Riya stared out the car window, forehead resting against the cool glass as her dad drove her to school. The streets blurred past—shops opening shutters, kids in uniforms, the smell of morning chai drifting in from a roadside stall.
But Riya was somewhere else entirely. In her head.
Her dad hummed a tune quietly, tapping the steering wheel in rhythm. He seemed relaxed. She, on the other hand, felt like she was carrying the weight of a decision much bigger than a 10th grader should be making.
"School's not a war zone, you know," her dad said lightly, glancing at her.
Riya gave a half-smile. "Sometimes it feels like one."
He chuckled but didn't press. Just pulled up near the school gate and wished her luck before driving off.
As she walked inside, her backpack felt heavier than usual. Not from books—those were manageable. It was the thoughts: Should I say yes? Can I trust him? Do I even like Aarav… or is it just one of those crushes that disappear like chalk on a blackboard?
Sana was already waiting near the stairs, waving as soon as she saw her. She looked like she knew something was coming.
Riya: "Hey. I need to talk."
Sana: "I figured. It's Wednesday."
They found their usual corner on the bench, away from the buzz of early morning chatter.
Riya (in a low voice): "I told Vishal I'd give him an answer today."
Sana: "And?"
Riya looked around, then leaned in slightly.
Riya: "I don't know, Sana. You remember Aarav?"
Sana nodded slowly. "Vishal's friend. What about him?"
Riya: "I think I like him. Or… maybe I did. Or maybe I just thought I did because he's—"
Sana (smirking): "—nice, funny, and tall?"
Riya groaned. "Ugh. Don't make it worse."
Sana laughed softly. "Okay, okay. So what's the problem?"
Riya: "Aarav likes Priya. And I know nothing's ever going to happen there. So it's pointless. And now Vishal's the only one left."
Sana raised an eyebrow. "'Only one left'? Riya, this isn't musical chairs. You don't have to pick someone just because you're the last one standing."
Riya sighed. "I know. I just… Vishal's trying, Sana. He's been kind. He apologized. He's waiting for an answer. I liked him once. Maybe I still do. But how do I trust him again?"
Sana: "You build it. Slowly. Like you build anything worth having. Trust isn't magic—it's bricks and time. And maybe a few fights."
Riya stayed silent for a moment, then whispered, "I'm scared."
Sana placed a hand on hers. "Good. It means you care. Just don't say yes because you're out of options. Say yes only if you really want to."
The bell rang in the distance, but Riya didn't move. Her mind felt louder than ever.
Today was Wednesday.
And today… she had to decide.
Riya sat quietly in the classroom, her thoughts swirling. She absentmindedly twirled her pencil in circles, eyes unfocused as she replayed the conversation with Sana in her mind.
Should she say yes to Vishal? Could she really trust him after everything that had happened?
Her mind drifted to the note Vishal had written, the words that seemed to echo in her ears: "I didn't mean to hurt you, Riya." But did he truly mean it? And more importantly, did she still have the space in her heart to believe him?
The bell rang, snapping Riya out of her thoughts. She hadn't realized the time had passed so quickly. Sana's words came back to her: "If you like him, then give it a chance. But trust doesn't come easy. You have to build it."
But how could she? She had been hurt before. She'd spent so much time protecting herself from all the mess and emotional turmoil that came with relationships.
Riya's gaze moved to the empty chair where Vishal would normally sit, but today, he wasn't there. The thought of him not being around today, just like the other days before, made something inside her twist. Was he giving her space, or was he unsure himself?
She took a deep breath, her hand gripping the edge of her desk. She had no answers, but one thing was certain: she needed to make a decision.
"Riya?" Sana's voice broke through her contemplation. She had just entered the room, noticing her friend's distant expression.
Riya met her gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "What if I can't trust him again, Sana?"
Sana sat beside her, leaning in. "You don't have to make that decision today, Riya. Just take a step. Test the waters. If you're not ready, you're not ready. But don't close yourself off because of fear. If you want to move forward, you'll have to open yourself up just a little bit. Maybe just a little."
Riya took a moment to process her words. She had always been the kind of person who played it safe, who weighed every decision carefully. But maybe it was time to take that risk, even if it was small. Maybe it was time to allow herself to hope again.
Riya: "I think... I think I'll tell him today."
Sana smiled. "Good. And whatever you decide, you've got me. Always."
Riya looked at her best friend, feeling the weight lift just a little bit. It wasn't going to be easy, but she knew what she had to do.
---
Later that day, after classes, Riya found herself standing outside the school gate, waiting for Vishal. Her heart pounded in her chest as she kept glancing at her phone. She couldn't help but overthink.
What would she say to him? How would she start?
Just then, she saw him walking toward her. He looked casual, but there was a certain tension around his eyes, as if he was already bracing for whatever was coming.
Riya took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the moment. She had to do this. No more avoiding the inevitable.
Vishal: "Hey, you wanted to talk?"
Riya nodded, her voice almost trembling as she spoke. "Yeah… I've been thinking a lot about what you said. And about… everything."
Vishal's expression softened, but there was still that uncertainty in his eyes, like he didn't know what she was going to say next.
Riya: "I don't know if I'm ready to trust you fully again. But I'm willing to try. I think… I think I owe it to myself to try."
Vishal's face lit up for a brief moment, relief washing over him. But then, he stepped closer, his voice low.
Vishal: "I won't push you, Riya. I know I've hurt you, and I understand that it will take time. I just want you to know that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Her heart fluttered in her chest. He was giving her the space she needed, without pressure. It was everything she had hoped for, but something still lingered in the back of her mind.
Riya: "I don't want things to be complicated… but I think we should see where this goes. No promises."
