She opened her mouth, like she wanted to speak but no words came out.
For a moment, it felt like the whole world went silent.
"I" she started, then stopped.
Her jaw tightened.
She looked away, took a deep breath, and forced a small smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Take care," she said quietly.
Before I could reply, she turned around and walked away.
I stood there, watching her back fade into the distance.
Something about that moment hurt more than I expected.
Because sometimes, the words people don't say hurt the most.
I couldn't stop thinking about Maira on the way home.
Her silence stayed with me, heavier than Hema's words, heavier than the whispers at school. I kept replaying that moment wondering what she wanted to say, wondering why she didn't.
At home, the house was quiet again.
That night, Adhi sat beside me on the floor, his books spread around us.
"Can you help me, sis?" he asked softly.
I nodded and helped him with his homework, explaining each answer slowly. When he smiled and said he understood, something warm flickered inside me. Just for a moment.
Dad came home very late.
He looked exhausted like the world had drained him completely. He placed food from outside on the table instead of cooking.
"I was too tired today," he said quietly.
We ate in silence.
That night, sleep didn't come to me.
At school the next day, I felt the distance immediately.
Maira was there. I noticed her without trying. She watched me from across the classroom, but she didn't come near me. Every time our eyes met, she looked away.
That distance hurt.
And Hema noticed it too.
By lunchtime, the whispers had turned cruel.
"She's the reason her family broke."
"No wonder her mother left."
My chest tightened. My hands began to shake.
I tried to ignore it.
I tried to breathe.
But my body gave up before my mind did.
I broke down in class.
Tears slipped out, unstoppable. My vision blurred. My head felt light, like I might fall apart right there.
This time, Maira didn't stand up.
She stayed silent.
Rivan moved toward me, worry clear on his face.
"Aruna, are you okay?" he asked gently.
I shook my head.
I didn't answer him.
I didn't answer anyone.
I walked past the stares, past the whispers, until I found Inisha.
She held my hand tightly.
"I need to be alone," I whispered.
She hesitated but then nodded, understanding in her eyes.
I went to the rooftop.
The wind was strong up there, cold against my face. The city below looked distant, unreal. My heart raced, my thoughts tangled together.
Everything felt too heavy.
The rumors.
The silence.
The pain I never asked for.
I stood near the edge, my legs trembling.
For a moment, I wondered if stepping forward would make everything stop.
That's when I heard footsteps.
"Aruna"
The voice broke.
I turned my head slowly.
Maira stood a few steps away, breathing hard like she had been running. Tears streamed down her face freely, her eyes filled with fear.
"Please," she cried. "Don't go."
My breath caught.
She took a careful step closer, then stopped afraid of pushing me away.
"Please… don't," she said again, her voice shaking. "I should've said something earlier. I should've been there. I was scared, but that doesn't matter now."
She wiped her tears with her sleeve, shaking her head.
"I love you," she sobbed. "I love you, Aruna. Please don't leave. Not like this. Stay. Stay with me."
Those words shattered something inside me.
Love.
My legs weakened.
"I'm so tired," I whispered. "It hurts everywhere."
Maira rushed forward but stopped just in front of me, her voice gentle now.
"I know," she said softly. "But you don't have to face this alone. Stay. We'll figure it out together."
My body moved before my thoughts did.
I stepped back.
Then another step.
And then I was crying into her shoulder, gripping her shirt like it was the only thing keeping me together. She wrapped her arms around me tightly, holding me like she would never let go.
She didn't say anything else.
She didn't need to.
For the first time in a long time, I stayed.
A/N:
Thank you for reading If any part of this chapter felt close to your heart, please remember you are not alone. Choosing to stay is brave. Thank you for supporting Aruna's story:)