Alisha

koi umid nhi mujhe ab
Tera meri zindagi me aane ka,
Aake meri zindagi mehkane ka.

Khwab ab bhi vahi hai,
Khwab ab bhi vahi hai,
par hakikat bhi Maan liya.

Phulo ka manjar, sukh gya,
bin barish, jamin banjar ho gyi.

Ab umid nhi tere aane ka , ab umid nhi tera meri zindagi mein aane ka !!

(There's no hope left in me now
That you'll ever come into my life,
That you'll ever bring fragrance to it with your presence.

The dreams... they're still the same,
Yes, the dreams haven't changed-
But I've accepted the truth now.

The garden of blossoms has withered,
Without rain, the soil has turned barren.

There's no hope of you coming,
No hope of you ever being a part of my life!!)

"How did you like the ending?" I asked Ramya, still seated beside her in the quiet comfort of her cabin.

She didn't respond right away. Her eyes scanned the last page again, and then slowly lifted to meet mine, surprise dancing faintly in them. "Wait... this is really the ending?"

"Yes," I said softly.

"You didn't like it?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but a part of me was already bracing for her answer.

This time, Ramya exhaled deeply, as if something heavy had just landed inside her chest. She stood up and moved to the chair directly across from me-no longer editor to author, but eye to eye, as a friend.

She looked at me with quiet sincerity and said, "The poem is beautiful. The way you've ended it... it's powerful. But it's a sad ending."

I gave a faint nod, confused by her tone. "Yes. Because... that's how the story goes, right? That's how it was meant to end."

Ramya folded her hands in her lap, her voice calm but firm. "Maybe. But you'll have to change the ending."

My brows lifted. "Why?" I asked, genuinely taken aback.

She leaned forward, her gaze steady, voice calm but unwavering. "Because sadness doesn't need reminding. People already live with it every day. They know what it's like to wait for someone who never returns, Reality doesn't give everyone a happy ending. Out there"-she gestured vaguely, as if pointing to the world beyond-"people carry heartbreak like second skin. They've learned to survive with unanswered calls, closed doors, and quiet goodbyes."

She paused, then continued with more softness in her tone, "But fiction... fiction is sacred. It's where we let people believe again. Where hope breathes. Your readers don't just want to see the characters fall-they want to rise with them. They want to turn the last page with the feeling that maybe, just maybe, something beautiful still waits after all the storms. That the love they couldn't keep in real life... can be found in a story."
"But when they read your book, they don't want more of that pain. They want to believe that love can still win... even if just in a story."

Her eyes stayed on mine, unwavering.

"They don't want to see love fail," she continued. "They want to believe it survives."

I looked away.

I had to.

Because something in the way she said those words-they want to believe it survives-made something stir inside me. As if she wasn't just speaking about the story... but about something she saw in me.

And I didn't want her to see it.

Didn't want her to read the grief between my silences, or decode the personal heartbreak buried beneath every line I'd written.

So I kept my eyes down, avoiding hers, like a child hiding a wound behind their back.

And in that quiet moment, between her gaze and my silence, hung a question I hadn't dared ask myself:

Was this ending truly for the story?
Or had I written it... for me?

"Let's find the perfect ending for this story," Ramya said, her voice soft, almost coaxing.

I said nothing.

Not because I disagreed-but because somewhere, quietly, her words felt true. As if she'd touched a thread I'd been avoiding pulling at. And maybe I wasn't ready to unravel what came next.

Ramya watched me for a beat, then tilted her head slightly. "So... why did you suddenly run off to Delhi?" she asked, studying me carefully. "Just for one day? Huh?.. And then you vanish for a whole week. What happened?"

"I just... needed a hug from my father," I said. The words slipped out before I could frame them, and once they did, I had nothing left to add. I fell quiet again.

Ramya's brows gently furrowed, her voice lowering. "What happened that made you need that hug so badly? All of a sudden?"

I turned my gaze away. My fingers fidgeted with the edge of the manuscript. I gave a slight shake of my head, not looking at her-a silent plea not to push any further.

She read it instantly.

"Alright," she said softly. There was no disappointment in her voice. Just understanding. And something far gentler than pity.

A small smile tugged at her lips. "You know what I think?" she said, standing up slowly. "This sad ending you've written... I don't think it's about the story. I think it's coming from your sadness. Your mood wrote this ending, not your characters."

I looked at her briefly, a flicker of something unspoken in my eyes. Maybe she was right. Maybe she wasn't. I wasn't ready to admit either.

"To change the ending," she continued, "we'll have to change your mood first."
gently pulled me up from my chair. "Come on. Let's go

"Ramya-"

"No. Enough writing. Enough sulking. You're coming with me."

