Evening shadows stretched long from the college gates as Niki stepped out. Her bag hung over her shoulder, and her hair was tied in a tired ponytail. The air had grown cold, but something inside her was still boiling.
Aditya's words echoed in her mind—
"See you at the restorant."
She hated the way he said it.
Casual. Confident. As if he owned her time, her reactions… and her silence.
Niki shook her head, trying to push him out of her thoughts, and walked into the restaurant for her evening shift. The air inside was warm, filled with the clatter of dishes, the hiss of the fryer, and that same old background music looping on repeat.
But her thoughts were too loud.
Every step toward the kitchen felt heavy. Aditya's presence had stirred something inside her. He wasn't yelling. He wasn't even threatening. Maybe that's what made it worse—the calm with which he came closer.
What did he want?
Why now?
And why did his gaze still send a chill down her spine?
She tied her apron slowly, her fingers trembling just a bit.
"You okay?" Bikki asked, passing by with a tray of steaming hot momos.
Niki forced a smile. "Yeah… just… a lot on my mind."
Bikki paused slightly, brows narrowing, but didn't press. "Alright. I'm heading out a bit early today. Can you handle the last hour?"
"Yeah," Niki nodded, quietly thankful for the space.
The evening passed slowly. Orders came in. Plates clattered. But Niki? She was like a ghost in her own body—moving, responding, working, but not really feeling.
Even the kitchen staff noticed. The ones who usually joked with her stayed silent today, focused on their tasks.
By 10:45, the restaurant was nearly empty. Only the ticking of the wall clock and the hum of the cooler remained. Niki quietly began stacking chairs, her body tired, but her mind more exhausted.
The front door creaked.
Her heart jumped.
She looked up quickly—but it wasn't Aditya.
An older couple had come in for takeaway. She exhaled in relief.
Still, she kept glancing at the door.
Because he said he would come.
And Aditya never said anything without reason.
She didn't know what she was expecting.
An argument?
A challenge?
Or worse—a quiet apology that would open every scar again?
Her phone buzzed.
It was her sister bubbling with excitement.
"Niki , come home quickly! There's a surprise!"
"What? What surprise?"
"Just come fast! You have to see the dress!"
Niki smiled slightly—maybe for the first time all day. "I'm coming."
She locked the restorant pulled on her hoodie, and took the shortcut alley home. Her feet were sore, but her heart felt just a little lighter.
Laughter spilled from the house.
Inside, the home felt unusually warm—not just from the lights, but from the glow of celebration.
And then she saw her.
Sums.
Her cousin. Her sister. Spinning in front of the mirror in a soft pink bridal lehenga.
"Look!" Sums laughed, eyes sparkling. "My wedding dress! Isn't it perfect?"
Niki's breath caught. The dress was beautiful—but the real glow was on Sums' face.
And in that moment, something shifted inside Niki.
Joy… and a soft ache.
She walked over, touched the fabric, smiled. "It's really lovely, Sums. You're glowing."
Her parents sat on the sofa, discussing decorations, the priest, and guest lists with Sums' mom.
But Niki saw it.
Behind their smiles… the same old strain.
Money worries. Planning pressure. The weight of making everything perfect.
Still, they were doing it all—holding everything together to protect this happiness.
Niki quietly walked into the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and leaned against the fridge.
Her thoughts spun again.
Aditya's smirk. His grip on her wrist. That rage. The restaurant. Sums' laughter. Her parents' tired eyes.
This life… does it ever pause?
She took a deep breath.
One thing she knew—no matter how many games Aditya played…
She had her own story.
Her own people.
Her dream in.
And no one—not even Aditya—could take it. Niki said to herself
"What you did to me, I won't let you do again .
The morning sun spilled softly over the college buildings as Niki walked in briskly. It was the day of the Freshers' Party, and she was early to help with the preparations. The campus buzzed with energy—some were handling the decorations, others were busy with the sound check.
Niki stood with her friends, holding rolled-up posters and a packet of chips.
"I'll help get some chairs from the storeroom. I'll join you guys later to make the posters," she offered.
Her friend raised her eyebrows. "The boys will do it. Why are you lifting chairs?"
Niki smiled lightly. "It's just a little help. I'll be back soon."
She walked off toward the storeroom with a couple of classmates. The storeroom was dusty and quiet, filled with a calm unlike the rest of the college. Everyone worked together to bring out chairs, and Niki pitched in, carrying them one by one toward the seminar hall.
While she was returning with two chairs in her hands, Aarav appeared in the hallway.
"Why are you lifting so much weight?" he asked, concern in his tone. "Let me help."
Niki replied without stopping, "You can help others. This is my last round anyway."
But Aarav gently took the chairs from her hands. Now they were walking through the lobby together, and several eyes turned to watch them.
Some girls smiled among themselves, whispering quietly.
Niki glanced at him and teased, "You've got quite a fan following. Hand those over, or the girls will start calling me a bitch."
Before Aarav could say anything, she took the chairs back and grinned. "Anyway, I'm going back into player mode."
And with that, she walked off, not even looking back.
Aarav stood there for a moment, watching her disappear down the hall.
"Sometimes, the simplest things... feel the most different," he thought to himself.
Just then, Heena walked over, catching him staring.
"Why are you looking at her like that?" she asked, half-teasing.
Aarav smiled calmly. "Nothing. Just watching the preparations."
And he walked off, a small smile still playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, Niki was now sitting with the other girls at the basketball court. Chart papers were spread out, surrounded by markers, sketch pens, and colorful glitter. She was sitting cross-legged, writing WELCOME FRESHERS on a poster.
She laughed while chatting with Deepsi, teasing her mid-drawing.
"Don't draw lines like that, they're not even straight!" Niki joked.
"Oh please, this is abstract art!" Deepsi retorted, and both burst into laughter.
Nearby, a few cold drinks sat untouched. The air was full of fun, color, and effort.
And Niki, in that moment, was completely present—free from fears, burdens, or the scars of the past.
But one glance, watching her silently from afar…
…felt it all.
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