Now, everything had changed for Aarav.
Earlier, he used to check reels the moment he woke up…Now, the first thing he opened was WhatsApp.
And every single time… he saw the same thing —
Last Seen: Yesterday 11:47 PM
As if time had frozen at that moment…As if Naina had left her presence there and moved on herself.
Aarav tried calling again.
The phone kept ringing…No answer.
He started sending messages one after another —
"Where are you?""What is all this?""At least reply…""I'm serious, pick up!"
Every message was delivered…But there was no response.
This was no longer about ego.
It had turned into fear.
Aarav decided to find out directly.
He messaged Naina's best friend, Riya —"Hey, is Naina okay?"
After a while, a reply came —"Yeah… why?"
For a second, Aarav went blank.
"Yeah?" That meant… she was fine?
"Then why isn't she replying?"
He immediately called Riya.
"Riya, tell me the truth… what happened to her?"
Riya stayed silent for a few seconds…Then she said something that hit Aarav straight in the heart —
"She has decided that she won't disturb you anymore."
Aarav couldn't understand."What do you mean?"
Riya took a deep breath…"It means, Aarav… she's done. Completely."
Silence filled the room.
"Done? Over something so small?"
Riya's voice turned heavier —"Something small? Aarav, do you really think this is 'something small'?"
Aarav couldn't respond.
Riya continued —
"Do you even know how many times she called me crying?How many times she said you've changed?How many times she waited for just one message from you?"
Aarav's throat went dry.
Every word reminded him of his own actions.
"But… she never really said anything…"
Riya almost laughed —"She did, Aarav. Again and again… you just never took it seriously."
Aarav's grip on the phone weakened.
"Now… what is she doing?"
Riya's reply was direct —"Moving on."
The call ended.
Aarav stood there…As if someone had placed his reality right in front of him.
He immediately opened WhatsApp…Went to Naina's chat…
Those same old messages…That care… that effort…
And in between… his silence.
He typed another message —
"Can we talk? Please…"
Send.
As he stared at the screen, he noticed…
The profile picture was gone.The "About" section… empty.
As if Naina had erased her presence from his life.
Aarav's chest felt heavy.
For the first time, he realized —
This silence wasn't temporary.
It was a decision.
And the most painful part?
She was right.
Aarav closed his eyes…
And one line kept echoing in his mind —
"Where I am not valued… my presence does not belong."
And this time…