Aadhya's POV
Yesterday was a complete mess. That idiot Reyansh actually tattletaled on me to Bhaiyya over the phone. And Bhaiyya, even from out of station, still managed to lecture me like I'd committed some crime. Whatever. I wasn't in the mood to deal with that today.
Right now, I was standing outside my house, waiting for Dj.
His car pulled up near the gate and stopped. The window slid down.
"Get in."
No hello. No nothing.
I rolled my eyes and got in anyway, settling into the passenger seat.
"Did you talk to him?" I asked immediately.
"He has something to tell you," Dj replied, eyes fixed on the road.
That didn't sound reassuring, but I nodded anyway.
A few minutes passed before I realized something.
"Hey… where are we going?" I asked, looking around.
"This isn't the way to school."
"Devit's not coming today," he said shortly. "We're going to his house."
Oh.
That made my chest feel… uneasy.
As we drove further, the surroundings changed. The wide roads and big buildings slowly disappeared, replaced by narrow lanes, small houses… and then almost slum-like areas. The contrast hit hard.
Dj stopped the car near a tree.
We got out and walked toward a small house.
I spotted a little girl playing outside—she looked like a tiny version of Devit.
"Excuse me… is Devit here?" I asked softly.
She smiled and pointed inside.
Just then—
"Ditya! Don't play alone outside," Devit's voice came as he stepped out.
He saw us and froze for a second, then nodded awkwardly and invited us in.
His mom greeted us warmly, offering tea and snacks like guests in a proper home. It made me feel even more uncomfortable because we weren't here for a casual visit.
We were here to confront something.
I looked at Dj, silently telling him to start.
That idiot looked straight back at me.
"Aadhya wanted to talk to you," he said.
Traitor.
I forced a small smile and nodded nervously.
Devit came and sat beside me.
I hesitated for a second… then took his hand gently.
"You can tell me… trust me," I said softly.
And suddenly—
He broke.
He started crying.
Oh no.
I panicked a little but quickly patted his back. "It's okay… we're here."
"I'll tell you…" he said between sobs. "I'll understand if you judge me… I just… used her."
I froze.
"…What?"
"Did you see my house?" he continued, his voice shaking. "Would you want to live like this?"
I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
"My mom worked at her house… she lived there… me and Gracy became friends… and I made her fall for me."
My grip on his hand tightened slightly.
"She gave me expensive gifts… Smartphone, Branded Shoes, Watches ,things I could never afford. At first I thought she'd get tired of me… but then…"
He stopped.
I sighed softly and finished for him, "You realized you loved her. And you started feeling guilty."
That was it.
He cried harder.
"She told me she was pregnant… when you and riya had a fight … I panicked. I didn't know what to do. I felt so guilty… but she kept coming back to me…"
I closed my eyes for a second.
This was worse than I thought.
"But running away won't fix anything," I said gently. "You're hurting her… and yourself. And what about the baby?"
He nodded weakly.
"I'm ready to take responsibility… for her and the baby…" he admitted. "But I'm scared… what if she finds out the truth and hates me?"
That…
I didn't have an answer for that.
I looked at Dj, hoping he'd say something.He didn't.Useless.
Before I could think of anything—
"Sister… why don't you come in?"
We turned toward the door.
Gracy.
Standing there.
Crying.
My heart dropped.
She heard everything.
"You are… so cruel," she said, her voice breaking… and then she ran.
"Gracy—!" I got up immediately and ran after her. Dj followed me.
I stopped midway and turned back at Devit, who was still frozen in place.
"Aren't you going after her?" I snapped.
"I… I can't face her," he said, looking down.
I clenched my jaw.
"Fine."
I didn't wait.
I ran outside and got into Dj's car.
He started the engine.
"What's the plan?" I asked, still worried.
"First, we go to school," he said calmly.
I leaned back in my seat, staring outside.
Gracy…
We were on the way to school. I was quietly staring out of the window, lost in my own thoughts—Gracy, Devit, everything just felt heavy.
And then—
My eyes caught something.
The bridge.
Someone standing there.
Our school uniform.
My heart dropped.
"DJ STOP!" I screamed.
He slammed the brakes instantly, looking at me shocked.
