Finding you in the crowd

After the day Deepika and Manish went out with their friends, things took a serious turn.

Someone from the neighborhood saw them together — maybe it was someone who knew Deepika's family. Soon, her parents found out. They were shocked, hurt, and extremely angry.

That evening, Deepika was called into the living room. Her mother looked upset, her father even more so.

"You went out with a boy?" her father shouted. "You didn't think once before doing this? What about your studies? Your future?"

Deepika tried to explain. She said it was just a school outing, not a date, and that their friends were also there. But her parents were too upset to listen.

To them, she had crossed a line.

After that day, things got worse. Her parents became strict. They started checking her phone, asked her about every single movement, and even called the school to complain.

Then one day, the biggest decision came — they said Deepika would not go to that school anymore.

They blamed the school environment, her friends, and most of all, Manish.

Her school was stopped immediately.

Her books were packed.

And within a week, she was enrolled in a different school — far away from the old one.

⸻

Silence Between Two Hearts

Everything changed suddenly.

Manish didn't know what to say. One day, Deepika was smiling and standing beside him, and the next, she was gone. No goodbye. No explanation.

He tried calling — but her number was switched off.

He waited outside the school gate for days, hoping she'd return.

She never did.

Her parents had also blocked him from contacting her. Her new phone number was kept private. They took away all her freedom. For days, Manish felt lost. Like someone had taken a part of his heart away.

The bond that had taken months to grow… was suddenly broken in silence.

⸻

The Return of a Friend — and Hope

But then, hope returned — in the form of Renu, Deepika's best friend.

Renu had always stood by them — quietly but strongly. She knew how much Deepika loved Manish, even if she didn't say it out loud.

One afternoon, Renu visited Deepika's home to study. As they sat in her room, she asked softly, "Do you miss him?"

Deepika looked down and nodded. Her eyes were wet, but she didn't cry.

Renu held her hand and said, "He hasn't given up. He still waits for you. If you ever want to talk to him… I can help."

That evening, Renu secretly dialed Manish's number.

And for the first time in weeks, they spoke.

Just hearing each other's voice felt like breathing again.

After that, Renu became the bridge once more — passing short messages, arranging short calls, and even helping them meet secretly after school.

⸻

A Bond That Refused to Break

Their meetings were no longer like before — no holding hands in open, no walking around freely. But every moment was precious.

Sometimes Manish would wait near Deepika's new school — just to walk a few steps with her. Other times, they'd meet at quiet corners, like bus stops or parks, talking quickly before going their own ways.

Time wasn't on their side.

But love — love never left them.

They didn't need long phone calls or daily messages. Even five minutes of being together was enough to keep them going.

Their bond had been tested — by distance, by family, by silence.

And yet, it had survived.