Chapter15 When Words Went Silent

March 9–10, 2023

Janani sat on the hostel bed that evening, staring at the half-empty canteen plate. She remembered how Anjana had walked past her earlier without even saying a word.

> “When she goes out, she never even tells me anymore. I used to think if I went out somewhere, I should at least tell her… but she doesn’t even bother now.”

That day at the canteen, Janani waited, thinking Anjana would ask her to come along. She didn’t.

She sat there alone, watching her friend laugh with others.

Even when she had to buy medicine from PG, Anjana didn’t ask her to join.

> “I was right there… but she didn’t call me.

I sat alone — she didn’t even talk once. She sat with Sanghu and talked so freely.

I don’t know why, but it really hurt. Still, she never realizes she’s hurting me.”

Later during the KC period, when Janani tried to say something, Anjana ignored her again. She didn’t even look up when Janani asked a question. Her expression felt cold — distant.

> “I don’t even know what she thinks of me anymore,” Janani wrote that night. “She didn’t call me, didn’t ask who I was with… even Sanghu noticed. I’m sure now — she doesn’t want to be with me.”

She tried asking softly, “Are you okay? You seem lost.”

Anjana just sighed, “I was just thinking about something that happened. Ma’am said I’m too sensitive. I was thinking about that.”

Janani nodded. But even then, her chest felt heavy. Something between them had changed — deeply.

The next day, March 10th, things got worse.

Janani had been quiet the whole morning, lost in thought. Anjana came up to her in class.

> “Why are you so off today? Come on, don’t start a fight again,” she said.

Janani looked up slowly.

> “I was just a little off… not because of you. Please don’t think I avoided you. I just needed time.”

But Anjana didn’t seem convinced.

> “You always take things the wrong way,” she muttered.

Tears welled in Janani’s eyes.

> “You think I’m holding some personal grudge? You really think I’d ever do that to you?” she whispered.

“If you don’t like me anymore, just tell me.”

The words hung between them — unanswered.

💔 Sometimes friendships don’t end with a goodbye — they fade in the silence between two people who once shared everything.