Chapter 6: The Birthday That Wasn't

That day was an accident. I didn’t go to the library.

It was my birthday.

It was the one day I let myself hope for a little magic. I’d even told Meera not to plan anything, because Rohan promised—just the two of us.

He promised, only the two of us would celebrate.

I got up before dawn, spent two hours on makeup, and put on the kurti I’d bought long ago but never had the heart to wear.

My mother had sent it from Kolkata, all bright yellow with embroidered flowers. I saved it for something special. Today felt like that day.

Everything was so beautiful.

The hostel corridor was filled with the smell of agarbatti and frying samosas from the mess. The mess uncle smiled at me, wishing me ‘Happy Birthday, beta.’

But as soon as I saw his figure, before I could get close, I saw him answer a call.

He was so nervous he didn’t even greet me and rushed out.

His phone buzzed, and his face went white. He didn’t notice me, didn’t even wave. Just turned and ran.

I knew something urgent must have happened, or he wouldn’t act like that, so I started to worry too.

I slipped off my sandals in my hurry, nearly tripping over a stray football. My heart pounded as I tried to catch up.

Wearing unfamiliar heels, I walked as fast as I could after him.

But I accidentally fell and twisted my ankle behind him.

"Arre, baap re!" The pain shot up my leg. I let out a yelp, but the traffic and crowd drowned it out. Nobody even glanced at me.

I cried out in pain. He probably heard, but he didn’t even turn his head and ran off.

I watched his back disappear around the corner, the world blurring with tears.

He didn’t answer my calls, didn’t reply to my WhatsApp messages. My phone buzzed with birthday wishes from everyone but him. I kept checking, hoping, but nothing.

Didn’t get to see the movie, didn’t go on a date, couldn’t even find him.

Even his roommate didn’t know where he went. He didn’t come back all night, and I didn’t sleep at all.

I stared at the ceiling, replaying every moment, trying to find where I went wrong. At some point, the power cut, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My birthday passed in worry and fear.

I wished for nothing except for him to call. Even a single message would have been enough.

The next day, I found him at a gaming café near campus.

He came out to answer a call and didn’t see me.

“I hacked the website, don’t worry.”

His voice was sharp, almost triumphant. Like he’d won a battle no one else even knew about.

“Whether it’s illegal or not, it’s done. Has nothing to do with you. Just mind your own business.”

“What if Ananya finds out? If she causes you trouble, then just break up. Don’t worry about it, she likes me so much, she wouldn’t dare.”

I stood behind a Flex banner at the café entrance, listening to these words with my own ears.

Every word stung, each syllable an insult. I felt my hands curl into fists, nails biting into my palm.

My whole heart twisted, tears falling one by one, unstoppable.

I ducked behind the banner, wiping my face on my dupatta, the makeup smudging. I hoped no one would see me.

So the reason he could hurt me so casually was because of my love.

He was sure that no matter what he did, I’d tolerate and forgive him.

I didn’t even need to ask to know who was on the other end of the call.

He hacked the entire website for her, but wouldn’t even delete a single post for me.