Shravi stood at her locker, carefully arranging the freshly made lunch box she had prepared that morning. Her delicate fingers traced the edge of the container as she placed it in Aditya's batch, just as she had done countless times before. The aroma of home-cooked food wafted through the air, carrying with it her unspoken feelings.
At seventeen, Shravi had moved from Delhi to Mumbai two years ago when she was in 10th standard. The transition had been easier thanks to Maya, who became her best friend and confidante. Now in their second year of college, Shravi still held onto her crush on Aditya, the boy she had met through their fathers' business connections.
Unknown to most, Shravi came from a privileged background. Her older brother Shravan, two years her senior, was in London developing an app with his best friend Vihaan. Despite their wealth, Shravan preferred staying out of the limelight and focused on making his own name. Their parents had always supported their children's dreams, whether it was Shravan's entrepreneurial ambitions or Shravi's love for cooking.
But Aditya remained immune to Shravi's attention. At business parties, he would barely acknowledge her presence, finding her traditional demeanour irritating. "To behenji-type," he would mutter to his friends, preferring girls who wore Western clothes and carried themselves with what he considered sophistication.
Maya knew everything about Shravi's feelings. Every confused emotion, every hopeful moment, every silent prayer – Shravi had shared it all with her best friend. Or so she thought.
As the last semester of their second year approached its end, Shravi decided it was time. "I'm going to tell him, Maya," she announced one day, her voice trembling with determination. "Before the college vacations begin."
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Shravi spotted Aditya near the college corridor, scrolling through his phone as usual, looking at every bit of the image of the handsome, popular guy he was. The same boy who had never given her more than a passing glance at their fathers' business parties.
Hi, Aditya," she called softly, her heart hammering in her chest.
Aditya glanced up, his expression shifting from casual indifference to visible annoyance. "What are you doing here?" he asked, barely looking at her.
Shravi swallowed hard, gathering the courage to speak. "Umm... Aditya, I... I like you." Her voice faltered at the end, but the words were out, and the weight they had carried for so long had finally been lifted from her chest.
The silence in the corridor was palpable. Then, Aditya laughed—loud and mocking. Shravi felt her face flush in embarrassment, and students started to gather around, sensing an opportunity for entertainment.
"Like me?" Aditya sneered, his voice dripping with derision. "Look at you. You’re so childish. Just because your dad’s rich doesn’t mean I’ll fall for you. You can’t even manage your studies, let alone impress anyone." He took a slow step forward, his gaze contemptuous. "You’re such a behenji. You know, I already have a girlfriend."
Laughter erupted from the crowd, and Shravi’s heart shattered. The cruel words felt like sharp knives cutting through her. Her eyes stung with tears, but she refused to let them fall, knowing she couldn’t stand the humiliation any longer.
Aditya, I...” she whispered, but the words died in her throat as she turned and fled, her face burning with shame.
Shravi’s vision blurred with tears as she ran through the corridors, her footsteps frantic. She was searching for Maya, needing her friend to console her, to make sense of everything that had just happened. Why? she kept asking herself. Why did I think he would ever like me?
She rounded the corner toward their usual meeting spot near the courtyard, and that’s when she froze.
But what she saw next shattered what remained of her heart. In a secluded corner, Maya and Aditya were locked in an embrace, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss. Between kisses, she could hear them laughing about her, mocking her feelings, her dedication, her love.
The weight of the betrayal was too much. She spun on her heel, her heart breaking into pieces as she ran from them, her footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. Not only was I rejected by Aditya... she thought, but I was betrayed by Maya too.
[To be continued...]
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