I woke up in the library, disoriented, and found a cold cup of coffee beside me. As I looked around, I spotted a note under the cup.

Unfolding it, I read:

"Eat it, I bought it for you.

Call me once you're ready to talk to me.

Yours, Shaurya."

The words hit me hard.

I stared at the note, torn between the overwhelming pain and the small flicker of hope his message brought. My heart ached, but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to reach out yet.

I threw the burrito straight into the dustbin, the note still clutched in my hand.

I couldn’t bring myself to eat it not when everything still hurt this much.

Without looking back, I walked out of the library, my steps heavy and my heart heavier.

As I walked down the steps, lost in my thoughts, my foot caught the edge of a tile. I stumbled, nearly falling, and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Great," I muttered under my breath, brushing off the invisible dust from my jeans.

Even the ground was done with me, it seemed.

"Wow... like wow," I muttered dramatically, wincing as I limped a little, holding my ankle.

"Itni dukh kam tha aaj jo ab moch bhi de di... dard de rahe ho, Bhagwan ji?" I looked up at the sky, half annoyed, half teary-eyed.

"Full drama chal rahi hai meri life mein, aur aap painkiller ki jagah aur dard bhej rahe ho?" I scoffed, limping my way to the nearest bench, like a broken heroine from a sad movie.

—-

My phone buzzed Mannat.

I groaned, still limping, and picked it up.

"Haan bolo," I said flatly.

"Theek hai tu, ganji?" she asked, concern clear in her tone.

"Ohh, so yeh sab tumhara kara hua hai!" I snapped, the irritation from my ankle, the note, and everything else bubbling over.

"Kya? Kya kiya humne?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"Zyada banne ki zarurat nahi hai Mannat… Shaurya ko college pe tum dono ne hi bheja hai na?" I accused, pacing as much as my foot allowed.

"Woh... hmm..." she hesitated.

"Woh hmm kya kar rahi hai? Saaf saaf bata! Tum dono ka hi kaam hai na yeh?"

There was a pause before she finally admitted, "Woh... chudail ne bataya tera college Shaurya ko..."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes so hard it hurt.

"Wow... mujhe pata tha, tum dono mein se kisi ka kaam hoga yeh!"

"Arey aise tu chilla kyun rahi hai?"

Mannat snapped back.

"Because I’m hurt, Mannat! Emotionally, aur ab literally bhi moch aayi hai meri!" I yelled, and for a second we both went silent.

"Tu chudail ke ghar aa, baith ke baat karte hain," Mannat said firmly.

"Aa rahi hoon mein... phir dekhti hoon tum dono ko. Specially Alia ka! Uska toh zyada hi ho gaya hai aaj kal," I snapped, already opening the cab app on my phone.

Limping like a proper dramatic lead in a TV serial, I somehow made it to the main gate, dragging my foot as if life hadn’t already dragged me enough today.

I booked the cab and winced with every step as I reached the car.

The driver gave me a curious glance through the mirror but wisely stayed silent.

Alia's apartment was closer than ours, and honestly, I didn’t have the strength to go all the way home.

I figured I’d get my ankle bandaged there... and maybe give those two a piece of my mind.

As I reached Alia’s apartment building, limping like a full-time tragedy queen, I spotted Mannat standing near the elevator, scrolling on her phone like nothing was wrong in the world.

"Oi Mannat! Help kar meri!" I called out, my voice laced with pain and drama.

She looked up, eyes widening when she saw me.

"Kya hua tujhe? Chal legi na itna?" she asked, rushing toward me.

"Nahi mein toh ek dum fit hu marathon dor skti hu abhi tu kahe toh" I snapped, throwing my hand up in frustration.

"Moch ayi h or... tu bas puchti reh, help karne ka toh time hi nahi!" I added, dramatically leaning on her shoulder like the world had betrayed me.

She let out a sigh, muttering something under her breath about ‘hein bhagwan iska kya hoga’ but still supported me inside.

Alia still hadn’t come back home.

The apartment felt weirdly quiet without her usual background rants and bossy energy. I lay on the couch, half-sulking, half-exhausted, my foot propped up on a cushion.

I pulled out my phone and recorded a voice note, not even bothering to hide the frustration in my tone.

"Jaldi aa ghar, Alia!" I said, my voice sharp and fed up, before hitting send.

Mannat walked in with the first aid kit, sighing dramatically like she was the one in pain.

"Drama toh full on chal rahi hai aaj," she muttered under her breath but got to work anyway.

She sprayed the cold first-aid mist on my ankle, and I hissed in pain.

"Thoda dard hoga, tolerate kar le ganji," she said, wrapping my foot carefully with a crape bandage.

I groaned.

"Main emotionally drain out hoon aur tu mujhe ‘tolerate’ bol rahi hai?"

She just rolled her eyes, tightening the bandage a little extra for revenge.

—---

After she was she sat beside me on the sofa handing me the water bottle

'kiu ki alia dhodegi hume agar glass use krke dhoya nhi toh'

"Ab bata, kya hua?" Mannat asked, settling next to me on the couch, her tone softer now.

I looked at her, then at my bandaged foot, then back at her.

My eyes welled up again, but I blinked the tears away, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Shaurya se aaj phir mili….phir wohi sab….bohot gussa aya tha pehli mulakat ke baad…. par aaj jab maine usse dubara dekha toh….i realised meine toh kabhi usko bhoolne ke koshish he nhi ki thi”

She stayed silent, letting me speak.

