He took the mic, his voice calm but steady. "Hi everyone, I'm Arjun. I've been working in the software field, but I resigned from my job yesterday. So, as of today… I'm unemployed."
A hush fell over the room. Some people looked surprised; others exchanged glances. Then, voices chimed in.
"Arjun, send me your resume. I'll forward it to my company's HR," one friend offered.
"Yeah, same here," another added.
Even Prakash, always the helpful one, said, "Send it to me. I'm taking over the company soon—I'll personally speak to HR."
Arjun nodded, offering a polite 'thank you' before passing the mic to the next person. But inside, he was skeptical. They don't mean it. I can hear the insincerity in their voices.
Just then, the food arrived. The tension melted away as plates of steaming delicacies were placed on the tables. Conversations turned light-hearted again. Arjun focused on his plate, taking comfort in the delicious spread. Food solves everything, he thought with a small smile.
After dinner, they moved to the fun zone, where games and relaxation awaited. Then, the president of their group grabbed the mic. "Why don't we make this more interesting?"
Rahul clapped his hands. "How about we settle this reunion with a game?"
"Game?" Ananya raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Not just any game." Swapna grinned. "A full-scale Battle Royale in Call of Duty: Warzone! 38 of us. 19 teams. Only one winning duo."
Excitement rippled through the group.
"How do we decide the teams?" someone asked.
Raj raised his hand. "Let's draw numbers. Whoever gets the same number is a team."
Everyone agreed, and the draw began. As Rahul checked his number, he turned to Arjun. "What number did you get?"
"Six."
"Mine's eight." Rahul glanced around. "If Swapna gets six, should we swap?"
Arjun shrugged. "I don't mind."
Moments later, Swapna raised her hand. "I got six."
Without hesitation, Arjun exchanged his slip with Rahul. Now, Rahul and Swapna were paired.
When the number eight was called, Arjun raised his hand—at the same time as Ananya.
Silence. Then, murmurs. Eyes darted between them. No one had expected Arjun to be paired with Ananya.
"Long time no see, Arjun," Ananya said, her voice unreadable.
"Yeah," he replied. "It's been a long time."
As the restaurant staff set up the gaming area, Ananya turned to him. "How's life?"
Arjun shrugged. "It's okay. Not as glorious as yours."
Without thinking, he pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket and handed it to her. "Here. For you."
The moment she saw it, something flickered in her eyes. Pain? Nostalgia?
"I don't eat these anymore," she said quietly.
"Oh." Arjun hesitated, then pocketed it again, squeezing it between his fingers. "I used to buy them whenever I saw them. My mistake."
A brief silence stretched between them.
"Did you watch any of my dramas or movies?" she asked, changing the subject.
"No."
She nodded, as if expecting that answer.
Before the air could grow heavier, the setup was complete.
"Players, take your seats!" the organizer called.
Ananya turned to Arjun, her smirk returning. "Let's win this."
The anticipation buzzed in the air as laptops were powered up, controllers connected. The restaurant, once a place of chatter and laughter, now felt like a competitive gaming arena.
Game Setup
Mode: Battle Royale Duos (Custom Lobby)
Players: 38 participants, 19 teams
Map: Verdansk (Nightfall Mode)
Objective: Be the last duo standing
The countdown began. Arjun tightened his grip on the controller. "Ready?"
"More than ready," Ananya smirked. "Let's crush them."
Across the room, Rahul and Swapna exchanged a look. "No mercy," Swapna said, equipping her sniper loadout.
Game Begins – The Drop
The plane soared over Verdansk, and teams parachuted down.
Arjun and Ananya landed on a rooftop in Downtown, taking high ground. Rahul and Swapna dropped into the Stadium, gathering heavy artillery.
Gunfire erupted across the battlefield. The first eliminations flashed on the screen.
"We need loot," Arjun whispered, leading Ananya into a high-rise building. They scavenged weapons and gear.
Suddenly, footsteps. An enemy team was close.
"Stay low," Arjun murmured.
The door burst open. Two enemies stormed in.
Arjun fired—one down.
Ananya finished the second with a clean headshot.
She grinned. "First squad down."
Rahul & Swapna – Silent Assassins
Meanwhile, in the Stadium, Rahul set up sniper positions while Swapna planted traps.
Through his scope, Rahul spotted a distant enemy. A single shot—eliminated.
Swapna's Claymore detonated—another kill.
Mid-Game – Chaos Unleashed
With ten teams left, the circle shrank. Arjun and Ananya sprinted, dodging sniper fire. They found an airstrike token.
"Let's save this for the final fight," Arjun said.
Rahul and Swapna, meanwhile, were ambushed in an abandoned train station.
"We're pinned!" Swapna shouted.
Rahul tossed a flashbang, blinding their attackers long enough for them to retaliate.
Final Showdown
Only two teams remained.
Arjun & Ananya vs. Rahul & Swapna
The warzone was reduced to rubble and ruins. Rahul took position on a rooftop. Swapna hid below. Arjun and Ananya crouched behind a car.
"This is it," Ananya whispered.
Arjun activated their airstrike.
Missiles rained down, forcing Rahul and Swapna out of cover.
Arjun engaged Rahul in a brutal close-quarters battle.
Punch. Shot. Dodge. Reload.
Arjun landed the final hit—Rahul was out.
Now, it was Ananya vs. Swapna.
A 1v1 sniper duel in the moonlit battlefield.
Swapna's heartbeat sensor detected movement.
She fired—miss.
Ananya rolled into cover. Held her breath. Aimed.
Pulled the trigger.
Headshot. Game Over.
WINNERS: ARJUN & ANANYA
The restaurant erupted with cheers and groans.
"That was insane!" Rahul laughed, clapping Arjun on the back.
Swapna shook her head. "One second slower, and I would've won."
Ananya smirked. "But you weren't faster, were you?"
The reunion had turned into something unforgettable—a battle of skill, strategy, and adrenaline.
And as they raised their glasses in celebration.