Against All Odds

fate is not with us

Kabir's heart pounded in his chest, a sickening feeling settling in his stomach. *A guy?* Liza had a boyfriend all this time? His thoughts swirled in confusion, disbelief gripping him.

"Yes?" A tall figure with a deep voice answered from the doorway.

"Is this Liza's house?" Kabir's voice wavered as he forced the question out, trying to keep his composure.

"Yeah, she's inside. And you are?"

Kabir felt his world shattering. His chest tightened, and the weight of everything he had hoped for began crumbling. How could he confess his feelings now? How could he even *think* Liza would ever feel the same way, if she was already with someone else?

"Oh, nothing really," Kabir muttered, trying to mask the crack in his voice. "Is she okay? Akshara sent me to check on her."

"Yeah, she's fine. What happened?"

"Nothing. Okay... please give her my regards." Kabir barely managed to get the words out before turning away, not daring to stay a second longer. As he walked away, each step felt heavier, as if the ground beneath him was dragging him down. Everything seemed louder, harsher—the sounds of the world mocking him for ever thinking Liza could be his.

His heart ached as he walked aimlessly, tears blurring his vision. How foolish had he been to think they could ever be more than friends? It was all in his head, wasn't it? Every laugh, every shared moment... it had all been a lie, a figment of his own imagination.

How could you ever think Liza would choose you? You're nothing to her. Just a friend—nothing more.

His phone buzzed, jolting him from the spiral of his thoughts. It was Akshara. Again.

"Kabir?" Her voice sounded anxious, but Kabir couldn't bear it anymore.

"What?" he snapped, his voice breaking. The frustration, the pain—it all came rushing out in that one word.

"Kabir, what happened? Is she okay?" Akshara asked, her concern genuine, but all Kabir could feel was the ache in his chest.

And then it all poured out. Kabir recounted everything, how he'd gone to Liza's house, how he'd heard a guy's voice, and how every hope he had crumbled in an instant. He barely managed to get the words out between sobs. Akshara listened in silence, and when he was done, there was a long pause.

"I'm so sorry, Kabir," Akshara whispered, her voice breaking. Kabir could tell she was crying too. "I'll talk to her. Maybe—"

"No," Kabir interrupted. "Let her be happy. She deserves to be happy with her boyfriend. We shouldn't interfere."

The call ended, and Kabir collapsed onto his bed, burying his face in his pillow as the sobs wracked through him. The pain felt endless, echoing in the silence of his room. He didn't go to college for the entire week, too broken to face anyone.

Days later, when Liza finally returned, Kabir still wasn't there. Akshara had been avoiding her, unable to hide her anger. Liza, confused, approached her friend.

"Akshara?" Liza said softly. "I'm sorry, okay? My phone died, and I couldn't let you know what was happening."

"That's not the issue, Liza," Akshara replied coldly.

"Then what is it? Stop acting like a child," Liza's frustration seeped into her voice.

"A child? You're calling me a child?" Akshara's voice trembled, her eyes burning with unshed tears. "What about how you played with Kabir, huh? Like he was some toy for you to discard when you got bored."

Liza's face paled. "What the hell are you talking about? I played with him? Akshara, think before you speak!"

"I know everything, Liza." And with that, Akshara told Liza everything Kabir had shared, even though he had begged her not to. The moment the words left her mouth, she saw Liza's face crumble.

"Oh my god..." Liza whispered, her hands trembling  "AKSHARA, it's all a misunderstanding! I swear to you, it's nothing like that! Oh god, what is even happening?"

"Explain it to Kabir," Akshara said, her tone softening slightly. "He's the one hurting."

"Where is he?" Liza asked, panic seeping into her voice.

"He said he's leaving for his hometown tomorrow. He needs time alone."

Before Akshara could say another word, Liza grabbed her bag and started running.

"Liza, where are you going?" Akshara called after her.

"To find Kabir," Liza shouted, her voice thick with sadness