I exhaled shakily.

"Main usse bhool gayi thi, Bass iss delusion mein thi….par the reality is ki meine…khud ko… Apne kaam mein, apne goals mein... khud mein….itna busy kr lia tha ki uski yaad na aye dubara…” i gulled and continue..

”roz itni mehnat krti thi ki…khud ke sath do pal akele mein baith ne ki bhi fursat na mile….taki uski yaad na aye…. Par jaise hi uski shakal dubara dekhi, sab wapas aa gaya." i said with a smik at the end.

"Main library jaa rahi thi... woh saamne khada tha. Aise jaise... jaise kuch bhi nahi badla ho."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Same smile, same aankhein …bss iss baar guilt thi…kisi cheez ki….. lekin phir bhi... usme wohi Shaurya tha jise main apna maanti thi….."

Mannat's brows furrowed, concern etched on her face.

"Usne kuch bola?"

"Bohot kuch... ya shayad kuch bhi nahi." I shook my head.

"Keh raha tha ke wo bas ek baar….ek akhri mauka dedu usse….. use pachtawa hai... ki usne mujhe wahan akele chhod gya tha... us gali mein, us darr mein."

Mannat’s hand reached out, resting on mine.

" tune kya kaha?"

Tears welled up again, but this time, I didn’t fight them.

"Main kuch nahi keh paayi, Mannat. Sirf dekhti rahi usse...or shayad bhagne ki koshish mein thi….kehna bohot kch chah rhi thi par usko dekh ke lafz gale se bahar aaa nhi rhi thi”

Mannat didn’t say anything, but she was listening.

Properly.

Jaise har lafz ka wazan mehsoos kar rahi ho.

A long paused between us.

Then i opened my mouth clearing my throat.

"Tu jaanti hai... woh wala pyaar? Jo tera poora system crash kar deta hai. Jahan tu khud ke liye nahi, uske liye jeeti hai? Woh wala... woh tha mere liye…Itna pyar tha mujhe uske liye….ki khud ko…khone ke liye taiyar baithi thi"

Mannat gave a small nod, encouraging.

"Lekin main uske liye kabhi kaafi nahi thi….Main uski duniya mein fit hi nahi hoti thi... Aur tu jaanti hai kya sabse bekaar cheez hoti hai? Jab koi tere sab kuch ban jaaye, par woh tujhe sirf ek option ki tarah treat kare."

She squeezed  it. (My hand)

I felt it not the pressure, but the support.

Mannat’s jaw tightened. She didn’t say anything. Just listened.

"Main toh usse sab kuch samajhti thi, Mannat," I continued,

"Lekin usne mujhe kabhi samajhne ki koshish bhi nahi ki. Uske liye main bas ek Ladki thi… mamuli si….jo uske liye perfect ban na chahti thi, uske standards ke hisaab se……par badle…mein…. Main toh bas… pyaar chaahti thi, bas thoda sa…"

My voice cracked.

The tears slipped down like a waterfall.

Mannat pulled me into a hug, tight, like she was trying to shield me from memories.

"Tu mamuli ladki nahi hein, Ruhi," she said firmly.

"Tu kisi ke standards se define hone waali ladki bhi nahi hai. Tu chaand hai… jo khud mein roshni rakhti hai, or dusro ko bhi roshni deti h.. Kisi ke jaane se andhera nahi ho jata h."

"Toh….asa…ki..u..lg..rha ….mein to..toot..rhi hu…." I asked,crying and muffled into her shoulder.

"Tootna zaroori hota hai kabhi kabhi… taaki hum apni khud ki value samaj sake…khud ki worth..ko hum dusro ke expecations ke krn khud ko kho baithte h…. Shaurya ne tujhe pehchaana nahi, par tu khud ko pehchan. Woh sabse zaroori hai."

We sat like that in silence.

Just two girls  one broken, the other holding her together.

"Tu strong thi, hai, aur rahegi, Ruhi. Tootne ka matlab yeh nahi ki tu kamzor ho gayi."

Then… the silence between them didn’t feel heavy anymore.

Mannat kept me in her arm around me, gently swaying me like a mother does a child, as if trying to rock the pain out of me.

my sobs had quieted now  not because the ache had vanished, but because for the first time, the words I had buried deep, the ones that choked me every night, found their way ou not as sentences, but as tears.

Quiet, relentless tears.

Talking about Shaurya used to feel like reopening a wound.

But today, after looking into his eyes and seeing guilt real, heavy guilt something inside me shifted.

I used to cry for him.

Today, I cried for myself.

That difference… it may sound small, but it changes everything.

Because for the longest time, I had lived for someone else.

For his standards.

His silences.

His fleeting attention.

His version of love.

But today, Mannat held my hand like she was holding my broken pieces together, and reminded me….I exist beyond him.

I’m not just a shadow of someone’s expectations.

I’m a light.

A whole damn moon.

Yes, I’m shattered.

Yes, I’m hurt.

But maybe, just maybe, that’s how healing begins.

By choosing to cry not for what’s lost, but for what you forgot you were.

Me.

I forgot me.

And maybe it’s time… I start remembering.

Just when I thought I was finally letting it out, the throbbing in my foot flared up sharp, raw, angry.

I winced, instinctively pulling my leg closer, clutching the cushion tighter.

