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Vansh and Sakshi spend a few hours talking to each other, while Devisha, on the other hand, was sitting in her room, looking out of the window, tears continuously flowing down her eyes.

"I can't be weak. Sakshi needs me, Bhaiya needs me. I need to be strong for them," Devisha says, wiping her tears.

"I have to even start my fashion firm also," she says and nods her head.

Being busy is the best distraction for our mind, and by doing this, Devisha knows that she would be able to collect the pieces of her broken heart.

Suddenly, a knock appears on the door. Devisha turns her head to look in the direction of the door. It was Vansh, leaning against the door and looking at Devisha with concern. When Devisha notices him, he raises his brow in question and makes his way towards Devisha.

"Tu bed se kyu uth gaya? Tabiyat kharab hai na teri?" (Why did you get up from the bed? Is your health okay?) Devisha replies, looking away, not wanting to worry anyone.

"Tunne hi bola tha na mujhe daant na hai tujhe, kyunki maine tujh se baatein chupaayi," (You told me not to scold you, because I hid things from you,) Vansh says, sitting on the bed.

"Ha, hoo. Main gussa hoon, aur isliye mujhe abhi tujh se baat nahi karni. Ja yahaan se." (Yes, I’m angry, and that’s why I don’t want to talk to you right now. Go away.) Devisha says, trying to fake anger.

"Devi, bacha, dekh, maine jo galti ki, woh tu mat kar. Maine tujhse baatein chupa ke galat kiya. Haina? Toh ab tu bhi wahi karegi toh kaise chalega? Tujhe pata hai apni life ki almost saari problems isi reason se hai ki maine tujhe sab nahi bataya. Apne bade bhai ki galti se seekh le tu." (Devi, look, I made a mistake, don’t make the same mistake. I hid things from you, and it was wrong. If you do the same, how will things work? Almost all the problems in my life happened because I didn’t tell you everything. Learn from your older brother’s mistake.) Vansh says, patting Devisha’s head and standing up. As soon as Devisha hears him, she hugs him tightly, crying her heart out, and Vansh consoles her.

"Bhaiya, kyu? Bhaiya, kyu hua yeh sab? Adwait ne aisa kyu kiya tere saath? Agar woh aisa kuch nahi karta, toh aaj hum saath hote na! Kyu kiya usne aisa?" (Vansh, why? Vansh, why did all this happen? Why did Adwait do this to you? If he hadn’t done that, we would’ve been together today! Why did he do that?) Devisha sobs, her voice breaking.

"Shh, Devisha, koi na. Jo hona tha, ho gaya. Par tune Adwait ki side mein story jaanne ki koshish bhi nahi ki. Usne aisa kyu kiya? Pucha kya tune? I’m 100% sure ki tune nahi pucha. Tune Sakshi ke saath bhi yeh kiya tha." (Shh, Devisha, it’s okay. What had to happen, happened. But you didn’t even try to know Adwait's side of the story. Did you ask him why he did that? I’m sure you didn’t. You did the same thing with Sakshi.) Vansh says, patting her back.

"Devi, dekh, main yeh nahi bol raha ki tu galat hai, par hamesha aise extreme reaction dena galat hai na?" (Devi, look, I’m not saying that you’re wrong, but reacting so extremely is wrong, right?) Vansh makes her understand her fault.

"Bhaiya, ab main kya karu?" (Vansh, now what should I do?) Devisha asks, looking at Vansh. Her eyes were red and swollen because of crying.

"Tujhe pata tujhe kya karna hai. Tujhe Adwait ke paas jaana hai, ya tujhe apna fashion firm kholna hai, ya tujhe kuch nahi karna aur time chahiye, sab tere haath mein hai. Aur jo bhi tera decision hai, I respect it." (You know what you have to do. Do you want to go to Adwait, or start your fashion firm, or do you need some time? Everything is in your hands. And whatever your decision is, I respect it.) Vansh says, a small reassuring smile on his lips.

"Bhaiya, yaar, tu sachi, itna mature kabse ho gaya? Main toh uss Vansh ko jaanti hoon jo 10th standard mein cricket khelne bhaag jaata tha, aur phir mummy se ussi baat se maar khata tha." (Brother, wow, when did you become so mature? I remember the Vansh who used to run off to play cricket in 10th grade, and then get beaten up by mom because of it.) Devisha replies, smiling, and hugs him tightly. In response, Vansh smacks her on the head.

Timeskip

Devisha was sitting on the bed with her journal open. She started reading everything in it.

