I had been absent for a week.
Seven whole days without seeing him.
Seven days without his voice, his smile, his stupid jokes.
And even though we texted… it wasn't the same.
So I was excited.
Actually, more than excited. My heart was racing as I stepped into school again.
The bell rang for recess , and without thinking twice, I ran toward the senior wing corridor — the place where he always waited for me 🏃♀️
But what I saw…
It broke me.
He was already there.
Not alone.
With a girl.
And not just standing.
Laughing. Talking. Too close. Too casual.
Pehle jaise he bell bajta tha, he used to run toward me — literally run like a mad kid who couldn't wait even a second.
But today…
He didn't move.
He didn't come.
He just looked at me from a distance… and smiled.
Not the kind of smile that made my heart melt.
But the kind that felt like a stranger's smile.
And then?
He turned back to the girl.
Like I wasn't even there.
I felt a sudden sting behind my eyes .
I blinked — once, twice — but the tears didn't wait for permission.
They came. Quietly. Slowly.
Just like the pain inside me.
I stood there for a second, completely still, watching the boy I loved… not choose me.
Not even notice me.
Kya ye uski new girlfriend hai?
Kya ye uska new "mine" hai…?
She wasn't pretty either.
In fact, they kind of looked alike.
Un dono ka taste same tha —
Different. Odd. Unpopular.
And maybe that's why they looked so perfect together.
Because the whole school laughed at them… but they were laughing together.
And me?
I was left standing alone, with my heart in my throat and the memory of how things used to be.
Usne mujhe choose kyun nahi kiya?
Maine kya galat kiya tha?
I wiped my tears quickly before anyone could see.
But inside… I was already breaking