The tension in room 502 had been building up for days after Aarav's failed attempt to confess his feelings to Meera. Aditya, feeling responsible for encouraging Aarav to take the leap, couldn't bear the guilt. One evening, Aditya approached Aarav with a determined look on his face.
Aditya: "Aarav, we need to talk."
Aarav, immersed in his thoughts, looked up with a blank expression.
Aarav: "Not now, Aditya. I'm not in the mood."
Aditya: "No, we can't keep avoiding this. What happened was partially my fault, and I needed to make things right."
Aarav: "There's nothing to talk about. Meera rejected me, and it's embarrassing enough. Can we please drop it?"
Aditya: "Aarav, you can't let one rejection ruin everything. We're your friends, and we're here to support you. You need to face this and move on."
Aarav: (frustrated) "Move on? It's not that easy, Aditya."
Aditya: "Look, you're making it worse by isolating yourself. We've all been through heartbreaks, and it sucks, but it doesn't define us. You need closure, Aarav."
Aarav: (sceptical) "Closure? What do you mean?"
Aditya: "You need to talk to Meera. Find out why she said no. Maybe it's a misunderstanding or something you can learn from. But sitting here and wallowing won't help."
Aarav: "I don't know, Aditya. It just feels embarrassing and awkward now."
Aditya: "Life is full of awkward moments, Aarav. But facing them head-on is how we grow. Trust me on this."
Aarav: "Shut up Aditya, don't give any more useless advice that would make an even bigger mess. I know you were jealous of me and Meera. I should have listened to Meera; she even told me you weren't having any good intentions. I should have never listened to you, so just never talk to me again."
Aarav leaves the room and nervously approaches Meera near the university's garden.
Aarav: "Hey, Meera. Can we talk for a moment?"
Meera, looking surprised, nods, and they find a quiet spot.
Aarav: "I wanted to know... after what happened the other day, I just need to understand why. Was it something I did or said?"
Meera: (kindly) "Aarav, it's not about you. I appreciate your honesty, but I'm not looking for a relationship right now. It's not personal."
Aarav: (relieved) "Oh. Okay, I just needed to know. Thanks for being straightforward."
Meera: "No problem. I hope you understand, but we can be in a relationship on one condition."
As Aarav walks away from the conversation, he feels a weight lifting off his shoulders. Aditya is waiting for him back at the hostel, eager to hear how it went.
Aarav: "She's not looking for a relationship right now. It's not about me."
Vikram: "See? Closure. Now, you can move on without any lingering doubts. Now, just talk to Aditya; I don't want roomies to fight before I go."
Aarav: "No, never."
As the days pass, Aarav finds himself becoming increasingly frustrated with the awkward dynamics in room 502, culminating in the explosive confrontation where he shouted at his roommates.
Vikram and Rohan try their best to mend the situation, but Aarav is adamant about not talking to Aditya and is not even talking to them. The once vibrant room now echoes with the silence of strained relationships. Aditya, feeling responsible for the rift, knows he has to do something to salvage the friendship.
Aditya: (while packing his bags) "Aarav, I understand you're upset, but cutting us off won't solve anything. We're your friends, and we care about you."
Aarav: "I don't want to talk about it, Aditya. Just leave."
Aditya: "Before I go, promise me one thing. When you're ready to talk, don't let this ruin what we had. It wasn't anyone's fault, and I'm willing to take the blame if it helps."
Aarav remains silent as Aditya and Vikram leave the room, leaving behind an atmosphere heavy with unresolved emotions. The distance between the roommates grows as they depart for the holidays, each carrying a burden of regret.
Aditya's words linger in the air, hoping that time will heal the wounds and that Aarav will eventually find it in himself to forgive and rebuild the friendships that had once defined room 502.
Meera's message: "I am waiting for your answer; just do not make me wait."
Conversation before Aarav left for the room:
Meera: "I can be in a relationship if you change your room and never talk to your roommates again."
Aarav: "Why do you want this?"
Meera: "It's just that I want all of your time. I know you understand that, and it's not like I am forcing you or so; you are free to decide what you want to choose."
Aarav throws the phone on the bed.
Aarav paces around the room, conflicted and agitated. The weight of Meera's condition presses on him, and the thought of abandoning his friendships for a new relationship leaves him uneasy.
Arjun, who sneaked into the hostel to surprise Aarav, observes Aarav's distress as he enters the room, which neither Aarav nor his roommate locked, decided to intervene He knocks on the door and cautiously enters the room.
Arjun: "Hey, Aarav, are you okay? Is everything alright?"
Aarav: (frustrated) "No, Arjun. Nothing is okay. Meera wants me to cut ties with my roommates if we're to be together."
Aarav explains the whole situation to Arjun.
