Author pov..

Divya stepped into Vaibhav’s house with a determined look on her face.

“I’m taking Ishani to the market,” she announced. “We need to buy clothes for her fresher’s party.”

Vaibhav looked up at her. “Does everyone at home know you’re going out with Ishani?”

Divya sighed in irritation. “Yes, they know.”

“Okay,” Vaibhav said simply.

Divya didn’t wait any longer and went straight to Ishani’s room.

Ishani was sitting quietly, her books spread out in front of her. When she noticed

Divya standing at the door, a small smile appeared on her face.

“Get ready,” Divya said. “We’re going shopping.”

Ishani looked confused. “Shopping? For what?”

“For your fresher's party, silly,” Divya replied.

“But I don’t need anything,” Ishani said gently. “There’s already a saree kept for me. I’ll wear that.”

“I want to shop,” Divya said. “So you’re coming with me.”

Ishani glanced at her lazily.She clearly wasn’t in the mood, but after a moment, she gave in and stood up to get ready.

Just then, Vaibhav walked into

Ishani’s room. Seeing Divya there, he asked, “Where is Ishani?”

“She’s in the washroom, changing,” Divya answered.

Vaibhav nodded and stayed there, silent and thoughtful.

Divya looked at him. “Do you need something?”

Vaibhav hesitated, then spoke in a serious tone. “Divya, I care about you.

That’s why I want to say this stay away from Virendra. I saw you talking to him in college today.”

Divya’s eyes flashed with anger. “Were you following me in college?” she asked sharply.

“No,” Vaibhav replied calmly. “I was just passing by. I stopping you because he isn’t a good person.”

Divya frowned, unable to understand his concern. “Why are you stopping me? What’s wrong with him?”

Before Vaibhav could answer, Ishani walked back into the room.

“Bhaiya, you’re here?” she said, surprised.

Vaibhav looked at Divya once, then turned to Ishani. “You’re going shopping, right? I came to give you some money. Buy something new for your fresher’s party. Don’t wear old clothes.”

“I don’t need new clothes, bhaiya,” Ishani said softly.

Vaibhav placed the money in her hand anyway. “I want to see my sister in new clothes. Keep it.”

Ishani smiled and hugged him.“You’re such a good brother.”

Vaibhav laughed lightly. “So I’m good only because I gave you money?”

Ishani laughed too. “No, bhaiya. You’re the best brother in the world.”

Vaibhav smiled, warmth in his eyes. “Alright. Go now and come back soon.”

Ishani nodded.

As Vaibhav walked away, his eyes briefly met Divya’s.

Divya turned back to Ishani and started talking, while Vaibhav quietly left the room.

Ishani and Divya went to the mall for shopping.

After a while, Virendra arrived there as well. The moment Ishani saw him, she was startled.

She turned to Divya and asked quietly, “Did you call him?”

Divya nodded casually. “Yes. I was shopping, so he asked where I was and whether he should come. I told him to come. Is there a problem?”

Ishani shook her head. “No… no problem.”

But there was a problem once she couldn’t bring herself to say out loud.

She knew that once again, she would be left alone.

Once again, Divya would drift away, completely absorbed in Virendra.

And that was exactly what happened.

Divya and Virendra walked ahead, talking, laughing, and lost in each other’s company.

Ishani followed them from behind, silent and unnoticed. They shopped together, but Ishani felt like she was shopping alone.

After they were done, Divya said excitedly, “Let’s go to a restaurant.”

“No,” Ishani replied softly. “Let’s go home now.”

Divya looked at her pleadingly. “Please, let’s stay a little longer. I want to spend some more time with Virendra. Please, Ishani.”

At her insistence, Ishani finally agreed.

In the restaurant, nothing changed. Divya and Virendra kept talking nonstop, their laughter filling the space between them.

Ishani sat there quietly, stuck between the two of them present, yet invisible feeling like an unwanted interruption in someone else’s moment.

Ishani turned to Divya and said, “I’ll just go to the washroom. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Okay,” Divya replied casually.

Ishani walked away, but before she could take more than a few steps, she accidentally bumped into someone.

