Love Before Graduation

Tenzin just stood there.

Like time had gripped his throat and refused to let go.

His face—pale. Eyes—hollow.

And the ground? Still there, but not for him. It had already slipped out from under his feet.

When he finally spoke, the words cracked like broken glass.

"Where is she?"

He looked at me.

Not with anger.

Not with love.

Just... fear.

The kind that doesn't scream—it eats you alive.

"On the terrace. With Nami,"

I told him.

I barely finished the words—he was already gone.

Arin followed.

Then I did.

No hesitation. No plan. Just feet—running.

Three floors.

And my heart stumbled down every single step.

The rooftop door slammed against the wall.

She was there.

Suheena.

Curled up in a corner.

Nami beside her, fingers brushing her arm like touch alone could make the pain disappear.

Suheena looked up.

And then—

She fell apart.

No sound.

Just collapse.

Right into his chest, like that's where she was meant to break.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Tenzin's voice wasn't just shaking—it rattled.

Suheena said nothing.

Only tears.

And he stood there, like every drop was pulling life back into him.

Time froze.

Arin and I?

We were just there. Watching.

Witnesses to the unraveling.

Then—

Arin brushed my cheek.

Soft. Quick.

No playfulness. No comfort.

Just... a moment.

His cheeks flushed.

He looked away.

Walked off.

I smiled.

No—my lips moved.

Barely.

Relief?

Or something else I didn't know how to name.

Downstairs, the wind stirred.

Nami pushed her hair back.

"We should go to Shubh's place,"

she said.

Arin heard.

And snapped, sharp as ice—

"Don't be stupid. This isn't our fight."

Tenzin and Suheena?

Silent.

Their silence was louder than anything we could've said.

"We should tell her dad..."

I started.

But the sentence... faded. Died in my throat.

"I don't think Shubh's involved. He wouldn't—"

Nami cut in.

"He hasn't been to school in days."

She leaned over the railing.

I reached for her arm.

"Careful. You'll fall."

She tried to laugh.

But even her laugh sounded... tired.

Tenzin's voice came quietly—

"Suheena... tell your dad."

She nodded. Barely.

Her eyes? Worn out beyond her years.

Then they left.

Quiet. No words.

Like something had ended.

And now it was just the three of us.

Left behind.

Arin looked at me.

His gaze lingered.

Then—

"You two need to stay out of this now."

And he walked away.

Nami stared at his back.

"Maybe he's right. We've done what we could."

But something shifted inside me.

"Nami..."

"What?"

"Shubh stopped coming to school... and after that, Suheena started changing."

Her eyes filled with fear.

But she masked it with anger.

"You overthink everything."

I looked down at my feet. "Should I call him?"

She sighed, worn out."Do what you want. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

We turned.

The school was still the same—walls, hallways, voices.

But something had changed.

Something inside us.

All day, I tried to act normal.

Pretend.

But Arin noticed.

Every time our eyes met—he looked away.

Does he care?

Or am I overthinking again?

Either way...

This story isn't over.

Not even close.

It's only just beginning.

And maybe—just maybe—

The truth isn't what we see.

It's what haunts us.