"Where?"

"Out," she said simply, pulling me to my feet. "For air, for light, for anything that doesn't weigh you down."

I didn't resist. Not really. Maybe part of me had been waiting for someone to do exactly this-pull me back from wherever I'd been drifting.

And so I let her lead me.

Out of the cabin.
Out of the story.
Out of the ache I had been hiding behind the words.
______________________________________

I had locked myself inside my room for an entire week.

Jayant had started liking someone else-maybe even fallen in love. And no matter how hard I tried to brace myself for it, it hurt more than I thought it would. It was unbearable.

I've only ever had two places that felt like home-my father, and Jayant. And now that Jayant is drifting away from me... of course, I went back to the first one. To the home I had before him.

So I went home. Urgently. Instinctively. I didn't tell many people. I just... needed my father's hug.

He opened the door with tired eyes and open arms. I collapsed into them without a word. He held me the way only a father can-without questions, without judgment. Just warmth.

He talked to me. For hours. He reminded me who I was, what I deserved, and that love... real love... doesn't leave you behind.

But none of his words mattered.

Because Jayant had still left.

And as fate would have it, he met me again-on my way to leave.

Aunty, his mom, had spotted me down the my apartment when I leaving for airport and she told him. That's how he ended up at the airport, shouting my name like I was a storm he refused to let pass quietly.

But I didn't stop. Couldn't.

Because in that moment, I realized-I still loved him far too much. And that was the most dangerous thing.

Now I'm back in Mumbai. I've barely spoken a word to anyone. I shut myself in.

Seven full days.
No work. No calls. No sunlight.
Just silence and an aching emptiness that even sleep couldn't soothe.

And now-now that I've finally stepped outside, tried to face the world again-it still feels hollow.

As if the air itself has changed.

As if the version of the world I once knew no longer exists.

"Where have you lost?" Ramya called out over the music, raising her voice just enough to be heard.

We were sitting in a rooftop bar, the kind with fairy lights strung lazily across wooden beams and the city buzzing far below. She had a drink in her hand, the glass catching the glow of the amber lights. I shook my head lightly, offering a half-smile.

"Nowhere," I replied.

She raised an eyebrow, unconvinced, but didn't push.

"Want a drink?" she asked.

I shook my head again. "No."

"You don't drink?" she asked, surprised.

"I don't," I said simply.

She looked at me like I'd confessed to living without music. "Then how do you even live your life?"

I gave a quiet laugh. "The way most people do-without drinking."

"Your life must be so boring," she teased, taking another sip.

"Not at all," I answered, a little too quickly. A little too firmly.

Just then, the music shifted-something loud, fast, and pulsing with energy. Ramya lit up instantly, standing and pulling at my arm. "Come on, dance with me!"

I resisted at first. But she was persistent, and after a few playful tugs, I gave in.

I stepped onto the dance floor not because I wanted to-but because I needed to. Because somewhere between the pounding music and moving bodies, I wanted to silence the noise within me. I danced not for fun, but to let the pain move. To let my grief breathe.

I danced with a heart still bruised, with a mind still replaying the memory of Jayant like a song stuck on loop.

And for a few fleeting minutes, I almost forgot.

Until my phone rang.

The screen lit up: Rahim calling.

I stepped away from the crowd, the music dimming as I moved toward the balcony. "Hey, Rahim," I answered.

He didn't even wait to greet me. "Where are you? Sounds like a club or something."

I smiled faintly. "Bar. With Ramya."

He told me he was in Goa for some work and had a sudden idea-what if all of us friends joined him there? Turn it into a proper trip. A break. A breath.

I hesitated. "I'm not sure, Rahim. I don't think I'm in the right headspace for a trip right now."

He tried to convince me, but I wasn't ready.

What I didn't realize was that Ramya had overheard everything from behind.

"You need to go," she said, the moment I turned. "You've been carrying that heavy cloud around for days. A trip like this might be exactly what your soul needs."

I wanted to argue, but I couldn't. Because maybe-just maybe-she was right again.

So I called Rahim back. "Alright," I said, "I'm in. I'll come."

And then, after a pause, I asked the question I wasn't sure I wanted the answer to.

"Is Jayant coming too?"

"I asked him," Rahim said. "But he said no. His schedule is packed."

Oddly, that brought a strange kind of relief.

The knot in my chest loosened just a little. Maybe I wasn't ready to see him yet. Maybe I still needed time.

And maybe this trip-without him-was the first step toward remembering who I was before I began measuring my worth through his absence.