She lost her balance and suddenly, a pair of strong arms caught her.

Ishani instinctively closed her eyes, certain she was about to fall. But when she didn’t, she slowly opened them.

The boy holding her was smiling, his eyes fixed on her face.“Wow,” he said softly. “You fell straight into my arms again like always.”

Ishani froze when she recognized him. “Abhay?” she said in shock. “What are you doing here?”

Abhay raised an eyebrow, still smiling. “Why? Am I not allowed to be here? Or is it only you who can come?”

Ishani quickly stepped away from him, her heart racing. Nervously, she stammered, “N-no… you can come too.”

Abhay chuckled lightly. “Okay, okay. No need to get so nervous.”

“I’m not nervous,” Ishani replied quickly, trying to sound confident.

With that, she turned away and walked toward the washroom, a shy smile unknowingly playing on her lips.

After a while, Ishani stepped out of the washroom. As soon as she came outside, she saw Abhay still standing there, as if he hadn’t moved at all.

She looked at him in surprise. “You’re still here? You didn’t leave?”

“No,” Abhay replied softly. “I was waiting for you.”

Ishani frowned slightly. “Why were you waiting for me?”

Abhay shrugged with an easy smile. “For no reason. I just like spending time with you.”

Ishani looked into his eyes, suddenly feeling nervous. Abhay held her gaze, unblinking, as if the world around them had faded away.

“Okay… I should go now,” Ishani said, breaking the moment. “My friend must be waiting for me.”

Abhay smiled knowingly. “Oh, that child-kidnapper friend of yours came with you today too?”

Ishani gave him a look. “Her name is Divya.”

Abhay laughed lightly. “Oh my bad. Sorry, Divya.”

Ishani smiled faintly. “Hmm.”

She turned to leave, her heart still racing, while Abhay watched her go, a quiet smile lingering on his face.

Ishani walked over and quietly took her seat.

Divya glanced at her and said, “I’ve already ordered food for you.”

“Okay,” Ishani replied softly.

Just then, Abhay appeared beside her chair.Ishani looked up and froze.

Why is he following me everywhere? she wondered, startled and confused.

Abhay turned toward Divya with an easy smile. “Hey, Divya.”

Divya looked at him blankly. She didn’t recognize him at all. “Hi,” she replied casually.

Virendra, however, looked closely and suddenly smiled. “Hey, Abhay! What are you doing here?”

Abhay glanced at Ishani before answering lightly, “Nothing much. Just ran into some friends.”

“Oh,” Virendra said. “Sit down. It’s been so long since we met.”

Without hesitation, Abhay pulled out a chair and sat down.

Divya frowned, staring at him for a moment and then it clicked. “Wait… you’re that kidnapper guy!”

Abhay burst out laughing. “Oh, so you finally remember me? I thought you’d forgotten. Once I make an impression, people don’t forget me that easily.”

Divya shot him an annoyed look. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Virendra looked confused. “What’s going on? Someone explain this to me.”

Divya opened her mouth to explain, but Abhay cut in smoothly. “Nothing serious. She just misunderstood once and thought I was kidnapping her brother.”

Divya glared at him even harder.

Ishani sat there quietly, her hands folded in her lap, feeling nervous as the playful argument continued.

She listened to Divya and Abhay bickering back and forth, unsure whether to interrupt or just disappear into her chair.

She sat stiffly in her chair, trying to focus on the table instead of the person sitting far too close to her.

Abhay leaned back comfortably, as if he belonged there as if his presence beside her was the most natural thing in the world.

Divya, however, had started noticing.

Ishani reached for her glass of water, her fingers trembling slightly.

Before she could take a sip, Abhay quietly slid the glass a little closer to her.

Divya’s eyes narrowed.

She watched Ishani how her shoulders tensed, how she avoided Abhay’s gaze, how her cheeks slowly warmed.

Then she looked at Abhay, who was clearly enjoying every second of it.

The waiter came to place the dishes on the table. As Ishani tried to move her chair slightly, her hand brushed against Abhay’s.

It was accidental but neither of them pulled away immediately.Ishani’s breath caught.

