Chapter 19: chapter 19

Chapter 19The party wound down in the early hours of the morning, leaving Sourabh feeling exhilarated yet exhausted. He had danced, laughed, and, for the first time in weeks, felt genuinely free of the weight that had been pressing on his heart. Nikita had been the perfect companion, guiding him through the crowd and encouraging him to step out of his shell.As they stepped outside to get some fresh air, Sourabh leaned against a wooden fence, breathing in the cool night. The stars twinkled above them, and the sounds of the party faded into a distant hum.“Can you believe we actually danced?” he asked, a grin spreading across his face. “I thought I would just stand in a corner all night!”Nikita laughed, her voice ringing like music in the quiet night. “You were amazing! Who knew you had those moves?”“Guess I’m full of surprises,” he replied, feeling a rush of confidence. “Thanks for pushing me out of my comfort zone.”“Anytime! That’s what friends are for,” she said, nudging him playfully.As they stood together, an unexpected warmth filled the air. Sourabh glanced at her, and for a moment, the playful banter faded into a comfortable silence. It was clear that their friendship had grown deeper in just a short time.“Hey, about Kartik…” he began hesitantly.“Ugh, don’t even get me started,” she interrupted, rolling her eyes. “I really don’t understand what Nitya sees in him.”Sourabh’s heart raced at the mention of Nitya ma'am, but he pushed the thought aside. “I mean, he just seems really… I don’t know, arrogant?”“Exactly! He thinks he’s the king of the world,” Nikita replied. “And he’s just a wannabe. Nitya deserves better.”“Yeah, she does,” Sourabh said, his voice barely above a whisper.Nikita turned to him, her expression softening. “You really care about her, don’t you?”Sourabh paused, feeling the weight of his emotions. “I did. I thought she was someone special. But now…” He hesitated, searching for the right words. “Now, I just want her to be happy, even if it’s not with me.”Nikita studied him for a moment, then smiled. “That’s really mature of you, Sourabh. Not everyone can let go like that.”“Thanks,” he said, appreciating her understanding. “It just hurts seeing her with someone like him.”Nikita moved a little closer, her tone shifting to something more serious. “You know, it’s okay to feel hurt. It’s part of healing. But don’t let that pain hold you back from new experiences—or from people who actually appreciate you.”“Like you?” he asked, a playful glint in his eyes.“Exactly!” she shot back, grinning. “I’m a catch, after all.”As the laughter bubbled up again, Sourabh felt a new warmth in his heart. Maybe this was what he needed—a friend who understood, someone who could help him navigate through the chaos of emotions.“Alright, enough about exes and heartbreaks. What’s next on the agenda?” Nikita asked, her eyes shining with excitement.“How about a movie night?” Sourabh suggested. “We can watch something ridiculous and eat popcorn.”“Count me in! I’m all about bad movies and good snacks,” she replied, her enthusiasm contagious. “We could even make it a regular thing—like a club for nerds and misfits.”“I’m definitely a nerd, but misfit? I’m not so sure,” he said, feigning seriousness.“Oh please, you’re the perfect blend of nerdy and charming,” she teased, poking his side.As they walked back toward the house to grab their things, Sourabh couldn’t shake the feeling that he was beginning to look at life through a different lens. He was grateful for this new friendship, one that was blossoming amidst the remnants of his unrequited feelings for Nitya ma'am.When they finally parted ways outside the party, Sourabh felt lighter than he had in ages. “Thanks for an unforgettable night,” he said, looking at her with genuine appreciation.