my heart beats per minute were uncountable.

The message may decide my survival....