I hung up the call, turned back toward the dance floor, and this time... I smiled for real.

It was raining by the time we stepped outside.

Soft at first-just a whisper of drops-and then gradually, a downpour, like the sky had been holding back all evening.

Ramya glanced up and tucked her hair behind her ears. "Alisha," she said, "I'll drop you home, but I need to pick up my sister first-hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not," I replied.

We both slid into her car, the windows fogged slightly from the rain.

It wasn't until she started the engine that I realized something. She had been drinking earlier at the bar.

"Ramya," I said cautiously, "you've had alcohol. You shouldn't be driving."

She waved it off with a playful roll of her eyes. "Oh come on, it was barely anything. I'm fine."

"No, you're not," I said firmly.

She waved her hand like she was brushing away a leaf. "Stop worrying. I can handle it."

I wasn't convinced.

I tried reasoning with her, gently at first and then more firmly, but she just kept throwing silly excuses at me, brushing away my concern with half-drunken charm. Finally, I exhaled and offered, "Let me drive. Please."

She hesitated. "Are you sure? I mean... have you even driven before? At night? In the rain?"

"I'll manage," I said.

She slid over reluctantly, watching me like she was handing over something far more fragile than her car. I climbed into the driver's seat, adjusted the mirror, and placed my hands on the steering wheel.

And then, just like that, the memory hit me.

Jayant.

I closed my eyes for a second, just to breathe through it. He was the one who'd taught me how to drive. His voice, his hand over mine, guiding, steady. God-why does everything circle back to him?
Why does everything-every single thing-remind me of him?

Still, I started the engine and pulled into the rain-glossed street. The roads shimmered under the orange glow of streetlights. I drove carefully, quietly, with the sound of rain tapping on the windshield like a soft metronome for my thoughts.

We stopped outside a club.

"I'll just be five minutes," Ramya said, already hopping out and running toward the entrance, heels clicking against the pavement.

I stayed inside the car, turning on the music to distract myself. A haunting melody filled the space.

"Jhuki teri mazaaron mein mil jaaye mujhe fanaa...
Palken gire, aansu wahi reh jaayein mere nishaan..."

I turned the volume up.

Then, without quite knowing why, I stepped out of the car.

The rain was relentless now, soaking through my clothes instantly, but I didn't care. I moved toward the open space beside the car, and slowly... I began to dance. Not for anyone. Just for myself. For the ache, for the weight, for the wish I had buried inside my heart.

Somewhere, from out of the mist and music, A man appeared-a tall figure in a hoodie, face hidden behind a mask. He didn't speak. Just approached slowly and extended his hand with a graceful, respectful nod.

For a moment, I freeze and hesitated.

And then, I gave him my hand. I don't know why.

And we start dancing beneath the streetlight, the rain dripping from our hair, soaking through our movements, washing away logic. His eyes were the only thing visible-dark, deep, unreadable. Water trickled down from his hair across his face like the rain had sculpted him from shadow and silence.

And I let myself go.

We moved like we'd always known this rhythm. Like the rain had written this choreography just for us. The world around us disappeared.

A couple dance in the rain-that had always been on my wishlist. Always imagined it with Jayant.

But now, I was doing it... with a stranger.

For a moment, I closed my eyes.
And I pretended it was Jayant.
Just for one heartbeat.
Just for one wish.

And then... the music stopped.

He stepped back, gently let go of my hand, bowed his head in gratitude, and turned away.

"Thank you," he said, his voice barely audible over the fading rain.

As he walked off, I noticed a small group of guys near a car-phones in their hands, recording.

My heart lurched.

I rushed toward them, shouting, "Delete it! What the hell are you doing?"

But before I could reach, I saw the stranger-my stranger-join them. He was with them.

I froze.

Just then, Ramya returned. "What happened?" she asked, seeing the panic on my face.

"They were recording me," I said, breathless and furious.

Before Ramya could speak, another voice cut in-calm and clear.

"I know who they are," said a girl walking toward us, a soft confidence in her tone. "Don't worry. I promise the video won't be misused."

I turned to her, surprised. "How do you know that?"

She just smiled. "I just do."

Ramya stepped beside her. "Alisha, my younger sister-Soumya."

The same girl Rishi liked-the one he always spoke about with silent admiration but never had the courage to tell. But every time he spoke of her, his voice would soften like a boy speaking of the moon.

And now here she was, stepping into my night of chaos with quiet reassurance and kind eyes.

"You... you know them?" I asked again.

She nodded. "I do. And I give you my word-nothing will happen with that video."

I wanted to believe her. Something in her voice told me I could.