Mannat noticed immediately.

" dard badh gaya?" she asked gently, already reaching for the ice pack again.

"Yaar ek painkiller de de, bohot dard ho rahi hai," I groaned, shifting slightly on the couch as the dull ache in my ankle kept pulsing.

"I hate this," I whispered. "This helplessness. This… being stuck. Not just here on this couch, but everywhere. Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.”

"Layi ruk 2 min”  Mannat said, handing me  water and the tablet like she was dealing with an overgrown toddler.

I popped it in and downed the water in one go.

"Main so leti hoon... itne mein Alia aa jaaye," I mumbled, already dragging myself towards Alia’s bed like I owned the place.

Without waiting for her permission because obviously, emergency protocol.

I flopped onto her bed and pulled the blanket over me.

"Hicjack kar le uska bed bhi," Mannat muttered with a serious tone and left.

I let out a tired sigh and closed my eyes, hoping the pain would dull, in my ankle and my heart at least for a while.

.

.

.

After an hour.

My sleep broke with a faint sound coming from the living room whispers, the low hum of a voice I couldn’t quite place.

My body was too tired, too sore to call out, so I stayed where I was, still buried under Alia’s blanket.

But curiosity?

Oh, that never sleeps.

I closed my eyes and focused, trying to make out the words.

Mannat’s voice soft, slightly panicked. And then... Alia.

She had finally returned. But it was what Alia said that made my heartbeat pause.

"Dekh Mannat, iss baar Ruhi galat hai. Aur tu uski side nahi legi," Alia said firmly, folding her arms across her chest.

Mannat looked up, caught off-guard by the sudden edge in Alia's voice.

"Usko iss baar haar maan’ni padegi," Alia continued, voice low but resolute.

"Har waqt woh sahi nahi ho sakti hai. Usko ab itni aadat ho chuki hai na… ki usse bardasht hi nahi hoti jab koi usse ulta bolta hai. Usse lagta hai woh kabhi galat ho hi nahi sakti."

Mannat opened her mouth to say something, then closed it.

Because somewhere… Alia wasn’t completely wrong.

"Main jaanti hoon Ruhi ne bohot kuch jhela hai," Alia added, her tone softening just a bit.

"Par iska matlab yeh toh nahi na, ki woh har rishte mein sirf victim ban ke rahe? Galtiyaan sabse hoti hain... usse bhi.”

……

Mannat asked her

"Toh kya tu chaahti hai woh dono phir se….?"

"I just helped him. Bas jitna mujhe sahi laga, utna kiya. But Ruhi… she’s trapped in her own emotional storm. She can’t see how much everything is changing around her," Alia muttered, more to herself now.

Mannat stood silent, watching Alia’s emotions clash.

“Alia, tune sab dekha h ruhi ka struggle, dard everything…. Par Ruhi ka waqt abhi nahi aaya. Usse waqt de, samajh... kabhi kabhi humein apne aap ko khud samajhna padta hai. Aur usne apne dard ko itni gehraayi se chhupaya hai... uska pehla kadam bahut mushkil hoga.” mannat said.

But then I heard Alia say something that hit me like a slap.

“Baat waqt ki nhi h…the thing is ki usko jo sahi lgta h wohi krti h dusro ka pov kch nhi dekegi woh…iss ke chakkr mein bbhale uski life tabah ho jaye.woh baaki sabka pain dekh hi nahi paati. Woh sirf apna dard ginti hai.”

My heart clenched.

Just like that those half-healed wounds?

Ripped wide open.

In this half-asleep, half-broken state, that’s all I heard.

Alia blaming me.

Taking Shaurya’s side.

Saying I ruined things.

Again.

Something inside me snapped.

I kicked the blanket off, my chest burning with something I couldn't even name.

My foot protested the movement, the pain sharp but my anger? It was louder.

I didn’t care.

Not about the pain.

Not about whether I should even be walking.

Not about the fact that I probably looked like a mess.

I just knew this Alia thought I was the problem.

That she didn’t understand me anymore.

Maybe… she never did.

I stormed out of the room, each step heavier than the last, fury boiling under my skin.

I didn’t know what I was going to say.

But I knew I couldn’t stay silent anymore.

…….

"Toh sab kuch meri galti hai, na Alia? Main hi villain hoon is story ki?"

They froze.

Alia and Mannat both turned toward me like they’d seen a ghost.

But I wasn’t a ghost.

I was done being quiet.

Alia’s eyes widened seeing me like this: flustered, limping, tears clinging to my lashes but burning with rage.

I pointed a shaking finger at her.

At her.

The girl who once called me her soul sister.

"Tu! Tu meri best friend thi, Alia! Aur tu kya kar rahi thi? Usse phir se meri life mein ghusa rahi thi? Mujh pe blame daal rahi thi?"

Her face didn’t shifted.

That guilt?

That flicker of hesitation?

None.

she stood her ground.

"Mujhe jo shi lga meine woh cheez kia….mujhe lgti thi pehle se u guys should talked before…par tu toh tu h..or woh toh woh….or ab jab mujhe ek chance mila h….or woh khud aya india se UK tere se milne ke liye Tujhse baat karne ka ek chance chahiye tha use. Toh meine usko help krdia.” she said.

Help.

God, that word.

I laughed bitterly cold and hollow.

