12

The classroom was buzzing with the usual pre-class chatter when Shreya walked in. Aditi's eyes flicked to the door for a moment before focusing back on her notebook, where she was reviewing her notes for the upcoming test.

She had resolved to forget the incident, to not let Shreya occupy any more space in her mind. But as Shreya hesitated at the threshold, clutching her bag tightly, Aditi could sense something was different.

Shruthi, seated beside Aditi, noticed it too. Her sharp eyes narrowed as she watched Shreya approach their desks cautiously, her usually confident stride now subdued.

"Aditi," Shreya began, her voice uncharacteristically quiet.

Aditi looked up slowly, her expression blank but her eyes calm and piercing. It wasn't anger that Shreya was met with—it was indifference, and somehow, that stung even more.

"I..." Shreya fidgeted, something completely out of character for her. "I wanted to apologize."

Shruthi scoffed, loud enough for several classmates to hear. "Apologize? Now? After everything you've done?"

(Shruthi gives a tight slap to Shreya) and says I'm not sorry by the way.

She looks at Aditi raising her brows with a face of accomplishment.

Shreya stays silent.

Aditi gently placed her pen down and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. She didn't say anything, letting Shruthi take the lead.

"You think an apology is enough?" Shruti's voice rose, carrying the weight of weeks of pent-up frustration. "Do you have any idea what Aditi went through because of you? The bullying, the humiliation— And you think just saying sorry will magically make it all better?"

Shreya flinched, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I know I was wrong. I... I don't have an excuse for what I did. I—I'm sorry, Aditi."

"Sorry isn't enough," Shruthi says walking around Shreya. The classroom was silent, all eyes on them. "You think you can just throw your weight around, hurt people, and then walk away when it suits you? You're pathetic."

"Shruthi," Aditi said softly, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. Shruti looked down at her friend, her fiery expression softening.

Aditi stood, her movements measured and deliberate. She turned to Shreya, who still wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Look at me," Aditi said firmly.

Shreya hesitated but eventually raised her gaze to meet Aditi's.

"You're not apologizing because you regret what you did," Aditi said, her tone steady but sharp. "You're apologizing because you got caught, because you're afraid of the consequences. Don't think I don't see that."

Shreya opened her mouth to protest, but Aditi held up a hand to stop her.

"I don't care about your reasons," Aditi continued. "What you did was cruel. You didn't just hurt me—you tried to break me. And for what? To make yourself feel powerful? To feel better about your own insecurities?"

The silence in the room was deafening. Shreya's face turned crimson, her lips trembling as she struggled to find a response.

"But here's the thing," Aditi said, her voice growing stronger. "You didn't break me. You didn't win. I'm still here, and I'm stronger than ever. You, on the other hand? You're standing here, begging for forgiveness because you're too scared to face the consequences of your actions."

Shruthi crossed her arms, a satisfied smirk playing on her lips. "Well said," she muttered.

Shreya's shoulders slumped, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I... I know I can't undo what I've done," she said, her voice cracking. "But I'm truly sorry, Aditi. I mean it."

Aditi stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

"I'm not here to play judge and jury," she said. "Your apology? It doesn't change what happened. But it's a start. If you're really sorry, prove it. Be better. Treat people with respect. And stop hiding behind your insecurities to justify your actions."

Shreya nodded quickly, her tears spilling over. "I will. I promise."

Aditi gave her a curt nod. "Good. Now, leave me alone. I don't need your pity or your guilt. I just need you to stay out of my way."

Shreya blinked in surprise, then nodded again before hurrying out of the classroom.

As soon as she was gone, Shruthi turned to Aditi, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Aditi smiled faintly, her expression softening. "I'm fine, Shruthi. Really. Thank you for standing up for me."

"Of course I stood up for you," Shruthi said, her voice cracking slightly. "You're mine, Aditi. (smirks) I can't believe you didn't tell me what was going on. Do you know how much that hurt?"

Aditi's smile faltered, guilt flashing in her eyes. "I didn't want to burden you. You already have so much going on, and I thought I could handle it on my own."

Shruthi shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "Don't you get it, Aditi? You don't have to handle everything on your own. That's what I'm here for. That's what best friends are for."

Aditi reached out and took Shruthi's hand, squeezing it tightly. "I'm sorry, Shruthi. I should have told you. I promise I won't keep things from you again."

"You'd better not," Shruthi said, swiping at her tears with the back of her hand. "Because if you do, I'll lock you in a room and make you listen to my terrible singing until you confess everything."

Aditi laughed, the sound light and genuine. For the first time in weeks, she felt a sense of peace settle over her.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Aditi felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She and Shruthi spent their free periods catching up, laughing about silly things, and making plans for the weekend.

By the time Aditi returned to the hostel that evening, she felt a sense of closure she hadn't expected. Shreya's apology didn't erase what had happened, but it had given her a chance to reclaim her power, to stand tall and show the world that she wouldn't be defeated.

And with Shruthi by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.