INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2

CHAPTER 108

Happy Reading

Next Morning — Angad & Abeer’s Room

Abeer is sitting on the bed, bruised, flipping through an untouched notebook. Angad enters quietly, holding a coffee mug.

Angad:
(sits beside him)
“Still pretending to do homework, huh?”

Abeer smirks weakly, then looks down.

Abeer:
“Guess even the homework doesn’t want to be near me now.”

Angad chuckles softly but then grows serious.

Angad:
“You know I believe you, right? I always have. Even when we fought. Even when you hated me.”

Abeer:
(voice tight)
“And yet you’re still here.”

Angad:
“Always will be. You may hate me… hate mom... but that doesn’t change one thing—I’m your brother. I’ll stand beside you even when the world doesn’t.”

Abeer looks at him, eyes red but filled with quiet gratitude.

Abeer:
“I don’t know how to fix things, Angad… especially with dad. But thank you. For staying.”

Angad leans forward, gripping his shoulder gently.

Angad:
“We’ll fix it. Not just for you. But for the truth.”

_____________

School Hallway — Dharshi & Keerthi Side by Side

Students still whisper. Abeer’s name lingers like smoke. Keerthi walks in, tense, followed closely by Dharshi.

Random student whispering:
“I heard he got caught with pills.”
“I thought he was normal… guess not.”

Keerthi clenches her fists. Dharshi notices and grabs her wrist gently.

Dharshi:
“Breathe, Keer.”

Keerthi: (calming)
“They don’t know anything. But I do. And I’ll defend him. With or without them.”

They both walk to the center of the hallway, stopping near a noticeboard. A crowd gathers subtly.

Keerthi: (firmly)
“For anyone who still thinks Abeer did it—you’re wrong. He’s been set up. And when the truth comes out, I hope you all remember what silence did.”

The crowd hushes. People exchange glances. Some shift awkwardly.

Dharshi: (steps forward)
“I know Abeer. And I know the company he used to keep...”

She pauses, thinking hard.

Dharshi:
“Barney, Ted, Joe, Ron. His old school group. He left them behind for a reason. What if this was revenge?”