Swetha's POV
I suddenly turned toward Charlotte.
"A few days later," I said quietly, "the summer holidays began."
Everything felt lighter then — or maybe we just didn't know what was coming.
I invited Indhu to my dance program, and she came without hesitation.
That evening was filled with loud claps, graceful movements, laughter, and lights.
When I danced, I could see Indhu in the crowd — smiling, proud, fully present.
It meant more to me than I ever said out loud.
Not long after that, Leanor called Indhu.
She invited her to attend a church program.
But Indhu couldn't go.
There was no one to accompany her, and she had to say no.
It was just a simple refusal.
Nothing harsh. Nothing intentional.
But somehow… that was where the bond truly cracked.
From then on, Leanor slowly drifted away —
from me,
from Indhu,
from everything we once shared.
And Indhu… I could feel something change inside her too.
She didn't talk about it.
But a sharp, unspoken dislike began to grow in the silence.
That was the moment I realized —
this wasn't just distance anymore.
That was when everything started to change.
Back to Present
Indhu's voice trembled slightly as she finished the story.
"That's how our bond ended."
Charlotte, who had been listening quietly the entire time, finally understood.
Truly understood.
All the tension.
All the silence.
All the pain hidden beneath Indhu's smile.
She reached out and gently squeezed Indhu's hand.
No words were spoken.
But none were needed.
Charlotte understood.