Chapter 5: Cracks in the Glass

Riya sat alone in the cafeteria, poking at her untouched lunch. The buzz of laughter and conversation filled the room, yet all she could hear was the echo of Mira’s voice from yesterday.

"I’m not going anywhere…”

But Mira hadn’t spoken to her once today — no sarcastic jokes, no casual teasing. Nothing.

Riya clenched her fists. Maybe this is for the best...

---

An Unwelcome Visitor

“Still sulking?”

Riya looked up to see Aarav standing beside her. His usual smug grin was gone, replaced with something colder.

“Not now,” Riya muttered, turning away.

“I didn’t ask,” Aarav shot back, dropping his tray onto the table. “You think pushing everyone away is gonna fix whatever’s wrong with you?”

“You don’t understand,” Riya muttered, her voice strained.

“Then make me understand.”

Riya glared at him. “What do you want from me?”

“I want my friend back.”

His words hit her like a punch.

“You think I don’t see it?” Aarav’s voice hardened. “You’re walking around like you’re carrying some giant secret, acting like you can handle everything alone. Well... newsflash — you can’t.”

“You think I want this?” Riya’s voice rose. “I didn’t ask for any of this!”

“Then stop acting like you’re the only one hurting!” Aarav snapped. “You think Mira’s fine? She’s worried sick about you! And me? I... I can’t even tell if you’re still the same person anymore.”

“I’m not the same person!” Riya shot back. “I’m... different.”

For a second, Aarav stared at her — like he was seeing something he couldn’t understand.

“You’re still you,” he muttered. “You’re still Riya… whether you like it or not.”

---

A Message Unread

After school, Riya sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone.

(Mira - 4 unread messages)

Her finger hovered over the screen. Part of her wanted to open the messages… but part of her didn’t.

Instead, she put her phone down and stared at the ceiling.

---

The Breaking Point

That night, the cramps returned — sharp, twisting pains that left her breathless.

She curled up beneath her blanket, hugging her stomach. Her muscles ached, her head throbbed, and her heart pounded like it was trying to escape her chest.

“Why… why does this keep happening?” she whispered, tears slipping down her face.

But this pain wasn’t just physical — it was everything.

The memories of Rayan’s past — his friendships, his laughter, his promises — they all clashed with her new life. She couldn’t be the same person anymore… no matter how badly she wanted to.

“I’m not him,” she whispered. “I’m not…”

But the more she said it, the less she believed it.

---

Mira’s Return

The next morning, Riya didn’t go to school. She barely made it out of bed.

When a knock came at her door, she ignored it.

But the voice that followed made her sit up.

“Riya?”

Mira.

“Hey… I know you’re in there,” Mira called softly. “I brought you something.”

Riya hesitated, then slowly opened the door.

Mira stood there holding a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a bag of chocolates. “I figured... you might need this.”