In the meantime, Sam distracted himself by channel-surfing, mindlessly watching whatever caught his interest.

The slow ticking of the wall clock kept him company, marking the passage of time as he sank deeper into the worn-out couch.

Just as the clock struck 5:00 PM, the door creaked open, and in barged the ever-enthusiastic Mrs. Cyle, their next-door neighbor.

"Maya! What are you up to, dear?" she called out, her shrill voice echoing through the house.

Her eyes landed on Sam, and her face lit up like a thousand bulbs.

"Oh my stars! Little Sam is here! When did you come, sweetheart? How long are you going to stay?"

Her words spilled out in a quick flurry, a barrage of questions fired one after the other.

Sam was taken aback by her energy, but he managed to maintain a polite smile.

He knew this was the beginning of a long evening filled with stories, laughter, and overwhelming nostalgia.

As Mrs. Cyle continued to interrogate him, he couldn't help but appreciate the simplicity of these moments - a stark contrast from his life in the city, yet a refreshing reminder of the charm of Sunset Village.

"Hey, Auntie Cyle! I'm doing great, thank you. Just got in today," Sam said with a grin.

"Oh, I heard some impressive rumors about you, Sam! Something about a big-shot university in City N. What's the latest? Got a job yet, or are you still on the hunt?" Auntie Cyle fired off her questions, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Auntie, you won't believe it, but I started my own company in City N right after graduating! And don't worry, I'm not flying off just yet. I'll be around for a few days," Sam replied, bracing himself for the following questions.

"Oh, my! A company, you say? Look at you, all grown up and a boss already! This is fantastic news, Sam. And what about your love life, any lucky girl on the horizon?" Auntie Cyle's abrupt switch to the topic of his romantic life had Sam blushing and stammering.

"Oh, Auntie! You're too much! No, there's no one special at the moment. I'm focusing on my work for now," Sam managed to mumble, deciding he needed an escape route.

"I'll catch you later, Auntie Cyle. I must check on my old friends and see who's still around. Bye for now!" Sam quickly exited before Auntie Cyle could launch another round of questioning.

As he left, he could hear her jovial laughter following him, "Hold on, Sam! Don't rush off; I won't grill you anymore today. But if you ever decide to look for a girl, let me know. I have a few good candidates in mind!"

Shaking his head with amusement, Sam stepped out into the evening, taking in the familiar sights of his village.

As Sam stepped out into the gentle evening light, the familiarity of his village washed over him like a warm wave.

The village was small, a community where everyone knew everyone else.

The sight of his childhood home, the quaint houses, the roads, and the endless stretches of green fields were all comforting and familiar.

A soft breeze rustled through the nearby trees, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers.

Sam inhaled deeply, savoring the sweet fragrance that city air lacked.

His gaze wandered over the landscape, his heart filled with a sense of nostalgia.

As he ambled down the paths, he was greeted by the familiar faces of his childhood.

There was Mr. Patel, head of the village, his white hair gleaming in the golden rays of the setting sun, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles as he gave Sam a hearty wave.

"Hey there, Sam! Back in town, are you?" Mr. Patel called out, his voice carrying easily across the distance.

"Hi, Mr. Patel! Yes, just got in today. It's good to see you!" Sam shouted back, lifting a hand in response.

Mrs. Hyatt was on her porch, knitting as usual.

Seeing Sam, she abandoned her knitting and hurried to the edge of the porch.

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"Well, if it isn't little Sam! Look how you've grown! When did you get back?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth.

"Hello, Mrs. Hyatt. I arrived this afternoon. It's nice to see you," Sam answered, returning her bright smile.

As he continued his stroll, he encountered more and more villagers.

Some were old friends who were genuinely happy to see him. In contrast, others were merely acquaintances who acknowledged him with polite nods and smiles.

There were curious kids playing on the streets who paused their games to look at him, their wide eyes brimming with curiosity.

They whispered among themselves, pointing at Sam with giddy excitement.

"Is that Sam?" one asked, squinting up at him.

"Yeah, that's him! He's back!" another one affirmed, jumping up and down in excitement.

