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(Teri Diwaani, highly recommended.)

The wait was over.

I couldn't believe we had made it to graduation day. The sun was bright, the air was thick with excitement and laughter, and my hands kept reaching up to adjust the black graduation robe and that cap that refused to sit still on my head. MBBS was never easy. There were days I wanted to quit, break, scream but here I was, standing tall in front of the college that had been my second home for the past few years.

Papa was beside me, Maa on his other side, and Naveen, my Naveen, was holding up the phone, trying to get the perfect photo of us. His brows were furrowed, and that tiny pout had taken over his lips as he clicked, reviewed, adjusted the angle, and clicked again like a professional. My silly, annoying, precious photographer.

We had just clicked a picture when I noticed Papa's eyes glisten. My breath caught for a second. He's crying? I tilted my head toward Maa, trying not to tear up myself, and said playfully, "See, your pati's crying."

Maa chuckled softly, but Papa was too lost in his emotions to even scold me.

Just then, Naveen lowered the phone, noticed the change in Papa's expression, and stepped closer with a gentle voice. "What happened, uncle?" he asked, his tone soft, respectful.

Papa just smiled, shaking his head as he looked at me. "Nothing, beta... It's just... she made it. She really made it." His voice cracked just a little, and I bit my cheek to stop myself from crying too.

"I still remember when she was scared of injections," Papa continued, laughing through his tears. "And today she's a doctor."

Naveen's smile softened as he looked at me, eyes holding something warm, something deeper. "She's not just a doctor, uncle. She's the best one I know."

And in that moment, I forgot the crowd, the noise, the sun. I forgot we were just friends. All I knew was my heart had never been fuller.

As I watched Naveen talking to my dad, something in me stirred.

There was something about the way his voice was so natural, the way he spoke to my father with that deep respect and gentle tone. It made him even more endearing, if that was even possible.

I could see my dad relaxing in his presence, listening to Naveen's thoughtful words, his demeanor calm and almost protective.

I had always known Naveen had a way with people, but in this moment, watching him speak to my father, I realized just how much of a genuine, caring person he really was.

I was already a mess of emotions, but seeing him this way, being so effortlessly perfect with the people I loved, made my heart swell.

I could feel the slight weight of my bag against my side, the familiar bulge of the perfume I had been carrying for years.