Behind her silence

Everyone was sitting in the courtyard, having dinner together, when suddenly Damini ji’s elder son, Atul, looked toward Nisha ji and said,

“Big Mom… is Aanya not eating tonight? She still hasn’t come. Every day she says, ‘Brother, bring me something to eat… I’m hungry.’”

He let out a faint laugh.

“What’s it to you, boy? Just eat your food quietly,” Lalita ji snapped sharply.

“Acting like you care so much… If I hear that girl’s name from your mouth again, I’ll skin you alive.”

Then she continued angrily

“Focus on your studies and get yourself a government job soon. There’s nothing in these private companies… better to build something of your own than live as a slave.”

Everyone kept eating in silence.

No one had the courage to speak in front of Amma.

Nisha ji sat beside Lalita ji, fanning her gently, while Damini ji fed her younger son.

Breaking the silence, Brijesh ji finally spoke

“Amma… what crop should we sow in the field this time?”

Lalita ji replied,

“Do whatever feels right, son… but my heart says maize. The market price is good this year. The rest, you two brothers decide together.”

Brijesh ji finished eating and stood up.

“I can sow it… but the crop will need constant attention too. And my work will start again soon, so I won’t have much time. After that, most of the responsibility will fall on the younger one.”

Damini ji muttered under her breath

“When does he not do all the work… while those two queens just sit and eat…”

Before she could continue, Shantanu ji cut in calmly

“It’ll be handled, brother. Don’t worry. The boys are here too… there won’t be any problem.”

One by one, everyone returned to their rooms.

Only three people were left finishing dinner.

Nisha ji served food onto a plate and walked toward the smallest room at the far end of the house.

“This girl… she’s completely lost her mind… even at night she keeps all the lights turned off.”

“Aanya!.…” she called while switching the lights on.

Aanya sat silently in her place… staring at her mother with empty eyes.

Eyes full of questions…

but words and circumstances failed her.

Nisha ji was about to say something more

when Amma’s voice came from downstairs.

Startled, Nisha quickly said

“Aanya… my sweet girl… don’t stay upset with your elders like this.”

She placed the plate near her.

“Here… eat this.”

“And these money… Papa gave them to you. Really.”

“He said you can go on the school trip.”

Aanya kept staring at her with the same hollow eyes.

Nisha forced a small smile.

“It’s true.”

“I have to go finish the rest of the work. Eat your food and sleep… you’re leaving the day after tomorrow.”

Without saying a word

Aanya walked up to the rooftop.

She stood beneath the open sky…

staring at the hundreds of scattered stars above her with those empty eyes.

The cold night breeze brushed against her face

and for the first time in a long while…

it felt peaceful.

Next Morning...

Everyone in the house was busy with their own work.

Both women were hurriedly packing lunch boxes in the kitchen, while nearby Aanya was making rotis on the clay stove for Grandma , because she never liked rotis made on the gas.

“Mom… it’s done.”

Saying that, Aanya picked up her lunch box and went upstairs.

Half an hour later, she came downstairs wearing

her school uniform. As she bowed to touch everyone’s feet, her eyes stopped at the same sight she saw every day…

Grandma was lovingly caressing Sahil’s face while handing him some money.

“Study well, my dear boy…”

On the other side, Brijesh ji and Shantanu ji touched Amma’s feet before leaving for work.

Aanya also stepped forward to seek her blessings.

but Amma stopped her from a distance.

“That’s enough… stay where you are, girl.”

“Don’t fly too high. Learn to stay within your limits. You’ve grown up now… and stay away from boys. Don’t let it happen that because of you our family loses its honor and we’re left unable to show our faces anywhere.”

Aanya said nothing.

She quietly looked toward her mother…

but her mother stayed silent as always.

Without another word, Aanya turned away and started walking to school alone.

Why, Mom…?

Why do you always stay silent?

Am I really that unfortunate… that even you can’t show me your love?

At School...

Today all the students were unusually excited—

especially the Class 10 students who had moved to Class 11 this year. Their results had been excellent.

To celebrate, the District Magistrate was visiting the school today.

There was another reason for everyone’s excitement

the trip destination for this class would also be announced.

As soon as the morning prayer ended, several cars lined up outside the school gate.

