Scene: Ishika's Room - A Friend's Intervention
The silence in Ishika's room was heavy with unshed tears and simmering frustration. She sat on her bed, knees drawn to her chest, replaying the evening's events in her mind. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts, and Kavya entered without waiting for a reply.
Kavya: "Ishika, what was all that?" she asked, her voice firm yet laced with concern.
Ishika: (Not looking up) "I don't want to talk, man."
Kavya: "But I want to. All this… what was the need to say all that in front of Nivan?" She sat beside Ishika, forcing her friend to meet her gaze. "Do you even realize how bad he must have felt in all this? What was his fault anyway? Huh?"
Ishika: (Her own frustration bubbling over) "Oh, so all of you only see that Nivan. And today, because of him, Ruhan got hurt too! Doesn't that matter?"
Kavya: "That was just a coincidence, nothing more. Atharv is a bully; he would have picked a fight with anyone. Ruhan did what any good friend would do."
Just then, Nisha entered, sensing the tension. Nisha: "Relax, girls. Talk softly. What's going on?"
Ishika: (Voice trembling) "Nisha, even she thinks I'm wrong."
Kavya: "Nisha, do you really think it's Nivan's fault? Be honest."
Nisha: (Sighing softly) "Look, Ishika, you're overthinking. Ruhan cares not just for Nivan, but for all of us. You just feel that he only cares for Nivan because you're looking for reasons to be hurt." She sat on the other side of Ishika, creating a circle of support. "You should be happy that you love a guy like Ruhan, who has such a strong sense of responsibility and cares for everyone."
Ishika: (Her voice small and vulnerable) "Really… and Ruhan, does Ruhan love me?"
Nisha and Kavya exchanged a knowing, slightly sad look.
Kavya: (Her voice gentle now) "Look, Ishika, we can't force anyone to love us. It's their wish whether they love us or not. And sometimes, we are so busy looking at one person, we don't always see those who truly see us." Her words carried a weight of her own unspoken feelings about Anvesh.
Nisha: (Smiling softly at Kavya) "Wow, Kavya, you're saying such a right thing. I wish you could understand who loves you and who doesn't." It was a subtle nudge, a hint towards Neerav's quiet devotion.
Kavya: (Puzzled) "Why? What do you mean?"
Nisha: "Nothing, I was just saying." She turned back to Ishika. "Look, don't panic. Ruhan's heart is big enough for all his friends. You're one of them. Don't let jealousy shrink your world."
Kavya: "Yes, Ishika, Nivan is a very good guy. You just can't see his goodness because you're looking through a lens of insecurity. You should apologize to him for saying all that."
Ishika was quiet for a long moment, her friends' words sinking in, chipping away at her defensive walls. Finally, she took a deep, shuddering breath. Ishika: "Thanks, guys, for explaining it to me. I… I sometimes get too over-protective. I get scared of losing people." She looked at them, her eyes glistening. "I'll say sorry to Nivan."
Nisha: (Beaming) "That's my girl!"
The three friends hugged each other tightly, the rift between them beginning to mend.
Ishika: (Pulling back, her voice firmer with resolve) "I will apologize to Nivan and to Ruhan as well. You both understand me, right? You know me, friends. I'm not a bad person at heart, I just worry about all of you. After all, we are all friends, and I have no one in this world besides you guys. I love all of you, I consider you my family." A tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek. "Please forgive me. You have forgiven me, right, friends?"
Kavya & Nisha: (In unison) "Always."
Ishika: "And yes, thank you for showing me my mistake and for making me understand. From now on, I will keep myself under control."
Scene: The Boys' Room - Laughter and Healing
Meanwhile, in Ruhan and Nivan's room, the mood was lighter. Neerav and Anvesh were sitting with them, while Sadhya arrived carrying a plate piled high with fruits.
Sadhya: "Here, take it, you donkeys! You did a lot of 'work' today, here, eat these." His gruff affection made everyone laugh.
Ruhan: (Chuckling, though it made his head throb) "Yeah, bro, today the donkeys ate the 'red' instead of giving it." The dark humor about their injuries broke the remaining tension, and everyone started laughing.
Just then, Nisha, Ishika, and Kavya arrived at the doorway.
Nisha: "What are you laughing about? Tell us too."
Kavya: "Yes, we'll laugh too."
Sadhya went to Nisha, putting his arm around her neck fondly. Sadhya: "Nothing, Nisha, I was saying that today the donkeys ate the 'dulati' instead of giving it."
Kavya: "Sadhya, you too, don't make fun of the poor guys like that." Her mock scolding sent everyone into another fit of laughter.
