Evening was slowly settling in, the sky painted in soft orange and fading gold. Aruna stood at the doorway, her fingers lightly gripping the wooden frame. The breeze carried the smell of soil and river water, familiar and comforting. She hadn't realized she was waiting for anyone yet her eyes kept drifting toward the narrow road.
That was when she saw them.
Maira was walking beside Aruna's grandfather, her steps quiet, her head slightly lowered as if her thoughts were heavier than her body. She looked tired… distant. Aruna's heart skipped, her chest tightening in a way she didn't fully understand.
"Maira…" Aruna whispered without sound.
Before she could move, a voice beside her spoke.
"Aruna."
Dhruv.
She turned. Dhruv stood close, smiling the same easy smile, holding a small packet of sweets in his hand. "Your grandma asked me to give this," he said, stepping inside casually, as if he belonged there.
At that exact moment, Maira looked up.
Her eyes met Aruna's only to see Dhruv gently guiding Aruna inside, his hand briefly brushing her arm.
Something inside Maira snapped.
Anger.
Jealousy.
Sadness.
All at once.
She stopped walking. Grandpa noticed and slowed down. "Maira, dear? Are you okay?"
Maira forced a nod, her lips pressing together. "Yes… I'm fine," she lied softly.
But her chest burned.
So this is it, she thought bitterly. Maybe I misunderstood everything. Maybe I was never meant to say those words.
Inside the house, Aruna poured water for Dhruv, trying to ignore the strange heaviness in the air.
"So," Dhruv said, sitting on the edge of the chair, "about the summer festival…"
Aruna froze for half a second, then sat across from him.
"You know," he continued, smiling, "everyone goes with someone special. I was thinking… would you like to go with me?"
Aruna looked down at her hands. Her heart didn't race. It didn't flutter. Instead, another face appeared in her mind quiet eyes, a trembling voice, a confession said with too much honesty to ignore.
She took a breath.
"Dhruv," she said gently, "I already have plans."
His smile faded a little. "Plans?"
"Yes." Her voice was soft but steady. "I'm going with someone I like."
Dhruv blinked, clearly not expecting that. "Oh…"
"But," Aruna added quickly, not wanting to hurt him, "you can join us if you want. As a friend."
For a moment, he just sat there. Then he smiled again this time smaller, more forced.
"I see," he said, standing up. "That's okay. I should go."
When he left, the house felt quieter than before.
Too quiet.
Aruna's eyes immediately searched for Maira.
She found her in her room.
The door was half open.
"Maira?" Aruna stepped inside carefully.
Maira was sitting on the bed, her back turned. Her shoulders were shaking. When Aruna moved closer, she heard it the quiet, broken sound of crying.
"Maira…" Aruna whispered again, her voice cracking.
Maira didn't look up. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice uneven. "You should be with him."
"With who?" Aruna asked softly.
"With Dhruv," Maira snapped, finally turning around. Her eyes were red, tears sliding down without control. "You looked happy with him. Everyone looks happy with someone else."
Aruna's heart ached. She stepped closer, kneeling in front of her.
"I wasn't happy," Aruna said slowly. "I was confused."
"Then why does it hurt so much?" Maira whispered, pressing her fist to her chest. "Why does it feel like I'm being left behind again?"
Aruna swallowed hard. "I came to talk to you."
Maira laughed bitterly through her tears. "Talk? After everything?"
"Yes," Aruna said, her voice shaking now. "Because I don't understand my feelings… but I know one thing."
Maira looked at her.
"I don't want to see you cry," Aruna continued. "And I don't want to be the reason you feel like this."
Silence filled the room, thick and fragile.
Maira covered her face with her hands, her sobs growing quieter but deeper. Aruna hesitated then gently placed her hand over Maira's.
"I'm here," Aruna whispered. "I won't leave."
Maira didn't answer.
But she didn't pull her hand away either.