Ekansh walked into the room, his feet heavy with the weight of his emotions, his eyes cast downward as if unable to bear the sight of the world around him. A look of frustration and despair etched on his face, his eyes sunken, his skin pale, and his shoulders slumped in defeat, as if the burdens of the world rested squarely on his shoulders. Abhimanyu looked up from his phone, concern etched on his face, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the sight of his brother's distress.

"What's wrong, Ekansh?" Abhimanyu asked, his voice soft and gentle, like a summer breeze on a hot day, his words infused with a deep sense of empathy and understanding. Ekansh shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears, like a dam about to burst, as he struggled to find the words to express the turmoil that was brewing inside him. "I don't know if I can do it," Ekansh said, his voice barely above a whisper, like a leaf rustling in the wind, his words laced with a deep sense of uncertainty and doubt.

Abhimanyu's expression turned puzzled, his eyes furrowed in concern, like a deep crease in a well-worn book. "Face who again?" Abhimanyu asked, his voice curious, like a child asking questions about the world around them. Ekansh hesitated, his eyes darting around the room, like a trapped animal searching for an escape route. "The people from my past," Ekansh said, his voice laced with pain, like an open wound that refused to heal. "The people I thought were my friends."

Abhimanyu's expression turned sympathetic, his eyes warm with compassion, like a comforting hug on a cold winter's day. "You're talking about the reunion, aren't you?" Abhimanyu asked, his voice gentle, like a summer breeze on a hot day. Ekansh nodded, his eyes welling up with tears, like a dam about to burst, as he struggled to come to terms with the prospect of facing his past. "I don't know if I can go," Ekansh said, his voice barely above a whisper, like a leaf rustling in the wind. "I don't know if I can face them again."

Abhimanyu's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the situation. "Why don't you want to go?" Abhimanyu asked, his voice curious, like a child asking questions about the world around them. Ekansh hesitated, his eyes darting around the room, like a trapped animal searching for an escape route. "I just don't know if I'm ready," Ekansh said, his voice laced with pain, like an open wound that refused to heal. "I don't know if I'm ready to face my past."

Abhimanyu's expression turned sympathetic, his eyes warm with compassion, like a comforting hug on a cold winter's day. "You don't have to do it alone," Abhimanyu said, his voice gentle, like a summer breeze on a hot day. "I'll be there with you. We'll face it together." Ekansh's eyes welled up with tears, like a dam about to burst, as he felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. "Thanks, bhai" Ekansh said, his voice barely above a whisper, like a leaf rustling in the wind. "Just knowing that you'll be there with me makes me feel a little better."

Abhimanyu smiled, his eyes warm with compassion, like a comforting hug on a cold winter's day. "We'll get through this together," Abhimanyu said, his voice firm, like a rock in a stormy sea. "We'll face your past, and we'll come out stronger on the other side." Ekansh nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over him, like a wave crashing on the shore. He knew that he still had a long way to go, but with Abhimanyu by his side, he felt like he could face anything.

Abhimanyu's expression suddenly changed, a look of realization crossing his face, like a cloud passing over the sun, casting a shadow over his features. "Wait, I just remembered something," he said, his voice hesitant, like a person who has just realized they have forgotten something important. Ekansh's face fell, his eyes widening in disappointment, like a child who has just been told they cannot have a toy they have been wanting.

Abhimanyu quickly tried to come up with an alternative, his mind racing with possibilities, like a computer processing information at high speed. "But you can't go alone," he said, his voice firm, like a rock that cannot be moved. "You need someone to support you. Why don't you take Aashvika with you?" Ekansh's expression turned hesitant, his eyes darting around the room, like a trapped animal searching for an escape route.

Ekansh's face scrunched up in uncertainty, his brow furrowed in concern, like a person who is trying to make a difficult decision. "I don't know, bhai" Ekansh said, his voice uncertain, like a person who is not sure what to do. "I haven't really talked to Aashvika since...you know." Abhimanyu's expression turned understanding, his eyes filled with empathy, like a person who has experienced a similar situation.