"Help? Toh tu ab Shaurya ki savior ban gayi hai? Wah Alia, wah! Sab kuch theek ho jaata agar main baat kar leti? Matlab... main hi problem hoon?”

My voice cracked at the end, not from weakness, but from everything I’d bottled up.

They both stood silent now.

Because maybe, just maybe, they realized.

I wasn’t just angry.

I was hurt.

“You guys are unbelievable!” I snapped, standing right in front of them.

Alia and Mannat flinched, caught off guard.

"You’re discussing me? Behind my back? Deciding who’s right for me? Since when did my life become a group project?"

I turned to Alia, eyes locked on hers.

"Tujhse yeh umeed nahi thi, Alia specially tu mannat"

"Tum dono decide karoge ki mujhe kya chahiye? Main kya mehsoos karti hoon? Kis dard mein hoon?"

My voice dropped, trembling now not from fear, but disbelief.

"Yeh sirf tere liye gossip ban gayi hai?"

“Asi koi baat nhi ….tere uthne ka wait he kr rhe the….hum bhi” she said.

But then.

Alia’s phone rang.

Loud.

Sharp.

Obnoxious.

Like the world had the audacity to interrupt this moment.

She didn’t pick up.

The screen kept lighting up again. And again.

"Utha le phone," Mannat said quietly, her voice barely a whisper.

"Chhod, baad mein dekhti hoon," Alia muttered, avoiding my eyes.

"Kaun hai?" Mannat asked, glancing at the buzzing screen.

Alia exhaled like the answer burned her lungs.

"Shaurya," she replied.

"Wah, Alia… waah," I clapped, slow and sarcastic.

"Maan gayi tujhe. Yahan tu ‘help’ karne ki baat kar rahi hai, aur wahan itni raat ko woh tujhe call kar raha hai?"

I stepped forward, my voice colder now.

"Kya chal raha hai tera aur uska? Kahin mujhe villain bana ke tum dono ka.”

"Just shut up, Ruhi…..warna ek thappad khayegi tu mere se."

Her words cut through the air like a knife, cold and threatening.

"Mere samne backchodi mat kar."

She interrupted me mid-sentence, her tone dark, laced with an edge I’d never heard before.

I stood there for a second, stunned.

But not for long.

The fury within me surged, stronger than any fear she could throw my way.

"Tu... tu mujhe dhamkane ki koshish kar rahi hai?" I said, voice trembling with rage, but still holding my ground.

“Tujhe sach sunna hai, Ruhi?” she said, her tone slicing through the room.

“Toh sun ne ki jigar rakh ab” she said coming forward infront of me.

“The truth is…” Alia stepped closer, eyes locked on mine.

“Tum sirf uss version se pyaar karti thi jo tujhe chase karta tha, jo har baar manata tha tujhe, jab tu gussa hoti thi. Aur jab usne thoda sa rukna socha tu bore ho gayi. Yeh bhi nhi socha uske life pe kya ho rha hoga?”

I blinked, my chest tightening.

“Alia…” Mannat whispered, a warning laced with panic.

But Alia didn’t stop.

“Tujhe tere gharwalon ka pressure, frustration sab us pe nikalna tha, aur tu nikaalti rahi thi. Kabhi ignore krke kabhi seenzone karke. Par jab tune usko ignore karna shuru kiya, aur woh tujhe attention ki bheek dene laga, toh tujhe laga woh tujhe control kar raha hai?”

Her voice cracked not with sadness, but fury.

“Sirf isliye? Kyunki teri ek dost ne tujhe keh diya ke woh ladka ‘toxic’ hai? Aur tu sochne lagi ki woh bhi kisi dark romance novel ke obsessed, possessive hero jaisa ban gaya?”

“Aur tu hamesha sab kuch apne dard ke lens se dekhti hai. Kabhi kisi aur ka perspective socha hai? Usne galti ki, haan. Par tu bhi koi saint nahi thi.”

My throat went dry.

Because in that moment, I couldn’t tell if she was wrong.

Or if I just didn’t want her to be right.

“Literally woh banda tere DMs mein tere aage bheek mangta tha ki tu usse baat kar le, Ruhi. Bheek.”

Alia’s voice shook not because she was scared, but because she was furious.

Furious for Shaurya.

“Aur uski possessive nature? Bata, kab bola usne kuch galat? Kab?”

“Kab usne kaha ki tu kisi ladke se baat na kare?”

She didn’t wait for my answer.

“Woh sirf un 1-2 ladkon ko lekar bolta tha jinka intention clear tha galat tha aur tujhe bhi pata tha Shaurya sahi tha. Usne tujhe sirf itna kaha ki GC pe thoda kam active rehna.”

Alia took a breath deep and heavy.

“Kyuki tujhe breakdown ke waqt har kisi ke aage apna pura ‘Ramayan’ khol dena hota tha. Har baat, har personal detail… ghar ki privacy tak sab kuch unke saamne rakh deti thi tu. Samajhti hai usse kya hota?”

Her voice dropped an octave, dead serious now.

“Log tujhe kisi bhi angle se manipulate kar sakte the. Vulnerable bana sakte the. Aur yeh sirf Shaurya ne nahi maine bhi notice kiya. Chudail ne bhi. Par tu? Tu toh bas ignore karti rahi.”

I couldn’t look away.

Couldn’t breathe right.

