Chapter 13 – Friends Reunited
Riya continued staring at the old graduation photograph in disbelief.
For a few moments, the office remained completely silent.
Finally, she looked up.
"Where... where did you get this photograph?"
Radhika smiled knowingly.
Instead of answering immediately, she asked another question.
"Do you recognize this picture?"
Riya nodded slowly.
"Of course I do."
"This was taken outside Delhi Jawahar Medical College on the day of our MBBS graduation in the year 2000."
She looked at the photo once more.
"I've never forgotten it."
Radhika looked at her with gentle eyes.
"My God..."
"What an unbelievable coincidence."
She stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Riya's shoulder.
"Do you remember the other girl standing beside you?"
Riya carefully examined the photograph again.
"The other girl..."
Radhika cleared her throat with a faint smile.
"She was..."
"Radhika Anant."
The moment the name left her lips, realization struck Riya like lightning.
Her eyes instantly shifted from the photograph to the elegant woman standing before her.
The face...
The smile...
The eyes...
Everything suddenly connected.
She gasped.
"R... Radhika Anant?"
Her voice rose with excitement.
"My friend..."
"Radhika!"
"Is it really you?"
Without caring about anything else, Riya rushed forward and embraced her tightly.
"I can't believe this!"
"It's really you!"
Radhika laughed softly and hugged her back.
"I never imagined we'd meet again after all these years."
After a few moments, Riya suddenly realized where they were.
She quickly stepped back, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
"I'm so sorry."
"I shouldn't behave like this inside the principal's office."
Both women laughed.
Meanwhile, Krish had been watching the entire scene without saying a word.
His curious eyes moved between them.
Seeing his expression, Radhika smiled.
"Krish."
"I'd like to introduce you properly."
"This isn't just your principal."
"She is one of my closest friends from my medical college days."
Riya smiled warmly before kneeling in front of Krish.
"Hello again, Krish."
She gently kissed his forehead with affection.
"My dear nephew..."
"Please forgive your Chachi for not recognizing you earlier."
Krish smiled innocently.
"I forgive my dear Chachi."
Riya placed a hand over her heart dramatically.
"Oh my..."
"What an adorable nephew!"
"I love you, my dear nephew."
The office filled with warm laughter.
After everyone settled down, Riya turned back toward Radhika.
"So..."
"What happened after college?"
"I've searched for you many times but could never find you."
Radhika smiled peacefully.
"A lot has changed."
"I am now the President of the Anant Health Organization, an international healthcare organization that provides medical services and develops advanced healthcare technologies across the world."
Riya's eyes widened.
"So that global healthcare organization..."
"You're the one who founded it?"
Radhika nodded.
"Yes."
"I established it twenty-five years ago."
"Since then, my entire life has been devoted to improving healthcare, advancing medical technology, and building an organization that could serve humanity on a global scale."
She paused for a moment before looking at Krish.
"My greatest treasure, however, is not my organization."
"It is my family."
"I was blessed with my children—Krish, Siya, and Shruti."
She smiled gently.
"They are the final heirs of the Anant lineage."
"Raising them has been the greatest responsibility and the greatest happiness of my life."
"For the past twenty-five years, I have lived with only one wish."
"To protect my children..."
"To watch them grow..."
"And to live a peaceful, happy life with them."
As Radhika finished speaking, Riya looked at her old friend with deep admiration.
The brilliant medical student she had once known had become a respected business leader, a pioneer in healthcare, and above all, a devoted mother whose greatest achievement was the family she cherished.