But my heart was still racing-not from the fear of the video...

But from him.

That stranger with the soaked hoodie, the silent steps, the haunting eyes.

Who danced like he knew my pain.
Who disappeared like a dream I almost remembered. Who was he?

I didn't know what this night meant. Or who that boy was. Or what would happen to that video.

But for the first time in weeks, I felt like maybe life wasn't trying to break me.

Maybe... it was trying to surprise me.
______________________________

We were all back in the car, the rain still painting streaks across the windshield, soft and rhythmic like the night wasn't quite ready to end.

I was driving again-my hands steady now, my breath calmer than before. Soumya sat beck seat , phone in hand, speaking softly to someone on the line. A few firm, well-chosen words, and by the time she hung up, the tension in the car had lifted slightly.

"They deleted the video," she said casually, as if she hadn't just untangled a knot I couldn't quite voice.
"Thankyou so much" I said to Soumya.

Ramya didn't look relieved. If anything, she looked annoyed.

"How do you even know those boys?" she asked sharply, arms crossed, her tone more protective than angry. "They're random street guys. You shouldn't even be talking to them."

Soumya didn't flinch. "They're not random. They go to my college. And they're not troublemakers, Di."

Ramya narrowed her eyes. "They were recording people without permission."

Soumya turned to face her, calm but unwavering. "They weren't doing it to be creepy. They capture perfect, unfiltered moments. Real emotions, raw connections."

"That's not an excuse," Ramya shot back. "Recording someone without their consent is wrong. No matter how aesthetic it looks."

Soumya shrugged lightly. "Some moments lose their magic the second you ask permission. That's the truth."

"Well, whatever it is," Ramya muttered, "you need to stay away from boys like that."

"I won't," Soumya said simply. "In fact, I'm going to Goa with them in a few days."

The word hit the air like a small shockwave.

"Goa?" I echoed before I could stop myself.

Soumya turned to me with a playful smile. "Yeah. Why? You okay?"

I quickly composed myself. "Yeah. Just... surprised."

I wasn't surprised.

I was delighted.

And I didn't even know why.

Maybe it was the thought of Rishi-quiet, loyal Rishi-who never spoke about his feelings, especially not to her. But I knew how he looked at Soumya, how his entire presence softened whenever it comes to her, his sunshine.

Ramya, on the other hand, was nowhere near amused.

"You're not going anywhere," she said firmly. "Not with them. Not without telling me. End of discussion."

Soumya groaned, her voice tinged with frustration. "Ramya Di, come on-"

"No. I don't trust them."

A silence fell in the car. I could feel the weight of it. Soumya slumped back in her seat. Ramya stared out the window, jaw tight.

And then I spoke.

"Let her go."

Both heads turned toward me.

"I'm going anyway," I added, keeping my voice soft but clear. "I'll be there. I'll keep an eye on her."

Ramya blinked. "You're really going to Goa?"

I nodded. "Yes. And honestly... I think she should too."

There was a beat of hesitation. Then another. Ramya looked between the two of us-her protective instincts at war with her trust.

Finally, she sighed. "Fine. But I swear, Alisha... if anything happens-"

"Nothing will," I promised.

Soumya's eyes met mine, surprised but grateful. And just for a second, I saw a flicker of something warm pass between us.

The rain continued outside-steady, unbothered, like a quiet rhythm guiding us all toward whatever was waiting next.

And in that moment, i forgot my pain, and happy for the thought of what Rishi might feel, knowing Soumya was coming too.
______________________________

Two days later.

I had landed in Goa. Not exactly with Soumya... more like following her. She arrived with her own little world-a tight group of four: two boys, one girl, and herself, walking confidently through the airport like she belonged to the breeze and the beaches. I, on the other hand, trailed a few steps behind, invisible in plain sight.

She didn't introduce me to anyone.
Not a name. Not a glance. Not even a casual, "She's with me."

It was strange. Not rude. Just distant. Like I was never meant to be a part of that circle in the first place.

Rahim had come to pick us up from the airport. His energy was the same-light-hearted, playful-but my heart wasn't quite in sync. Still, I tried. I asked Soumya to ride with us, just a gentle suggestion, a way to maybe reconnect.

But she declined. Politely. Distantly.

"You enjoy your trip, Alisha," she said with a small smile. "I'll enjoy mine."

I stood there for a second, unsure what to feel. Embarrassed? Rejected? Or just... helpless?

I had promised Ramya I'd keep an eye on her sister. I had said it with confidence, as if I'd be in control.

But here?

I wasn't even in the frame.

I tried again. I insisted I join them. Not forcefully-just firm enough to be heard.

