The next three days were… quiet Too quiet to notice
No car slowing near the gate because Krish refuses to do it
No familiar figure across the road pretending not to look
No simple message asking
“Reach home?”
Nothing
Vani told herself this was good but it was all weird for her This is what she wanted of course but she didn't want krish to just randomly vanish
But her eyes still searched unconsciously every time the final bell rang
And every time There was no one
No one leaning against his car
Mahesh noticed the pattern faster than she did
“Lagta hai hero busy ho gaya"
he said lightly while walking beside her after class
Vani kept her gaze forward feeling uneasy
“Please stop"
“Main toh bas observe kar raha hoon"
he shrugged
“Temporary log hamesha temporary hi hote hain"
That line landed heavier than it should have Temporary?
Was that what this was?
She didn’t reply She didn’t give him the satisfaction he was craving
But her steps slowed slightly
{MEANWHILE}
Krish had mastered a new routine Drive straight home without any detours or any excuses and specially No
“just passing by"
Sid watched him for two days before finally snapping
“Tu theek hai?”
Sid asked
“Haan"
Krish replies but both sid and krish knew it was a lie
“Jhoot"
Krish exhaled sharply
“Usne bola na stop meeting me so I stopped"
“Bas itna simple?”
Sid leaned back in his chair
Krish didn’t answer Because it wasn’t simple
He wasn’t angry at her He wasn’t even upset about the rumours
He was upset that she thought he was the problem
And maybe just Maybe he was
At lunch break, Ruhi finally returned to college
She hugged Vani tightly
“Kya drama miss kar diya maine?”
Vani forced a smile
“Kuch bhi nahi"
Ruhi looked at her for two seconds too long
“Woh aaya tha aaj?”
The question was casual but vani's reaction wasn’t
Her fingers tightened around her water bottle
“Nahi"
And that one word felt heavier than it should
YOU ARE READING
SAIYAARA: A REAL LIFE STORY
Non-Fictionwhat if krish and vani were not just fictional characters what if they were real
