Silchar Diaries

Chapter Six: The Change of Wind

Ayan was in the hostel courtyard, taking a stroll. He had that usual smile when he thought about Sneha. Ayan was genuine about his feelings for Sneha; she was not the usual crush; she was Ayan's first and last "true love." Thinking about being together with her often gives our calm protagonist butterflies in the stomach. Let alone be interactions; just seeing her from a distance was enough for Ayan to smile for an entire day.
As he smiles during his stroll, thinking about Sneha, the way she looks, the way she smiles, Ayan only admires her whenever he gets free time. As he took a step back during his stroll, his heart skipped a beat when he saw Moumita.
Moumita with a stern look, eyes meeting Ayan's without blinking
"How long are you going to do this?"

Ayan looked away and tried his best to look innocent.
"Uhh, I don't know what you are talking about."

Moumita, with still that stern look, wasn't going to fall in the trap.
"You stink at acting, so don't even try. The entire hostel knows about you and Sneha."

"Is that so?"

"Yes". Moumita placed her hand on Ayan's shoulder. "You know it right that she has a boyfriend?"

" Yes".

While other boys would get heartbreak when they knew their crush loved someone else, Ayan is different. He learned from his sister Sayantika that it doesn't matter how much worse the situation is; always hope for the best. Ayan was aware about Sneha having a boyfriend, but instead of giving up like others, he decided to wait. Maybe not today, but someday Sneha will be together.

The love for Sneha was pure. Ayan made sure he never views her in the wrong way that most of the spoiled boys used to do. Once Ayan collected her hair and kept it in his pencil box as a momento. Ayan's love for Sneha was beyond understanding of others. His passion for his true love was a sign of Ayan's maturity.

Knowing this, Ayan's friends never objected to it; they made fun of it. The revelation was up to his friend circle only. In front of his classmates, Ayan often deny claims of having feelings for Sneha, knowing how much they will tease him.

Ayan's feelings have a negative impact too. The boy who won Olympiad soon was lagging. For the first time, Ayan failed in math in his half-yearly exam. The leader of the friend circle seems detached from thoughts of Sneha.

Sourav would give strict instructions that no boy in the hostel should have feelings for Sneha or even act nicely. Of course not everyone was going to accept it. Some teased Ayan, but he shrugged it off. Soon Nivedita Ma'am's  tuition became a special place for Ayan as he got to meet Sneha. Ayan wasn't concerned about his studies, which can be seen in his lower grades. Many moments came when he went closer to her. Whether it's to organize teacher's day or walk back home, Sneha became an important part of Ayan's life.

It was the evening of August, and the setting sun made the sky purple. The herds of the birds flew to their respective trees. Inside the hostel compound, most of the students were asleep while some met their friends like it was their daily routine. Ayan came back from tuition only to see his friends chatting with each other.
Anurag mockingly "Look, the lover boy is here."
Ayan playfully said in a frustrating tone, "Cmon dada, please don't tease my love."
Sourav Dada spoke. "Are you even going to propose to her or going to stay until she gets married?"

"Currently she is dating Lumen, so I have to wait."

Sourav, who was casual, said this time, "Isn't it like her 4th or 5th on in seven months?"

Sayani hits his shoulder lightly. "Don't say that. It will hurt him."

Ayan, his hands on his bag shoulder straps, said, "No, no, it won't. I just feel like I am not ready to say it yet."

Moumita knew the more they discussed, the more it could hit Ayan, so she changed the topic.

"Always, are you going to go to Namami Barak tomorrow?"

Namami Barak, meaning "Obeisance of Barak,"  was a festival intended to celebrate in the honor of the River Barak along with the entire Barak valley. While there were several cultural programs, the main thing that attracted teenagers was the concert performed by many singers, including Shaan.

Ayan said, "Isn't it going to be crowded?"

"Well yeah, dumbo, but who is going to waste this opportunity?"

The night was wonderful. Neon lights pierced through the gloom. The arena is packed—a sea of swaying bodies and glowing lights. A soft hum of anticipation fills the air as the stage remains cloaked in darkness. A low hum resonates through the speakers, sending vibrations rippling through the floor. The massive stage looms ahead, towering amplifiers and sleek instruments barely visible in the dark.

Among the crowd, Ayan and his small band of friends were paving their way, barely finding space. Somehow they found empty chairs but in the last row because almost every dear

Ayan said, "I think we are late."

Anurag while giggling, "Late? People are here since afternoon."

The concert starts with a deep bass that cuts through the murmurs, and the crowd surges with a collective cheer. The stage begins to glow, softly at first, before bursting into a dazzling display of strobes and lights.
As the concert starts, Ayan can't help but feel the lyrics of the love song from his heart. Every line seemed to be written for Sneha, and he could relate to each of them. As his eyes wandered, he saw a girl with that same charm and that same elegance, which felt weird to Ayan at once. That girl was Sneha herself, who came to watch the concert too. It was like a dream. Ayan just thought about her, and she appeared in front of his eyes, though she was seated at a distance. But she was not alone; another guy was with her, being cozy. It was Lumen.

Ayan does feel an ache in his heart. Like he could love her but couldn't be with her. He gave a smile with the hope that if his love is real, fate will get them together.

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Next episode will release on Wednesday