But Soumya had turned to me, her smile still there but her voice unyielding. "Alisha, really... I'm fine. I've done this before."

And I had no choice but to let her go.

No space to argue. No right, really.

So I stood there, lips pressed tight, a hundred worries swimming in my head, and watched her vanish into a world I wasn't invited to.

I climbed back into the car with Rahim, quietly shutting the door. He sensed my mood immediately but didn't say much. Just started driving toward the hotel.

I stared out of the window, arms folded, my thoughts louder than the waves crashing in the distance.

So this was how the trip would begin.
Not with adventure.
But with unease.
With a promise I wasn't sure I could keep... and a girl who didn't want to be kept.
___________________________

By the time I reached the hotel, Rishi was already there-waiting, arms crossed, a teasing look in his eyes.

"You do realize your flight landed over two hours ago?," he said as soon as he saw me. "Hotel itna bhi dur nhi hai"

We had just started walking toward my room when Rahim, ever so casually, added, "She was with some girl. Spent half her time trying to convince her to come along with us. No idea who she was."

I tensed. I didn't know whether to tell Rishi or not. A part of me wanted them to meet. I had dreamed of that moment-his reaction, her smile. But Soumya had left with her group the second we landed. She hadn't looked back once.

"Who was she?" Rishi asked, his tone playful, but his eyes curious.

"Just someone I met on the flight," I replied quickly, brushing it off. Easier not to explain. Not yet.

As soon as we stepped into the room, my phone started buzzing.
Ramya.

Panic rushed through me like a sudden wave. I froze. What would I say?

Rishi noticed. "Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" he asked, glancing at the caller ID. "It's just Ramya, right? Your boss?"

I didn't answer. I walked out to the balcony to take the call, distancing myself from both him and Rahim.

Ramya's voice was calm at first. She asked how the journey had been, if everything went smoothly. I answered with rehearsed ease.

And then she asked the one thing I wasn't prepared for.

"Soumya isn't troubling you, is she?"

I hesitated. But the truth was impossible to explain. That the girl I was supposed to protect had disappeared into a crowd the moment we landed, slipping through my fingers like wind.

So I lied.

"No, not at all. She's with me. I'm keeping an eye on her, just like I promised."

"Good," she said, sounding relieved. "You know I don't trust her friends. Goa scares me-the parties, the drugs, the people. Please make sure she's safe, Alisha."

"I will," I whispered.

When I came back inside, both Rishi and Rahim were staring at me like I'd walked in wearing a secret.

"So... who's Soumya?" they asked at the same time.

Rishi didn't know her name. He only ever called her Sunshine. That's how he spoke of her-like she lit up every corner she entered.

"She's Ramya's sister," I admitted finally, avoiding Rishi's gaze. "And I promised Ramya I'd look after her in Goa."

"Wait," Rahim cut in, "Ramya... your boss, right?"

But Rishi was already connecting the dots.

"Hold on," he said slowly, his voice dropping. "That means... she's the girl? My Sunshine?"

He looked at me, eyes wide.

"Sunshine?" Rahim blinked, clearly lost now. "Who's Sunshine?"

I gave a small nod.

Rishi exhaled, stunned. "So... her real name is Soumya."

"It was meant to be a surprise," I said softly.

"For who?" Rahim asked, bewildered. "What's happening here?"

We both turned to him.

Rishi smiled faintly and said, "Sunshine is... someone I've been in love with for years."

Rahim's jaw dropped. "Oh. Oh wow. Okay, now I'm interested."

And just like that, the truth hung in the room.
_____________

Rishi was pacing now, frustrated. "There must be a reason Ramya didn't want her to come. If she finds out... she's going to kill you. Why would you bring her here?"

"She wasn't with me," I argued. "She booked her own trip. I just promised to keep an eye on her."

"You think she'll trust you that easily?" Rishi snapped. "Do you know what's at stake? How long I've waited just to see her-just to talk to her?"

Rahim, who had been silent until now, raised a hand. "At this point, I feel like I'm watching a thriller without subtitles. Okay, can someone please tell me where she is? "

"She's here. Somewhere," I said.

"She's here," Rishi muttered again, eyes distant. "And I didn't even know."

"Now you do," I said gently.

There was a pause-heavy, thoughtful.

And then Rishi straightened. His tone shifted from stunned to certain.

"We need to find her. Now."

I nodded. "Of course."

"Wait-now now?" Rahim blinked.

Rishi and I turned to him at once.

"Yes. Now."

Without wasting another second, we rushed out of the room.

We were just about to step out of the hotel lobby when we froze.

