Aarohi walked back into the classroom, quietly taking her seat, her mind tangled with Shreya's harsh words. Sadness visibly weighed her down.
Moments later, Sukhi, Nirvay, and Ayush entered the room.
Sukhi (concerned):
"What happened? Why did you come straight to class? Are you okay?"
Nirvay (genuinely worried):
"Are you feeling alright?"
Aarohi (avoiding eye contact):
"I'm fine, Sukhi."
(She completely ignores Nirvay.)
Nirvay (confused, softly):
"What's wrong?"
Aarohi (coldly):
"Please don't talk to me. Go back to your seat. Your girlfriend is staring at me like she's going to eat me alive."
Nirvay (teasing):
"Are you… getting jealous of her?" 😝
Aarohi (snapping):
"I don't want to be friends with you anymore. That's it."
Sukhi (whispers to Nirvay):
"Better leave her for now… seems like her hormones are out of control today."
Ayush (smiling lightly):
"Take care, Aarohi."
Nirvay stood there, completely puzzled, not understanding why Aarohi was acting this way.
Still, after class ended, he approached her again.
Nirvay:
"Did you solve the homework I gave you yesterday? I have a gift for you if you did."
Aarohi (coldly, ignoring him, talking only to Sukhi):
"Sukhi, I'm going home. Are you coming?"
Sukhi:
"But you have a class with Nirvay, right? And what about my class? I was counting on you!"
Nirvay (getting frustrated):
"Why are you acting like this? What's going on?"
Aarohi:
"I won't take your class anymore. Also, tell me how much the scooter repair cost. I'll pay you back."
Nirvay:
"At least wait—listen to me—"
But Aarohi walked away. Sukhi quickly followed her.
Nirvay's Real World
Later, Nirvay reached home. His parents were rarely around now since their business had grown so much. His younger brother, Jai, spent most of his days sick.
Nirvay quietly stepped into Jai's room.
Nirvay:
"Did you eat anything?"
Jai:
"Yeah, I did."
Nirvay:
"Good. Rest now, okay?"
That night, Nirvay sat alone at the dinner table, absent-mindedly stirring his food.
House Helper:
"Is the food not good, sir?"
Nirvay:
"No, the food is fine. I just… don't feel like eating today. I'll eat later."
(In his mind)
Why is this bothering me so much? Why does her rudeness hurt me this much? I thought I was just having fun… but I've never felt this affected before. Aarohi can make me smile… and make me sad in the same breath.
The Next Day at School
Sukhi (running after Aarohi):
"Aarohi, wait! You didn't reply to my texts or answer my calls last night. What's going on? Will you tell me now?"
Aarohi:
"Give me a little time. I'll explain everything soon."
They entered the class. Nirvay, as usual, tried again.
Nirvay (smiling):
"Good morning, Aarohi! Are your hormones balanced today? I mean… is your anger under control now?"
Aarohi (irritated):
"Don't try to be funny. You're absolutely irritating."
The whole class burst out laughing.
Throughout the day, Nirvay kept trying to talk to her, but Aarohi remained distant.
Nirvay (after classes):
"You have to tell me why you're acting like this."
Aarohi:
"I don't need to give you any reason. And I don't want to talk to you either."
She walked out.
Sukhi (to Nirvay):
"Don't worry, I'll find out what's wrong."
At Aarohi's Home
Sukhi:
"Come on, tell me what's going on."
Aarohi:
"I'm tired… I'll tell you tomorrow."
Sukhi:
"Okay, at least tell me in the evening? Should I come over to your house?"
Aarohi:
"I'll tell you tomorrow, promise."
Next Day – School Gate
Sukhi:
"Now you have to tell me!"
Aarohi finally told her about the restroom incident.
Sukhi (firmly):
"I understand how you feel, but listen—Shreya and her gang are very manipulative. You can't trust their words so easily. And Nirvay is your friend, right? Just your friend? Then why are you reacting this way? If you ever feel like he's genuinely mistreating you, fine—end the friendship. But at least be sure first."
Aarohi (quietly):
"Nirvay is just my friend… just a friend."
In class, Nirvay tried again.
