Midnight Without Words

Chapter Four: Clarity in Lavender

"I don't know, but after seeing John's friend group, she became like this," Esther muttered, her thumb nervously grazing her bottom lip. Her eyes stayed glued to the closed bathroom door like it might swing open with answers.

Theresa sat cross-legged on the bed, twirling a pen between her fingers. The morning sunlight spilled in through the window, drawing golden patterns across her face. "I think it's Arjun," she said softly. "Did you notice how both of them were today? It was like... something was off. Like they were avoiding each other, but not out of anger. More like pain."

Esther tilted her head. "You mean, like a fight?"

"No. Not exactly a fight. But something happened, I can feel it. They couldn't even look at each other."

Esther leaned closer, whispering, "Do you think John knows?"

Theresa shook her head. "Even if he does, I doubt he'll say anything. John only talks when it's really necessary. And besides, just because she's our roommate doesn't mean she has to share everything with us."

Inside the bathroom, Sri Mathi stood in front of the mirror. She gripped the sink tightly as if it could anchor her to reality. Her face was still damp, her cheeks flushed. She had washed her face twice, yet the heat in her chest refused to go away.

The girl staring back at her didn't look familiar. Her eyes looked older. Tired.

She pressed her fingertips to her cheeks, grounding herself. "What's happening to me?" she whispered.

Silence answered. Only the faint buzzing of the light above her filled the space.

Her hands trembled slightly as she turned the tap on again. Cold water hit her skin. For a second, it helped.

She reached for the towel and patted her face dry. Then she changed into her soft lavender pyjamas—the ones with tiny sleeping pandas.

She brushed her hair into a loose braid. Her hands were still shaky. Her heart still restless. But she looked okay now. On the outside.

She puffed her cheeks and let out a deep breath. Then, barely above a whisper, she said, "Haaa..."

It was a scream trapped inside her throat. One she couldn't let out.

"I'm going crazy," she muttered, hugging herself for a brief second. Her eyes darkened, and she whispered to the mirror, "Arjun… I'll make you pay for this."

She opened the door and stepped out like nothing had happened.

Esther and Theresa were already on the bed, the next episode of a K-drama queued up.

"Is this the one where the guy pretends to be a bodyguard?" Sri Mathi asked, her voice light.

Esther nodded quickly and patted the space beside her. "Yes! You have to see it. The main lead totally reminds me of someone... Tall, quiet, emotionally damaged."

Sri Mathi didn't react. She sat down quietly, hugging a pillow to her chest.

The afternoon passed in warm silence, broken only by occasional gasps or laughter from the K-drama. At one point, Theresa leaned over and whispered, "I think the second lead is cuter."

Esther dramatically clutched her heart. "You take that back."

"I will not. Dimples and a tragic past. What more do you need?"

Sri Mathi smiled faintly at their banter, the tension in her chest loosening just a bit.

Around 4:30 PM, a loud knock broke their bubble.

"Freshers to the common room. Now!" a stern voice called out from the hallway.

The girls looked at one another.

"What now?" Esther groaned, dragging herself off the bed.

In the common room, first-year girls were packed together. Some stood sleepy-eyed. Others whispered in frustration.

Ms. Kanjana, the warden, stood in front of them, holding a clipboard like it was a weapon. Her expression could've frozen time.

She cleared her throat and began, "You must scan your ID card every morning and evening at the hostel. Attendance is mandatory. If you miss it three times, a formal complaint will be sent to the Student Affairs Office."

A few groans escaped.

"No excuses. I don't care if you have a club meeting, a stomach ache, or a nap. Attendance is not optional."

The air in the room grew heavier.

"Curfew is at 11 PM. If you're late, you sleep outside. That's it."

A girl near the back mumbled, "Seriously?"

Ms. Kanjana's eyes snapped toward her. "And let me be clear—boys are not allowed inside the girls' hostel. Not even your brothers. Not even for five minutes. If a male family member visits, bring him to my office. Understood?"

Several girls nodded quickly.

"Also," she added, flipping her paper with unnecessary flair, "if anyone is caught making noise, wasting electricity, damaging anything, or sneaking out—we will know. We always find out."

By the twenty-minute mark, most of the girls had mentally left the room.

"She's terrifying," Esther whispered. "She totally gives Math teacher vibes."

"More like a prison warden in her past life," Theresa whispered back.

Finally, after what felt like hours—but was only 30 minutes—the meeting ended.

The moment Ms. Kanjana left, the girls exhaled like they had survived a natural disaster.

"Let's run!" Esther giggled, already pulling Sri Mathi by the arm.

The three of them dashed back to their room, laughing breathlessly.

Back inside, Sri Mathi collapsed onto her bed. "I can't believe we have to survive her."

Theresa flopped beside her dramatically. "We deserve freedom."

Esther struck a pose. "And fun. Lots of fun."

The room echoed with their laughter. For a little while, everything felt simple again.

Evening turned to night, and the room took on a softer glow under the dim lights. A gentle breeze rustled the curtain, and somewhere outside, the call for dinner echoed faintly.

"Should we go?" Esther asked.

Sri Mathi shook her head. "Not hungry yet."