All three of us came to a halt, mid-stride, as someone familiar walked in from the other side of the corridor.

Jayant.

He wasn't supposed to be here.

And worse-he wasn't alone.

A girl walked beside him. Tall. Stunning. The kind of beauty that turned heads effortlessly. They moved together, their steps in sync, like two halves of something dangerously whole.

My breath caught in my throat.

He wasn't supposed to come.

He had said no. Declined the invitation. And yet here he was... with her.

I wasn't ready. Not for him. And definitely not for her.

As they came closer, Jayant looked like he was about to say something-his gaze softening the moment it landed on me.

But I didn't let him speak.

Rishi, sensing everything in a single heartbeat, stepped in.

"We have something urgent to do..," he said quickly.

"Yes," I added, my voice barely steady. "We'll catch up later."

We didn't wait for a response. We turned and walked past them without looking back.

Jayant stood there, stunned. I saw the way his body stiffened, the shift in his expression-the flicker of disappointment, confusion, maybe even hurt. But I didn't stop.

I couldn't.

Not when his presence hit me like a storm I'd buried beneath seven days of silence.

Maybe he hadn't expected a warm welcome, but I don't think he expected to be... dismissed.

And yet, it wasn't about punishing him.

It was about protecting myself.

Because standing there, seeing him beside someone else, was like reopening a wound that had barely begun to scar.

But in the silence, I knew-

If it stung him to be ignored, it shattered me to see him here.
________________________________

We had barely stepped out of the hotel when I realized-

Rahim hadn't followed us.

He stayed behind. Of course he did. Jayant had arrived with someone, and Rahim, being who he is, wouldn't walk away without offering a proper welcome. Years of friendship made it impossible for him to lie or hide anything. I knew-whatever questions Jayant had, Rahim would answer them.

Completely.

And honestly.

That thought alone made my chest tighten.

The warm Goan breeze that once felt freeing now felt dense, suffocating. My breath shortened, my skin prickled with unease. I tried to shake it off, but something inside me just wouldn't settle.

Rishi came closer. "Are you okay?" he asked, eyes scanning my face.

"I'm fine," I whispered. But my voice betrayed me.

We stood at the edge of the street, watching the world rush by in slow motion. The sun had dipped low, painting the sky with fading orange streaks.

After a pause, I asked, "Where are we even going to look for her?"

Rishi shrugged slightly. "Somewhere. We'll find her."

"What if we don't?" I asked, more plainly than I intended.

"Why wouldn't we?" he replied, without hesitation. "You have her number, right? Just call."

"I don't," I admitted. "And I can't ask Ramya for it now-not after all this."

He was quiet for a moment. And then, with a strange certainty, he said, "We'll still find her. She's here. Somewhere close."

I looked at him, surprised by the conviction in his voice. "How can you be so sure?"

He smiled faintly. "I don't know. I can just... feel it. Like she's near."

There was something in his tone-so raw, so anchored in love-that I couldn't argue. Rishi wasn't just looking for her. He was drawn to her. His connection with Soumya was deeper than I had realized.

It wasn't just attraction. It was presence. Intuition. A bond unspoken.

We spent the day wandering through Goa. Every street, every corner of the popular markets. The beaches, the cafés, the hidden lanes where the music was softer and the lights flickered with memories.

I had never seen Rishi like this before.

Restless.

Worried.

He wasn't himself. His usual calm replaced by urgency-his easygoing smile traded for silent prayers. He scanned every face, every crowd, hoping she'd suddenly appear and laugh at how long it took him to find her.

But the day dimmed, and still... no sign of her.

Darkness crept in slowly, quietly.

And watching Rishi like this-frantic, hurting, haunted by what ifs-was unbearable.

Because in his search for her, I saw the reflection of me.

I was afraid with him.

That he, too, might be standing at the edge of losing someone he never even got a chance to hold.

"She's here... somewhere close," Rishi repeated again, with the kind of quiet certainty that made you believe him, even if you couldn't see what he did.

And this time, he was right.

We ended up inside a crowded beachside dance party-music pulsing through the night air, lights flickering across swaying bodies. There were strangers everywhere, dancing without a care in the world. But in that chaos, Rishi saw her.

Even from across the room.
Even through the lights and the blur.

Soumya.

I don't know how long it had been since he'd last seen her. I couldn't even spot her in the crowd until he stopped in his tracks, gaze fixed. She was dancing freely, lost in the music, smiling like nothing in the world could touch her.

She didn't see him.

But he-he had already frozen in place.
And then taking steps slowly towards her, breathless, as if looking at a memory come to life.

