[Steel]

Wednesday evening hit like a freight train, Abhi bolted from high college, dodging Ishaan's usual gate ambush, his phone silent for once. He'd muted it after the latest photo of his mom haunted him all night.

He darted home, head down, but the streets buzzed louder than his thoughts, autorickshaws honking, vendors shouting, and he didn't see Ishaan until it was too late.

"Oi, Abhi!" Ishaan's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. 

He lounged against a fruit cart near the market, an apple in hand, peeling it with a pocketknife.

"Where you running again? Missed you at the gate," His grin was casual, but his eyes glinted, pinning Abhi in place.

"I... need to go," Abhi mumbled, clutching his bag. Ishaan tossed the peel aside, stepping closer.

"Bullshit. Are you dodging me? After that pic? You're in too deep to back out now."

Before Abhi could protest, Ishaan's gaze flicked past him, sharpening. "Well, fuck me, look who's here."

Abhi turned, spotting his mom at the vegetable stall, haggling over tomatoes fiercely with the shopkeeper in a fitted kurti and pants, her hair tied back, a basket on her arm.

She hadn't seen them yet, and Ishaan was already moving, dragging Abhi along. "Time to play, bro," he muttered.