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"Dil ke zakhm dikhaye, par tum samajh na sake, Mauke diye kai, par tum nibhah na sake."
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I couldn't breathe, couldn't think straight. My eyes locked onto the sight that felt like it shattered something deep inside me.
The world blurred for a second, and before I could even stop it, a lone tear slipped down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away, furious at myself for being so weak.
I turned away, my feet moving faster than my mind could catch up with. I needed to get out, away from the sight, away from him. My legs carried me straight to the girls' washroom, where I rushed to the mirror.
I stared at the reflection – my own face staring back at me, eyes wide, lips trembling, cheeks flushed from the swirl of emotions storming inside me.
"Let one more tear fall, and I'll ruin your face." I growled at myself, my voice trembling with the frustration building in my chest. I hated this, hated feeling this way. My hand trembled as I splashed cold water onto my face.
The liquid stinging against my heated skin. The sound of it hitting the sink seemed louder, more jarring than normal, but it wasn't enough to drown out the voice in my head screaming at me.
"Why are you crying, huh?" I shouted at my reflection, the hurt and anger seeping out in my voice. I slapped myself, the sting sharp against my skin. I didn't want to appear weak. I couldn't be weak. Not now, not ever.
"There was nothing between you and him, so why are you crying?" My voice cracked as I screamed again, my fingers yanking at my hair. My scalp hurt, but it was nothing compared to the dull ache spreading in my chest, as if my heart was trying to break free from the weight crushing it.
"Why does my heart hurt so much?" I whispered to myself, my fingers rubbing at my chest in some useless attempt to soothe the pain. But it wouldn't go away. No matter how many deep breaths I took, it stayed there, heavy and persistent.
I splashed more water on my face, hoping to wash away not just the makeup but the feelings that were suffocating me. I had to compose myself. I couldn't let anyone see me like this, not Akshnav, not anyone. After patting my face dry, I forced myself to look into the mirror again.
