The silence between them wasn't sudden. It crept in slowly, like a quiet storm rolling over their friendship.
Before, Aarav and Anaya had been inseparable—sharing textbooks, arguing over the best cricket team, sneaking out for ice cream even on the coldest nights. They had a rhythm, an unspoken understanding.
But now, the rhythm was broken.
It started with shorter conversations.
Then, unread messages.
And before she knew it, Aarav had started disappearing from her world.
---
Anaya noticed everything. The way he chose a different seat in class. How he'd conveniently be looking at his phone when she entered the room. How their once effortless conversations had been reduced to awkward nods.
It wasn't cruel. Aarav wasn't ignoring her in an obvious way. But he was choosing to keep his distance, and that was worse.
At first, she tried to act normal—laughing in group conversations, keeping up with school, pretending not to notice.
But deep down, she felt like she was losing a part of herself.
One day, she finally asked him.
"Did I do something wrong?"
They were alone in the school hallway, and for a second, she saw hesitation in his eyes. But then, he sighed.
"You didn't do anything, Anaya. Things just… change."
And with that, he walked away, leaving her standing there, heart sinking.
The silence between them wasn't sudden. It crept in slowly, like a quiet storm rolling over their friendship.
Before, Aarav and Anaya had been inseparable—sharing textbooks, arguing over the best cricket team, sneaking out for ice cream even on the coldest nights. They had a rhythm, an unspoken understanding.
But now, the rhythm was broken.
It started with shorter conversations.
Then, delayed replies.
Then, unread messages.
And before she knew it, Aarav had started disappearing from her world.
---
Anaya noticed everything. The way he chose a different seat in class. How he'd conveniently be looking at his phone when she entered the room. How their once effortless conversations had been reduced to awkward nods.
At first, she tried to ignore it.
"Maybe he's just busy."
"Maybe I'm overthinking."
"Maybe this is just a phase."
But deep down, she knew. She was losing him.
Her friends noticed too.
"Forget him, Anaya," Mira said one afternoon, her voice laced with frustration. "If he wants to walk away, let him."
"Let him?"
How could she? How could she just let go of someone who meant everything?
---
One day, she finally gathered the courage to ask him.
"Did I do something wrong?"
They were alone in the school hallway. The world around them felt quiet, as if waiting for his answer.
Aarav hesitated. Just for a second. And for that fleeting moment, she saw something in his eyes—guilt? Sadness? She couldn't tell.
Then, he sighed.
"You didn't do anything, Anaya. Things just… changed."
His voice was flat, distant. But she wasn't ready to accept that.
"What do you mean 'changed'?" she asked, her voice shaking. "We were best friends. We—"
Aarav looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. Avoiding her eyes.
"I have always considered you my best friend," he admitted. "When I found out you had feelings for me... I didn't know how to react."
Anaya froze.
Aarav exhaled, looking conflicted.
"How could you feel that way about me? We were just friends, Anaya. I—I can't pretend I don't know. I can't unsee it."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"So… we can't go back to how we were?" she whispered, already knowing the answer.
Aarav swallowed hard, forcing himself to meet her eyes.
"No. Because now… things will never be the same."
And then, he walked away.
Leaving her behind.
Leaving everything they once had behind.