Hema was waiting for me at school.
Maira was walking beside me when we turned toward the side road behind the school. My heart started beating fast. I felt it before I saw her.
Hema stood near the broken wall, her arms crossed, her eyes burning with anger. Her friends were standing behind her, watching like this was entertainment.
"I told you to come alone," Hema said loudly. "Did you get scared?"
"I didn't do anything to you," I said, my voice shaking. "Why are you doing this?"
Hema laughed bitterly. "Because people like you think you deserve attention."
She stepped closer.
Before she could reach me, Maira moved in front of me.
"Enough," Maira said calmly. "Leave her alone."
Hema scoffed. "Who do you think you are?"
She raised her hand like she was going to hit her.
In one fast movement, Maira caught her wrist mid-air and twisted it slightly. Not to hurt her badly just to warn her.
Hema cried out and yanked her hand back, her face red with humiliation and anger.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Maira didn't care about her anymore.
She turned to me, gently grabbed my hand, and started walking away.
"Let's go," she said softly.
I thought it was over.
I was wrong.
Suddenly, Hema grabbed Maira's hair from behind and pulled her hard.
"Maira!" I screamed.
Maira stumbled but didn't fall.
Everything happened so fast.
She twisted her body, grabbed Hema's wrist, and slammed her elbow into Hema's arm. Hema screamed and loosened her grip.
Maira stepped back into a fighting stance, her eyes cold and focused.
"Don't touch me again," she warned.
Hema charged at her.
Maira blocked the punch easily, grabbed her shoulder, and swept her leg. Hema fell to the ground hard, gasping for air.
Everyone froze.
I stood there shaking, my heart pounding loudly.
Maira didn't hit her again.
She just stood there strong and unafraid.
"Touch her again," Maira said quietly, "and next time I won't stop."
Hema stood up, her face filled with rage and shame.
"This isn't over," she spat at me.
Then she ran away.
My legs felt weak. Maira held my hand tighter as we walked away.
"I'm here," she said softly.
By the time I reached home, the sky was already dark.
The house felt wrong.
Too quiet.
I opened the door slowly. My father was sitting on the sofa, his head lowered.
"Dad?" I called.
He slowly looked up. His eyes were red.
"Where is mom?" I asked. "She's late, right?"
He swallowed hard.
"She's gone, Aruna."
My heart stopped.
"No," I whispered. "She can't be gone."
"She left us," he said.
I shook my head again and again.
"She can't leave us like this," I cried.
"What about me?"
"What about Adhi?"
"What about you, dad?"
Tears started falling before I could stop them.
"She wouldn't do this," I said. "She wouldn't leave us."
My father's voice broke.
"She chose another man."
That was it.
I fell to the floor and cried like I never had before.
Suddenly, arms wrapped around me.
My father knelt down and pulled me into a tight hug.
"Don't cry," he whispered. "Please don't cry."
"I'm here," he said, his voice shaking. "I'm not going anywhere."
He held my face gently.
"I'm here for you," he said. "I'm here for Adhi. I will never leave you both."
Adhi came closer and hugged us tightly.
"Promise?" Adhi asked quietly.
My father hugged him tighter.
"I promise," he said. "As long as I breathe, I'll stay with you."
I held them both, crying silently.
Everything was breaking around me.
But in that moment, I realized
Even when someone leaves,
someone else stays.
And sometimes, that's what keeps you alive.