Leak ke baad atmosphere awkward ho gaya tha.
Not loud fights.
Not public drama.
Just silence.
Aur kabhi kabhi silence arguments se zyada heavy hota hai.
Practice sessions continue hue.
But tone change ho gaya.
"Section 3 tum handle karo."
"Fine."
"Slides ready?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Bas.
No extra words.
No eye contact.
Apurva ko sabse zyada irritate yeh kar raha tha ki Rithvik ne directly accuse nahi kiya.
Par usne defend bhi nahi kiya.
He doubted her.
And that was enough.
Rithvik bhi calm tha.
Par usne ek cheez notice ki —
Apurva ab usse avoid kar rahi thi.
Discussion strictly professional.
Woh usko dekh kar instantly notebook mein busy ho jaati.
Aur jab woh kuch explain karta, woh interrupt nahi karti.
Bas sun leti.
Woh Apurva jo har point challenge karti thi…
ab chup thi.
Aur woh silence uncomfortable tha.
Final presentation day.
Unka performance flawless tha.
Coordination perfect.
Judges impressed.
Aur jab result announce hua —
"Aurora Heights Academy — First Position."
Class erupted.
Team 11-A won.
Apurva aur Rithvik stage pe gaye.
Trophy receive ki.
Photo click hua.
Sab clap kar rahe the.
Par un dono ke beech distance visible tha.
Stage se utarte waqt Rithvik ne slowly kaha,
"Good job."
Apurva ne sirf itna kaha,
"Professionalism."
Aur chal di.
No smile.
No celebration.
Victory hollow feel hui.