The Space Between Us
Anisha's POV — Am I Replaceable?
I thought coming back would feel like relief.
Like I'd walk in and everything would slide back into place—
my seat, my people, my Siya.
But the moment I entered the classroom, I felt it.
The air didn't pause for me.
Siya was laughing.
Not loudly. Not dramatically.
Just… comfortably.
People were around her.
Not crowding, not clinging—just there.
I stood near the door for a second too long, watching her finish a conversation before turning to me.
She smiled. Of course she did.
That part didn't change.
But she didn't drop everything.
She didn't rush the way she used to.
And suddenly, I didn't know where to sit.
I told myself I was being stupid.
She didn't ignore me. She didn't avoid me.
So why did it hurt?
Maybe because while I was gone—
she learned how to exist without me.
I watched boys call her name.
Teachers acknowledge her.
Girls joke with her.
She belonged.
And I realized something terrifying:
She didn't need me anymore.
When Tanev quietly said,
"I think the difference is clear now,"
I didn't ask what he meant.
Because I already felt it in my chest.
I wasn't replaced.
I was just… no longer essential.
And that hurt more than anger ever could.
Ayyan's POV — She Was Never Background
I don't know when it started.
Maybe it was the way people called her name so easily now.
"Siya—come here."
"Siya, do you have that?"
"Siya, explain this."
Like it was normal.
She laughed when they joked.
Answered when they asked.
Smiled when they thanked her.
But something about it felt off.
She was always there—
yet never fully with anyone.
I noticed how she helped Ayesha without hesitation.
How she stepped back immediately after.
Like she didn't want credit.
Or attention.
Or space.
I used to think of her as background.
Reliable. Present. Quietly useful.
Now I realized how wrong that was.
She wasn't background.
She was holding everyone together—
while slowly erasing herself.
I watched her smile, but it didn't reach her eyes anymore.
And to be honest i hate people like her , not hate really but i actually pity on them, and as i know she is so dump she is already 15 and she don't know double meaning seriosly!!! is is oldiee or what?
why even i am thinking about her even thinking about her started disgusting me just because that one reason!!!.forget it...
Siya's POV — The Quiet Break
It wasn't anything big.
No shouting.
No confrontation.
No dramatic scene.
Just… a moment.
I was walking past when I heard someone laugh and say,
"Of course Siya will help. She always does."
It was said casually.
Almost kindly.
But it landed wrong.
Like I wasn't a person—
just a function.
I smiled anyway.
That's my talent.
Later, I caught a look—
Anisha watching me.
Not angry. Not accusing.
Just… unsure.
And suddenly everything clicked.
I wasn't losing people.
I was drifting.
Helping too much.
Explaining too much.
Being available too much.
Anisha had people around her now.
Not that she didn't before—but now it felt different.
Whenever I went to sit with her, someone was already there.
Laughing. Talking. Sharing something I didn't know about.
I stayed.
I smiled.
I listened.
But I wasn't with her.
And the funny part?
She wasn't really with them either.
Sometimes our eyes met across the classroom.
That silent "are you okay?" look.
We both smiled.
Lies exchanged without words.
There were so many things I wanted to tell her.
i wanted to ask her?
but still i was not able because
something was always missing.
Like we were holding our breath…
waiting for the right moment that never came.
Anisha's POV
Siya was still there.
Right beside me.
Yet somehow… far.
She didn't tell me things the way she used to.
And I noticed.
I wanted to ask.
I really did.
But then Tanev would walk past.
Or someone would sit down.
Or the moment would slip away. and to be honest , i allow it because deep down i want to make siya feel what she make me feel. but whatever i am doing its actually hurting me too.and additionally
There were things I was dealing with too.
Things I didn't know how to explain.
Things I wasn't ready to say out loud.
So when Siya smiled and said, "Everything's fine,"
I smiled back and said the same.
We were protecting each other.
Or maybe…
we were just scared of becoming a burden.
Sometimes I wondered—
what if I spoke first?
But then I saw her laughing with others,
handling everything alone.
And I stayed quiet.
Together.
But not close.