The laughter died down as Ishika stepped forward, her hands nervously clasped. Ishika: "Guys, I wanted to say something…"
Ruhan looked at her and pointedly turned his face away, the hurt still fresh.
Ishika: (Her voice soft) "Um, I wanted to say something to you, Nivan…"
Ruhan: (Without looking at her) "What's left to say now, Ishika?"
Kavya: "Dude, Ruhan, let her speak."
Encouraged, Ishika took another step. Ishika: "Um… Sorry. Sorry, man. Nivan, I overreacted a bit, that's why I said all that. I just want to see my friends happy. If something happens to anyone, I tend to overreact a bit. Sorry, please forgive me." She took a deep breath, her words coming out in a sincere rush. "After today, this mistake won't happen again. Please forgive me, Nivan. And look, I got angry at you and upset Ruhan too. I tend to overreact, yaar. You might not understand, but just know this much — I think a little too much about my friends. I look out for everyone. If anyone faces a problem because of someone, I start to get scared. If possible, please forgive me, Nivan."
All eyes turned to Nivan. He offered her a small, understanding smile. Nivan: "It's ok, Ishika. I didn't mind. Really."
Ruhan looked from Nivan's forgiving face to Ishika's pleading one. A slow smile spread across his lips. Ruhan: (To Ishika) "It's ok. Nivan forgave you, that means I've forgiven you too."
A collective sigh of relief went through the room.
Everyone: (Teasingly) "Our second Laila-Majnu!"
Everyone started laughing, the sound warm and inclusive, finally washing away the last remnants of the conflict. Nivan looked at Ruhan, their shared smile holding a universe of unspoken understanding.
Sadhya: "Ok guys, now that the show is over, we two are going for a walk in the garden, right, Nisha?"
Nisha: "Yes, guys, see you at dinner. Ok, bye!"
Anvesh: "Bye, love birds!"
Scene: Hostel Garden - A Quiet Moment
Hand in hand, Sadhya and Nisha walked into the tranquil evening garden. The air was cool, and the scent of night-blooming flowers surrounded them.
Sadhya: "Nisha, are you okay? Today was a bit hectic."
Nisha: "Yes, Sadhya, I'm fine. Just glad everything worked out."
Sadhya: "Sorry, yaar, we hardly get any time for each other lately with all this drama."
Nisha: (Squeezing his hand) "It's okay. We are together, aren't we? That's all that matters. I'm happy with you. I don't want anything more from you than this."
Sadhya: (Stopping to look at her, his heart full) "Now that's my girlfriend talking!"
Nisha: (Playfully) "Oh, really?"
Sadhya: "Yes, of course! What else?" They both laughed, the sound mingling with the rustling leaves.
As they found a secluded bench, Sadhya grew thoughtful. Sadhya: "Did you convince Ishika, Nisha? To apologize to Nivan?"
Nisha: "Yes, Sadhya. Yaar, she isn't a bad person at heart, she's just a little possessive about her friends, that's all. There's no other problem. And it was my duty as a friend to make her understand all this."
Sadhya: "Yes, you said right. We are all friends; of course we will help each other. That's what makes this group special."
Nisha smiled at him, a deep, contented smile. "Come on, let's sit at that table."
They talked for a long time, about their friends, their future, and their dreams. As the moon rose higher, Sadhya rested his head on Nisha's lap, looking up at her. "I love you, Nisha," he whispered, the words simple and true.
Nisha ran her fingers through his hair, her heart swelling with affection. "I love you too, Sadhya."
In the quiet of the night, under a canopy of stars, they got lost in each other's eyes, their bond a quiet anchor in the swirling mysteries and dramas of their lives.
Scene: A New Dawn - Facing the Truth
The night passed. Nivan and Ruhan, exhausted from their ordeal, had gone to sleep early. But as the first rays of dawn painted the sky, Nivan woke up with a start, the memories of his golden-eyed power and the mysterious mark on his back flooding back with terrifying clarity.
This time, he did not sneak out alone. Remembering Ruhan's hurt and anger from the previous day, he gently woke his friend. "Ruhan," he whispered. "I need to go to Dr. Bhargav. Now. And... I want you to come with me."
Ruhan, though still sore, was instantly alert. He saw the determined, yet frightened, look in Nivan's eyes and nodded without hesitation. He then woke Neerav, quickly explaining the situation. "We're going to the doctor. Cover for us if anyone asks."
As the first light of morning touched the hostel, the three boys—Nivan, Ruhan, and Neerav—slipped out, united by a shared secret and a determination to finally uncover the truth behind the dreams, the powers, and the phantom in the photograph. Their journey into the shadows of the past was no longer a solitary one.