“Hum teenon mein se koi tujhe kabhi kuch samjhaata tu sochti hum gyaan baat rahe hain. Lectures de rahe hain yeh teeno toh tere kutte tere aage sirf ase he bhauk rhe h”

Her eyes gleamed now, hurt leaking from the corners.

Par tujhe teri woh dost sahi lagi jiski wajah se tune Shaurya se ladna shuru kiya. Wahi ladayi... break-up tak chali gayi. Teen saal ka rishta...Teen saal ka Rishta behenchod tune barbaad kar diya TUNE, Ruhi. TEEN. SAAL.”

Alia stepped closer.

“Aur phir bhi... tujhe woh sahi lagi. Aur hum sab galat.”

She paused, voice cracking slightly at the end then steadied it.

“Woh tujhe kabhi yeh nahi bolta tha ki..."

CRACK.

The sound of the slap echoed louder than her words.

My palm stung.

My hand was still mid-air.

Alia’s face had turned to the side, hair falling over her cheek where my palm had landed.

Silence.

Total, deafening silence.

Mannat gasped.

“Ruhi...pagal hogyi hein kya?”

Alia didn’t move.

Didn’t speak.

And I...

I wasn’t proud.

I wasn’t powerful.

I was… broken.

"Bas kar. Chup ho ja." My voice trembled.

"Tu kya jaanti hai mere bare mein? Meri feelings, mera pain, meri raaton ki neend jo sirf maine jheli hai?"

My breathing was erratic now.

"Tujhe lagta hai mujhe maza aata tha uss sab mein? Ki main kisi toxic story ki heroine banna chahti thi?"

Tears spilled over, but I didn’t wipe them.

“Tu kya samajhti hai? Tere paas meri puri kahaani hai? Tere paas meri har raat ki neend, har breakdown, har pal ki guilt ki report hai?”

She held her cheek, stunned.

Eyes wide.

But I didn’t care.

“Maine usse chaha tha. Har uss pal mein jab main tut rahi thi, main uska intezaar karti thi. Par jab mujhe khud ki zarurat thi, usne mujhe mera aap bhi nahi chhodne diya.”

“Aur tu? Tu toh meri dost thi, Alia.”

My voice cracked now, truly cracked.

“Tu meri dard ki gawah thi. Aur tune us dard pe verdict de dia?”

Mannat stepped between us, trying to say something but my gaze didn’t move from Alia.

“You don’t get to call me out like that and walk away thinking you were just being honest.”

“Tum dono ne decide kar liya ki Ruhi villain hai. Toh sun lo....haan, main villain hi hoon.”

I turned away, breath heavy, throat raw.

"Aur ab? Ab teri meri dosti, mera vishwas, sab kuch….." i paused.

"Agar tujhe Shaurya itna hi sahi lagta hai…"

I took a step back, choking on my own rage.

"Toh ja. Jaake shaadi kar le usse."

Alia flinched, like the words slapped harder than my hand did.

"Mujhe koi farq nahi padta, Alia."

My voice was cold.

Final.

I didn’t wait for a response.

Didn’t look back.

I grabbed my bag, opened the door with trembling hands  and walked out of that apartment.

Out of that friendship.

Out of that chapter.

Forever?

I didn’t know.

But for now?

I was done.

........

REB: Thak gyi 😮‍💨 itni drama likh ke 🥹 thoda aram kr leti hu....

🍨🧋☕🍺

Lo pee lo tum bhi thk gye hounge itni intense drama dekh ke. Pata nahi kiu mujhe rona arha tha yeh ch likhne mein 😭😭

Main baat toh puchne bhool he gyi? Kaisi thi Ch?

Who do u think is right?

Shaurya or ruhi? (In there relationship)

Alia or Ruhi (in the argument)

Songs play Kr lena agr psnd ho toh🤣😂

The meeting started, and one by one, everyone began presenting their designs.

The projector screen lit up with different concepts, some impressive, some needing work but everyone spoke with confidence, explaining their vision.

I sat quietly, listening, occasionally jotting down notes. My turn was coming up soon, and I could already feel the slight nervousness creeping in.

Kabir Khanna remained silent, observing everything with sharp eyes.

He didn't comment much, just nodded here and there, tapping his pen occasionally on the table. But his presence alone was enough to make the room feel heavier.

Calm down, Mannat. Yeh bas ek presentation hai, I told myself.

But I knew that when it was my turn, those intense eyes would be on me, judging every detail of my work.

I took a deep breath and presented my design to Kabir Khanna.

It wasn't mine choice....it was actually chosen by Alina Gupta.

She had confidently told me,

"Present this one. The boss will be impressed, and you'll grow further in this industry."

And I had agreed.

But now, standing here, I felt an unsettling nervousness creeping up my spine.

This idea wasn't what today's meeting needed.

I knew it.

Deep down, I knew it wouldn't make the impact it should. Yet, I had chosen to trust her judgment.

However, my mind was stuck on one terrifying thought

agar chudail ko pata lag gaya ki maine Alina ki baat sun ke yeh choose kiya, aur khuda na khasta yeh reject ho gaya... toh woh bina sabun ke meri jhag nikal degi!

As I finished my presentation, I held my breath, waiting for his response.

Kabir Khanna leaned back slightly, tapping his pen against the table before finally speaking.

"Miss Oberoi, the way you presented the theme was excellent-far more professional than someone sitting here with over five years of experience. You're better than them in that aspect."