Arjun: "That's a tough situation. But, Aarav, isolating yourself from your friends isn't the solution. They've been there for you, and I've seen how much they mean to you."
Aarav: "I know, Arjun. But Meera wants all of my time, and I don't know what to do."
Arjun: "A relationship shouldn't require you to give up the people who matter to you. True love supports your connections; it doesn't demand exclusivity. Think about what you value more."
Aarav: "It's just so confusing. I don't want to lose my friends, but I also don't want to lose Meera."
Arjun: "Maybe you should talk to Meera about this, express your concerns. If she truly cares about you, she'll understand that friendships are an essential part of who you are."
Aarav nods, realizing that he needs to have an open and honest conversation with Meera about his priorities.
Later that day, Aarav calls Meera and arranges to meet her in the university garden. The setting sun casts a warm glow on the surroundings as they sit on a bench, surrounded by the fragrance of blooming flowers.
Aarav: "Meera, we need to talk about what you said earlier. I can't just cut off my friends for a relationship. They mean a lot to me."
Meera: "Aarav, I just want us to have our space, to focus on each other without any distractions."
Aarav: "I understand, but my friends are a part of who I am. I can't just abandon them."
Meera: "I thought you'd be willing to make sacrifices for us."
Aarav: "I am, but sacrificing my friendships isn't fair to them or me. I need a balance in my life."
Meera: (pausing) "I didn't think it would be such a big deal for you."
Aarav: "My friends are a big deal to me, Meera. I won't compromise on that."
Meera sighs, realizing the depth of Aarav's commitment to his friendships.
Meera: "I guess I didn't understand. Maybe we're not on the same page."
Aarav: "Maybe not. I need to be true to myself and the people who matter to me."
As Aarav walks away from the conversation, he feels a mixture of relief and sadness. The relationship with Meera has come to an end, but he has reaffirmed the importance of his friendships.
When he returns to the room, he finds it empty, and the silence speaks volumes. Aditya, Vikram, and Rohan have left for their homes. Aarav realizes the magnitude of what has transpired and the price he paid for the choices he made; the void left by his friends weighs heavily on Aarav. He scrolls through his phone, looking at the messages from Meera, and can't help but wonder if it was all worth it.
As Aarav sits alone in his new room, tears streaming down his face, he feels a deep sense of loss. The weight of his choices, the strained friendships, and the realization that Meera might not have truly understood him leave him in a state of emotional turmoil.
Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Aditya, Vikram, and Rohan storm into the room. Their eyes widen as they see Aarav, vulnerable and in tears. Without saying a word, they rush to him and envelop him in a group hug.
Aditya: "We're so sorry, Aarav. We shouldn't have let it come to this and should have been there for you."
Vikram: "Man, we missed you. We should have never left."
Rohan: "Roomie bond is forever, no matter what."
Aarav, still overwhelmed with emotions, can't find the words to respond. The roommates sit with him, offering silent support through the unspoken understanding of their friendship.
Aditya: "Arjun told us everything. We came back for you, Aarav. You're our friend, and we care about you more than anything."
Aarav manages a faint smile, touched by the sincerity of his friends.
Vikram: "You know, you could have chosen Meera over us, as after your breakup, we still could have been friend (laughs, everyone stares at him) I am just joking about choosing Meera over us. We never wanted you to make that choice."
Rohan: "Yeah, we might have our differences, but we're a team."
Aditya: "And teams stick together."
Laughter breaks through the heavy atmosphere, and Aarav feels a mix of gratitude and relief. The roommates understand that they all made mistakes, and in that moment, forgiveness and friendship prevail.
Just then, Arjun walks into the room, puzzled by the laughter and camaraderie.
Arjun: "What's going on here? Did I miss something?"
Aarav, wiping away the last traces of tears, looks at Arjun with a mix of emotions.
Aarav: "Meera never mentioned you, Arjun. Does that mean we were never really friends?"
The room falls silent as Arjun's question hangs in the air. Aarav's expression hints at the complexity of the situation, leaving everyone in suspense.
As Arjun waits for an answer, the roommates exchange glances, unsure of how Aarav will respond. The unresolved tension lingers, and in that moment, the story of these roomies is about to end.
Sudden Buzz in Phone
502 Group
Vikram: "@aditya, aarav was not angry because we forget his birthday, how did you even come to this conclusion.
Rohan: " we should not tell we lied about going to home, we just went to shop for his birthday.
Aditya: "At least he is happy now that matters, we should be thankful to Arjun as he saves our money"
Arjun: 😊
Vikram: "By the way, isn't Aarav is in this group"
Rohan: " shit, we forget to add him, we should add him as soon as possible"
(Notification)
Aarav is added in the Only 502.