Avyukt's POV
It's been a week since that argument with Niharika—if one could even call it that. She's been acting like nothing happened, brushing it off like dust on her shoulder. But I know her better than that. Something's off. She's hiding something beneath the surface, like she always does.
Today, we're in a meeting for our centre's upcoming event. We're both on the social media team, so PR and outreach fall on us. Honestly, if I weren't studying law, I think I'd be designing websites or editing content for a living. I've always had a knack for visual storytelling—it's one of the few things that actually makes me feel... capable.
Everyone's here—seniors, juniors and a few students from out batch too. The atmosphere is busy but focused. We're brainstorming ideas when I raise a suggestion.
"I think we could—" I begin.
"Rehne de, Avyukt," Niharika cuts in with a smirk. "Tujhse acha idea toh main de chuki hoon. Tera idea apne paas hi rakh."
[Leave it, Avyukt. I have proposes a better idea than yours. You can keep it to yourself.]
I pause, taken aback, but try again. "Niharika, at least let me speak—"
"Zyada matt bol," she says louder now, her voice slicing through the room. "Warna ek joota muh pe maarungi tere."
[Shut up or else I will throw my shoe at your face.]
The room falls into a quiet kind of shock. Some people pretend to focus on their notebooks, others look away. But I feel the weight of every pair of eyes.
Until now, I kept quiet. I told myself that as long as it was just between us, I could handle it. But this? This is something else.
She's not just belittling me in private anymore—she's ripping into me in front of everyone. And the worst part? I still say nothing.
Because somewhere along the way, I let her shrink me.
I retrieve my hand and stay silent while the team continues discussing the event. But I'm no longer part of the room. My body's here, but my mind... it's reeling.
Niharika, as always, is back to normal. Laughing. Talking. As if she hasn't just humiliated me in front of 20–30 people. But me?
I'm barely holding myself together.
Every second in this room feels like a punishment. My heart is pounding, but I keep my face still. I want to disappear—vanish before anyone else meets my eyes and sees just how broken I am. This isn't how I was supposed to be existing... right?
I clench my fists under the table, digging my nails into my palm. Maybe if it hurts enough, it'll ground me. Maybe I won't cry right here.
But I can't do this anymore. Not this meeting.
Not this relationship.
I grab my laptop and my bag, and without a word, I walk out. Eyes follow me, but I don't meet a single one of them. I don't want to see the judgement in their eyes.
I just need air.
I just need space to breathe... to remember who I was before this.
I walk until the voices behind me fade into silence. Somehow, I end up in the amphitheatre—abandoned, quiet, and for now... mine.
I sit on the stairs keeping my laptop bag aside and for a moment I let myself breathe. I try to calm myself but it's not easy. I tremble under the weight of everything I've been holding in.
I try to swallow down the lump in my throat and stop myself from crying but I can't anymore. A tear finally leaves my eyes as I reel the scene from that meeting.
I am unable to shake the look from those judging eyes.
I bury my face in my hands and let out a shaky breath when the weight of emotions becomes too much and I finally allow myself to let out.
How did I even end up here in this situation: miserable, pitiful, humiliated and devoid of any self-respect?
I don't realise how much time has passed till I feel my tears leaving dry marks on my face. I scrub my face to compose myself. I look in distant at the amphitheatre. It's empty. Just like me. No one comes here except when there is an event in the college; people abandon it once their purpose is fulfilled. Just like they abandon people.
I am pulled out of my thoughts by a faint sound of ghunghroo coming from the backstage. The rhythm and soft sounds from the ghunghroo calm my troubled thoughts a little and I can feel myself relaxing with the soft noises.
Curious, I get up and walk at the back of the stage and I see Hridya there, probably recording some dance video for her Instagram account.
She is taken aback my sudden appearance there and fumbles a little. Her gaze lingers on me, and for a second, I brace myself—waiting for a question, a reaction. But it doesn't come.
"Mujhe laga yahan koi nahi aata din mein." Before I can speak she says her voice devoid of any judgment and for a moment I am surprised that she isn't judging me or asking me any questions for my dishevelled appearance.
[I thought no one comes here at this hour.]
"It's okay. I am sorry tumhe disturb kar diya maine. Wo maine tumhare ghunghroo ki aawaz suni or main yahan aa gaya. Yahan usually koi aata nahi hai na." I speak but my voice was hoarse and low due to the earlier breakdown and for a moment I am worried if she will question me about this. But she doesn't and honestly, that's a relief.
[Sorry, I disturbed you. Actually, I heard the sound of your Ghunghroo so I came here. No one comes here usually, you know.]
"Haan, isiliye I was recording the video here." She says gently. "Main bas jaane hi wali thi. I am done anyways."
[Yeah, that’s why I was recording the video here. I was about to leave.]
I can see her curious eyes but she isn't judging me. She wants to offer a comfort but I can see herself supressing her emotions.
I am grateful that she doesn't ask me any questions but silently gathers her things and leaves after giving me a soft smile.
I look at her retreating figure until she is out of my sight and I am left alone in the empty amphitheatre again.
But this time, the silence was not drowning me. It wasn't drowning me anymore. It was guiding me out of everything I thought would break me. A signal that I don't have to be empty like this amphitheatre. Some people will abandon you but there will always be a Hridya somewhere who won't let the loneliness feel a burden but an opportunity to realise your worth and find yourself.
I let out a sigh and gather my bag with a determined expression. I won't let myself suffer in silence anymore.
Hi Everyone!
So, how's the chapter? Any theories? If yes, the do share in the comments. Also, from Thursday, the story will be ahead of Wattpad here.
See you in the next chapter.
Bye. ❤️
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