Throughout his walk, Sam was welcomed by warm smiles, hearty greetings, and waves from the villagers.

He was home, and it felt good.

Something about the simplicity of village life brought an undeniable sense of peace.

His footsteps eventually led him to the village's only ration store, owned by his childhood friend, Jay.

"Hey, Jay! You there?" Sam shouted as he walked into the store.

There was no one at the counter, so Sam entered the back of the store where Jay's house was.

Walking in, he spotted Jay sprawled on a couch, sleeping soundly.

A smile spread across Sam's face as he approached his friend.

"Wake up, Jay! How can you sleep at this hour?" Sam gave Jay a nudge, causing him to stir.

"Who. . . What? Oh, it's you, Sam! When did you get back?" Jay's voice was groggy, his eyes blinking in surprise.

"You've become such a lazy bum, Jay. Go wash your face, and then we'll catch up," Sam instructed.

"Alright, alright, I'm going. You're still bossy as ever," Jay grumbled, but he got up and shuffled towards the washroom.

Jay returned to the living room, looking fresher and more alert, "So, Sam, how's life treating the scholar? Still acing everything?"

Sam laughed at the nickname, "I'm doing good, Jay. But enough about me. How have you been?"

Jay puffed up his chest, "What can go wrong? I'm the boss of my own shop, after all."

As Sam looked around the humble living space, memories flooded back, painting a vivid picture of his and Jay's shared past.

Theirs was a small village where secrets were hard to keep, and stories traveled fast.

Everyone knew the story of Jay's abandonment by his family.

"Dude, remember the day when you got stuck with this old house?" Sam broke the silence, his voice thick with shared nostalgia.

"Yeah," Jay replied, his eyes dropping to the worn-out rug. "My folks just... left. They decided they weren't into each other anymore, found new partners, and moved on. Leaving me this house and a monthly stipend."

Sam nodded, memories of the day Jay's parents announced their divorce still fresh in his mind. Jay had been devastated, and his desperate pleas to his parents still echoed in Sam's ears.

"I remember you crying that day, man," Sam said softly. "When they told you that you reminded them of each other. . . That was harsh."

Jay laughed bitterly, "I guess I was a living reminder of their failed relationship. I was seventeen, Sam. Who leaves their kid alone like that?"

"But you weren't sent to an orphanage. And they gave you a good sum to start this shop. That's something, right?" Sam tried to bring a silver lining into the grim tale.

"Yeah, they might have felt guilty or pitied me; who knows? The money keeps coming, though." Jay shrugged, his expression revealing years of resignation and acceptance. "But it's alright; I've made peace with it. At least I've got this place and the shop. And you, of course."

After some time, Sam changed the conversation.

Sam's gaze was serious when he turned to Jay.

"Dude, I'm not messing around. I started a company back in City N. It's promising. I want reliable people around me, people I can trust. People like you. Would you consider joining me?"

Jay's jaw dropped open, "Wait, you're not joking about this whole company thing? Are you kidding me? You? Our class clown?" He tried to suppress a laugh, but it escaped him. "No offense, buddy."

"None was taken," Sam replied, grinning.

He was used to Jay's jabs. "I might have been the class clown, but now I'm a CEO. And yes, I am dead serious, Jay."

Sam added the clincher, "Think about what it could mean for you, your future. Think about Riya. . ."

At the mention of his long-time crush, Jay's eyes widened a fraction, "Whoa, whoa, hold your horses, Sam! That's a lot to process. I need some time to think about it. And stop bringing Riya into everything, alright?"

"All right, man. Just give it some serious thought," Sam responded, smiling at his friend's sudden discomfort.

As they moved past the intense discussion, their conversation shifted towards familiar, lighter topics - the good old days, the hilarious high school stories.

As the day was ending, an idea popped into Sam's mind.

"You know, you should come over for dinner tonight. Mom's cooking. You remember how good her food is, right?" Sam asked, knowing well enough that Jay would never pass on the opportunity.

Jay's face lit up like a kid offered candy, "Absolutely! I would never say no to Aunty's cooking. It's the best. Consider it a date!"