Chapter 22: chapter 22

Chapter 22The next day, the atmosphere at school was somber. Whispers and glances filled the halls as students tried to piece together the news of Nitya ma'am's breakup with Kartik. Sourabh felt a mix of emotions—anger at Kartik for hurting her, worry for Nitya ma'am, and a sense of urgency to be there for her.After school, he decided to visit her flat, hoping to provide some comfort. As he rode his bike through the familiar streets, he replayed the events of the past few days in his mind. He couldn't shake the image of Nitya ma'am watching that video, the shock and pain etched on her face. He arrived at her building, his heart pounding as he climbed the stairs to her door.Knocking softly, he felt a wave of apprehension wash over him. Would she want to see him? After a moment, the door creaked open, and there she stood, her eyes red and puffy, a testament to the tears she had shed.“Sourabh,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Without a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward and enveloped him in a tight hug.He was taken aback for a second, the warmth of her embrace melting away his worries. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I’m so sorry, Nitya ma'am,” he murmured, his heart aching for her.“Thank you for being here,” she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder. “I didn’t know who else to turn to.”As she clung to him, Sourabh felt a rush of emotions—sadness for her pain, but also a profound sense of protectiveness. This was the woman he admired deeply, and seeing her hurt was unbearable. He stroked her back gently, wishing he could take away her sorrow.After a moment, she pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. “I just feel so lost right now,” she admitted, her vulnerability palpable. “I thought he cared about me.”“He doesn’t deserve you,” Sourabh replied firmly, his voice steady. “You deserve someone who truly values you.”Nitya ma'am gave a small nod, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “I know that now, but it’s hard to let go of what I thought we had.”“I understand,” he said, his heart swelling with empathy. “It’s okay to feel sad. You’re allowed to grieve the relationship.”She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. “I just never expected it to end like this. I feel foolish.”“You’re not foolish, Nitya ma'am. You opened your heart, and that takes courage,” he reassured her. “It’s a part of life, even if it hurts.”“Thank you for saying that,” she replied softly, her gaze steady on him. “You always know how to make me feel better.”Sourabh felt a warmth spread through him at her words. He wished he could do more for her, but in this moment, he knew just being there was what she needed. “I’m here for you, no matter what. You don’t have to go through this alone.”Nitya ma'am managed a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I really appreciate that. I just need time to heal.”“Take all the time you need,” he said gently. “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be right here.”They moved to the couch, and Sourabh settled beside her, a comfortable silence falling between them. He could see the hurt in her eyes, the pain of betrayal, but he also noticed her strength. She was a resilient person, and she would get through this.“What will you do now?” he asked, breaking the silence.“I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I need to focus on myself for a while. Maybe I’ll spend some time working on my classes and hobbies. Just… find my footing again.”“That sounds like a good plan,” Sourabh encouraged. “You’ve always been so dedicated to your students. Now it’s time to be dedicated to yourself.”“Thank you for being so supportive, Sourabh. I don’t know what I would do without you,” she said, her voice sincere.In that moment, Sourabh felt a rush of emotions—admiration, affection, and a deep-seated desire to protect her from further pain. “You mean a lot to me, Nitya ma'am. I just want to see you happy.”She looked at him, her gaze searching his face. “You’re a good person, Sourabh. I wish I had realized sooner how much you care.”The air between them crackled with unspoken words, and Sourabh felt his heart race. He wanted to say more, to express everything he felt, but he held back, not wanting to complicate things further while she was vulnerable.“Let’s take it one step at a time,” he finally said, keeping his voice light. “For now, let’s just focus on hanging out and getting through this together.”Nitya ma'am smiled, a flicker of warmth returning to her eyes. “I’d like that.”As they spent the rest of the afternoon talking and sharing stories, Sourabh felt a sense of purpose swell within him. He was determined to help her heal, to be the friend she needed during this difficult time.Though their situation was complicated, he couldn’t help but feel that this moment of connection was a step toward something more profound. As he watched her begin to smile again, he realized that he would do anything to support her—even if it meant waiting patiently for her heart to heal.