Sameera's POV:
Hospitals have a way of making thoughts louder.
The room was quiet—too quiet—except for the soft beep of a monitor and the faint rustle of curtains whenever someone passed outside. I stared at the ceiling, counting cracks that didn't exist, replaying a moment my mind refused to let go of.
Him.
The person I trusted the most.
The one who felt like home.
I had built my calm around him without even realizing it. Somewhere between stolen smiles, late-night calls, and the way he always knew when I was about to fall apart, he had become my safe place.
The one corner of my life that felt untouched by expectations, by pressure, by my parents' constant plans for a future I wasn't ready for.
And now—
My chest tightened.
The image burned behind my eyes no matter how hard I tried to shut it out. Him standing there. That kiss. Them being close. Close enough to shatter something inside me that I didn't know could break like this.
He was mine, my heart whispered stupidly. Or at least… I thought he was.
I turned my face toward the window, blinking hard. Crying felt exhausting now, like I'd already spilled every tear I had.
The door burst open.
"Okay, first of all—stop dying dramatically."
I blinked.
Janhvi stood there with her hands on her hips, eyes sharp but worried, hair tied up like she'd been running her fingers through it all evening.
"Second," she continued, walking straight in, "your mom has been calling nonstop. Like nonstop. She's convinced you've been kidnapped, eloped, or joined a secret cult."
I swallowed. "What did you tell her?"
"That you weren't feeling well, we came home, and you slept like a pig," she said casually. "Which is technically true, minus the hospital part."
I managed a weak huff.
She sat on the edge of the bed and softened immediately. "Sameera, please. At least text her that you're alive. Doctor has clearly said rest, not overthinking-yourself-into-another-attack."
I nodded slowly, reaching for my phone. My fingers hesitated before typing a short I'm okay, just unwell. Will talk tomorrow.
"There," Janhvi said, satisfied. "Now stop thinking thoughts that hurt you."
I let out a hollow laugh. "If only it was that easy."
Before she could reply, the door opened again.
And suddenly the room wasn't quiet anymore.
Sneha walked in first, dramatically whispering, "Patient ko disturb nahi karna chahiye—but we missed you."
Behind her came Shreya, Manjiri, Sanskruti, Aryan, Ujjwal, and Atharva, all crammed into the room like they'd planned a reunion here.
"Look at her," Aryan said, shaking his head. "Graduation ke baad hospital trip—very on brand."
"Excuse me," Sanskruti shot back, "she looks hot even while collapsing. Priorities."
I couldn't help it.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
They sat wherever they could—chairs, window ledges, the edge of the bed—talking over each other, roasting the graduation ceremony.
"The principal's speech was longer than my engineering degree," Ujjwal groaned.
"And that one auntie in the audience who kept clapping at the wrong time," Manjiri added. "Iconic."
For a few minutes, I forgot.
Forgot the ache. Forgot the image.
Forgot the weight pressing on my chest.
Then the door flew open again.
A nurse stood there, hands on her waist, eyebrow raised. "Is this a hospital room or a college canteen?"
Everyone froze.
She scanned the room. "Patient needs rest. All of you—out."
Groans erupted.
"But we just got here," Atharva protested.
She pointed at him. "You especially. Out."
As they shuffled toward the door, Sneha turned back and said loudly, "She smiled, guys. Mission accomplished. Now we can go."
Janhvi grinned. "Thank God you smiled. I was about to threaten you."
The door closed behind them, leaving the room quiet again—but this time, not painfully so.
Janhvi pulled the chair closer and sat beside me. "I'm staying."
I frowned. "You don't have to. Go home."
She shook her head instantly. "And do what? Sit alone and worry about you? No thanks."
She leaned back, crossing her arms. "I don't want to be at home. Alone. You're stuck with me."
My throat tightened.
I turned toward her, resting my head against the pillow, exhaustion finally seeping in.
For the first time since everything fell apart, I didn't feel completely alone.
And maybe… for tonight, that was enough.
---
Morning came with paperwork, signatures.
Janhvi handled everything—forms, discharge slips, questions for the nurse—as if she'd done this a hundred times before. I just sat there, quiet, my head heavy, my body weak but my heart somehow heavier. Daksh came to pick us up, standing awkwardly near the door, concern written all over his face even though he didn't ask much. Maybe he knew this wasn't the time.
We were just stepping out of the hospital when I saw her.
Gauri.
For a second, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Like it had been doing since yesterday. But no—there she was, walking toward us like she owned the place. Confident. Calculated. A faint smile on her lips that made my stomach twist.
Janhvi noticed her at the same time I did.
"Oh hell no," she snapped instantly, stepping in front of me. "What the fuck is this bitch doing here?"
Gauri didn't even flinch. She looked Janvhi up and down slowly, then smiled wider. "Relax. I'm not here to fight. I just came to check on her," she said, her eyes sliding to me, sharp and cold, "and to tell her something."
My fingers curled into my palm. My voice surprised even me when I spoke.
"Say it."
Janhvi turned to me. "Sameera, you don't need to—"
"I want to hear," I said quietly.
Gauri tilted her head, almost amused.
"Good. Because you deserve to know."
She took a step closer, lowering her voice just enough to feel personal. "Stay away from Saharsh."
Janhvi exploded. "Who the hell do you think you are—"
"We were together," Gauri continued smoothly, cutting her off like she didn't exist. "Long before you came into his life."