Before he could even speak, I stepped in. I rushed through the crowd and reached her, grabbing her hand to pull her away from the center of the dance floor.

She blinked in surprise, half-spinning to face me. "What the hell, Alisha?"

"I need to talk to you" i said.
"I need your number," I said firmly, "and I need to know where you're staying."

Her expression hardened. "Why would I tell you that?"

We stood there, arguing, the music drowning out half our words but not the emotions behind them. She was defensive, annoyed, but I wasn't backing down.

"I'm not letting you disappear on me again, Soumya," I said sharply. "If you don't give me your number, I will follow you around Goa like a full-time stalker. I'm capable of that, believe me."

She narrowed her eyes. "You're insane."

"Exactly."

She let out a groan but finally caved-pulling out her phone, tapping quickly, and handing me her contact and hotel details.

"And your friends' info too," I added with a glare.

She rolled her eyes but typed it in. "Happy now?"

As she turned to leave, I said one last thing, "Keep me updated."

She gave me a look full of fire. "F**k you."

I smirked. "Don't worry. I'll get my updates anyway. I have a tracker now."

"What?" she snapped, spinning around to glare-but just as she did, she walked straight into someone's chest.

Jayant?

No.

Rishi.

He caught her reflexively before she could stumble, hands firm, steady. He didn't let her fall. Of course he wouldn't. Not Rishi.

She looked up

He looked down.

For a breathless second, the world around them blurred.
-and as soon as she realized he is come with me, her eyes flared.

Without a word, she lifted her heel and slammed it onto his foot.

Rishi flinched, hard. "Ouch-!"

"Go to hell-both of you!" she shouted and stormed off into the night.

Rishi yelped, hopping slightly on one foot as he looked at me, utterly baffled.

I walked up beside him, biting back laughter. "Did you know she was this spicy and fearless?" I teased.

"She looks sweet," he muttered, still wincing.

"Only looks," I said, watching Soumya vanish into the crowd. "Handle with caution."

He grinned through the pain, eyes still on the direction she had gone. "I wouldn't want her any other way."
__________________________________________________________________________

When we got back to the hotel, Rahim caught up with me near the elevators. There was something in his voice-cautious, careful.

"There's something you should know," he said, hesitating slightly, like he wasn't sure if he should be telling me at all. "Jayant and... Shreya are taking a walk by the beach. Just outside. You should talk to him. He's been really worried since you disappeared."

Shreya.

So that was her name.

I hadn't wanted to know it. I hadn't asked. But now that it had been spoken, it anchored itself in my mind like a pin driven into soft flesh.

Shreya.

Jayant and Shreya.

I nodded. Silently. I wasn't even sure I'd go. But my feet betrayed me.

The beach was right next to the hotel-only a few steps away. I walked toward it without saying much, my sandals pressing against the soft, cool sand. The wind was gentler tonight, brushing strands of hair across my cheek, but it did nothing to calm the nerves coiled in my stomach.

I spotted them before they saw me.

Jayant, walking slowly, his hands tucked into his pockets. Shreya beside him, laughing softly at something he'd said. They looked... comfortable.

And that did something cruel to my chest.

I stood at a distance, watching Shreya and Jayant walking along the beachside. The breeze played gently with Shreya's hair as she talked endlessly, animatedly. Her hands moved with every word, her eyes sparkled with emotion. Jayant, who was walking beside her, suddenly turned-facing her while still walking backward. His gaze was fixed on her face, as if trying to memorize every curve, every fleeting expression. There was something so gentle in the way he looked at her, like he was listening not just with his ears, but with his entire soul.
And I watched.

I watched the man I loved, walking with the girl he chose. It should have been me.
I didn't blink. I couldn't. Because if I did, I might miss a second of his happiness. And I was still that foolish girl who wanted him happy-even if it killed me inside.

"don't gazed with evil eyed?" a voice spoke from behind me, breaking my trance.

I turned slightly to find Rishi standing next to me, a soft smile playing on his lips. Maybe he was smiling just to make me smile, but I couldn't return it.

I didn't look at him. My eyes were fixed on Jayant, the way his smile curled just for her. I whispered, "Will my gaze break them apart?" hollow and distant.

"Of course it can," Rishi said with mock enthusiasm. "If you wish hard enough, even mountains melt."

His words made me laugh-briefly-but the sadness returned too soon, crawling back over my face like a shadow.

"He's happy," I said, the words slicing my throat as they left. "Really happy With her."

Rishi stepped closer, "He's happier when you're around."

"No," I said, brokenly. "He's comfortable when I'm around. There's a difference."