Nov- 18, 2010 (The date)

Hi, diary, you know what? Today, during the English lecture, my mam taunted me about the whole Aarush's scene. She said that girls like me are so bad. I didn’t do anything, but the students and teachers won’t stop taunting me. It’s like their favorite hobby to say bad things to me, and I can’t believe that Sakshi did all these things. She was the one who made such stories, and everyone believed it because, of course, she is my best friend. She knows everything about me. I can’t believe she did that. But if everyone is saying she did it, maybe that’s what the truth is. She has been calling me for two days, but I am not picking up her calls. I ignore her during my school time also. How can she do such a thing to me? She used to always say that you are my bestest, bestest friend, and best friends don’t talk bad about each other. I hate her so much. I will never talk to her.

As soon as Devisha reads the text, tears start to flow from her eyes. She feels like it is because of her that Sakshi was alone for all these years.

Jan-10, 2012 (The date)

Hi, diary, you know what? Today I met a guy, and I have to say that he is one of the most handsome men I’ve ever met. His deep eyes would make any girl want to drown in them. His voice, ah, that is so hot, like those fictional men. His curly hair resting on his forehead makes him look cute. His height, I guess, he is around 6"0 or something, and the way he approached and comforted me, I guess I have a little crush on him, but I behaved very badly with him. I know I should have been a little nicer, but I can’t let another person enter my life and hurt me.

Flashback

Devisha

I was sitting alone in the college campus, seeing all students hanging out with other students, laughing, and enjoying the first day. Everyone was trying to make new friends, and me? I was just sitting there with a fictional book in my hand, trying to look unbothered, but in reality, I too wanted to make friends. But no, I won’t. What if they hurt me like Sakshi did? What if they talk bad about me? No, I am enough for myself. I don’t need these fake people, who we call friends, around me. I still remember those slow murmurs of those people whenever they used to see me pass by:

"Dekho, iss gandi ladki. Muh se toh kitni achi lagti hai, par asli mein shii." (Look at this bad girl. She looks so nice from her face, but in reality, she’s trash.)

"Ha, wahi dekh na, Aarush ko force kiya, bichara ladka." (Yeah, look, she forced Aarush. That poor guy.)

"Aaj tak ladke hi aise kaam karte the, pehli baar itni besharam ladki dekhi maine." (Until now, boys used to do such things, but this is the first time I’m seeing such a shameless girl.)

"Besharam ladki, besharam ladki, besharam ladki." (Shameless girl, shameless girl, shameless girl.)

I close my eyess so that the taunts would stop, but they didn’t. They only intensified.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder that made me come back to reality.

"Hey, tum akeli kyu baithi ho?" (Hey, why are you sitting alone?) the guy asks.

"Tumse matlb, apna kaam karo na jaake." (What do you care? Go away and mind your own business.) Devisha mumbles, ignoring the guy and focusing on the book instead.

"Aaj first day pe dost banane ka hi toh kaam hai sabka." (Everyone is supposed to make friends on the first day.) the guy says, sitting beside her.

"Hmm," I hum and try to ignore him, but he snatches the book from my hand, making me glare at him.

"Meri book kyun li tumne? Wapas do." (Why did you take my book? Give it back.) I say, irritated by his constant disturbance despite my ignorance. The moment our eyes met, I felt a different kind of emotion—something I couldn’t quite describe. My stomach fluttered, my heartbeat started racing, and I was lost in his deep black eyes, which were filled with warmth and love.

"Main tumse baat kar raha hoon aur tum mujh par dhyan hi nahi de rahi, isliye." (I’m talking to you, and you’re not paying attention to me, that’s why.) he replies with a smile.

"Huh?" I asked, confused, then I quickly compose myself.

"Samajh nahi aata hai kya? Nahi karni thi baat, isliye dhyaan nahi de rahi." (Don’t you understand? I didn’t want to talk, that’s why I was ignoring you.) I say, trying to sound angry, but my heart is beating so fast, as if it would burst.

"Par mujhe karni hai." (But I want to talk to you.) he insists, making me also want to talk to him, but no, no, I can’t. I should not trust anyone. They will break my trust for sure.

I immediately stand up from my place, picking up my stuff, and walk away. Thankfully, that guy did not follow me.

Back to the present:

"Kyu Adwait? Kyu tumne mere dar ko sach kiya? Mere dil ko jod kar phir se kyu tod diya?" (Why, Adwait? Why did you make my fear come true? Why did you break my heart again after mending it?) Devisha wonders, as tears fall from her eyes.