The Next Day in College
Kavya was sitting alone on a bench. Clutching her phone, her heart was pounding. She had sent a message to Anvesh — "I'm in the garden,where we met yesterday. Come, I need to talk about something important." Today she had decided that no matter what,she would tell Anvesh what was in her heart. Anvesh was seen approaching from afar.But he had his phone in his hand, constantly messaging someone. His gaze was on the screen instead of ahead. While walking, he almost bumped into the bench. Then he looked up.
Anvesh: (With a slight smile) "Hey, Kavya? Here? What's up?"
His voice had warmth, but no depth. As if casually meeting a normal friend.
Kavya's face fell for a moment. Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, she said softly — Kavya:"I… wanted to talk about something."
Anvesh put his phone in his pocket and said in a normal tone — Anvesh:"Oh? Go on, what is it? Any problem?"
His tone was completely light, as if this wasn't anything important. This very attitude was hurting Kavya's heart.
Just then, Neerav, sitting nearby, saw all this. He could clearly see that Kavya was trying to say something, but Anvesh wasn't taking her seriously. Neerav got up and went straight to them.
Neerav: (A bit sternly, looking at Anvesh) "Maybe Kavya wanted to tell you something in private,Anvesh. Try to understand a little."
Anvesh turned around, startled.
Anvesh: "Neerav? What are you doing here?"
Neerav: "I was sitting nearby. And I can clearly see that Kavya is uncomfortable." (Then looking at Kavya)"Is everything okay, Kavya?"
Kavya, who was by now overwhelmed with emotions, could only nod slightly.
Anvesh's brows furrowed.
Anvesh: "Hey, what private matter? I know she can tell me anything. What's the need to interfere?"
Neerav: (Controlling his anger) "I'm not interfering, Anvesh. I'm just saying that if someone has called you alone, perhaps they deserve the right to say their piece without interruption. That's what real friendship is."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. The three of them looked at each other silently.
Kavya's throat choked up. She quickly said — Kavya:"Leave it, Neerav… it's nothing." Then,looking at Anvesh, she said, "Yes… it wasn't anything important. I just wanted to ask if you finished yesterday's assignment or not."
This was clearly a lie. But she couldn't say anything more to hide her tears.
Anvesh looked at her carefully. He felt that something was wrong. But he didn't want to admit it. Just then his phone rang again, but this time he ignored it and focused his full attention on Kavya.
Anvesh: (A bit serious) "Tell me the truth, Kavya. Why are you so quiet today? And… why is Neerav here?"
Neerav: (Directly, without hesitation) "I'm here because I knew you would take her lightly again. And I wasn't wrong."
These words hit Anvesh straight in the heart. There was surprise on his face, as if he realized for the first time that Neerav understood Kavya, more than he did.
Anvesh: (In a slightly louder voice, to Kavya) "Did I upset you? What did I do? Please, tell me clearly!"
Kavya couldn't take it anymore. Tears welled up.
Kavya: (Crying) "No, Anvesh. It's not your fault. The fault is mine…" (Voice broken)"I'm leaving."
She immediately got up and ran away.
Anvesh: (Shouted from behind) "Kavya! Wait! Why are you being so dramatic?"
But Kavya didn't even look back.
Neerav looked at Anvesh with angry eyes.
Neerav: (Quietly, but with stinging words) "Have you ever thought,even while calling her 'best friend,' you never actually saw her? Never even noticed how she is?"
Saying this, Neerav also left.
Anvesh was left standing there. Students were laughing and talking around him, but only one voice echoed in his ears: "Never even noticed how she is…"
His face showed confusion, then a slight guilt, and then… a strange pang. Because for the first time,he had seen that someone else understood his "best friend" better than he did.
Kavya ran and sat in a part of the garden where very few people came. As soon as she sat on the bench, her tears wouldn't stop. Her heart was full – she had wanted to tell Anvesh what was in her heart, but he didn't even understand…
Just then, the sound of soft footsteps came from behind.
It was Neerav.
He came close and said in a very soft voice –
Neerav: "Kavya…"
Kavya immediately tried to wipe her tears and looked away.
