Four months had passed since her birthday.
For Yashika, those four months felt both short and long. Short, because she was trying to hold onto whatever time she still had with Chirag. Long, because every passing day seemed to pull him further away from her.
They still met—twice, maybe thrice a week. But the way Chirag treated her now… it was not the same. He was distant. Absent-minded. Smiling, but not like before. Sometimes, he cancelled their meetings last minute. And when they did meet, Kanika's name would come up more often than Yashika wanted to hear.
Still, Yashika told herself— At least we still meet. At least he's here. At least I matter, even if a little.
But all of that shatteredthatday.
She had just come out of her tuition class, books in her arms, when she saw Chirag standing outside on his bike. His face looked off—troubled, tense. Not his usual self.
"Hey... what are you doing here?" she asked, walking up to him.
Chirag looked at her briefly. "I... need to talk to you." His voice was low.
"About what?"
"Just come with me. Please." His tone was more of a request than an order, but there was something heavy in it.
Confused but worried, Yashika got onto his bike. As they rode through the streets, she kept asking:
"Chirag, what happened? Why do you look like this? Did something happen? Please tell me—"
"Can you be quiet for some time, Little?" Chirag said sharply.
The words cut deeper than he had intended. Yashika's lips pressed shut. She didn't say another word.
They reached their secret hideout, the small empty park they had always gone to. Chirag stopped the bike and gestured for her to get down. They both sat on their usual bench.
For a moment, Chirag didn't speak. His hands were fidgeting.
Finally, he looked ahead and said, "Yashika... I don't think I can meet you much now."
Yashika's head snapped toward him. "Why?"
Chirag swallowed. "It's Kanika… she's becoming insecure because of it."
Yashika's brows furrowed. "We're best friends. Why would she even be insecure? And... I'm five years younger than you!"
Chirag sighed. "I tried explaining that, I swear I did. But she just won't listen. Every time we fight now, it's about this—about me spending time with you."
He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "She says... I prioritize you more. She says I'm happier when I talk about you. I don't know what to do. I can't lose her, Yashika. I'm... I'm nothing without her."
The words hit Yashika like a blow to the chest. Nothing without her.
And what was she, then? Just... nothing?
Her voice was barely a whisper. "So... that's the thing."
Chirag looked down, unable to meet her gaze. He nodded.
Yashika stood up, her heart pounding, her throat burning. "Okay, fine. If that's what you want... I won't bother you again."
Chirag's head shot up. "Hey, I don't mean that! I mean—maybe we can still talk... on calls. Maybe meet once a week. I'm trying, Yashika... I am. But—"
His voice broke off. The words wouldn't come.
But for Yashika, it was already too late.
She turned around, tears already filling her eyes. "I don't know what to do anymore..." she whispered, more to herself than to him.
She started walking away.
"Hey—wait! Let me drop you, it's getting dark!" Chirag called after her, reaching for her wrist.
But Yashika jolted her hand free, stepping away from his grip. Chirag froze in place, shocked.
Without another word, Yashika ran—ran all the way back to the orphanage.
When she reached her room, she threw her bag onto the table and collapsed on her bed.
She hugged her pillow tightly, sobbing into it. Her chest hurt. Her throat burned. Her mind screamed: Why does it hurt this much? Why?
She didn't know. All she knew was—this ache, this ache was unbearable.
Meanwhile, back at the Chaturvedi house, Chirag had returned, looking even more lost than before.
Seeing his son's pale face, Raghuveer uncle asked, "What happened? Why do you look like that?"
"Nothing... headache," Chirag mumbled, retreating to his room.
He lay on his bed, his hand on his forehead, eyes closed.
He didn't understand why... but a strange sadness had settled deep inside him too.
Later that night, a knock came on Yashika's door.
She wiped her tears quickly and opened it—it was Milli.
"Don't you want to have dinner?" Milli asked, noticing her red eyes. "Did you cry?"
Yashika forced a small smile. "No. I was just sleepy."
Milli wasn't convinced. "Come on, at least have something."
Yashika tried to refuse, but Milli took her hand and gently led her downstairs.
She ate silently, barely tasting anything, then returned to her room.
She tried doing homework, but her mind kept drifting back—to Chirag's words. To Kanika. To that empty bench.
Finally, she closed her books and crawled into bed.
But sleep would not come.
