The push came from behind.
I stumbled forward, and my books slipped from my hands, scattering across the corridor. Laughter followed before I could even react.
"Can't you walk properly?" Hema said, her voice loud and sharp.
I bent down quickly, my hands shaking as I picked up my books. I didn't look at her. I never did. Looking only made things worse.
"Always acting weak," she continued. "Is this how you get attention now?"
"I don't want attention," I whispered.
She laughed and suddenly grabbed my wrist. Her grip was tight, painful.
"Stop lying."
I bit my lip. Crying would only make her happy.
"Let her go."
The voice wasn't loud, but it was strong.
I looked up.
A girl stood a few steps away. Calm. Confident. Her eyes were sharp and fearless.
Maira.
Hema scoffed. "And who are you?"
"Maira," she said simply. "Let her go."
Hema shoved me aside and stepped toward her. "You think you scare me?"
Maira didn't step back.
Hema tried to push her.
In one quick movement, Maira caught her wrist, twisted it gently, and stepped into a fighting stance. Everyone around us gasped.
"Taekwondo," Maira said calmly. "Second dan."
Hema's face turned pale. She tried to pull away, but she couldn't.
"Fight me then," Hema snapped.
"You'd lose," Maira replied quietly.
She let go.
Hema glared at us, humiliated. "This isn't over," she hissed before walking away.
I stood there, frozen.
Maira turned to me. "Are you hurt?"
I shook my head. "No… thank you."
She looked at my wrist, then at me. "If she touches you again, tell me."
Then she walked away like nothing had happened.
But for me, everything had changed.
In class, I tried to focus, but my mind wouldn't stop racing. Halfway through the lesson, Hema passed my desk and leaned close.
"After school," she whispered. "Meet me behind the building."
My heart dropped.
Before I could reply, she was gone.
That evening, my father called us to the living room.
Adhi sat beside me, holding my hand.
"I need to tell you something," my father said.
My chest tightened.
"Your mother and I are getting a divorce."
The word echoed in my head.
Divorce.
Adhi looked confused. "What does that mean?"
It means our family is breaking, I thought.
My mother looked away. Adhi started crying.
I didn't.
I just held my brother tighter.
That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering how everything in my life kept falling apart at the same time.
The next day, after school, I walked slowly toward the gate. I was scared. I kept looking around for Hema.
She wasn't there.
Instead, I saw Maira.
She stood near the gate, waiting.
"You're walking home?" she asked.
I nodded.
"I'll walk with you," she said.
I looked at her, surprised. "Why?"
She shrugged. "Because you shouldn't be alone."
We walked side by side in silence.
For the first time in a long time, I felt safe.
Author's note
Thank you for reading if you feel unseen, please remember you matter to someone