“Anytime! And remember, I’ll expect my movie invite soon!” she called over her shoulder as she walked away, her laughter echoing in the air.As he made his way home, Sourabh reflected on the evening’s events. He had stepped out of his comfort zone, laughed until his sides hurt, and even connected with someone who understood the struggle of moving on.That night, he fell asleep with a smile on his face, the shadows of his heartache slowly lifting. He was ready to embrace whatever came next, confident that with friends like Nikita by his side, the future didn’t seem so daunting after all.Chapter 20: RevelationsThe following week was a whirlwind of emotions and experiences. Sourabh and Nikita began their routine of movie nights, blending laughter with an array of questionable film choices. They bonded over terrible acting and plotlines that made no sense, but it was the shared joy that drew them closer together.One evening, after watching a particularly outrageous sci-fi film about aliens and time travel, Sourabh flopped back onto the couch, groaning. “I can’t believe we just watched that. It was so bad!”Nikita burst into laughter. “I know! But that’s what made it great. It’s like a car crash—you can’t look away!”“True! But how do people actually get paid to make this stuff?” he asked, shaking his head.“Don’t underestimate the magic of bad cinema!” she said, nudging him. “It’s an art form in its own right.”Their laughter faded as they settled into a comfortable silence, and Sourabh found himself glancing at her. The way she talked about life with such passion and humor made him realize how refreshing it was to connect with someone new.“Hey, do you have any plans for the weekend?” he asked, breaking the quiet.“I was thinking we could have a movie marathon or something. What do you think?” Nikita suggested, her eyes brightening.“Sounds perfect! We could pick a theme—like superheroes or horror,” he proposed, his excitement building.“Let’s do horror! I’m a sucker for jump scares,” she grinned. “And we can make it a potluck—bring your favorite snacks!”“Deal! I’ll bring popcorn and maybe some nachos,” he replied, already brainstorming ideas.As they finalized their plans, Sourabh’s phone buzzed with a notification. He picked it up and saw a message from Rohan: “Dude, are you coming to the science fair next week? I need backup!”Sourabh chuckled, shaking his head. “Looks like I’ve got to help Rohan with the science fair too.”“Oh, fun! I’d love to see what you guys come up with,” Nikita said, her curiosity piqued.“Yeah, it’s usually a mix of genius and chaos,” he replied, a smile creeping onto his face. “We’ll probably end up building a volcano that explodes glitter everywhere.”“That sounds amazing! Count me in for the chaos!” she laughed, and Sourabh couldn’t help but feel grateful for her enthusiasm.As the week progressed, Sourabh noticed something shifting within himself. He was beginning to enjoy the little moments—laughing with Nikita, brainstorming with Rohan, and even facing the challenges of school with a renewed spirit.But as the days passed, he couldn’t shake the thought of Nitya ma'am entirely. He wondered if she was okay, how she was coping with her relationship with Kartik. One afternoon, he decided to check in on her. It felt like the right thing to do, despite the emotions it might stir.After school, he rode his bike to her flat, his heart pounding as he approached the building. He took a deep breath and knocked on her door, unsure of what to expect.A moment later, Nitya ma'am opened the door, looking surprised but pleased to see him. Her face lit up, but Sourabh couldn’t help but notice the shadows under her eyes. “Sourabh! What a nice surprise. Come in!”“Thanks, ma’am. I just wanted to check on you,” he said, stepping inside. “You’ve been on my mind lately.”She smiled softly, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “That’s sweet of you. I’m doing okay, just a little overwhelmed with everything.”Sourabh felt a pang of concern. “Is it about… you know, Kartik?”Nitya hesitated for a moment before nodding. “It’s complicated. I thought things were going well, but sometimes it feels like we’re just going through the motions.”Sourabh’s heart sank, but he tried to stay composed. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here for you.”“Thank you, that means a lot,” she replied, her voice genuine. “It’s hard to open up, but I appreciate your support.”They settled into a comfortable conversation, and Sourabh found himself wanting to lighten the mood. “So, any plans for the weekend? I’m going to a horror movie marathon with Nikita.”Nitya’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Nikita? The girl from school?”“Yeah! She’s been a great friend. It’s been fun to hang out and just… escape for a bit,” he said, trying to keep the conversation light.“Good for you! It’s important to have friends who lift you up,” Nitya said, her smile returning a bit.