For a second, my heart soared.

Did I just get a compliment from the fashion Show Producer?

But...

My excitement came to a screeching halt as he continued.

"But this is not the theme we wanted today." His voice was calm but firm. "Our theme was OCEAN."

And just like that, I knew I was doomed.

My heart dropped.

Ocean?

Silence filled the room.

I could feel my throat drying up as my worst fear came true.

Chudail mujhe bina sabun ke ghis degi!or mera career ? Shuru hone se pehle he tata bye bye?

I forced myself to nod, keeping my expression neutral even though my mind was spiraling.

"This design is well-structured," Kabir continued, flipping through the pages. "But it has nothing to do with today's theme. If you had worked on something within the OCEAN concept, I believe you would have delivered something exceptional."

I felt my stomach twist as the realization hit me.

Alina ki baat sun ke maine jo design choose kiya, woh toh kahin se bhi theme se match nahi karta! or usne mujhe theme yeh nhi bataya tha.

I forced myself to stay composed.

"I... I apologize, sir," I said, my voice steady despite the panic brewing inside me.

"I was under the impression that this concept aligned with the expectations."

I swallowed hard, sneaking a glance at Alina Gupta, who was suddenly very interested in her nails.

Kabir didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at me, his expression unreadable.

Then, without looking away, he spoke in a controlled tone,

"Miss Oberoi, impressions don't work here only results do."

"I... I apologize, sir," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I must have misunderstood the theme."

Kabir Khanna didn't look angry, but his sharp gaze stayed on me, assessing.

"It's not about misunderstanding, Miss Oberoi. It's about attention to detail. In this industry, a single wrong pitch can cost millions."

I nodded, feeling the heat of embarrassment crawl up my neck.

"Who approved this design?" Kabir asked, his tone sharp.

I stiffened.

My throat felt dry as Kabir Khanna's sharp question hung in the air.

"Who approved this design?"

I could feel everyone's eyes shifting, waiting for an answer.

Kanha ji, mujhe bacha lo!

For a split second, I debated whether to stay silent or throw Alina under the bus.

But before I could decide, Alina cleared her throat.

"I did, sir," she said confidently, flipping her hair back as if she wasn't fazed at all.

I stared at her, my mind screaming, yeh kya overconfidence h? konse nashe kia isne? meri side kaise lelia?

Kabir's expression remained unreadable.

He tapped his pen against the table once before responding,

"Miss Gupta, I don't expect such mistakes from someone with your experience." His voice was calm, but the weight of disappointment in it was enough to make the entire room tense up.

Alina's confidence faltered for a second, but she quickly masked it with a tight-lipped smile.

Meanwhile, I just sat there, trying to breathe normally.

Because at least for now the spotlight had shifted off of me.

Alina sat up straighter, flipping her hair back again as if she had the situation under control.

"She made this," she said, gesturing toward me, "and I thought from her other designs, this one was a little relatable to today's theme.

So, I suggested she present this."

My jaw nearly dropped.

Did she just try to pin this on me while making it sound like mere pe kitna bada ehsaan kr dia h isne.

Wah, kya baat hai!

aaj pata chala chudail kiu bolti thi kch logo ke liye specially galliyan invent kia gye, unko sidhe sabdh smjh kaha ati h?

"But sir, you can check mine," she added quickly. "At least don't doubt my five years of experience."

Kabir Khanna didn't react immediately. He simply stared at her that unreadable, calculating gaze.

The kind that made you second-guess every word you just said.

The silence stretched for a few seconds, but it felt way longer.

"Present it," Kabir Khanna said, his tone firm and emotionless.

Alina straightened up instantly, as if she had been waiting for this moment.

She shot me a quick glance half victorious, half smug before confidently standing up.

I clenched my fists under the table. Mein iski plastic surgery wali muh tordungi ab.

As Alina confidently presented her design, my eyes widened.

Wait...

This is mine.

My draft.

The one I had sketched earlier but left on my desk.The same desk where Alina had casually picked up a paper without asking.

She stole my work.

I sat there frozen, my mind running a thousand miles per hour.

Ye ladki sach mein itni gir sakti hai?

My hands curled into fists under the table.

Unbelievable.

She had taken my work and was now presenting it as hers like she had created it from scratch.

I stole a glance at Kabir Khanna. He sat there, listening intently, his fingers interlocked as he observed the design. He had no idea that this wasn't hers.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Kanha ji, ya toh mujhe patience de, ya mujhe ek aisa tareeka de jisse yeh sach sabke samne aa jaye.

I should say something.

But how?

I had no proof.

If I spoke now, it would be my word against hers.

I inhaled sharply.

Not now, Mannat.

Think smart.

If you mess this up, she wins.

I needed to find a way to expose her. And I needed to do it without ruining my own reputation.

Kabir Khanna nodded as he studied the design on the screen.

"This is well-executed," he said. "The concept aligns with our theme, and the detailing is impressive. Good work, Miss Gupta."

A round of quiet murmurs filled the room as Alina straightened up, her confidence fully restored. She flashed a smug smile, as if she had truly earned the praise.

Meanwhile, I sat there, my hands clenched under the table. She had stolen my work.

My design.

And now, she was getting praised for it.

I swallowed the frustration burning inside me.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

If she thought she could take credit for my work and walk away unscathed, she was very, very wrong.

I sat there, stunned.