Abhimanyu's eyes locked onto Ekansh's, his gaze piercing, like a laser beam cutting through metal. "You mean since she confessed her feelings to you and you rejected her?" Abhimanyu asked, his voice gentle, like a summer breeze on a hot day. Ekansh nodded, his eyes cast downward in shame, like a person who has done something wrong and is trying to make amends.

Ekansh's voice was barely above a whisper, like a person who is sharing a secret they do not want anyone else to know. "Yeah," Ekansh said, his voice laced with regret, like a person who is sorry for something they have done. "I feel like I've been avoiding her ever since. I don't know how to face her." Abhimanyu's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly, like a person who is trying to solve a puzzle.

Abhimanyu's voice was firm, like a rock that cannot be moved, as he tried to encourage Ekansh to face his fears. "You can't avoid her forever, Ekansh," Abhimanyu said, his voice firm. "You need to talk to her, to clear the air. And taking her to the reunion might be the perfect opportunity to do that." Ekansh's expression turned uncertain, his eyes filled with doubt, like a person who is not sure what to do.

Ekansh's voice was hesitant, like a person who is not sure what to do, as he tried to explain his concerns to Abhimanyu. "I don't know, Abhimanyu," Ekansh said, his voice hesitant. "I'm not sure I'm ready to face her yet. I'm not sure I'm ready to face my past." Abhimanyu's expression turned encouraging, his eyes filled with support, like a person who is cheering on a friend.

Abhimanyu's voice was firm, like a rock that cannot be moved, as he tried to encourage Ekansh to face his fears. "You can do this, Ekansh," Abhimanyu said, his voice firm. "You're strong enough to face your past and to face Aashvika. Just take a deep breath and go for it." Ekansh took a deep breath, his eyes locked on Abhimanyu's, as he tried to summon up the courage to face his fears.

Abhimanyu's words of encouragement seemed to have a profound impact on Ekansh, as he slowly began to nod his head in agreement, his eyes filled with a newfound sense of determination, like a person who has finally found the courage to face their fears. "You're right, bhai," Ekansh said, his voice filled with a newfound sense of conviction, like a person who has finally found their voice. "I need to talk to Aashvika about this. I need to ask her to go to the reunion with me." Abhimanyu smiled, his eyes shining with approval, like a proud parent watching their child take their first steps.

Abhimanyu's expression was filled with encouragement, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, like a person who is excited to see their friend succeed. "I knew you could do it, Ekansh," Abhimanyu said, his voice filled with pride, like a person who is proud of their accomplishment. "Just be honest with her, and I'm sure she'll understand. And who knows, maybe this is the perfect opportunity for you two to clear the air and move forward." Ekansh nodded, taking a deep breath as he steeled himself for the conversation ahead, like a person who is preparing for a challenging task.

With a newfound sense of determination, Ekansh stood up and began to make his way to Aashvika's room, his heart pounding in his chest, like a drumbeat in a parade. His mind was racing with thoughts of what he would say to her, like a person who is trying to prepare for a difficult conversation. But he was determined to be honest, to be open and vulnerable, and to see where things would go from there, like a person who is embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

As he reached Aashvika's room, Ekansh took a deep breath and knocked on the door, his heart pounding in his chest, like a drumbeat in a parade. "Aashvika, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice hesitant, like a person who is not sure how they will be received. There was a pause, and then the door opened, revealing Aashvika's beautiful face, like a sunrise on a cloudy day.

Aashvika's expression was cautious, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at Ekansh, like a person who is trying to gauge the intentions of another. "What is it, Ekansh?" she asked, her voice neutral, like a person who is trying to remain impartial. Ekansh took a deep breath and began to explain, his words tumbling out in a rush, like a person who is trying to get everything off their chest.

"I need to talk to you about the reunion," Ekansh said, his voice filled with a newfound sense of confidence, like a person who has finally found their voice. "I was wondering if you'd like to go with me." Aashvika's expression turned surprised, her eyes widening in shock, like a person who has just received unexpected news.

Aashvika's voice was hesitant, like a person who is not sure what to say, as she tried to process the invitation. "I don't know, Ekansh," she said, her voice filled with uncertainty, like a person who is trying to weigh the pros and cons of a decision. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." Ekansh's heart sank, but he refused to give up, like a person who is determined to achieve their goal.