—VEDANT—
It was raining—the first rain of the monsoon.
The cold breeze rushed in, flipping the papers on my desk. I glanced toward the balcony and cursed under my breath.
I had left my telescope outside. I rushed to get it—but then I froze.
Sohini was outside. Standing in the rain.
I paused.
It had been almost a month since her birthday. A month since she confessed. It had been—traumatizing, confusing, chaotic.
I had acted rashly—horribly—and she had run out in tears.
She had blocked me from everywhere after that. I hadn't seen her since.Until now.
She stood there, arms stretched out, her hair drenched, her tiny dress clinging to her body. So carefree. So alive.
I just stood there blinking, unable to look away.
Her younger brother suddenly ran up and pushed her. She stumbled, then chased after him, laughing and shouting:
"You son of a bitch!"
She laughed. She actually laughed.She looked—happy. Happier than I had ever seen her.
I smiled despite myself, then quietly pulled the curtains shut and closed the door.
But the regret hit me harder than the rain outside.
I could have been kind. I could have explained things gently, made her understand, instead of shouting at her like that. But it was too late now.
"She just had an innocent crush," I muttered to myself. "What could have gone wrong?"
A few days later, after running Pluto, our dog, I walked back into the house—and stopped.
Sohini's father was sitting on the sofa, talking to my dad.
I blinked. That was unexpected, considering he had never really liked me.
"Good morning, Uncle," I greeted, forcing a polite smile.
To my shock, he stood up, hugged me tightly, and handed me a laddoo.
I stared at him, completely confused.
"Sohini scored ninety percent in her board exams!" Das Uncle beamed. "Ninety-five in math!"
My face broke into a proud grin.I always knew she had it in her—she was just a little—distracted before.
"Thank you so much, son. You helped her a lot," he said, his eyes warm with gratitude.
I shook my head quickly.
"It was all Sohini. She worked hard. I just showed her the way," I said honestly.
Uncle clapped my shoulder."We're having a small celebration dinner tonight. You all must come."
Before I could respond, Dad chimed in: "Das ji, I'm on a strict diet after my heart surgery. Vedant will go instead."He patted my back like it was already decided.
"Of course," I said, smiling, even though my stomach twisted slightly at the thought.
Because deep down, I knew—
Seeing Sohini again wasn't going to be easy.