Abhay looked down at their hands, then back at her face. In a voice meant only for her, he said, “Relax. I don’t bite.”

She quickly pulled her hand back. “You’re impossible,” she muttered.

“Yet,” Abhay replied softly, “you don’t move away.”

Divya leaned back in her chair, arms crossing slowly.Something’s going on, she thought.

“Since when do you two talk so much?” Divya asked suddenly, her tone light but her eyes sharp.

Ishani looked up, startled. “W-what? We don’t.”

Abhay smiled calmly. “We’re just having normal conversation.”

Divya raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t look very normal.”

Virendra continued eating, oblivious but Divya’s attention was fixed.

The way Abhay leaned toward Ishani.

On how Ishani listened to him more than she meant to. In the silence that felt louder than words.Ishani tried to eat, but her focus kept slipping. Every time Abhay spoke, it felt like the rest of the table faded.

Divya watched quietly.Suspicion settled in her eyes not loud, not dramatic but sharp enough to notice the unspoken connection growing right in front of her.

And Ishani knew it too.She didn’t look at Abhay but she could feel him there, closer than he should be, leaving her heart unsettled in a way she didn’t yet understand.

Ishani’s phone vibrated softly on the table.She glanced at the screen and immediately answered. “Yes, bhaiya?”

Vaibhav’s voice came through, firm and concerned. “Where are you? It’s getting late.”

“We’re coming now,” Ishani replied quickly. “Just a little while, bhaiya.”

“Don’t be late,” he said, and the call ended.Ishani lowered her phone and turned to Divya. “Divya, we should leave. Bhaiya called.”

The moment she heard Vaibhav’s name, Divya’s expression changed. The ease on her face disappeared, replaced by quiet nervousness.

She turned toward Virendra. “I’m leaving now. It’s getting late.”

Virendra looked surprised. “Already?”

“Yes,” Divya said, forcing a small smile. “We have to go.”

Abhay leaned back in his chair, observing silently. Virendra glanced  at Divya.

“Alright,” Virendra said. “I’ll walk you out.”

“No,” Divya replied quickly. “It’s okay. We’ll manage.”

She stood up, picking up her bag. Ishani followed, her movements hesitant.As they were about to leave,

Virendra looked at Abhay and said, half-teasing, half-curious, “Didn’t expect to run into you today.”

Abhay smiled lightly. “Life’s full of surprises.”

Virendra’s eyes shifted briefly toward Ishani then away. “Yeah. Seems like it.”

Ishani felt Abhay’s gaze on her as she walked past him. She didn’t look back, but she could feel it steady, quiet, lingering.

Outside the restaurant, Divya stopped abruptly.She turned toward Ishani, her eyes sharp now. “How long have you two been talking?”

Ishani blinked. “What?”

“Don’t pretend,” Divya said softly but firmly. “The way Abhay was looking at you… that wasn’t normal.”

Ishani looked down, unsure what to say.

Divya sighed. “Just be careful, Ishani.”

Ishani nodded silently.

Behind the glass doors, Abhay watched them leave, his expression unreadable while.

The ride back home was quiet, almost heavy.

Divya sat by the window, her face calm but her thoughts restless.

Ishani sat beside her, staring at nothing, replaying moments from the restaurant she didn’t fully understand yet.

When they reached home, the house lights were on.Vaibhav was standing near the door, phone in hand.

The moment they stepped inside, his eyes went straight to Divya relief flickering across his face before he masked it.

“You’re late,” he said, trying to sound normal.

Ishani spoke first. “Sorry, bhaiya. It got a bit late.”

Vaibhav nodded, then looked at Divya.

His tone softened without him realizing it.“You should’ve called. I was worried.”

Divya paused, surprised for a second, then. “Sorry. Time slipped.”

Vaibhav held her gaze a moment longer than necessary concern, affection, and something unspoken.

Divya nodded. “Good night.”

“Good night,” Vaibhav replied quickly.

As Divya walked toward her house next door, Vaibhav stood there, watching until her door closed.

Only then did he turn toward Ishani.

