Four months had passed since the release of Anaya's novel, and the world had begun to recognize her words. Readers from different countries, even across borders, had messaged her, shared quotes, and praised the way her story made them feel seen, held, and healed. The book had blossomed far beyond what Anaya had ever dared to dream.
But today,.. today wasn't about the book.
It was her graduation day.
The campus was vibrant with music and flowers. Students in robes posed with their friends, tossing their hats in the air, laughing, wiping happy tears. There were warm hugs, group photos, flower bouquets, and selfies on every corner.
But in the midst of it all, Anaya stood quietly by herself, holding her certificate, her hands brushing over its smooth surface as if to comfort herself.
There was no one to take pictures with. No one to hand her flowers. No arm wrapped around her shoulder. Just Anaya… and the soft ache of solitude that pressed into her chest like a folded note she couldn't read.
She sighed and took a step toward the exit gate, whispering to herself, "Maybe I'll just go home..."
Just then, a voice called out, loud and clear.
"Anaya! Anayaaa!"
She turned around sharply, startled.
Jiya was waving from a short distance, her blue blazer catching the light, her arms holding a bundle of fresh red roses. Her smile lit up the path between them like sunshine breaking through clouds.
Anaya froze.
Then, without thinking, she ran toward her.
She came to a stop just inches away, eyes welling up and she threw her arms around Jiya in a sudden, tight hug.
"Sister…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Thank you. I… I thought you wouldn't come. That day, when you asked about today… I thought you were just being polite. I didn't expect you'd come all the way here… I'm really, really happy."
Jiya chuckled softly, her palm gently tapping Anaya's back. "I said I would, didn't I? Why are you crying now, hmm?"
Anaya loosened the hug, pulling back with a puffed-up face and watery eyes. "I… I'm not crying. I just felt… happy. Too happy."
Jiya smiled, brushing a hair from Anaya's cheek. "Mmm… mmm. Okay, then! Enough tears. Let's go take pictures. Why are you standing alone like this? Don't you have any friends to celebrate with?"
Anaya hesitated. Her smile faltered a little. "They never really treated me like a friend. I didn't plan to make any. But they… they did. At least back then."
Jiya frowned, confused. "Back then?"
Anaya looked away, voice soft. "After I moved out of the hostel, I didn't keep in touch. And even while we were close, I think they could tell I was… different. Distant. I used to enjoy being with them, but something changed. Maybe I changed."
Jiya stared at her, heart sinking a little. "Wait… you mean, you don't have even one friend to share your thoughts with? Not even someone to lean on when you're hurting?"
Anaya bit her lip and shook her head.
Jiya sighed. "Come on. Take me to them."
Together, they walked into the auditorium, still buzzing with energy. As they entered, a few heads turned. Some of her classmates glanced her way with mild surprise, even awkwardness. Among them was the Rhea, who once used to be with her playfully. but now stood silently, not even making eye contact.
It was as though Anaya had become invisible in the very room where she once laughed and lived.
Jiya leaned closer and whispered, "Go. Wish them. Ask to take photos. Just try, okay? I didn't expect this part of you… Go. I'm right here."
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Anaya stepped forward.
Her shoes echoed faintly on the polished floor as she walked up to the group that once felt like hers.
"Hey…" she said, gently. "Congratulations."
A moment of silence.
Then, someone called out, surprised, "Finally! You spoke!" It was Rhea, one of the friend from her batch, her voice light and teasing.
"We really thought you wouldn't say a word to us today," she added with a laugh. "You've changed so much, Anaya. We didn't know what happened to you before."
Another girl chimed in, "We wanted to talk to you, but you felt so… different. So cold. Like you were building a wall. Every time we tried, you just shut us out. So eventually… we just stopped trying."
Anaya's lips parted slightly, heart stinging.
She had always thought they gave up on her.
"Let's go out and take some pictures!" Rhea exclaimed, her smile as bright as the sunlight streaming through the glass doors of the auditorium.
Anaya smiled softly and pointed toward the hallway. "There… that's my sister."
