The evening breeze was calm, but Rishi's mind was restless. He sat with Raj and Rajiv on the terrace, the sun dipping low on the horizon. He kept fiddling with his watch, lost in thought.
Raj leaned forward. "Rishi, we can't let this silence stretch forever. Vou've got to fix things with Niharika. I have a plan-"
Rishi immediately stopped him, raising his hand. "No. Raj. No more plans. This isn't something we can manipulate. I'll talk to her directly... face to face."
Rajiv exchanged a quick glance with Raj, sensing how determined Rishi was this time. Raj opened his mouth to arque but eventually sighed and nodded. "Fine. But make you don't mess it up this time."
Rishi gave a small smile, though his heart was heavy. This time..... I can't afford to lose control.
The next morning, Rishi reached the college carly, his heartbeat loud and uneven. He stood near the parking lot. waiting anxiously. Every sound of an approaching scooter made him look up, hoping it was her.
And then.... there she was.
Niharika arrived on her scooty, wearing the same pastel scarf that framed her delicate face. Those sharp, familiar eyes met his for a brief second, and it felt like time paused.
"Niharika!" Rishi called out, his voice steady but soft.
She froze for a moment, then looked away, pretending not to hear. But Rishi stepped forward, determination in his eyes.
"Listen... I'm not here to arque. I don't expect anything from you." he said gently. "I just need you to hear me once. After that, you can leave if you want. I won't stop you."
She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the handle of her scooty. Then, slowly, she turned, her gaze cold but curious. "Fine," she said, her voice low but firm. "Say what you want."
Relief washed over him, though his lips curved into a faint. nervous smile. "Not here... not like this," he said softly. "Meet me in the canteen after class. Please."
Without replying. Niharika turned back, kick-started her scooty, and rode away silently.
From a distance. Raj and Rajiv had been watching everything unfold. As soon as she left, they walked up to Rishi.
Raj raised an eyebrow. "What do you think? Will she come?"
Rishi didn't hesitate. His voice carried an unshakable confidence. "She will. I know she will."
After class. Rishi reached the canteen carly, his mind replaying the last few days over and over. The fights. The misunderstandings. The silence. And now... this chance.
He sat by the corner table, tapping his fingers restlessly on the surface. Minutes passed like hours until finally... she walked in.
Niharika approached slowly, her expression unreadable, her scarf neatly adjusted as always. Without a word, she sat across from him. The faint hum of conversations around them felt distant compared to the weight between them.
Rishi took a deep breath, his fingers curling into his palms. "Niharika... I wanted to say I'm sorry."
Her gaze didn't soften, but she didn't interrupt either, so he continued.
"What happened these past few days... I was wrong. I was under a lot of stress because of the election mess and... that ragging incident." He paused, his voice faltering for a second. "When you confronted me that day. I... I let my anger spill on you even though you weren't at fault. That wasn't fair to you."
For the first time, her eyes flickered-not anger, not forgiveness, but something unspoken. Still, she remained silent.
Rishi leaned forward slightly, his voice quieter now. carrying the weight of quilt. "I don't expect you to forgive me. I just... I couldn't carry this anymore. I needed to say it. After today, if you want... I won't talk to you again."
There was a long pause. A silence so heavy that even the distant laughter from the other tables couldn't break it.
Finally. Niharika exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening around her cup of coffee. Her eyes softened just for a second before she looked away. "Rishi... words are crazy," she said quietly. "But trust... once broken, it doesn't come back to easily."
Rishi swallowed, his throat dry. "I know," he whispered. "And I'll earn it back... if you let me."
For a brief moment, her expression betrayed something-conflict, maybe pain-but she didn't reply. She stood up slowly, adjusted her scarf, and turned away.
As she walked off. Rishi lowered his gaze, his chest heavy yet lighter than before. He hadn't fixed everything... but at least, the first step had been taken.
Raj and Rajiv came rushing in moments later, both eager and nervous.
Raj asked. "So? What happened? Did she forgive you?"
Rishi leaned back in his chair, staring at the empty seal where Niharika had been. His lips curved into a faint. bittersweet smile. "No... but she listened."
And somehow that is enough for now.
To be continued..