“You should rest,” he said gently.

Ishani nodded and went to her room.

The door closed behind her, and she leaned against it, exhaling slowly.

Outside, Vaibhav stood near the window, glancing once toward.

Divya’s house unaware that while his heart leaned one way, something new and complicated had quietly entered Ishani’s world.

Ishani went to her room, closing the door softly behind her.Her heart was pounding fast and loud not because of what had happened, but because of what could have happened.

She was relieved that her brother hadn’t found out anything.She had barely taken a few steps when her phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

The message read:

"Reached home safely?"

Ishani frowned. She didn’t recognize the number.

"Who is this?" she typed back.

The reply came almost instantly.

"Wow… you forgot me this quickly?"

Her brows knitted together.

"Who is this? If you don’t tell me, I’ll block this number," she texted.

A second later, another message

appeared.

"Arre baba, it’s Abhay. Don’t block me."

Ishani froze.

"Abhay?" she typed, shocked. "How do you have my number?"

His reply came calmly.

"That day at the ghat, when you were searching for your phone you gave me your number so I could call it."

Only then did she remember. Yes… I did give it to him."Oh," she replied after a moment.

Then, almost immediately, she sent another message:"Okay,Please don’t message me again. I don’t want to talk."

She put her phone down, her heart still racing confused, unsettled, and completely unaware that even her attempt to stop it couldn’t undo what had already begun.

Incoming call — Abhay's number.

She stared at it.

For a long moment, she didn’t move.

The ringing stopped.She let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding.

But only a few seconds later, the phone rang again.

Abhay's number

Ishani closed her eyes, conflicted. Slowly, she picked up the phone and answered.

“Hello?” her voice was low, cautious.

“Why didn’t you pick up the first time?” Abhay asked gently, not accusing.just curious.

“I… I didn’t feel like talking,” Ishani replied.

There was a brief silence on the line.

“Why?” Abhay asked softly. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No,” she said quickly. “It’s not that.”

“Then why don’t you want to talk to me?” he asked.

Ishani swallowed. “Because… I shouldn’t.”

Abhay’s voice turned serious. “Why shouldn’t you?”

“My brother,” Ishani said quietly. “If he finds out, it’ll become a problem.”

“I’m not asking you to do anything wrong,” Abhay replied calmly. “I just wanted to talk.”

“I know,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “But things are not that simple for me.”

Abhay paused. “So what do you want me to do?”

Ishani looked at the wall in front of her, her fingers tightening around the phone.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “Just… don’t call me like this.”

Another silence.

“Okay,” Abhay finally said. “If that’s what makes you comfortable, I’ll

stop.”

Her chest tightened. “Thank you.”

“But,” he added softly, “don’t think I called by mistake. I called because I care.”

Ishani closed her eyes.

“Good night, Ishani,” Abhay said.

“Good night,” she replied.

The call ended.

Ishani lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her heart felt heavier now not relieved.

A few minutes passed.

Then her phone buzzed.

She picked it up slowly.

Abhay:"We can at least be friends… can’t we?"

Ishani stared at the message for a long time. Her heart tightened. Friendship sounded harmless safe.

And yet, she knew nothing about this and felt simple anymore.

She typed, erased, and typed again.

"I don’t know," she finally wrote.

The reply came almost instantly.

Abhay:"I’m not asking for anything more. No expectations. No pressure.

Just someone to talk to."

Ishani closed her eyes. She thought of her brother’s concerned voice, of Divya’s suspicious look.

Her fingers moved again.

"Friends," she typed, then paused.

"Only friends."

A few seconds later, her phone vibrated.

Abhay:"Deal.Good night, friend."

A small smile appeared on Ishani’s lips nervous, uncertain, but real.

Good night, she replied.

She placed the phone on her chest and stared at the ceiling.

Friendship, she told herself, was safe.

But deep down, she knew some beginnings looked harmless only at first.

The next day The classroom was buzzing with noise as the teacher asked everyone to submit their notebooks.

Students rushed to the front, stacking their copies one over another.

Deeksha reached first.

