Chapter 13The sun dipped low in the sky, painting the evening with hues of orange and pink. Sourabh pedaled his bicycle toward the market, the familiar route now feeling like a maze of thoughts. He had been trying to shake off the lingering feelings for Nitya ma'am, focusing instead on his studies and friendships. But every time he saw her in class, her laughter and warmth ignited those feelings anew.As he approached the market, he decided to take a detour past her flat, a place that had become a focal point of his thoughts. He told himself it was just a casual ride, but deep down, he hoped for a glimpse of her, perhaps even a chance to share a friendly conversation.The building loomed ahead, a stark reminder of his feelings. He rode slowly, lost in a mix of hope and trepidation. Just as he passed her window, a flicker of movement caught his eye. He glanced over instinctively.And then everything changed.There, framed by the soft glow of the setting sun, was Nitya ma'amâher silhouette unmistakable. But she wasnât alone. A boy, tall and with an easy smile, stood close to her. Sourabhâs heart dropped as he watched them leaning into each other, laughter echoing faintly through the glass. And then, in a moment that felt like an eternity, they kissed.Sourabhâs world tilted. Time slowed, and the vibrant colors of the sunset faded into a dull gray. The laughter that had filled the air turned into a deafening silence, drowning out the joyful sounds of the market nearby. He felt his breath hitch in his throat, a crushing weight settling on his chest.It was as if the ground had given way beneath him. He had never imagined that he would see her in such an intimate moment, and the sight of her kissing someone else sent shards of pain slicing through his heart.He didnât want to look away, yet he couldnât bear to watch. A whirlwind of emotions surged within himâbetrayal, heartbreak, confusion. Was this the âsomething moreâ he had felt? All those moments they shared, the laughter, the late-night conversationsâhad they all been mere figments of his imagination, shadows of a connection he had desperately wanted to be real?He stood frozen for a moment, torn between wanting to shield himself from the truth and the undeniable urge to confront it. Sourabh felt his heart racing, pounding against his ribcage like a caged bird trying to escape. The boyâs arm wrapped around Nitya ma'amâs waist, pulling her closer as they shared whispers and laughter, completely unaware of the world outside.Sourabh finally turned away, his bike moving on autopilot as he struggled to process what he had just witnessed. Each pedal felt heavier than the last, like he was pushing against an invisible force. The market buzzed around him, but he was enveloped in a cocoon of loneliness, the noise fading into the background.He wanted to scream, to unleash the torrent of emotions crashing through him. Instead, he found himself lost in thought, replaying every interaction he had shared with Nitya ma'am. Had he been naive to think there was something deeper? How could he have been so blind?The sharp pang of jealousy pierced through his heart. Who was this boy? What did he have that Sourabh didnât? It wasnât just the romantic connection that hurt; it was the realization that the world he had built in his mind was a fantasy. Nitya ma'am was living her life, and he was merely a fleeting moment in it.As he reached the market, the vibrant stalls seemed to mock him. He walked through the aisles, unable to focus on anything but the image of Nitya ma'am in that moment, the way her eyes sparkled with joy as she kissed him. It was a stark reminder of how far removed he was from her reality.He tried to engage with his friends who were gathered around, but their laughter felt like daggers, each joyful sound a reminder of his own heartbreak. âHey, Sourabh! You good?â one of them asked, noticing his distant gaze.âYeah, Iâm fine,â he replied, forcing a smile that didnât reach his eyes. They continued chatting, but his mind drifted back to Nitya ma'am, to the way she had smiled at him, the warmth of her presence that now felt like a distant memory.The evening dragged on, and when he finally returned home, Sourabh felt hollow. He collapsed onto his bed, the weight of his emotions crashing down like an avalanche. Tears he didnât want to shed pooled in his eyes, and he fought against them, but it was futile.In that moment of vulnerability, he allowed himself to feel the pain. The image of Nitya ma'am and the boy replayed over and over, a cruel loop of reality he couldnât escape. He buried his face in his pillow, allowing the tears to flow freely, each one a release of the dreams he had harbored for what felt like so long.As night fell, the shadows in his room seemed to reflect the darkness that had enveloped his heart. He had to confront the truth: Nitya ma'am was not just a teacher; she was a person with her own life, her own choices, and her own relationships. And those relationships didnât include him.With each tear that fell, Sourabh resolved to start anew. He had to pull himself out of this despair, to rebuild the fragments of his heart that felt irreparably broken. He couldnât allow himself to be lost in a fantasy anymore; he had to focus on his future, on his studies, and on the friendships that mattered.Yet, as he drifted into a restless sleep, he couldnât shake the ache in his chest. The image of Nitya ma'am and her boyfriend haunted his dreams, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be. And in that silence, he realized that moving on wouldnât be easy; it would be a journey filled with ups and downs, a path he now had to navigate alone.
Chapter 13: chapter 13
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