𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄

𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐭

Six years ago, on farewell day

Aisha's voice crackled through the phone, "Where are you, Dhruvi? Don't tell me you did something stupid again because of Nandini and Atharva. Just forget what happened at the farewell party, but I have to ask-why did you accept all the blame? It was Nandini who orchestrated everything. I heard her talking with Ashwin, but I never thought her plan would backfire on her."

"I just want some peace. I'm nearby. I can't bear to see Atharva's face. His eyes already suspected me. He didn't have faith in me, so it doesn't matter if I deny the accusations. He thinks I'm guilty, so I am," Dhruvi sobbed.

"But-" Aisha attempted to interject, but Dhruvi cut her off and ended the call.

"I was such a fool to think you cared for me. But it was all a delusion. You never saw me like this. I hate Nandini. Why did she come into our lives?" Dhruvi sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face. She was at the playground, having rushed there when Atharva left with Nandini. No one knew she was there because she wanted to be alone.

"Dhruviii," a voice called from behind. Dhruvi turned to see Rohan, who was trembling and clearly intoxicated.

"Why did you hurt me?" His tone was bitter.

"Hurt you?" Dhruvi was puzzled.

"You chose Ashwin over me? Everyone knows we both like you, but still, you chose Ashwin. Why?" Rohan's words slurred together.

"You're drunk, Rohan. I'm sorry, we should talk later," Dhruvi suggested, growing increasingly concerned.

"No, not later. Tell me why you rejected me." Rohan stumbled closer to her, his breath reeking of alcohol.

"I rejected you, but that doesn't mean I accepted Ashwin. But your condition is getting worse, so bye, I don't want to talk about it now," Dhruvi said, trying to walk past him. But Rohan grabbed her, his gaze dark and unsettling.

"What the hell, just leave me, or I will call someone," Dhruvi tried to push him away.

"You can't leave me always! And not today," Rohan's voice trailed off ominously.

That bad day took a turn for the worse as raindrops began to fall.

"Listen, see, the rain also started. Just go home, and let me go there too," Dhruvi suggested again.

"No, just say you love me," Rohan insisted.

Dhruvi jerked him so forcefully that he landed on the bench nearby, his head hitting it hard. Blood rushed from the wound, mixing with the rain and the smell of alcohol. Dhruvi gasped at the sight, but Rohan remained unconscious.

"Dhruvi!" Aisha's voice pierced through the rain as she rushed to the scene, her shock evident at the sight before her.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Dhruvi couldn't find the words to explain. She was stern, but still, she managed, "I want to leave. Let's go fast." Aisha nodded, and they both hurriedly left the scene, leaving behind the chaos and the consequences of that fateful encounter.

Present.

Aisha explained all this incident. Everyone was shocked of the new information.

" I don't know what happened after that , everyone knew the news one boy died but I guess the school community tried their best to maintain their position that's why it didn't spread much . And no one knew Dhruvi was at the playground except Rohan and me. From that day Dhruvi blamed herself for his death and mention of him and everything make her panic . I tried my best to adviced her and make her feel good again and then Wagisha di was here too so I suggested Dhruvi should go with her to Canada . And then it all was planned and was going good but still Dhruvi have problems and she take medications for it . But now she less blame herself for this "

"She was suffering from all that, and still, I blamed her for something she never did. I thought she ruined our lives, but it was me. Not Nandini, because after all, I was the one who stopped paying attention to her. I was the one who suspected her. Nandini was an outsider for me, but Dhruvi was always special to me. Then why? All the actions I took, thinking they would benefit Dhruvi, unintentionally hurt her instead " Atharva thought.

Everyone was shock. and grieving over their regrets but Atharva wanted some time alone or to say He wanted to see Dhruvi again .He went to their room . She was lying on her bed and resting .
Atharva went to her side and knelt down.

"I am so sorry, Dhruvi. I don't know if you will forgive me or not. I was selfish. I always thought about myself. But in your case, I never intentionally wanted to hurt you. I didn't know you were suffering from all this. I should have been by your side at that time."

A tear fell from his eye.
Dhruvi began to stir and woke up after a few minutes. She opened her eyes and saw Atharva standing nearby..
Dhruvi tried to sit up, but Atharva told her to rest. Ignoring him, she sat up and said, "Why are you here?"

"I am so sorry. I know I made mistakes," Atharva tried to apologize, but Dhruvi started to stand up.

"You are not well, Dhruvi. You can be angry later. Now, rest," Atharva said, trying to hold her because she had not fully recovered.

"I am fine, and I don't need your help. Let me go," she demanded.

"No, tell me where to go, and I will take you," Atharva offered.

"I would rather die than need your help." She started to move forward, but her balance faltered, and she was about to fall when Atharva caught her. He lifted her in his arms. "Where do you want to go?" he asked with concern.

"Hell. Now, drop me," Dhruvi replied.

"There's more time for that, and I will not drop you. Just say where to go," Atharva insisted.

"If she is stubborn, then I know how to handle her," he thought.

"Fine. Restroom," Dhruvi finally said, unable to free herself from his grip.

Atharva carried her to the restroom and gently set her down. "Call me when you're done," he said before heading to his room.

....