With a look of quiet victory, she placed her notebook right on top of the pile. “There,” she said to herself.

First copy checked.

But before she could even step back, Deepak pushed his notebook forward and tried to slide it above hers.

“Hey!” Deeksha snapped. “I put mine first.”

“So what?” Deepak replied casually. “Mine will be checked first.”

Deeksha folded her arms, eyes flashing. “No, it won’t.”

Rahul, watching from his seat, sighed. “Oh no… not again.”

“Deepak,” Rahul said, walking over, “let Deeksha keep her copy on top. You can put yours underneath.”

Deepak shook his head stubbornly. “No way. My copy will stay first.”

Deeksha scoffed. “Excuse me? I’m the class monitor. My copy should be first.”

Deepak raised an eyebrow. “Being a monitor doesn’t give you VIP access.”

“And being annoying doesn’t give you rights either,” Deeksha shot back.

Deeksha grabbed the edge of her notebook. “Move your copy, Deepak.”

Deepak held onto his tightly. “Make me.”

They both glared at each other, notebooks still stacked, pride louder than logic.

“Move your notebook, Deepak!” Deeksha shouted, waving her arms dramatically.

“Never!” Deepak yelled back, clutching his notebook like it was a treasure.

Rahul groaned, standing between them. “Guys, calm down… please!”

But before anyone could stop them, their hands collided as both tried to push their notebooks forward at the same time.

CRASH!

The entire pile of notebooks toppled to the floor, scattering in every direction like confetti at a parade.

“Oh no!” Deeksha screamed, diving forward to grab hers.

“Hey! That’s mine!” Deepak shouted, lunging for a notebook that had rolled two desks away.

The class erupted.

“What just happened?!” one student, pointing at the mess.

“Deepak! Deeksha! Are you crazy?!” another yelled, in anger so hard they could barely speak.

Students scrambled over the scattered notebooks some tripping, some screaming shouting hysterically.

Deeksha tried to stack her notebook, but Deepak accidentally knocked another one off, and it rolled under the teacher’s desk.

Deeksha glared at Deepak. “This is all your fault!”

“No, you’re the one who wouldn’t move!” Deepak shot back.

The classroom had officially turned into chaos shouting.

Even Deepak and Deeksha, crouched on the floor, at the ridiculous mess.

And then class teacher came“What is going on here?!” she shouted, her voice slicing through the chatter.

Deeksha and Deepak froze, their mouths opening to speak, but no sound came out.

The students of the class said, “Ma’am, all this happened because of Deepak and Deeksha. They were fighting, and because of them all the notebooks fell.”

“This is completely unacceptable!” the teacher continued, pointing at the mess. “How dare you two cause such disruption in my class?”

Deeksha tried to speak. “Ma’am, it’s just—”

“Just what?” the teacher cut her off sharply. “Just nonsense! Both of you are supposed to be responsible students."

The teacher said, “Deeksha, aren’t you the class monitor? And yet you’re showing so much immaturity. Just yesterday both of you were punished, and today you’ve started fighting again.”

Deepak swallowed, his bravado gone. “Ma’am, we—”

“No excuses!” the teacher snapped, her eyes flashing. “You will stay after school today. And not just to pick up these notebooks, but for writing an apology letter to the class for disturbing everyone!”

Deeksha’s face turned bright red. “Ma’am, I didn’t mean—”

“You didn’t mean to?!” the teacher barked. “You didn’t mean to?!” She slammed her hand on the desk. “Your behavior is disrespectful, and it will not be tolerated again! Both of you will learn what responsibility means today!”

The class was completely silent now.

Even Rahul, who usually snickered at their antics, was wide-eyed.

Deeksha and Deepak looked at each other, realizing for the first time that this wasn’t funny anymore. Their pride had cost them dearly.

“Yes, ma’am,” they said together, voices small and ashamed.

The teacher shook her head, her anger still simmering. “Now, pick up every notebook you knocked over… and don’t think of talking back. Move!”

Deeksha and Deepak knelt down, gathering the scattered notebooks silently, their earlier arguing forgotten at least for now.