"I am done, I've waited so long, Rishi," I confessed, my voice cracking. "I can't keep lying to myself. Every smile, every message, every moment-I twisted them into signs. Signs that maybe..., just.. maybe.., he felt something. But the truth..?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"He never loved me. He never even saw me like that. Not once. Not even by accident."

My chest ached as the tears came, uninvited but welcome.

Rishi stepped forward to hold me, but I took a step back. I didn't want comfort. I wanted the kind of pain that stripped you bare.

"I'm Okay...hmm..I'm fine," I lied, wiping the tears with shaking hands.

"No, you're not," Rishi snapped, frustration creeping into his voice. "And I'm done pretending you are. You can't keep dying inside like this. He deserves to know."

"No," I said firmly, stepping in front of him,

"Don't you dare," I whispered fiercely, stepping in his path. placing a hand on his chest to stop him. "This is my pain. My decision. You don't get to fight my battles, Rishi. Not this one."

"You've lost your mind," he snapped, his tone sharp, almost cruel. The way he said it stung-not because of the words, but because of how carelessly he flung them.

Rishi turned and started walking away, aimless and frustrated. walking off like my grief wasn't enough to anchor him anymore.

I wiped my face and looked once more at Jayant-how his hand brushed Shreya's arm lightly, how his laugh matched hers like a perfect duet.

"Look at him once, Rishi. Just once. The way he's walking with her, like he could walk forever and never tire. He never walked with me like that..." I swallowed hard. "Yes, I fell in love with him. Yes, I feel about him. This thing inside me," I said, pointing to my chest, "But This is my problem...my.. alone, don't make it ours."

My voice trembled, but I kept going. "This... this thing I feel, it's poisoning our friendship. And if it ever comes out, everything will fall apart. Don't you get it?"

Rishi didn't say a word. He just kept walking, like my pain couldn't reach him anymore.

"He's your best friend, and yet you always take my side. Don't you think that hurts him?" I asked, choking on my own words. "What if one day he finds out you knew? That you helped me keep this a secret?"

Rishi finally stopped. He turned to me. I couldn't stop the tears now-they streamed freely, unashamed.

He came close, gently took my hand, and without saying a word, began leading me away from the beach. Away from him. His silence said everything.
We reached the hotel where all of us were staying. As we walked in, Rahim saw us-our silence, our broken expressions-and followed without asking a question.

We ended up in Rishi and Rahim's shared room, carrying the weight of unspoken words, shattered hearts, and a love that was never returned.
__________________________

Back in hotel room, I broke.

The door had barely closed behind me when the tears came crashing down. I sank to the floor, curling in on myself as if that could hold the pieces together. But it didn't. Nothing could.

"I want to leave," I whispered, my voice cracking. "I don't want to stay here anymore. I want to go home."

Rishi sat down beside me, his voice low but steady. "How long will you keep running?"

I couldn't answer.

Rahim spoke softer than I'd ever heard him. "You know, Alisha... no matter how far you try to run-he'll still find his way back into your life. You know him"

I was still crying. Still shaking.

"It took..took me seven days," I said, through broken breaths. "Seven days locked in a room trying to convince myself that he...he could love someone else. That he might already.. lo...love someone else. And today, seeing him with her..." My voice cracked. "I don't know how long it'll take to accept this. To really accept it."

(7 din Lage mujhe khud ko samjhane mein ki woh kisi aur se bhi pyaar kr skta hai. Par pata nhi kyu... Aaj unlogo ko sath dekh ke main yeh accept hi nhi kar rahi hu ki yeh sach hain. )

There was silence.

(7 din rone se 15 saal ka pyaar khatam ho jayega?)
And then Rishi said quietly, "Seven days of tears can't erase fifteen years of love."

"But it can weaken it, can't it?" I whispered back, desperate, as if I needed their permission to move on.

His question came back like an echo in the room. "Has it?" ( to Kam hua?)

I looked away.

No.

I had locked myself away. I had screamed into pillows, avoided mirrors, avoided memories. And still, today-just seeing him with someone else-shattered me again like I had never even started healing.

"I shut the world out for seven days," I said slowly. "Tried everything to numb the ache. But the truth is, nothing changed. My love didn't shrink. My pain didn't fade."

Rahim knelt down beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "That's because when you love someone that deeply... even silence has their voice."

I looked at both of them-my closest friends, my makeshift home when everything else felt like it was slipping away-and for the first time, I said nothing.

Because there was nothing left to say.

I just cried.

And they stayed.

No one tried to fix it.

They just... stayed.

"My pain no longer lies in the fact that he doesn't love me back... it lies in the fact that I can't unlove him."

____________________________________

🫶🫶