I pointed toward the bridge, my voice shaking—"Gracy…"
For a second, he froze.
Then we both got out and ran.
Her car was parked nearby.
She was standing at the edge.
Too close.
Way too close.
My chest tightened as panic rushed through me.
"Gracy!" I shouted, running toward her.
She turned slightly… just enough to notice us.
"Gracy, listen… we can talk this out. Please don't do this," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
But she wasn't listening.
She looked… broken.
"If something happens to me and our baby… he'll be blamed, right?" she said, her voice distant.
"No—it'll only make things worse," Dj said firmly, stepping forward.
We both extended our hands toward her.
"Come down… please," I said softly.
But she didn't move.
Tears streamed down her face.
"He is so cruel…" she cried.
I swallowed hard.
"I know he made a huge mistake," I said carefully, "but he's trying to fix it—"
"Fix it?" she snapped, glaring at me. "By leaving me?"
I went silent.
That… was true.
"I know his approach was wrong," I tried again, "but his intentions weren't, Gracy—"
"GRACY!"
We all turned.
Devit.
He came running toward us, breathless, his face full of shock and fear.
Behind him… the rest of Section E.
Of course.
Nikansh and Vivaan came straight toward me.
"What happened?" Nikansh asked quickly.
I explained everything in a rush—how we went to Devit, what he said, how Gracy heard everything… and ended up here.
Before I could even finish—
Vivaan shot me a sharp glare.
"And you're meddling again."
Seriously?
"Excuse me?" I snapped, already frustrated. "I was trying to help—"
He ignored me.
Typical.
Everyone tried to talk to Gracy.
Me.
Devit.
Dj.
Even others.
But she wasn't listening to anyone.
Then suddenly—
"Damn it… just jump already. Stop wasting everyone's time."
Silence.
I froze.
"WHAT are you saying?!" I snapped at Vivaan, completely shocked.
Has he lost it?!
He didn't even look at me.
Just gestured for me to stay quiet.
Then he looked straight at Gracy, his expression cold.
"You're going to jump? Then jump," he said bluntly. "Who knew you were this weak?"
Everyone went silent.
"What happened to the girl who walks around with Riya, acting tough? Messing with others, punishing them?" he continued. "And now this? One problem—and you're done?"
He scoffed.
"Look at yourself."
Gracy's expression changed.
Not broken.
Not lost.
Angry.
Thinking.
Devit slowly stepped forward, ready to pull her down if he got the chance.
But she moved first.
She stepped down.
Walked straight toward Vivaan.
"I'm not that weak," she said, her voice steady now. "This small problem won't break me."
Then she turned to Devit.
"We need to talk."
Soft.
Calm.
Alive.
I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding.
My eyes shifted to Vivaan.
That absolute jerk.
With his horrible attitude.
And yet—
He saved her.
I didn't say anything.
But yeah…
I was impressed.
Sunday.
Finally a peaceful day… or at least that's what I thought.
I was humming randomly, walking around my room like an idiot—lalala…—when suddenly one thought hit me hard.
Panipuri.
That craving.
That unstoppable, dangerous craving.
"Yeah, I'm going," I muttered to myself.
I quickly changed, got ready, and rushed downstairs, grabbing my cycle. But the moment I stepped out—
Reyansh.
Standing there.
Arms crossed.
Angry face already activated.
"Where are you going? Didn't I tell you the rules?" he asked seriously.
Oh God, not this again.
I casually pulled the paper from my pocket and waved it in front of him. "Here… I'm taking your rules with me."
He raised his hand like he was about to smack me.
I immediately stepped back. "Sorry, sorry, sir! Panipuri!" I said quickly.
He paused… then sighed and nodded. "Come back early."
"Got it," I said, already halfway out.
I started cycling away, feeling weirdly happy.
Though… something felt off.
Like I was forgetting something.
"Hmm… I'll think later," I shrugged and kept going.
After a while, I found the perfect stall.
"Bhaiyya, panipuri!" I said excitedly.
He smiled and started serving.
First bite—
Boom.
Explosion of flavors.
"DAMN… this is so good," I muttered, already grabbing the next one.