He approved it.

Not just approved he praised her.

"So, this is selected," Kabir Khanna said, nodding in satisfaction. "Let her design the rest of the collection for next summer as well."

"As for the inspiration," he continued, glancing around the room, "if anyone has any questions for her, go ahead."

I swallowed the frustration rising in my throat.

This was my work.

My idea.

And yet, Alina was sitting there, smiling like she owned it.

I had two choices stay silent and let her steal my credit or speak up and take a risk.

I glanced at Alina.

She looked confident maybe a little too confident. She thought I wouldn't dare.

Oh, sweetheart, you don't know me at all.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.

Agar abhi chup rahi, toh ye aage bhi karegi.

I cleared my throat.

"Actually, I do have a question."

Alina's smile faltered for a split second before she quickly recovered.

She turned to me, feigning confidence.

"Of course, Mannat," she said sweetly. "Go ahead."

Leaning forward slightly, I put on my most neutral expression and asked,

"Miss Gupta, can you explain the inspiration behind this design?"

She hesitated just for a fraction of a second but it was enough.

"Uh... well, the ocean is vast and mysterious," she began, her tone confident again. "So, I wanted to reflect that depth through the color palette and..."

"And the brush strokes?" I interrupted, tilting my head slightly. "Because I remember you saying earlier that you prefer digital textures over brush strokes. But this design clearly has hand-drawn detailing."

A flicker of panic crossed her face before she quickly masked it.

"Oh, well... I experimented this time," she said smoothly.

I nodded, pretending to be impressed.

Achha, experiment kar rahi thi? dusro se chura ke?

"So, when exactly did you create this?" I asked casually. "Since you said this morning that you were too busy finalizing another design?"

She stiffened.

A few people exchanged glances. Kabir Khanna, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.

"Miss Gupta, is there an issue?"

Alina let out a forced chuckle.

"Of course not, sir. I created this late last night."

That was it. Her mistake.

I leaned back, crossing my arms.

"Interesting. Because I sketched this in my notebook three days ago. And funny enough, that exact draft was missing from my desk this morning."

The room went silent.

Alina's face drained of color.

Alina let out a forced laugh.

"Mannat, are you saying I stole your design?"

I shrugged, acting unbothered.

"I don't know. You tell me. Because I remember every single brushstroke of that design, and this is exactly what I created. The same shading, the same patterns, even the small asymmetry in the waves everything."

Her grip on the desk tightened.

"That's just a coincidence."

"Are you saying Miss Oberoi that she stole your work?" Kabir asked, his tone sharp.

"Yes, sir," I replied firmly. "This morning, she asked to see the sketches I made over the weekend. She specifically told me to present this one, claiming it aligned well with today's theme. She didn't even let me read the meeting notice just told me it was based on the Sunshine theme."

Alina's face paled.

"Mannat, are you implying that I...."

"I'm not implying anything," I cut her off smoothly. "I'm just stating facts. My sketch went missing this morning, and now it's magically on the projector under your name."

A few whispers erupted around the table.

Alina shot me a glare, but before she could speak, Kabir interjected, his tone calm yet firm.

I turned to Kabir.

"Sir, would you mind if I ask her a technical question about the design?"

Kabir leaned back, intrigued.

"Go ahead."

I turned back to Alina.

"Tell me, what was the exact shade code you used for the deep-sea blue? Because I remember it perfectly. #0D3B66. It's the same shade I chose three days ago when I first drafted this design."

"Miss Gupta, do you have any proof that this design is yours?" kabir asked.

Alina straightened up, regaining some of her lost confidence.

"Sir, I wouldn't present something unless it was my own work."

Her eyes welled up with unshed tears as she let out a shaky breath. She turned to Kabir, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing.

"Sir, I....I can't believe this," she whispered, her hands clutching her chest as if she were genuinely hurt.

"I have worked here for five years! I have dedicated everything to this company, and now I'm being accused of stealing?"

The shift in the room was almost instant. Some people exchanged doubtful glances, but others looked at me with suspicion.

She's playing the victim.

"I don't understand why Mannat is doing this," Alina continued, sniffling dramatically. "I only tried to help her. She was struggling to pick a design for today's presentation, and I simply guided her. How can she accuse me of something so serious?"

My jaw clenched.

Unbelievable.

She flipped the whole situation in seconds.

Kabir's gaze flickered to me, unreadable as ever.

"Miss Oberoi, do you have any proof to support your claim?"

I opened my mouth, but then reality hit me.

I didn't.

Alina had been smart.

She had taken the design from my desk before I even realized it was missing. There was no timestamp, no evidence just my word against hers.

The room was filled with whispers now, people shaking their heads, some looking at me like I was desperate for attention.

"Sir, I would never do something like this," Alina continued, lowering her gaze as if she were ashamed. "I respect this company and my position too much."

And just like that, I became the villain, and she became the helpless victim of a false accusation.

"Anyway, whose design it is we'll discuss that later. But for now, continue your work, Miss Gupta," Kabir said, his tone firm yet indifferent.

With that, he dismissed the meeting.

Alina let out a breath, as if relieved, and gave me a quick glance a silent warning that she had won this round.

The others started gathering their things, murmuring among themselves, some sending me pitiful looks, others clearly convinced that I was the problem here.

I stood frozen for a moment, my hands clenched into fists under the table.

This wasn't over.

