Karan's POV:

"For a whole year?"

"Kan, we're not having this conversation," Jay mumbled, his eyes silently pleaded, struggling against the veil of shrouded secrets.

"But the important question is, how does a person, including their family, just disappear off the face of earth? Its like, they disappeared into thin air!"

"Kan—"

"Well?"

"I don't know the entire story either, but it's better not to talk about it. I'm feeling uneasy just thinking about it. It's like we weren't on talking terms for almost a week, and then, poof, he's nowhere to be found! It could have something to do with his online friends... stubborn child, didn't listen to me when I warned him," Jay admitted, frustration clenched in his fists.

I had to do a double take and re-evaluate Jay's demeanor. This wasn't the Jay I knew.

Arav disappeared over a year ago, seemingly due to some grudge he held against us. But why would he involve his family? Was there a larger piece of the puzzle I was missing? Something Jay knew but was reluctant to share?

Too good to be true? You just haven't known me yet!

Jay's usual punchline stung, and for the first time, it triggered an unsettling doubt within me. Could there be more layers to Jay's persona than he was willing to reveal? What was he concealing behind that mask of nonchalance and humor?

The mystery surrounding Arav's sudden vanishing act had cast a shadow over our lives, enveloping us in a veil of secrecy that our parents seemed eager to maintain. Their hushed whispers and evasive explanations about Arav's departure felt increasingly inadequate and contrived as we delved deeper into the enigma.

What were they hiding, and why were they so determined to keep us in the dark? The questions swirled in my mind, each one fueling a growing sense of urgency to uncover the truth lurking beneath the surface.

"Sorry, I was just dealing with something," Jay's voice cut through my inner monologue.

"Huh?" I snapped out of my reverie, trying to understand why Jay was apologizing when he had done nothing wrong.

"Nothing... really" Jay sighed, looking at me contemplatively, his mind still clearly preoccupied.

'Great! You had one chance at making him feel better by saying something nice. That's exactly why he hasn't told you about his discoveries.' My mind jeered.

I ignored my inner critic and put my arm around his shoulders, a gesture of comfort he readily accepted. Jay leaned into my embrace as we both gazed at the mundane school walls. Students hustled past us, preparing for their lab period after lunch. I glanced at our half-eaten lunch boxes. I had brought chapati and mung dal; he had thepla and curd with cumin seeds.

We finished our lunch in silence and walked back to class, holding each other's hands.

Jayant's POV:

'You allowed yourself to be vulnerable, idiot,' my mind jeered.

I know, I know! I shouldn't have. But how could I tell him? He would have lost it.

'Not telling him has made him even more suspicious. Jay, it was your deal to keep each other informed. But not telling him was a mistake.'

I know. Poor Kan, I don't know what he's thinking of me now. Will he feel betrayed? Can he accept it?

I sighed heavily, contemplating the repercussions of my outburst.

Maybe he'll understand; he's my friend, after all.

I convinced myself as I made my way home to Gangotri Street.

Stood in front of me was the house marked with the number #22, the only space I felt safe enough to be myself.

The chowk, a small veranda at the entrance, showcased ornate wooden carvings and detailed tile work. The front yard, teeming with potted plants and vivid blossoms, offered a refreshing burst of natural beauty, setting the stage for what lay beyond. The entrance door was crafted from rich teak wood into intricate traditional patterns. Upon entering, the spacious central courtyard, known as the aangan, greeted me with an abundance of natural light, filtering through the open spaces and lending a warm, inviting ambience to the surroundings.

"Aavi gyo beta," his mom's voice chimed in from the living room.

"Ha mummy," I muttered, placing my bag on the chair.

I took a deep breath before deciding to shower.

The water trickled down my back, a cascade of warmth amidst the cool tiles, soothing my jittered nerves that refused to settle. Arav's sudden reappearance had plunged me into a whirlpool of conflicting emotions, stirring up a storm I hadn't quite prepared for.

As the droplets splashed against my skin, I couldn't help but replay the scenes etched in my memory, moments of laughter and camaraderie overshadowed by that one unforgettable argument that led to his vanishing act.

The guilt weighed heavily on my shoulders, an anchor dragging me down into the depths of remorse. I had allowed my anger to overpower my sense of reason, forcing him into a corner where escape seemed to be his only option.

But now, as he reentered our lives, a shadow of his former self, I couldn't help but feel a surge of questions flooding my consciousness.

What had really transpired during that fateful week? What led him to cut off all ties and disappear without a trace? And most importantly, what had caused the apparent shift in his character, leading him to associate with the very bullies we had fought against for years?

My mind raced through possibilities, contemplating the vague lead I had stumbled upon during our discreet investigation.

