The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky as the school bell rang, signaling the end of classes. The corridors buzzed with chatter, laughter, and the clattering of lockers, but Aarya's mind was elsewhere. She walked beside Hiten, swinging her bag lightly, a gentle smile on her face.
"Hey," she said softly, nudging him, "let's go to your house today. I'll cook Maggi for you, and we can binge some silly videos together."
Normally, Hiten would have grinned, teasing her with a witty comment before agreeing. But today… he hesitated. His eyes flickered somewhere distant, avoiding her gaze.
"Uh… not today," he muttered, voice clipped. "I'm… busy."
Aarya tilted her head, trying to mask the slight frown forming on her forehead. "Busy? Since when do you get busy without telling me? What's going on?"
Hiten's steps slowed as they reached the street corner. Instead of answering, he pulled out his house keys from his pocket. Without a word, he pressed them into her hand.
"Wait for me inside, okay? I'll be back soon," he said, his voice rushed, almost nervous.
Before she could protest, he darted away, disappearing into the street. Aarya stood frozen, keys clutched tightly in her hand. Confusion churned in her chest—why was he acting so secretive?
---
She waited, pacing slightly near the sidewalk, hoping he'd return soon. Minutes passed, stretching longer than usual. Her instincts pulled her toward the small garden nearby, the one they often passed on their walks together. Something didn't feel right.
And there he was. Hiten, but not alone.
Aarya's heart twisted painfully as she saw him. A girl stood beside him, close, laughing. Hiten's arm was wrapped around her casually, his expression brighter than Aarya had ever seen. Every laugh, every gesture between them seemed intimate, effortless.
Aarya froze behind a tree, unable to breathe. Her chest ached, her throat tightened. Memories clashed violently:
The "sister's birthday gift" excuse at the ring shop.
His sudden disappearances last week.
The rushed goodbye earlier today.
Every puzzle piece clicked into a cruel picture—Hiten had someone else.
Tears threatened to spill, but Aarya bit her lip, forcing herself to retreat. She stepped back into the shadows, watching silently until the two of them walked away, oblivious to her presence.
---
Back at home, her hands trembled as she unlocked the door. The silence of the room pressed against her, suffocating in its emptiness. Her fingers lingered over the bracelet Hiten had gifted her—a small reminder of laughter and shared moments, now tainted by uncertainty.
With shaking hands, she pulled out a notepad and scribbled a short note:
"Be happy with your new girlfriend.
—Aarya"
Her tears smudged the ink slightly. She placed the note carefully on his desk, along with the bracelet, before closing the door behind her. Each step away felt heavier than the last, her heart breaking quietly in the solitude of her room.
Meanwhile, Hiten's phone buzzed relentlessly in his pocket. 13 missed calls from Aarya. 1 unread message: "We're done."
Panic surged through him. "Done? What does that even mean…?" he muttered under his breath, a tightening in his chest. Without hesitation, he bolted toward his house, dread and confusion coursing through him.
---
Author Note:
Hey fam! 💔 We know the suspense is building and it's been a while since our last upload. Thank you for sticking with us! V2 is coming alive, and we promise more romance, emotions, and Hiten-Aarya chaos. We're really sorry for the long break—it's all for crafting the perfect chapters for you.