I kept eating.And eating.And eating.
Ten plates later—
"Done, bhaiyya. Thank you!" I said, handing him ₹100.
Honestly? That was less. I could've eaten more.
"Next time," I promised myself.
I picked up my cycle and turned to leave—
And then paused.
…Wait.
Where am I?
Everything looked the same.
Same roads.
Same turns.
Same confusion.
"Oh great. I'm lost."
I sighed.
"Okay, I'll just call Rey—"
…Phone.
I froze.
"I forgot my phone."
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
I looked around, thinking of asking someone. Nearby, there was a basketball court. Someone was playing there.
Maybe I could ask him.
I walked closer—
And stopped.
Mahi.
Of all people.
I sighed and sat nearby instead.
He dribbled, moved fast, then jumped—
Swish.
Perfect three-pointer.
"Shoot!" I clapped excitedly.
He glanced at me… then ignored me completely, walking to his bag and drinking water.
"You're really good at basketball," I said.
No response.
"Done?" he asked coldly.
That stung.
I approached him.
"Yeah… I know you're angry at Reyansh… but why include me in that anger?" I asked.
He froze.
Then stood up.
His anger was visible now.
"Because I see him in you," he snapped. "I see the person who destroyed my family."
I blinked.
Family?
"I understand you're angry, but—"
"NO. You don't understand anything," he cut me off. "Stop interfering in our lives like you know everything."
"I interfere because it's necessary—"
"You interfere because you're a jerk."
That… hurt.
I didn't expect that.
I went silent.
He noticed.
His expression softened a little.
"My stepbrother died because of him," he said quietly. "And my parents separated."
My breath hitched.
"…because of Reyansh?"
"I feel like everyone close to him should be hated by me," he added, looking down.
Oh…
That kind of pain.
"Mahi…" I said softly.
"Aadhya, you don't have to say anything," he replied. "I know I was wrong."
I sat beside him.
"I shouldn't have sympathised with you , I know you have a lot of questions" he said. " It's ok let's talk about it later..."
He wasn't in the state for this.
He nodded.
"I'm sorry… I had a flashback when I realized you're related to him," he admitted.
"It's okay," I said gently. "What you've been through… it's hard."
To lighten the mood, I picked up the ball.
"Are you practicing for Sports Fest?"
He shook his head. "I'm not even in the team."
"What? But you're so good. That's a waste," I said honestly.
He gave a small, bitter smile.
"I would've been… if Reyansh hadn't kicked me out. I even had a chance for a scholarship."
Oh.
So it was deeper than I thought. Maybe this was one the reasons for his anger towards Reyansh.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly.
He nodded and went back to playing.
I just sat there, watching.
Thinking.
Is there anything I can do for him ?
By the time we left, it was evening. He showed me the way home.
And now…
I didn't know where we stood.
Before, we weren't on good terms.
Now… I understood him.
But still… something felt unresolved.
When I reached home—
Reyansh was waiting.
Of course.
"Just for panipuri? Five hours? Where were you?" he asked seriously.
"I got lost… and I didn't have my phone," I said softly.
He nodded and let me in.
Dinner was silent.
Just the two of us.
I kept looking at him.
Mahi's words echoed in my head.
His brother died because of him.
I couldn't stop myself.
"Stop staring," Reyansh snapped.
"Do you know Mahi's brother?" I asked.
He froze. And looked at his plate.
Then nodded slowly. "Y-yes"
"What did you do to him?" I asked.
He slammed the table and stood up.
"That's it. Stop there."
"Because of you I'm stuck here—and I won't interfere?" I snapped back.
He turned to leave.
I blocked his path.
"Aadhya, move."
"No. Tell me the truth."
He grabbed my arms and pushed me against the wall.
I flinched.
His eyes—
Angry.
But more than that…
Hurt.
"Rudr," he said, voice breaking. "That's his brother's name."
A tear slipped down his face.
"And he didn't die because of me."
Silence.
Then he walked away.
And I…
Slid down to the floor.
My chest felt heavy. I never saw him cry like that. I shouldn't have asked him.
"Oh no… I'm sorry, Reyansh…"
I whispered to myself.
I didn't mean to hurt you.