For the welcome ceremony, the teacher called Aanya forward.

A soft smile appeared on her face.

Seeing her, the District Magistrate’s eyes stayed on her for a moment.

Even in simplicity… she looked beautiful.

“Good morning, sir.”

He greeted everyone warmly and wished the students success for their future before walking

into the office.

Inside, the principal introduced Aanya along with one girl and one boy.

“Sir… these are the brightest students of our school. Because of them, we had the honor of meeting you today.”

“And this is Aanya Tripathi… the pride of our school.”

“What’s your name?”

The man seated in the main chair asked while looking directly at her.

“Sir… Aanya Tripathi.”

They spoke for a while.

Then Aanya politely greeted him and stepped outside.

“That girl… she’s truly brilliant,” he said after she left.

“And it makes me happy to know children like her are here too.”

When Aanya returned, many students looked at her

but she quietly went back to her seat.

The girls in class whispered among themselves in small groups…

while Aanya paid no attention.

Most of the girls didn’t like her.

And the boys…

they could only watch her from afar, wishing she would look at them even once.

But she never did.

Aanya never made eye contact with anyone.

Because of that, many boys called her arrogant.

Yet she was the star of the whole school.

The way she was…

there was no one else like her.

People only tried to copy her.

People talked about her all the time

but Aanya never really knew.

Her life moved only between school and home…

home and school…

No friendships.

No close bonds.

Just her own quiet little world

where loneliness was her only companion.

And behind her smiling face…

almost no one could see that loneliness.

The students going on the trip were writing down their names.

Aanya also wrote hers

then she walked into the younger children’s classroom.

The moment they saw her

the entire class burst into cheers and ran toward her, surrounding her from all sides.

Seeing them, Aanya’s happiness knew no bounds.

“Aanya didi… you’re going very far on a trip, right? We want to come with you too!”

One little child clung tightly to her legs.

“Aww…”

Aanya smiled and crouched down beside them.

“It’s only for a few days. And when all of you grow up and come to this class…”

“you’ll get a chance too.”

“Maybe sir will take you to an even better place than mine.”

“So until then… I’m really sorry.”

Saying that, she held her ears dramatically and sat there pretending to apologize.

The children burst into laughter.

“Now I should go study…”

“And all of you study hard too, okay? So you can

become something really great.”

“Bye!”

“Bye, didi!!”

The whole classroom echoed loudly.

Aanya smiled and walked out

when suddenly she saw a teacher entering the class to teach.

She greeted him immediately.

“Good morning, sir.”

The teacher smiled.

“So, Aanya… which stream do you want to study further?”

Aanya answered softly

“Sir… Biology.”

but Aanya … Mathematics is actually a very good subject for girls too. It has great scope, and your performance in it is already strong, so you won’t face any problem.”

“No, sir… I just liked this subject… so I want to study this.”

“Good…” The teacher smiled warmly.

“God bless you. Keep moving forward like this, always.”

Holding all that happiness quietly inside her heart, Anya walked back into her classroom.

The moment she entered, she noticed the atmosphere had completely changed.

The entire class was buzzing with excitement about the upcoming trip. Students were shouting, laughing, talking loudly all around.

Anya didn’t like the noise at all. She covered both of her ears with her hands and moved ahead

when suddenly she saw the school management entering the classroom.

She politely greeted them.

The moment everyone noticed them, the whole class quickly rushed back to their seats.

“We would like to inform all of you that the day after tomorrow, by 10 a.m., everyone must report to school with the necessary belongings for the trip.

This trip will only last a few days, so do not bring unnecessary items. Anyone carrying extra things may be sent back home.

And one more important thing…

We will be visiting an NGO where children and people live who have no one to support them.

Those children are not like you.

Some cannot walk properly. Some cannot speak. Some cannot see.

As the head of this school, I expect every one of you to treat them kindly and respectfully. There should be no complaints.”

He paused, looking around the room.

“You should have the ability to inspire courage in them… to make them feel that no matter what condition life puts them in… life is still worth living.

Also, the chairman of that institution will personally meet some of our brightest students.”

“Be on time. If anyone misses the bus, the school will not be responsible.”

After saying this, he glared sharply at a few boys sitting in the back row and walked toward his office.

