Rohan — After the Call
The room felt unusually quiet after the call ended.
Rohan stared at his phone for a few seconds, like he expected it to ring again.
It didn't.
He let out a dry laugh, dropping the phone onto the bed.
"Stay out of my life," he muttered under his breath. "Yeah… loud and clear."
For a moment, he just sat there.
Annoyed. Restless. A little shaken.
Then he grabbed his jacket and stepped out.
🧍♂️ Kaiser — Reality Check
Kaiser was leaning against his bike when Rohan reached him.
Took one look at his face—
and sighed.
"Let me guess," Kaiser said. "Meera."
Rohan didn't respond immediately. Just ran a hand through his hair.
"…She called," he said finally.
"And?"
"She lost it. Started yelling. Acting like I—" he stopped, exhaling. "Like I did something terrible."
Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "Did you?"
"I just talked to Harsh," Rohan said defensively. "That's it."
Kaiser let out a short laugh. "Yeah. That's not 'it,' according to her."
Rohan frowned. "Why is everything such a big deal with her?"
Kaiser pushed himself off the bike, more serious now.
"Because you're still acting like you're part of her life."
That landed.
Rohan looked at him. "I'm not."
"You are," Kaiser said bluntly. "You show up, you interfere, you expect a reaction. That's not 'moved on' behavior."
Rohan went quiet.
Kaiser continued, a little softer now—
"Look, I'm going to say this straight. You're taking this way too seriously."
Rohan scoffed. "Oh, so I should just not care?"
"I'm not saying don't care," Kaiser replied. "I'm saying don't lose your mind over someone who's clearly moved on."
That hit harder than expected.
Rohan looked away.
"She's with him," Kaiser added. "Happy, from what it looks like."
Silence.
"Then why does it still feel like—" Rohan stopped himself.
"Like what?" Kaiser asked.
Rohan shook his head. "Like I need to fix something."
Kaiser studied him for a second.
"Not everything is yours to fix," he said quietly. "Especially not people who don't want you there anymore."
That settled in.
Slowly.
Kaiser stepped closer, more casual again.
"And also," he added, nudging him lightly, "stop taking girls this seriously, man."
Rohan let out a small laugh despite himself. "You're unbelievable."
"I'm realistic," Kaiser corrected. "You gave it your time. Your energy. It didn't work. Move on."
Rohan exhaled.
This time, it felt different.
Less defensive.
More… tired.
"Yeah," he said finally. "Maybe you're right."
"Of course I am," Kaiser said. "I'm always right."
Rohan smirked slightly.
Then, after a pause—
"I'm done," he said.
And this time—
He meant it.
🏠 The Study — A Way Out
That evening, his father called him into the study.
The room was quiet, as always. Organized. Serious.
His father looked up from his desk.
"I need your help," he said.
Rohan leaned against the chair slightly. "With what?"
"A new project," his father explained. "It's important. It'll require your full attention… and you may have to travel. Stay there for some time."
Rohan didn't respond immediately.
But something clicked.
A clean break.
No distractions.
No unnecessary drama.
Just… focus.
His father watched him. "It won't be easy."
Rohan nodded slowly.
"That's fine."
A pause.
Then—
"I'll do it."
His father seemed a little surprised. "You're sure?"
Rohan met his gaze.
"Yeah," he said. "I think it's exactly what I need."
🌒 Closing Beat
Later that night, Rohan packed a few things.
Nothing emotional.
Nothing dramatic.
Just… moving forward.
His phone lay on the table nearby.
Silent.
For the first time—
he didn't feel like picking it up.📚 Classroom — News Travels Fast
The classroom was half-empty, students scattered around, some talking, some on their phones.
Meera sat casually on her bench, flipping her pen between her fingers, while Kitty practically dropped into the seat next to her.
"You are not going to believe this," Kitty said, clearly excited.
Meera raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
"Rohan," Kitty said. "He left."
Meera paused mid-motion. "Left… as in?"
"As in left the city," Kitty clarified. "Apparently he's gone to work with his dad. Some business thing."
There was a second of silence.
Then—
Meera leaned back and let out a small, satisfied breath.
"…Good."
Kitty blinked. "That's it? Just 'good'?"
Meera shrugged, a faint smile forming."I'm actually really happy he left."
Kitty stared at her for a moment, then smirked.
"Wow. Look at you. Finally listening to my advice."
Meera rolled her eyes immediately. "Please. Don't start."
"I've been telling you since day one—stay away from him," Kitty continued proudly.
"Yes, yes," Meera waved her off. "You and your endless wisdom."
"Excuse me, I deserve credit."
"You deserve silence."
Kitty gasped dramatically. "Rude."
Meera just smiled, shaking her head.
Kitty's eyes suddenly shifted past Meera.
"Oho," she said, her tone changing instantly.
Meera frowned. "What?"
Kitty nodded toward the other side of the classroom.
"There," she said. "Your handsome nerd."
Meera turned slightly—
And there he was.
Harsh.
Sitting at his desk.
Completely focused.
Books open, pen moving, like the concept of "break time" didn't exist for him.
Meera sighed. "He's studying again."
"Of course he is," Kitty said. "That's part of the charm."
"There is no charm in this."
"There is a lot of charm in this," Kitty corrected. "He's smart, he's calm, he actually takes care of you—"
"Okay, stop," Meera cut in, slightly embarrassed.
"I'm serious," Kitty said. "Go talk to him."
Meera hesitated for half a second.
Then Kitty nudged her. "Go. Don't just sit here."
Meera gave her a look.
"Fine."
🌿 A Quiet Little Moment
Harsh didn't notice her coming.
He was still writing something down, completely absorbed.
Meera walked up behind him silently—
and wrapped her arms around him in a quick hug.
Harsh froze for a second.
Then lifted his head slightly, surprised.
"…Meera?"
She smiled a little. "Hi."
He turned just enough to look at her. "What are you doing?"
"Disturbing you," she said casually. "Clearly."
He glanced at his books, then back at her.
"…Obviously."
She leaned slightly closer. "What are you doing?"
"Studying," he said.
"Again?" she groaned softly. "It's break time."
"So?"
"So you're not supposed to study," she said, like it was obvious.
He raised an eyebrow. "According to who?"
"According to me."
He almost smiled.
She let go of him and moved around to sit on the edge of his desk.
"Come on," she said. "Take a break."
"I am taking a break."
"No, you're not."
"I am."
"You're literally solving something right now."
He looked at his notebook.
"…Okay, fair."
She smirked. "Exactly."
For a moment, he just looked at her.
"Why are you in such a good mood?" he asked.
She shrugged lightly.
"Just… good news."
He tilted his head. "What kind of good news?"
"Rohan left," she said simply.
Harsh paused.
Then nodded slowly.
"…Okay."
Meera smiled. "Yeah. Okay."
No tension.
No confusion.
Just… done.
She hopped off the desk.
"Now," she said, pointing at him, "close this."
He looked at his book.
Then at her.
"…Or?"
"Or I'll sit here and keep talking," she said. "And you won't get anything done anyway."
He considered that for a second—
then closed the book.
"Blackmail."
"Effective blackmail," she corrected.
🍽️ Canteen — Lightness Returns
They walked side by side toward the canteen.
Not arguing.
Not tense.
Just… easy.
"What are we getting?" Harsh asked.
"Something good," Meera said.
"That narrows it down."
She looked at him. "You're paying."
He sighed. "Of course I am."
"Good," she smiled.
They reached the counter, still talking, still teasing.
And for the first time in a while—
everything felt simple again.
No past.
No interruptions.
Just the two of them,
exactly where they were supposed to be.