In college Today, Divya hasn’t gone to college. She had told Ishani that she was heading out with Virendra, and despite.Ishani’s repeated warnings “Don’t go like this… it could create so many problems if anyone finds out” Divya didn’t listen and left anyway.

Ishani spent the entire day at college alone. She spoke briefly with Prachi, but otherwise stayed quiet, keeping to herself as she usually did.

Being introverted, she didn’t socialize much, and without Divya, the day felt even lonelier.

When Vaibhav noticed Divya’s absence, a shadow of worry crossed his face. He turned to Ishani, concern evident in his eyes. “Where’s Divya?” he asked.

Ishani hesitated, unsure what to say, and finally replied, “Bhaiya… yesterday we went out to eat, and she wasn’t feeling well… that’s why she didn’t come today.”

Vaibhav’s worry only deepened hearing this. He nodded quietly and left, his thoughts consumed by concern for Divya throughout the day.

Finally, when college ended, Vaibhav waited outside on his bike for Ishani. Seeing him there, Ishani’s heart lifted she was relieved she wouldn’t have to go home alone.

She climbed onto the bike, and together they rode home.Once home, Ishani went inside to wash her hands and freshen up.

Vaibhav, however, headed toward Divya’s house.

Rani, seeing him, smiled warmly. “Vaibhav, beta, did you need something?”

Vaibhav replied casually, “I came to check on Divya.”

Rani looked puzzled. “Divya? She’s at college with Ishani, isn’t she?”

Vaibhav paused, confused. “I… I thought she was.”

Rani explained, “Ishani and Divya will be late returning from college.The preparations for the fresher party are going on, that’s why.”

Vaibhav nodded, pretending to understand. “Okay, aunty. Got it,” he said, and started to leave.

“Wait, beta,” Rani called after him.“Was it something important?Something about Divya?”

“No, aunty,” Vaibhav said calmly. “Just wanted to talk… nothing serious.”

He returned home straight to Ishani’s room.

Ishani came out, smiling nervously, and said, “Bhaiya, let’s eat.”

Vaibhav looked at her, suspicion flickering in his eyes. “You lied, didn’t you? Where is Divya? Tell me the truth.”

Ishani’s heart raced. “Bhaiya… what do you mean?”

Vaibhav’s voice turned firm, leaving no room for excuses. “Don’t lie. I just came from Divya’s house where is she?”

Ishani’s hands trembled slightly as she confessed, “Bhaiya… she went out with Virendra.”

Vaibhav froze, shock and anger flashing across his face. “With Virendra? Divya went out with him?”

Ishani nodded, her voice barely audible. “Yes… they’ve been seeing each other for a long time. She went to spend time with him.”

A surge of anger and protectiveness rushed through Vaibhav. “You both lied to us… all this time!”

He clenched his fists, voice low but serious. “That day at the ghat, and even yesterday during shopping… Divya went to meet him, didn’t she?”

Ishani, feeling guilty and anxious, admitted, “Yes, bhaiya…”

Vaibhav’s voice grew stern, almost warning. “Ishani, listen carefully. Virendra is not a good person. He traps girls with false promises, and once he’s done… he leaves them behind. Understand what I’m trying to say?”

Ishani froze, utterly shocked. “Bhaiya… we didn’t know…” she whispered.

Vaibhav’s expression softened just a little, but his tone remained serious. “Now you know. Call Divya. Ask her where she is. Right now.”

Ishani nodded silently, her hands trembling as she reached for her phone, knowing Vaibhav’s anger was justified but also feeling the weight of responsibility.

Ishani dialed Divya’s number with trembling fingers. After a few seconds, Divya answered.

“Divya, where are you?” Ishani asked, trying hard to keep her voice steady.

There was a brief silence, then Divya replied, “I’m… at the café near MG Road. With Virendra. “What happened? Is something wrong?”

Ishani’s heart dropped. She ended the call and slowly turned toward Vaibhav.

“She told me the location,” Ishani said softly.

Vaibhav’s face hardened instantly. Without saying another word, he grabbed his bike keys.

“I’m going there,” he said sharply.

