The party was over, but the night was far from done. In the silence that followed, Meher was left with more than just fading balloons and cake crumbs — she was left with questions, regrets, and a storm she hadn't seen coming.
***
The guests had gone. The lights in the hall had dimmed, leaving behind the soft hum of silence that only homes know after a storm. The birthday banners hung limply now, like forgotten promises, and the laughter that once echoed had disappeared into shadows.
Inaya placed a gentle hand on Meher's back, guiding her quietly through the corridor and into her room. She knew her presence was needed more than words. Meher's father was still pacing in the hall, muttering to himself, disappointment sharp in his voice. Inaya didn't want Meher to hear it again — not tonight.
***
In Meher's Room
The door closed behind them with a soft click. The room was dim, lit only by the warm orange glow of a bedside lamp. A half-deflated birthday balloon floated lazily near the ceiling fan.
Meher collapsed onto the edge of her bed, her back to Inaya. Her shoulders trembled.
Inaya knelt beside her.
"Please, Meher… stop crying." Her voice was gentle, almost afraid of breaking the fragile moment.
Meher turned, her face streaked with tears. "How can I?" Her voice cracked. "I'm a terrible sister. My own sister was seeing a psychologist… and I had no idea. No clue at all."
Inaya took her hand, holding it firmly.
"It wasn't your fault." Her tone was calm, but there was a quiet strength beneath it. "Your father kept you away from her… he never let you know what was really going on."
Meher shook her head, her expression caught somewhere between heartbreak and disbelief."But how could our lives be so different? I got everything — good education, a safe home, friends, love… and she?" Her voice quivered again. "She had no one. Not even during her worst days. That's not fair."
Inaya's eyes softened, her grip on Meher's hand tightening. "I know… but she never blamed you. She didn't want you to carry this pain. All she wanted was for you to know how much she loved you. You can't fall apart now, Meher. You have to be strong — for her."
Meher sat still for a moment, then slowly wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Her face was pale but determined, her voice low and firm.
"You're right. My tears won't bring her back. I'm going to find her… say sorry to her face, and never leave her again. Never."
There was strength in her words, but her eyes betrayed her — silent and stormy, they held a kind of ache that takes longer to leave. She was trying. But grief doesn't vanish in an evening — it sits in the bones for a while.
***
One Hour Later — 12:00 AM
The clock ticked softly on the wall, its hands crawling past midnight.
Meher sat cross-legged on the bed now, her eyes staring at the floor.
"So… my birthday's finally over." She let out a breath. "Now it's time to focus on something that actually matters."
Inaya leaned against the bedpost, arms folded loosely across her chest.
"I've got your back," she said gently. "You're not alone. If you ever feel tired or overwhelmed, I'm here — always."Meher offered a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks… really."
A pause. The room felt quieter than before.
"Anyway," Meher said after a moment, tilting her head, "it's getting late. Nabeel must be waiting for you outside."
Inaya looked away too quickly. "Um… have you eaten anything?"
Meher narrowed her eyes. "Don't change the topic. I know you too well. What's going on?"
"It's nothing, yaar."
Meher raised an eyebrow, already reaching for her phone. "Should I just call Nabeel and ask myself?"
Inaya exhaled sharply. Her voice came quieter this time.
"Meher… he's gone."
Meher blinked. "What?"
"He left."
"What do you mean? It's midnight. How could he leave you alone like this?"
Inaya avoided her gaze. "I told him to go."
"And he just left? That easily?" Meher's voice sharpened.
"He didn't want to… but I insisted. He said his parents were calling him since it was getting late."
Meher stared at her, incredulous. "Really? His parents let him stay out all night at parties but now suddenly they're calling him?"
"Maybe it was something urgent…"
"No, Inaya." Meher's voice was rising now, not in anger — but in concern, frustration. "You're not thinking straight. I told you before — the way he acts around my friends… something's off. He's not the guy you think he is."
"He said those girls were just his friends."
Meher threw up her hands. "Come on. I introduced everyone to him. None of them even knew who he was.If he really knew them before, why didn't he say something earlier?"
Inaya opened her mouth to reply, but Meher didn't let her.
"Stop defending him. He hasn't even introduced you to his parents. He's not serious, Inaya. You're smart — deep down, you know it too."
There was silence for a moment. Then Inaya spoke, her voice low but steady.
"He said he will introduce me soon." She met Meher's gaze, eyes steady. "And Meher, don't worry about me. I'm not weak. If I ever feel he's using me, I'll walk away. I won't let anyone play with me."
Meher exhaled slowly, the anger in her eyes fading into worry.
"I just want you to be okay. You deserve someone who sees your worth — not someone who hides you from his life."
Inaya nodded slowly. "I understand. And I'll be careful."
There was a quiet pause between them. Then Meher spoke again.
"Since he's already gone, you're not leaving either. It's too late. You're staying here tonight."
Inaya grinned faintly. "Obviously. I had already planned that. I'm all ready to sleep."
For the first time that evening, Meher let out a small giggle — brief and tired, but real. "Then let's sleep."
Inaya smiled softly. "Good idea."
The two girls settled down, pulling the blanket over themselves. The room dimmed further as the lamp was turned off, leaving behind only the faint sliver of moonlight sneaking through the curtains.
The air still held the weight of the night — grief, confusion, and unspoken truths.But now, that weight was shared between two hearts. And that made it a little lighter.
To be continued.....
They didn't have all the answers, and maybe they wouldn't for a while. But in that shared silence, wrapped in warmth and understanding, something had begun to mend. It wasn't closure — just the first step toward it. And sometimes, that was all a night needed to give.
( Relising date 9/9/25)