Not even close.

If Alina thought she could walk away with my work and my dignity, she was in for a rude awakening.

I felt the sting behind my eyes before I could stop it. My eyes welled up with tears, but I refused to let them fall.

Not here.

Not in front of them.

Not when they already saw me as the villain.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I quickly blinked them away, forcing myself to stay composed.

Crying wouldn't fix this.

Alina walked past me, her fake concern barely masking the smug satisfaction in her eyes.

"I hope we can move past this, Mannat," she said softly, as if she were the bigger person.

I clenched my jaw, my nails digging into my palm.

Move past this?

No.

I wasn't going to move past it. I was going to make sure she regretted ever stealing from me.

----

As soon as the meeting ended, I began walking back to my desk when my phone buzzed.

Alia’s name flashed across the screen.

“Yeh chudail iss waqt call kar rahi hai? College nahi gayi kya?” I muttered, frowning, before answering the call.

“Chudailllll!” she screamed into my ear, nearly bursting my eardrum.

“Chila kyun rahi hai? Apni chudail hone ka saboot de rahi hai kya? Aram se bol,” I said, cringing slightly as I adjusted my phone and continued walking.

“Mere se kaand ho gaya...” she said, sounding almost... guilty?

“Roz ka hai tera yeh toh,” I replied dryly, not surprised in the slightest.

“Iss baar serious matter ho gaya hai,” she insisted, her tone dropping to something more intense.

“Kisko maat diya iss baar?” I asked with a smirk, knowing drama was just around the corner.

“Woh... maine Shaurya ko...” She hesitated.

I stopped in my tracks.

“Wait, tune Shaurya pe haath utha diya? Sharam kar aurat! Tera hone wala jiju hai woh soon-to-be jiju!”

“Abey chup! Zinda rahi toh jiju-saali ka rishta nibhaungi na. Usko nahi maara maine!” she huffed.

“Toh kya kiya phir?” I asked, already sensing trouble.

“Hmm... maine usko Ruhi ke college ka fake ID card de diya. Entry ke liye.”

I froze.

“Kya...” I screeched, drawing all the attention in the office to myself.

Panicking, I sprinted up to the terrace to escape the stares.

“Kyun? Kaise? Kab? Kahan?” I shot questions at her like bullets.

“Ek ek karke puch bey... darr jaati hoon main... masoom si bachi hoon,” she whined dramatically.

I rolled my eyes.

“Sharam kar aurat, sharam kar... tere se masoom toh shaitaan hai. Mujhe toh lagta hai shaitaan bhi tujhse tuitions leta hoga.”

“Arey woh aaj subah college ke liye ready ho rahi thi... uska text aaya achanak se,” Alia started explaining in her usual hurried tone.

“Toh usne mere se help maangi...ki usko aur Ruhi ki baat karwa doon. Tujhe toh pata hai na, mein kitni busy insaan hoon.”

I scoffed.

“Haan haan, busy insaan... iss desh ka president jo hein tu?”

“Baat toh sun puri!” she huffed.

“Sun rahi hoon, bol.” I leaned against the railing, amused already.

“Toh I told him about her college... aur Ruhi itni shatir nikli—seedha andar chali gayi college ke.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. “Yeh accha kiya usne!”

“Toh mein ne usko fake ID card de diya... aur andar pohcha diya.”

I narrowed my eyes as a teasing smirk crept onto my lips. “Yaar, tu sach mein mafia-wafia toh nahi hai na?”

She let out a dramatic sigh. “Kamini, tu mere zakhm mein namak mat chidak.”

I burst out laughing. “Mujhe lagta hai tu sach mein kisi mafia gang mein hai. Secret mafia boss... jo pura dark world handle karti hai.”

For a moment, I forgot my own worries.

Our nonsense, our chaos it was a welcome distraction.

Alia was insane, absolutely unfiltered… but she was my kind of insane.

My crazy.

“Main mafia boss hoti na, toh tujhe sabse pehle apni gang se nikalti.” she shot back.

“Ajeeb ghamandi boss hoti tu... employee ko toh gift milta hai, yeh nikaalne wali dhamki de rahi hai.” I grinned, enjoying every second of this madness.

“Aree sun, Ruhi ko pata nahi chalega na?” she asked suddenly, her voice dropping.

“Uski sixth sense FBI se zyada active hai. Tujhe kya lagta hai, woh nahi pakdegi?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“Toh ab kya karu?” she whined.

“Shaurya ko underground bhej. Witness protection mein daal de.” I joked.

“Nahi seriously yaar... agar usko pata chal gaya na, toh woh mujhe maar degi.”

I laughed again.

“Usse zyada tu khud ko torture karti hai. Chill kar. Woh tujhe gussa toh hogi, but... tujhe maaf bhi kar degi. You’re Ruhi’s idiot, but her favourite idiot.”

She went silent for a moment.

“Tu na... kabhi kabhi bada filmy bolti hai.”

I smiled.

“Kya karu... tu filmy problems laati hai.”

We both chuckled.

........

REB: HEHEH Kaisi lgi Mannat ki story💅🏻

Wht do u think? Usko kya Krna chahiye alina se badla lene ke liye?

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Yrr woh agr koi fav scenes ho toh screenshot bhi bhej dena dm pe🤧mujhe bhi pta lge kaisi likh rhi hu apni aukat ki bahar ki Imagination🤣

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