The thoughts were too loud.
The hurt was too deep.
And somewhere, beneath it all... a small voice whispered in her heart:
"Iwas never enough."
It was the 6th of October—Chirag's 18th birthday.
He woke up early at six, greeted by his father with a warm smile and a loud "Happy birthday, my son!" Raghuveer Chaturvedi ruffled his hair and handed him a small wrapped box.
"Get ready, we'll have a quick breakfast before school."
Chirag nodded, but before stepping out of bed, his first instinct was to check his phone. He scrolled through the messages—school friends, basketball teammates, relatives—but one name was missing.
Yashika.
Three days.
Three whole days and she hasn't messaged, called, or even looked at me.
A small sting of disappointment flared, but Chirag shook his head and got ready.
At school, things seemed lighter. Kanika greeted him with a bright smile and a perfectly wrapped box.
"Happy Birthday, Chirag!" she said cheerfully, handing over the gift.
Inside was a limited edition fountain pen—one Chirag had been eyeing for months. His face lit up and, for a while, the absence of Yashika faded from his mind. The day passed in laughter, shared glances with Kanika, and a blur of greetings.
When he reached home, Raghuveer Chaturvedi had prepared a beautiful lunch.
"Papa... is Yashika coming?" Chirag finally asked as they sat at the table.
"No. I thought about calling her, but then I thought you would. So, should I call her?"
Chirag hesitated.
"No, she must be busy," he said, trying to sound casual, though the words were heavy.
After a small nap, at six in the evening, Chirag was out again. He picked up Kanika and they headed to a nearby café where a few teammates and friends had gathered.
Cake was cut. Laughter echoed. Chirag fed the first bite to Kanika, and for a fleeting moment, a shadow crossed his heart.
Would Yashika have smiled or teased me about the icing on my nose?
When the party ended, Kanika checked her phone.
"I'm sorry, Chirag. I have a family dinner, and some of my father's guests are coming."
Chirag tried to hide his disappointment. "It's fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
And so she left.
The café was almost empty now. Only Chirag remained at one corner table—until a soft voice broke the silence.
"Happy birthday..."
He looked up. Yashika.
Standing there in her simple dress, trying her best to offer a small smile, though her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
"Why are you late? I called and Ms. Kavita picked up, she told me you were busy with a project." Chirag responded.
"Yes, I was. Nevermind, I'll leave now," Yashika said, turning.
But suddenly, Chirag caught her wrist.
"Did you forget my birthday? Or... are you doing this to get back at me for your birthday?"
Yashika froze. She sat back down, her eyes avoiding his.
"It's nothing. I told you I was a little... busy," she murmured.
"Busy?" Chirag frowned. "Busy with what? A project more important than me?"
Yashika's voice cracked as she spoke:
"You say I was avoiding you... but you're the one who wanted distance. You're the one busy with your girlfriend, ignoring me. You didn't come on my birthday, didn't even call me. And now you think I forgot yours? How can you even say that?"
Chirag's heart twisted. He opened his mouth to reply, but no words came.
Yashika stood up. "I have to go. It's getting late. Miss Kavita will be angry."
He wanted to stop her—but something held him back.
He simply lowered his head in silence.
Yashika turned and walked out, tears brimming in her eyes.
Chirag remained seated, head tilted back against the chair, staring at the ceiling.
Why is everything falling apart?
Then, as he stood up to leave, his gaze landed on the bench where Yashika had sat.
Asmall box.
"For my best friend and the best senior ever."
A simple note was attached. Chirag gently picked it up. A faint smile touched his lips.
He returned home, greeted his father, and after dinner retreated to his room.
There, under the soft glow of the lamp, he opened the box.
____
Inside:
•A handwritten note in Yashika's neat cursive.
•Paper flowers.
•A small basketball keychain.
•A pen.
•A few chocolates.
____
Chirag ran his fingers over each item, a bittersweet smile tugging at his mouth.
She thought of all this. Even after everything.
He lay on his bed, the box on his chest, thoughts swirling.
Meanwhile, in her room, Yashika hugged her pillow tightly.
Did he notice the gift?
Did he even care?
But more than that, her heart ached because she had spoken too harshly.
It was his birthday after all.
Yet... a part of her whispered—he had hurt her first.
She closed her eyes, wishing for sleep, but it didn't come easy.