Kavya: (In a broken voice) "Neerav… Please, leave me alone."
Neerav: (Softly, sitting down) "If you really wanted to be left alone, I would have left right now. But I thought you might need someone right now. And if I'm wrong then… I'll leave quietly."
Kavya looked at him. There was no judgment in his eyes, only genuine concern. Slowly, her resolve broke and she said –
Kavya: "Neerav… Maybe it's my fault. I always expect from him… and he only thinks of me as a friend."
Neerav took a long breath.
Neerav: "Kavya, it's not your fault. When a person truly connects with someone, the heart automatically starts building expectations. But… not everyone can fulfill our expectations the way we think they should."
Kavya's eyes became wetter.
Kavya: "But Neerav… he never even noticed what I feel. Am I really that insignificant to him?"
Neerav gently held her hand.
Neerav: "You are not insignificant, Kavya. You… are very special. It's just that perhaps Anvesh hasn't seen you yet, the way he should." (Pausing a little)"And sometimes… someone's presence alone is enough. Not everything needs to be said."
Kavya kept looking into his eyes. There was peace there, understanding, and that affection… which she had never received from Anvesh.
She gradually calmed down. Wiping her tears, she said –
Kavya: "How do you always say the right things, Neerav?"
Neerav smiled slightly.
Neerav: "Because I feel you, Kavya. And… I can never leave you alone."
Kavya smiled for the first time, very faintly, but from the heart. She just nodded and sat silently on the same bench,looking up at the sky.
Neerav sat beside her, without saying anything else. Sometimes silence is the greatest solace.
Kavya and Neerav were sitting silently. Just then, the sound of someone's footsteps came from behind. Both turned to look – Anvesh was coming.
He came close and said softly – Anvesh:"Hey… you two are here? I was looking for you."
Kavya felt a little uncomfortable, but immediately composed her smile. Kavya:"Just sitting here… getting some fresh air."
Anvesh stood in front of her and said, a little awkwardly – Anvesh:"Sorry, Kavya… a little while ago I probably hurt your feelings. I didn't mean it like that."
Kavya smiled slightly, she brushed it off. Kavya:"No, Anvesh, it's nothing like that. Just… my mood was a bit off. It wasn't your fault."
Anvesh still felt a little strange. He asked softly – Anvesh:"You really wanted to tell me something, right? Tell me now…"
Kavya immediately lowered her eyes and made an excuse. Kavya:"Oh… nothing special. I was just asking if you completed yesterday's project or not."
Anvesh slapped his forehead and laughed. Anvesh:"I got so tense thinking it was some big matter! And you were just asking about the project!"
Kavya and Neerav looked at each other. Both knew it was a false excuse, but they didn't say anything.
Then Anvesh's attention turned to Neerav. He paused and said – Anvesh:"And… Neerav… I'm sorry too, man. A while ago I was getting angry at you. Don't know why I felt you were interfering." Neerav first looked at him a bit sternly,then laughed and said Neerav:"It's okay, bro. Anyway, you're like an older brother to me. Anger happens." Saying this,he stepped forward and hugged Anvesh. Anvesh also smiled and both laughed. Kavya felt a little lighter seeing all this.She also said, laughing – Kavya:"Enough-enough, don't get so emotional. Otherwise, people will think you two are the hero and heroine!" All three laughed loudly. The atmosphere had lightened again.For a while, the three of them sat there joking—talking about college, the match, and their friends' antics. Nisha and Sadhya were sitting far away,watching all this, but they didn't say anything and started talking to each other, laughing and joking.
---
As the trio's laughter finally subsided, Anvesh's phone buzzed insistently. He pulled it out, his smile fading as he read the screen. He looked up, a strange, unreadable expression on his face as his gaze shifted from his phone to Kavya and then to Neerav.
"Hey," Anvesh said, his voice unusually quiet, cutting through their light-hearted mood. "This message... it's about the three of us. Who did you tell about our little... drama here today, Kavya?"
The question hung in the air, sharp and unexpected. Kavya's smile vanished, and Neerav's protective instincts immediately flared up. The fragile peace they had built shattered in an instant, leaving behind a chilling silence.