Ishani instinctively stepped forward. “Bhaiya, I’ll come with—”

Vaibhav stopped and turned to her, his eyes serious. “No. You stay here,” he said firmly. “If anything happens, handle things at home. I’ll deal with this.”

Ishani nodded, fear and helplessness written all over her face, as Vaibhav rode off.

Vaibhav reached the café, his anger burning like fire in his chest.

From a distance, he saw them Divya sitting across from Virendra, smiling, unaware of what was about to happen.

“Divya!” Vaibhav’s voice rang out.

Both of them turned. Divya’s smile faded instantly.

Before Virendra could react properly, Vaibhav stepped forward and struck him, pushing him back hard. The suddenness shocked everyone around.

Virendra stumbled, trying to steady himself.

“Vaibhav, stop!” Divya shouted, rushing forward.

But Vaibhav’s anger had crossed the point of control. He grabbed Virendra again, landing another blow, his voice shaking with rage.“You think this is a game? You think you can lie, manipulate, and walk away?”

Divya grabbed Vaibhav’s arm tightly. “Why are you hitting him? Have you lost your mind?” she yelled, her eyes burning with anger.

Vaibhav turned to her, breathing heavily. Without another word, he caught her wrist firmly not hurting her, but not letting her pull away and dragged her outside the café.

“Enough!” Divya cried, trying to free herself. “Leave me alone!”

Outside, Vaibhav finally stopped. He released her hand but stood in front of her, his eyes filled with pain rather than anger now.“Do you even realize what you’ve done?” he said, his voice breaking.“You never understood me. Not even once.”

Divya looked at him, confused and shaken. “What are you talking about?”

Vaibhav laughed bitterly. “I’ve loved you for years, Divya. Years. Every day, silently. I worried about you, protected you, cared for you… and you never noticed.”

Divya froze.

“And you couldn’t see any of that,” he continued, his voice heavy.“But you went on a date with him.”He pointed back toward the café.“With Virendra.I had warned you as well to stay away from Virendra."

Divya’s anger wavered, replaced by unease.

Vaibhav’s tone turned serious, almost warning. “Do you even know who he is? How many girls he’s trapped with sweet words? How does he promise love and then walks away when he’s done?”

Divya shook her head slowly. “That’s not true… he wouldn’t—”

“He would,” Vaibhav interrupted. “And he has. More than once.”

Silence fell between them.Behind them, the café door stood open, and Virendra watched from a distance silent, exposed, and no longer confident.

Vaibhav stood there, his chest rising and falling heavily. The anger that had driven him moments ago slowly gave way to something far more painful years of unspoken love.

He looked at Divya, his eyes no longer burning with rage, but wet with emotions he had buried for too long.

“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” he asked quietly.

Divya looked away, shaken. “Vaibhav, this isn’t—”

“No,” he interrupted softly, but firmly. “Listen to me today. Just once.”

Divya’s breath caught.

His fists clenched at his sides.

“I never asked for anything in return. I never forced you to feel the same. I was happy just being there… silently.”

He let out a bitter laugh.“And yet, you never saw me. You never understood what my silence meant.”

Divya slowly looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion and guilt.

“You went on a date with Virendra,”

Vaibhav continued, pain clear in every word.“The same man who treats love like a game. And you trusted him… while I stood right here, loving you honestly.”

Tears welled up in Divya’s eyes. “Vaibhav… I didn’t know. You never said anything.”

“I know,” he replied softly.“That’s my fault. I was scared. Scared that if I told you, I’d lose even the place I had in your life.”

He looked at her one last time, his voice breaking.“But watching you walk toward someone who would hurt you… that broke me.”

Silence surrounded them.

“I don’t expect you to love me back,”

Vaibhav said quietly.“But I couldn’t stay silent anymore. You deserve to know the truth.”

Divya’s tears finally slipped free. For the first time, she truly saw him not as someone who scolded her, protected her, or worried about her… but as someone who loved her deeply.

“I never meant to hurt you,” she whispered.

Vaibhav closed his eyes briefly.

“I know,” he said. “But love still hurts… even when it’s honest.”

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