Samar's POV
Flashback over.
Back to present.
Everything still felt heavy… like nothing really moved on.
"Isn't it fashionable to shave?" Dheeraj said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
I ran a hand over my jaw. Rough. Messy.
I didn't even remember the last time I looked in the mirror properly.
"I don't know," I muttered.
Truth is… I haven't been sleeping.
Every time I close my eyes… I see her.
Crying.
Walking away.
And me… just standing there like an idiot.
Sleep doesn't come easy anymore.
And when it does… it's worse.
Aadhya's POV
"Huhuhu…" I cried dramatically.
Like full Bollywood level crying.
While sipping my Frooti.
I mean—can you blame me? Emotional story + hunger = tragic heroine moment.
Jiya looked at me… and then laughed.
Excuse me???
I'm crying here and she's laughing???
But okay… my tears brought someone joy. I'm basically a blessing to humanity.
She handed me a tissue. I took it and blew my nose loudly.
"So now… you really don't plan to talk to him anymore?" I asked, glancing back.
Damn.
That Samar…
He looks like a certified beggar now. One step away from becoming homeless.
Jiya followed my gaze… then looked down, unsure.
Hmm.
What do I even say in this situation?
My brain: emotional advice
My mouth: nonsense
"You know what… wounds heal faster when they are given antibiotics," I said, sipping my drink like a wise doctor.
…
Why.
Why am I like this?
Jiya just stared at me.
"Adi… antibiotics are literally for open wounds," she said.
Excuse me madam don't question my medical degree from WhatsApp University.
I leaned forward slightly.
"Let's open your wound again… give him a chance to explain his side. Maybe you'll heal faster."
…
Wow.
Even I was shocked.
What kind of cruel advice is that???
She went silent. Thinking.
Oops.
Damage done.
"Are you coming tomorrow?" I quickly changed the topic. "I mean… what about those D-the-demons idiots?"
"It's okay… Yuvika is coming tomorrow. I'm sure she doesn't know about this," she said softly.
"Do you plan on telling her?"
She shook her head.
"She has already suffered a lot… I don't want to add more to it."
And she smiled.
I smiled instantly too.
She's strong.
Like… quietly strong.
Protecting her friend even when she herself is breaking.
"Let's go," I said.
She wrapped her arm around mine and we started walking.
"Don't you want to come in?" she asked.
Aww… sweet.
I shook my head. "I should leave. Masi must be waiting. Next time."
She nodded and waved.
I waved back.
And then…
I walked straight toward the three idiots who had been tailing us like CID officers.
Samar immediately attacked me with questions.
"What happened? What did she say?" he fired in one breath.
"Relax, relax Smaar," I said, raising my hand. "The enemy is weak. One at a time."
He looked like he might actually cry.
"She didn't say anything about you directly… but yeah, she talked about your story."
His face fell.
Game over.
He just stood there.
Silent.
Hmm.
Jiya officially got herself a permanent watchman.
Now…
Me, DJ, and Avi walking home.
Both of them glued to their phones.
"Don't your eyes hurt yet?" I asked. "You've been staring at your screens like zombies."
DJ got the hint and pocketed his phone.
Good boy.
But THIS idiot—
Avi was still smiling at his phone.
Not normal smile.
Creepy smile.
Like possessed.
Me and DJ exchanged looks.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
DJ leaned over… looked at his screen…
And BURST OUT laughing.
"What???" I tried to peek.
And then I saw it.
…
MY PHOTO.
PHOTOSHOPPED.
WITH A POKEYMON.
AND NOT EVEN A GOOD ONE.
I was sneezing in it.
SNEEZING.
"YOU—" I turned to glare.
Too late.
Both of them were already laughing like maniacs.
And they didn't stop.
The entire way home.
Every time our eyes met—
They laughed again.
Damn it.
I swear.
I'm breaking that phone tomorrow.
At home, the moment I stepped inside, I saw him.
Reyansh.
Walking downstairs like he owns gravity itself.
Perfect timing.
I narrowed my eyes. Nope. Not today. I'm not letting this go.
I walked straight up to him.
He noticed me instantly… and of course—started glaring like I just committed a crime.
"Let's talk," I said, stopping right in front of him.
"I know what you did. We'll talk later," he replied coldly, trying to walk past me.
"No."
I stepped in front again.
Blocking him.
"Aadhya, let me go," he said, his voice already laced with anger.
But I didn't move.
"Didn't you think Jiya is a girl?" I snapped, my voice rising. "Ask those Section D demons to stop hurting her. I'm sure she wasn't the one who said that about Yuvika."
His jaw tightened.
"I don't care who it came from," he shot back. "But how could she just stand there and listen to someone badmouthing her friend?"
Oh my God.
This guy acts smart.
But sometimes… he's seriously not.
"Do you think she can oppose the one accusing her?" I said, staring straight into his eyes.
Silence.
Finally.
He froze.
Good.
"Seriously, do you think she can fight Riya?" I added. "The queen of drama herself?"
He didn't reply.
Just stood there… thinking.
Nice.
I made sense.
I folded my arms. "So stop hurting her. Tell Section D to back off."
Before he could say anything—
"Who hurt whom?"
Both of us turned.
Yuvika.
Standing there.
And judging by her face… she heard everything.
Me and Reyansh exchanged a quick look… then back at her.
"You…" she looked at Reyansh, her voice almost breaking, "did hurt Jiya?"
The shock in her eyes…
Yeah.
Damage done.
And then she turned.
Walked away.
Fast.
"Uv—UV, listen to me!" Reyansh rushed after her.
Oh no.
Great.
Now I've officially started a relationship war.
Fantastic.
Clap for me.
I stood there for a second… processing the chaos I just created.
"Okay… time to disappear."
I turned and speed-walked to my room.
Correction—ran.
Locked the door like my life depended on it.
I jumped onto the bed, pulling the blanket over my head.
"Today was heavy…"
Way too heavy.
And just like that—
I fell asleep.