The online friend on Yahoo Messenger that he had turned to, could it be the source of his transformation? Could it be the reason behind his sudden withdrawal from our lives? The pieces of this intricate puzzle seemed to teeter on the edge of my understanding, an enigma I yearned to decipher.

The water continued to flow, a constant companion in my moment of vulnerability, a gentle reassurance amidst the turmoil within. The steam filled the space, cocooning me in its warmth as I grappled with the heavy burden of uncertainty, determined to uncover the truth hidden within the depths of our fractured camaraderie.

The night draped the world in a shroud of darkness, casting long, eerie shadows that danced along the walls of my room. Restless and consumed by the enigma of Arav's sudden disappearance, I found myself drawn to the dim glow of my laptop screen, the soft hum of the device punctuating the silence that enveloped the house.

A flicker of determination ignited within me as I delved into the depths of the internet, scouring through the virtual labyrinth for any semblance of the truth that had eluded me for far too long. I pored over countless chat logs, sifting through the digital footprints that hinted at the untold story hidden beneath the surface. As the minutes stretched into hours, my eyes grew heavy with fatigue.

Fragments of conversation littered the screen, each thread a potential lead that beckoned to be unraveled. Amidst the tangled web of anonymous handles and cryptic messages, one name stood out amidst the chaos, a beacon of hope amidst the looming shadows that threatened to consume my resolve.

Maya Ramesh.

The name echoed in my mind, its significance shrouded in mystery and intrigue. I furrowed my brow, the cogs of my mind whirring with newfound determination as I pieced together the fragments of Arav's online interactions, the subtle nuances and elusive hints that hinted at the existence of a hidden connection.

My fingers tapped furiously against the keyboard, tracing the elusive breadcrumbs that led me deeper into the heart of the labyrinth. The screen flickered to life, illuminating my room in an otherworldly glow that cast eerie shadows upon the walls, mirroring the tumultuous storm that raged within the confines of my consciousness.

As the digital tapestry of information unfolded before me, I unearthed a series of encrypted messages that hinted at a clandestine exchange of secrets and confessions, a digital confidante that had guided Arav through the tumultuous waters of adolescence.

But, where did it all go wrong? They seemed to have a great connection.

Maya's presence lingered in the virtual ether, an elusive enigma that defied the confines of my understanding, urging me to unravel the truth that lay hidden within the depths of our fractured camaraderie.

A surge of determination coursed through my veins, fueling my resolve as I traced Maya's digital footprint, each keystroke a step closer to unearthing the secrets that had remained shrouded in silence.

The screen blurred before my eyes, the exhaustion catching up as I grappled with the weight of impending revelations and the unsettling truth that threatened to unravel the delicate threads of our past.

❛You walked away in the storm,
Returning for the winter warmth.
I wish I could tell you about it all,
The tales, chase and the forbidden trades.
But tell me, oh friend,
Why did you keep me in the dark?
You weren't like this,
What caused you to fall?❜
—Jayant

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

Word Glossary:
chapati- Indian flatbread
mung dal- green gram (pulses)
thepla- soft Indian flatbread (its a typical of Gujarati cuisine)
Aavi gyo beta- came home, dear? (beta could mean both son and dear, depending on context)
Ha mummy- yes, mom/mother

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

A/N:
So much's happening I can't even keep a track-

I know, I know, its too much to grasp at this point. Arav's re-appearance has definitely left Jay in a disarray. Kind of reminded me of my own such incident xD

logos of Y!M:

What could've possibly gone wrong, and who is this Maya we're seeing? Is she a new character? 👀

Also, we're seeing a geeky side of Jay, where does he find time to learn all these skills? >.>

Jokes aside, even back in 2007, when technology wasn't so advanced, cyber footprints was still a thing. His dad worked as an ISA (Information Security Analyst) after finishing his computer engineering. It was really tough to find such jobs, cause it wasn't as much in demand, but, the pay was relatively well.

And that actually explains why Jay was very skeptical and defensive about Arav's online friends. He was aware that such things could happen and if we're not careful, it can cost our lives, like it did for Arav, but, well- we're yet to figure it out!

Also, if you're re-reading this story from long before, you'd notice that the plot has changed a LOT. Earlier, it was kind of LGBTQ+ themed but, now, you see the depth of friendship, family and drama lol xD You can't have a book without one!

That being said, I am not against any communities and the reason for removal isn't because I am against it or something, but, its because I wasn't able to add the depth that I wanted to bring into this story! I was talking to an ai chatbot Pi (go give it a check y'll!! #notsponsored) and I could come up with that idea in a back and forth conversation.

Feel free to leave comments, suggestions and feedback!