Nandini's professor called her after class.
"I read your anonymous submission," she said. "The one about emotional labor in young women."
Nandini's fingers tightened on her bag strap.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Why anonymous?"
Nandini hesitated. "Because I didn't think my voice was allowed."
Her professor smiled. "It is. And I'm nominating it for the intercollegiate journal."
Nandini walked back to the hostel slowly.
Like she was carrying something fragile.
When she told them, Pihu screamed.
Meher hugged her.
Ananya simply held her hands.
"You were always speaking," she said. "We just learned to hear you."
Nandini's eyes filled.
Not from fear.
From recognition.