10-year-old Anamika sat on the floor, leaning against her bedroom door, quietly crying.

  Across the room, 11-year-old Saaniya sat on the bed, watching her—not with sympathy, but a kind of tired detachment.

  She finally spoke, her voice flat, “Why are you crying over something so stupid? Seriously, stop it. The sound is giving me a headache.”

  Anamika slowly turned toward her and said, “It’s not stupid… It’s my dream. I just want to be like normal kids… invite my friends over for lunch, play with them, talk to them, go to their birthday parties…”

  Saaniya looked at her for a second. Anamika’s face was red, her eyes swollen. But instead of comfort, Saaniya gave a quiet sigh.

  “No one’s going to be your friend,” she said simply. “And even if they try… she won’t let them. You should just stop dreaming, Anamika. It hurts less that way. And don’t forget—if she sees your tears, she’ll make others bleed for them. You know that.”

  Anamika stood up slowly, wiping her face.

  “I know… That’s why I never asked for anything. Just once, I made the mistake of saying I wanted a friend. And for that… she brought you.

  And you’re just like her. You scare people, threaten them, and you don’t even flinch when someone gets hurt. I hate you. I hate all of you.

  One day, I’ll go far away from here. Far from all this. And I’ll live the life I want.”

  She ran out of the room.

  Saaniya just sat there, staring at the door. A small smile appeared on her face—

  Not out of mockery, but because even back then, Anamika had hope. And today, that same hope was alive.

  In the living room, Anamika sat with Aditya and Rudra, playing UNO.

  She was smiling. Not a forced one… a real one. The kind that comes when you feel safe—even for a moment.

  Saaniya stood nearby, watching her. “So… the girl who was once scared of the world… has finally made her dream come true. You’re happy, aren’t you, Anamika? Playing with your friends… laughing with them?”

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  Her thoughts were quiet, but her eyes glistened with the weight of that memory.

  At the dining table, Aniket was wiping the same corner over and over again.

  But his eyes weren’t on the table. They were on Saaniya. She was just… smiling. Without saying a word. And for ten whole minutes, she hadn’t stopped.

  He frowned.

  “What’s wrong with this witch today? Did she not sleep last night? Did her brain stop working?”

  His thoughts kept circling as he scrubbed the same spot.

  From the hall, Aditya called, “Aniket! Still not done cleaning?”

  Anamika added cheerfully, “Leave it! Come play a round with us instead!”

  Aniket gave in, walked over, and sat beside them. “Fine. Only because you people won’t shut up.”

  Rudra teased, “You were waiting for the invite, weren’t you?”

  Aniket squinted. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  Saaniya smirked, “Then go. Finish your work.”

  Anamika interjected, “Saaniya… let it go. Anyway, Aniket’s going to Bhutan tomorrow. He won’t be back for a few days.”

  Aditya looked at her, surprised. “How do you know that?”

  Anamika fumbled, “Umm… You told me once that he goes away around his birthday… and you may have mentioned the date too. I just guessed. Was I right?”

  Aniket said quietly, “More accurate than necessary. Yes, my flight is tonight.”

  Saaniya looked at him. He was trying hard to keep his expression blank. But something was off. He wasn’t smiling anymore.

  Rudra suddenly said, “Wait—so tomorrow’s your birthday? Let’s celebrate today! We won’t get a chance tomorrow.”

  Anamika nodded and looked at Aditya. “Yes, let’s do it! For our friend.”

  Aniket stood up, avoiding their eyes. “I left my phone on the table. I’ll be right back.”

  He didn’t come back right away.

  Aditya spoke softly, “He doesn’t like celebrating his birthday. Just… leave him alone, please.”

  He left too.

  Anamika’s smile faded. That look on her face—one of helplessness—hit Saaniya hard. Rudra noticed too. He gave Saaniya a small nod.

  Without words, they split—Rudra went after Aditya. Saaniya followed Aniket.

  She found him in the kitchen, staring at his phone. His expression was tired. Heavy. His fingers trembled slightly.

  “So… you do know how to be upset,” she said softly.

  He quickly shoved the phone into his pocket. But Saaniya had already seen it. He was looking at an old picture—of someone no longer around.

  She stepped closer, then said gently, “You know… when Anamika was younger, she dreamed of going to a friend’s birthday party.

  But she never got to. She had no friends.

  When I came into her life, she celebrated my birthday. But she did it… without me.

  I used to hate my own birthday too. Still do, in some ways.

  It reminds me of people I lost… of people I still hate.

  But I celebrate it now. Wanna know why?”

  Aniket didn’t speak, but his eyes asked the question.

  “Because Anamika says that day matters. Because if I hadn’t been born… maybe she’d still be alone.

  We can’t erase memories, Aniket.

  But is it fair to let our pain spill into someone else’s joy?

  I saw the sadness in Aditya’s eyes. You must’ve seen it too. You always do.

  So tell me… Do you really want your silence to become part of his memories too?”

  Aniket said nothing.

  He just stood there, staring at her.

  Not angry. Not defensive. Just… broken.

  Like someone who didn’t know whether to stay in the pain—or walk out of it.

  And Saaniya?

  She was just trying to stop another heart from turning as bitter as hers.

  Now the question is…

  Will she be able to?

  Will Aniket learn to forgive the past… And finally let someone celebrate him?