As soon as he left, light chatter filled the classroom again.

“Man… why do his speeches never end? Seriously, what does he eat to have this much energy? His loudspeaker just never switches off.”

Amandeep laughed while placing a hand on

Ankit’s shoulder.

But Ankit wasn’t paying attention.

His eyes were fixed somewhere else.

Following his gaze, Amandeep smirked.

“Ohhh… so you’re staring at a girl.”

“Look, brother… she’s way out of your league. Have you seen her attitude? She doesn’t even talk to anyone.”

“She wouldn’t even look at you. Even boys from senior classes like her… but she never raises her eyes toward anyone. Unbelievable.”

“No, man… there’s something special about her.”

Ankit kept staring at Anya.

“I’ve liked her since eighth grade. Every single day I look at that beautiful face…

I just wish she’d look at me once.”

“Keep dreaming then,” Amandeep mocked.

“You’ve gone from class eight to class eleven… and still haven’t managed to impress even one girl.

Shame on your masculinity.”

Hearing that, Ankit suddenly grabbed Amandeep by the collar in anger.

A boy sitting beside them had been listening carefully.

“Look… if what Amandeep said is true, then prove

him wrong.

And honestly…

you’ve got the perfect chance now.”

Hearing this, Ankit slowly released Amandeep’s collar.

“Just wait and watch.”

That evening, all the students went home, excitedly packing for the trip.

But Anya…

Anya had nothing much except a few suits.

She sat quietly, staring at her clothes.

She kept thinking

All the girls in her class would probably wear jeans and tops…

but she wasn’t allowed to wear any of that.

Her mood sank.

Silently, she walked to the window and stood there.

Just then

knock knock.

Someone knocked on her door.

“Coming…”

Anya opened it.

“Bhaiya… you?”

Atul smiled.

“What? Can’t I come to my little sister’s room?”

He stepped inside.

“By the way, Anya… looking at this room, no one would ever guess this used to be a storeroom.

You decorated it beautifully.”

Then he looked around again.

“But… was this really necessary? You could’ve stayed in Sarika’s room too.”

“No, Bhaiya…

Didi doesn’t like disturbance. She gets angry easily.

And she studies in such a big college… lives in such a big city…

She must need to study a lot…

So… for peace and quiet… Mother and I cleaned this room together.”

Atul simply kept looking at Anya’s innocent face.

Inside, he sighed.

Yeah, Anya… I know how much she ‘studies’… if

only the family knew the truth…

But he only smiled.

“Just stay happy… always.”

Then he sat down on Anya’s bed.

“Big Mother told me you’re leaving for the school trip the day after tomorrow.

So… what all are you packing?”

But Anya stayed quiet, holding her clothes in her hands, lost in thought.

Atul understood immediately.

He knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Anya… Father and Big Papa have gone to Bua Ji’s place today…

so how about we go to the market?

We’ll buy you some nice clothes…

and eat your favorite golgappas too.”

Anya shook her head.

“No, Bhaiya…

Keep your hard-earned money with you. You still have so much to do.

Don’t waste it on me.

And look… I already have so many clothes.

What would I even do with more?

Also… Grandma will scold us. It’s almost evening.”

Atul stood up pretending to be annoyed.

“Fine.

Then I’ll go buy shoes for myself.

Mine are old anyway.

And one of my friends is coming too, so I’ll meet her as well.”

Then he looked at Anya.

“But listen…

if the girls there start calling you ‘Grandma’ again…

don’t sit alone and cry, okay?”

He started walking away.

Anya stood frozen for a second.

Then after thinking quietly…

“Done…”

she said.

“But come home early, Bhaiya…

otherwise Grandma will get angry.”

Atul laughed.

“Leave Grandma to me.”

Then he walked out smiling.

Convincing you is so easy, Anya…

A little later, Anya changed her clothes and got ready.

She tied her hair back with a rubber band.

Just then Atul returned.

“Anya, hurry up. I already asked Big Mother for permission.

Grandma was there too.

I’m taking the bike out you come too.”

He was about to leave

then suddenly stopped.

Turning back, he said,

“Anya… come through the back door, okay?

A lot of Sahil’s friends are outside.

If Grandma sees you there… she’ll create unnecessary drama.”

...----------------...

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