Aarohi hadn't shown up at school for days. No messages, no calls—just silence. At first, Meera thought it was exhaustion from the game, but as the days stretched on, worry began to settle in. Even Aryan, who always seemed unbothered, had glanced at her empty seat more than once.
Then, on a warm afternoon, she returned.
Aarohi walked through the gates, her posture as straight as ever, but something was different. She was quieter. Her usual fire seemed dimmed, like a storm had passed over her, leaving only its aftereffects.
She wasn't sure what she expected, but the first thing she saw sent a sharp pang through her chest.
Across the courtyard, Meera and Aryan stood close—too close. Meera was laughing, her hand resting on Aryan's arm as he leaned in to say something. The ease between them, the familiarity, it was... effortless.
Aarohi froze mid-step.
Her heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm. This shouldn't bother her. It didn't make sense for it to bother her. And yet, something in her tightened, a feeling she couldn't quite place.
Taking a deep breath, she walked past them, head held high. If they noticed her, she didn't look back to see. But inside, a storm she thought had passed was starting to gather again.
Aarohi slipped into the classroom, choosing a seat farther than usual. She didn't want to face them—not yet. The chatter around her felt distant, like she was watching a scene play out without truly being part of it.
But she wasn't invisible.
Meera spotted her first. "Aarohi!" Her voice was warm, relieved. "Where have you been? We were worried."
Aarohi managed a small smile. "Just busy. Needed some time."
Aryan turned toward her, his gaze unreadable. "You should've told someone."
She shrugged, pretending to focus on her books. "Didn't think it mattered."
For a second, silence stretched between them. Then Meera, ever the peacemaker, chuckled. "Well, you missed a lot. Aryan and I absolutely dominated in doubles during P.E. You should've seen him, he was—"
"I'm sure it was great," Aarohi cut in, her voice sharper than intended. She exhaled, gripping her pen tighter. "Anyway, I have work to catch up on."
Meera hesitated, glancing between Aarohi and Aryan. Something was off. She could feel it.
Aryan, on the other hand, merely nodded. "Alright. Just don't disappear again."
Aarohi didn't answer. Because deep down, she wasn't sure if she could promise that.