Rhea and the others turned to see Jiya, elegant in her blue blazer, chatting casually with a few students. Her easy warmth made her seem familiar to them even though they'd only just met her. Anaya's heart felt light watching the scene like the world was finally letting her be part of something.
As the group began to move outside, Anaya glanced around.
"Where's Vicky?" she asked Rhea quietly.
"Oh," Rhea said, looking over her shoulder. "I just saw him walk out a few minutes ago… toward the garden, I think."
Anaya nodded. "I'll go find him."
She walked slowly, her mind quietly turning.
I haven't seen him properly since… that day.
The day he and Rose broke up.
Vicky really broke down after that. But after, I stopped noticing him. Or maybe, I stopped letting myself look.
She found him exactly where she guessed he'd be sitting alone on a bench in the quiet park, sunlight dappled over his gown and downcast eyes. He looked up only when she approached, his expression puzzled at first.
"Hi… CR." Anaya said with a small smile. "How are you?"
Vicky blinked, stunned. "Wait.. me? You're talking to me?" He looked over his shoulder, jokingly, and then smiled. "Finally remembered me, huh?"
Anaya chuckled lightly. "Why are you sitting here?"
Vicky sighed, looking off into the trees. "I saw someone about to leave the auditorium with a sad face… wanted to talk to her. But then I saw an emotional scene… and sat here instead."
Anaya raised an eyebrow. "Was it me?"
Vicky smiled wryly. "Who else? It's been two years, Anaya. Two whole years since you spoke to me. And honestly… I never understood why you changed so much."
He looked down for a moment. "After the breakup with Rose… she told me something. That you had feelings for me. That… she was just responding to me out of jealousy, even though she had someone else. But I never thought of you like that, Anaya. I never meant to hurt you."
Anaya's heart paused, and she let out a soft breath. "It's okay. But… that's not the reason I drifted. I just didn't want to get close to anyone. I kept my distance."
She paused, then said gently, "Later I realized… I never truly loved you. It was more like… I thought you loved me. And I wanted to love you back. That's all. But those feelings faded quietly. It's all in the past now."
She offered a warm smile. "I just thought today might be the last time I'd see all of you together. So… I'm here. Let's go take some pictures?"
Vicky's expression softened. He stood and said, "Let's go."
Back in the auditorium, Anaya stood with her batchmates as camera shutters clicked, arms slung over each other's shoulders. The air was filled with laughter and snapshots of youth.
They went outside next, posing under trees and at campus gates, soaking in the last golden light of their student days.
Later that evening, Anaya raised a suggestion. "Shall I treat you all to dinner?" she asked, smiling shyly.
The answer was a cheerful yes.
They made their way to the warm and cozy restaurant owned by Mr. Brain. The scent of wood-fired food and soft music welcomed them in. Jiya joined the group, and they gathered around the large table, chatting easily.
As the dishes were served, the conversation turned to future plans.
Rhea was the first to speak. "I'm going into genetic research. It's my dream to work on rare inherited diseases."
Vicky smiled. "Forensics for me. I'm fascinated by unsolved cases. I want to give voices to the voiceless."
They all nodded with admiration.
"And Anaya?" someone asked. "What about you?"
Anaya smiled, then stood.
"I.. I want to be a violinist," she said softly.
Before anyone could respond, she picked up a violin case from the corner. something the place had carried with it silently all day.
She placed the violin under her chin and began to play.
The melody was tender, bittersweet, full of soft longing and warmth. It carried the quiet pain she'd lived through, and the hope she had stitched into every step forward.
When she finished, the room was still. Moved.
And then, a round of claps and cheers burst forth.
Anaya Said, " And then, I'm planning to..."
She continued, " well, I'm going to Mumbai with my sister," Anaya added with a small bow. " and also, Thank you… for bearing with my behaviour all these years. And wish we all will achieve what we dreamed for. all the best to each one of you. And also, maybe it will be the last time here with you. Goodbye guys."
And then, her classmates raised their voices and made "cheers to our future.."
And finally they take some pictures in the restaurant and later made their ways to their way.