Each word felt deliberate. Meant to hurt.
"You were just some random phase," she went on. "We were more than best friends. We were… everything. He was always mine."
My chest tightened, but I stayed still.
Silent.
"He went to Mumbai," she said, shrugging, "and you happened. He needed someone. Time pass. Comfort. Someone to fill the space while he was away from me."
I felt something inside me crack—but I didn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction.
"But now I'm back," she finished, smiling cruelly. "So it's time for you to leave. He was never yours, Sameera. Don't get confused."
That was it.
Janhvi completely lost it.
"You manipulative fucking bitch!" she shouted, stepping forward. "How dare you come here after everything and talk like this? You witch. You absolute piece of shit."
Gauri raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Truth hurts."
Janhvi lunged.
I barely registered what happened next—Daksh grabbing Janhvi from behind, holding her back as she struggled, screaming curses I didn't even know she knew.
"I swear to God I'll—let me go, Daksh! Let me fucking go!"
Gauri took a step back then, finally sensing she'd pushed too far. But the smirk stayed.
"Think about what I said," she told me softly. "Before you embarrass yourself further."
And then she turned and walked away.
Janhvi was still shaking with rage, Daksh holding her tightly, trying to calm her down. "She's not worth it," he kept saying. "Not here. Please."
I stood there, frozen.
Not crying. Not screaming.
Just… hollow.
Because the worst part wasn't her words.
It was how easily they found the cracks she didn't even know existed.
---
The ride back from the hospital felt unreal.
Like I was hovering somewhere above my own life, watching it all fall apart in slow motion.
Janhvi was still fuming when we reached the apartment. I could hear her ranting before I even stepped fully inside.
"That witch. I swear if I see her again—"
Her voice echoed, sharp and protective.
Daksh shut the door quietly behind us.
I just stood there.
Everything looked the same.
The couch. The window. The stupid wind chime near the balcony.
But nothing felt the same.
"It can't be fully true," Daksh said suddenly.
Janhvi snapped at him immediately. "Are you serious right now?"
"I'm just saying," he continued, calmer. "I know Saharsh. The way he is with her… that wasn't fake."
Her.
Me.
I didn't turn around.
"There has to be some misunderstanding," he said, now looking at me. "You heard what Gauri said. At least hear him too."
I swallowed.
If only it was that easy.
"If I give him one chance," I said quietly, still staring at nothing, "I'll believe him."
They both went silent.
"I know myself," I continued. "I'll believe whatever he says. I'll find logic in it. I'll convince myself it wasn't what it looked like. I'll forgive him before he even finishes explaining."
My chest tightened.
"And I don't trust myself enough to do that."
Because he was my weakness.
And I hated that he still was.
I walked into my room and pulled out my suitcase.
Janhvi followed instantly. "Sameera, what are you doing?"
"I'm going back to Thane."
"You just got discharged!"
"I don't want to stay here."
The words came out steady, but inside I was shaking.
I opened my cupboard. Started folding clothes. My hands were numb.
I wasn't running.
I was just… escaping.
Escaping the walls that had seen us laugh.
The floor where he had once spun me around.
The bed where I had fallen asleep while he was on call, listening to his breathing.
My eyes drifted to the wall.
The polaroids.
My chest physically hurt.
I walked closer.
There we were at Marine Drive, wind messing up my hair while he held my hand like he was scared I'd float away.
There we were laughing over burnt Maggie at 2 a.m.
There he was kissing my forehead.
Like I was precious.
Like I was his.
My fingers trembled as I took one down.
Should I take them?
Or leave them behind like they never meant anything?
The door creaked.
"Sameera?"
My entire body stiffened.
Aai.
She stood at the doorway, her eyes scanning the open suitcase first… then the wall.
Her gaze froze.
She walked inside slowly.
Picked up one of the polaroids.
And I watched her face change.
"So this is why," she said.
Her voice wasn't loud.
It was worse.
It was disappointed.
"This is why you wanted to move out? This is why you didn't want to meet the boys we suggested?"
"Aai, please—"
"You said you wanted independence," she continued. "Focus on studies. Career. And all this time you were hiding this?"
"I wasn't hiding—"
"You lied."
The word hit harder than any slap could have.
"I love him," I said before I could stop myself.
The room fell silent.
Janhvi tried to step in. "Aunty, it's not like—"
"Enough," Aai snapped.
She bent down.
Zipped my suitcase herself.
Daksh stood helpless, watching the scene unravel faster than anyone could control.
"You are coming home."
"Aai, please," I whispered.
But she was already gathering my things. Quick. Efficient. Final.
The polaroids were still on the bed.
I stared at them.
If I took them… it meant I was still holding on.
If I left them… it meant I was letting go.
I didn't take them.
Maybe I wanted to punish myself.
Maybe I wanted to punish him.
Maybe I just didn't have the strength to carry memories that heavy.
As I stepped out of the apartment, suitcase rolling behind me, something inside me felt… done.
Like a book closing.
Like a chapter ripping itself out.
But my eyes betrayed me.
As Aai opened the car door, I looked up towards his apartment.
Just once.
Just in case.
Maybe he would be there.
Running. Breathless. Stopping me. Choosing me. Saying it was all a mistake. Saying I was his.
But he was not there.
The world didn't stop.
Only mine did.
And as the car door shut beside me, sealing me inside,
I realized—
I was leaving.
But my heart?
It was still standing outside that apartment,
Waiting for him.