Nirvay:
"Good morning, you two."
Sukhi responded, but Aarohi silently went to her seat.
After classes, Nirvay confronted her again.
Nirvay:
"You have to give me a reason."
Aarohi turned to leave, but Nirvay stepped in front of her.
Nirvay (serious):
"Tell me the reason. Then, if you want, you can stop talking to me."
Aarohi walked towards the parking lot.
Aarohi:
"Sukhi, let's go."
Sukhi:
"You go ahead. I'll leave with Ayush."
Sukhi softly whispered to Nirvay as he passed.
Sukhi (encouraging):
"Go after her. Just go."
Nirvay (following Aarohi):
"Aarohi, wait! Please, explain to me why you're doing this."
Sukhi's words echoed in Aarohi's mind.
Aarohi (calmly):
"I'll explain tomorrow."
Just as she was about to reach the parking lot, Shreya ran up to Nirvay.
Aarohi (emotionless):
"Bye, Nirvay. Your girlfriend's here. Handle her."
Aarohi walked off.
Shreya (angrily):
"Is this what you're doing? The whole school is talking! You're my boyfriend but you're always chasing after that girl!"
Nirvay (coldly):
"Shreya, you know that's not true. So keep quiet."
Without another word, Nirvay left her and followed Aarohi.
Parking Lot Incident
As Aarohi entered the parking lot, she saw two boys damaging her scooter again.
Aarohi (frustrated):
"Ugh! Not again! What has my poor scooter done to you two?"
Boy 1 (grabbing her hair):
"Didn't we tell you to do what you were told? Why haven't you done it yet?"
Aarohi (fighting back, biting his hand):
"Let go! This time I'm going straight to the management and the police!"
Boy 2 (threatening):
"Do you even know who we are?"
Aarohi:
"The police will find out."
Just then, Nirvay rushed in.
Nirvay (angrily):
"Leave her. Now."
Startled, the boys fled through the back gate.
Nirvay (checking on her):
"Are you okay?"
Aarohi (sighing):
"I'm fine, but my scooter isn't." 😫
Nirvay (lightly teasing):
"Relax, this time… the scooter really won't survive."
Aarohi (irritated):
"I'm going to the police. Is this a school or a criminal house?"
Nirvay (gently):
"Do you even know why they're after you? Going to the police might complicate things. Let me handle this. I promise—they won't bother you again. Come on, I'll drop you home."
Aarohi (softly):
"Okay."
In the Car
Silent tears rolled down Aarohi's cheeks.
Aarohi (whispering):
"Why is my life so tough?"
Nirvay (calmly):
"Because you make it tough."
Aarohi (frowning):
"What does that mean now?"
Nirvay (explaining):
"Your happiness and sadness depend on your thoughts. If you stop overthinking and giving too much importance to every little thing, you'll feel less hurt."
"Now tell me—what's been bothering you these past three days?"
Aarohi:
"Forget it. I don't want to talk about it."
Nirvay:
"But you will talk to me, won't you?"
(Aarohi silently questioned herself: Am I really ending this friendship based on Shreya's manipulations? I'm just his friend… right?)
Nirvay:
"Aarohi, answer me."
Aarohi (finally smiling):
"Yes, we're friends." 🙂
Nirvay (relieved):
"Good. And from tomorrow, don't skip my classes. Midterms are just two months away—you really need to focus."
Aarohi (playfully):
"From tomorrow, I'll attend your classes regularly, sir." 😊
They both laughed. 😄
Nirvay (teasing):
"If you keep this up, I might even gift you a new scooter."
Aarohi (rejecting quickly):
"No way. After what happened with my first scooter, I'm never riding a gifted one again."
Nirvay (softly):
"Hmm… should I start picking you up and dropping you off then?"
Aarohi:
"No, it's okay. I'll come with Sukhi or sometimes with my dad. You don't need to put in that effort."
Nirvay:
"It wouldn't have been an effort." (smiles gently)
"But okay, as you wish."
Nirvay dropped Aarohi at her home.
---
Reflection:
Is this the beginning of love… or as Aarohi says, are they really just friends?