It had been two weeks since Ayan had regularly attended his classes. Looking at the empty chair beside him, Salar thought about his best friend and how much he missed him. Ayan and Salar were childhood friends. They dreamt of pursuing an engineering degree and making a difference in the world of IT. This shared dream drove them to excel in class, always punctual and well-behaved. 

They were so close that they rarely needed other friends. But now, Salar began to feel as though he didn’t know Ayan anymore. Ayan’s unusual behavior worried Salar deeply, prompting him to visit Ayan’s house to check on him.
After college, Salar went to Ayan’s house, only to find that he wasn’t there. His father opened the door. Salar asked, “Uncle, is Ayan feeling well? I haven’t seen him for days, and he’s not replying to my messages.”
Ayan’s father looked surprised, “I wanted to talk to you about him too. He’s been going to college regularly, but he seems exhausted and unhappy. He’s having bursts of anger, which is unlike him. I thought he might have had a fight with you.”
“No, uncle,” Salar replied. “I really don’t know what’s going on, but he hasn’t been attending classes. Don’t worry; I’ll look after him.”
Salar left Ayaan’s house, perplexed and worried. If Ayan had been leaving for college but not attending classes, where was he going then? Skipping classes was so unlike him. Salar texted Ayan again, urging him to come to college as exams were just days away.
The next day, Ayan finally showed up. He was poorly dressed, his shirt wrinkled, hair messy, and he looked tired. “What’s wrong, Ayan? Are you okay? Is something bothering you? You can tell me; we’ll figure it out together. Why are you skipping classes? Exams are just around the corner. And why are you so poorly dressed? Have you been sleeping properly?” Salar bombarded him with questions, his concern about his best mate was evident. But instead of answering, Ayan snapped. “Why are you asking me all these questions? Stop meddling in things that don’t concern you! Why can’t you leave me alone?”
The rest of the day passed in silence between them, and Salar grew even more worried. That evening, Salar decided to follow Ayan discreetly. The trail led him to a dimly lit café filled with cigarette smoke. Salar’s heart sank when he saw Ayan seated with a group of notorious miscreants known for their rowdiness. Some of them had even been expelled for misconduct. One boy, wearing a leather jacket, pulled out a small transparent pouch filled with crystalline shards. “This, my friends, is the good stuff,” he bragged. The group’s attention focused on him as he placed the bag on the table. Another boy, his eyes red and heavy, eagerly leaned forward. “Let’s get started!” he said, producing foil paper and a lighter. Salar’s stomach churned as he realized what was happening. The group was consuming methamphetamine — that is commonly called ‘ice’. He watched in horrified disbelief as the old friend Ayan he knew would have never done anything like this.
Salar’s mind raced, he wanted to storm in and drag Ayan away, but he held himself back as he didn’t want to create a scene but he wanted to actually help his friend. He went to Sir Tariq, their math teacher, and told him about everything that he had seen. His teacher, understanding the gravity of the situation, explained that Ayan needed immediate intervention.
Salar confronted Ayan the next day, “I know what you’re doing! You’re hanging out with those expelled students and using drugs! You’re smart enough to know this is a path to destruction. You have goals and dreams. This haze is destroying you. I’ve talked to Sir Tariq, and we found a good rehab center. They’ll help you get rid of this evil. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’re here to help you.” Salar placed a reassuring hand on Ayaan’s shoulder. But instead of gratitude, Ayan lashed out. “What goals? What dreams? The stress is too much! Why do you think I started using these things? The pressure of studies and parents’ expectations is unbearable! Stop being my chaperone and let me live my life the way I want!”
The confrontation escalated. Ayan, overwhelmed, punched Salar, knocking him to the ground. He continued to hit him until the teachers intervened. Salar, unconscious and bleeding, was rushed to the hospital. Seeing his best friend lying immobile, realization struck Ayan. The drugs had pushed him to do the unthinkable. Ayan was arrested for assault and he sat in a dim police cell, crying as the effects of the drugs wore off. He remembered how it all started with a dare to smoke a cigarette. From cigarettes to meth, the descent had been steep. That night, he wept on the cold, bare floor of the cell.
A few days later, Ayan visited Salar in the hospital, holding a bouquet of daffodils. Salar, weak but smiling, greeted him. “You look well. Daffodils symbolize new beginnings.” Ayan lowered his gaze. “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. Thank you for being a true friend and for looking out for me. I’ve started professional help, as you and Sir Tariq suggested. Get well soon, and let’s look out for people around us as well, so that they don’t get meddled in with drugs. We still have that robotics camp to look forward to this summer!” Salar smiled, happy about his friend’s decision. As the haze lifted, Ayan’s path to a brighter future became clear.