Vishal's smile grew a little wider. "No promises. Just us, figuring it out."
As Riya watched him, something inside her stirred—a spark of hope, mixed with caution. She wasn't sure where this would go, but for the first time in a while, she felt like she could take that step forward.
Riya stood there, the words hanging in the air, her heart thudding in her chest. She hadn't expected to feel this calm, considering the rush of emotions that had flooded her earlier. But now, with the decision made and the weight lifted, it felt like a strange mix of relief and tension. The kind of tension that meant she had to let go of the past, at least a little.
Vishal's gaze softened as he studied her. He took a step closer, careful not to crowd her space. He looked like he wanted to say more, but he remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Riya swallowed, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. "You've hurt me, Vishal. I'm not pretending that it didn't happen. But I want to believe that it's not too late to try again. I need time. I need to know I can trust you."
Vishal nodded, his eyes intense. "I understand, Riya. You don't have to rush anything. I'm here, no matter what. I just… I want a chance to prove that I can be better for you. That I can be someone you can trust."
She looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. It was different from the Vishal she had known before. This version seemed to genuinely care. Riya felt a small flicker of hope, but she wasn't sure if it was enough yet. She wasn't sure if it ever would be. But she could try, couldn't she?
Riya: "Okay. Let's take it slow. No pressure. We'll see where it goes. But no more pretending. I need honesty."
Vishal's lips curled into a faint smile. "No pretending. I promise."
The tension between them seemed to ease just a little. For the first time in a long while, Riya felt a small spark of hope. Maybe this time, things would be different. Maybe they could make it work.
But she couldn't let go of the thought that haunted her: What if this doesn't last?
As they stood there, the wind rustling around them, Riya realized that she wasn't looking for perfection. She wasn't looking for something without flaws. She was simply looking for a chance—a chance to build something real, to see if the foundation could be strong enough to withstand the cracks and flaws that would inevitably appear.
And with that thought, Riya made her decision. She would take the chance.
Riya sat in the passenger seat of her father's car, staring out the window as the world rushed by. Her thoughts were swirling, each one competing for her attention, none of them offering any kind of clarity. The decision she had to make felt so heavy, like a weight pressing down on her chest.
Her father's voice broke through her internal chaos. "You okay, Riya?"
She turned to look at him and forced a small smile. "Yeah, just... thinking about school."
He didn't seem convinced but didn't push her further. "Well, you've got this. Don't let anything bother you too much, okay?"
Riya nodded as they reached the school gates. "Thanks, Dad."
As he drove off, she stood there for a moment, letting the morning breeze wash over her. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease. It wasn't just school—it was everything that had led up to this moment. The conversation with Vishal was still fresh in her mind. She had told him she was willing to try, but the uncertainty of what that meant still lingered. Was she really ready? Could she trust him again?
Riya shook her head and walked toward the school building, trying to push those thoughts aside. She needed to focus on the day ahead.
Inside the classroom, Sana was already waiting for her. As soon as Riya sat down, Sana could tell something had shifted. There was a kind of calmness in her that hadn't been there before.
Sana leaned in, her voice low but filled with curiosity. "So, what did you decide? Did you talk to Vishal?"
Riya hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Yeah, I told him. I'm willing to try, but only if he's serious about it. I told him it's going to take time, and I need to build trust again. But... I'm not sure if I can fully trust him yet."
Sana nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I get that. It's not something you can just fix overnight. But if you like him, and if you're ready to see where it goes, then you should give him a chance. You can't keep holding onto the past forever."
Riya sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I like him, Sana. But... I also like Araav. Or at least, I thought I did. But he's always so focused on Priya, and I'm not even sure what I feel for him. I guess it's just attraction, nothing more. Vishal's the only one left, but... I don't know if I can trust him. I don't know if I can trust myself to make the right choice."
Sana placed a hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's okay to not have all the answers right now. You're figuring things out, and that's okay. Just take it one step at a time, Riya. No pressure. And you don't have to tell anyone else. This is about what feels right for you."
Riya nodded slowly. She had been so torn about everything—her feelings for Vishal, the confusion over Araav, and the fear that she might be making the wrong choice. But for the first time, she felt a little lighter. Talking to Sana helped her see things more clearly. She could take things slow. She didn't have to rush into anything.
"I haven't told anyone else," Riya said quietly. "Just you. I don't know if I'm ready to tell anyone else yet."
Sana smiled softly. "You don't have to. This is your decision, and you're the one who has to live with it. But just remember, no matter what happens, you've got your friends here."
Riya smiled back, grateful for Sana's support. "Thanks, Sana. I needed to hear that."
---
The rest of the day passed by in a blur for Riya. Every time she saw Vishal, her heart raced a little, but she kept her distance, not ready to confront the full weight of her decision. Every interaction with him felt like it held the promise of something more, but also the risk of disappointment.
She couldn't help but wonder if she was making the right choice. Would she end up regretting it?
After school, she found herself standing outside the school gates, waiting for her father to pick her up. Her thoughts drifted back to the conversation with Vishal. She had been honest with him, and that felt like the right thing to do. But even now, a part of her still questioned whether she was doing the right thing.
As she got into the car, her father gave her a quick look before starting the engine. "How was school?"
Riya smiled, the weight of the day still settling in. "It was fine. Just... trying to figure some things out."
Her father nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Take your time, Riya. You don't have to rush anything. You'll know what's right when the time comes."
Riya leaned her head back against the seat, her thoughts swirling as they drove home. Maybe her father was right. She didn't have to figure it all out right now. She could take things slow, one step at a time, and see where it led.
But no matter what happened, Riya knew one thing for sure—she was ready to face the future, whatever it held.
And that was enough for today.
---