A Promise to Mother
Then suddenly...
"What are you doing?!"A sharp voice echoed across the area.
The voice was loud.
Everyone froze instantly.The voice had come from behind them.
A voice everyone recognised and carried authority on campus.
Everyone turned toward the source.
Standing several feet away..
Wearing his graduation gown.
His eyes were fixed on the scene before him.
It was Omkar.He was walking toward them.
Meera's tearfilled eyes widened.
Omkar.For a second, nobody dared speak.
Then Omkar finally exploded.
"What is wrong with all of you?!Have you all completely lost your minds?"
His voice was filled with disbelief.
He pointed toward the crowd gathering around them.
"We're standing in the middle of our graduation ceremony!And you're behaving like this?"His chest rose and fell heavily.
Nobody answered.Because even they knew they were wrong. Anika and Tiya left Meera.
Then Viki stepped forward.His face was still angry.
"This idiot pushed us.He started everything." Viki said.
He pointed toward Veer.
"What?! No it's not true.I literally came back and saw you people hurting Meera!"Veer's eyebrows shot up.
He pointed toward Meera.His eyes burned with anger.
"You were pulling her hair and !How was I supposed to stand there and watch?!"His voice cracked slightly.
Meera immediately looked toward him.
Fresh tears filled her eyes. Even after getting hurt..He was still defending her.
"Enough. I don't come here for this."Omkar raised his voice.
The kind of tone that immediately silenced everyone.He rubbed his forehead.
"I don't care who started it.I really don't."His voice sounded tired now.
He looked at all of them.
"Today is our graduation.A day we've waited years for guys. And this is how you're spending it?"His voice became sharper.
Nobody spoke.Virat rolled his eyes.
Then suddenly laughed. The sound instantly irritated Omkar.
"You?The great Omkar Thakur talking about avoiding drama?"Virat smirked.
"Seriously? It's you?The same Omkar who used to throw punches before asking questions? A"His voice dripped with sarcasm.
Virat crossed his arms.The atmosphere became tense again.
Omkar stared at him.
"And now you're pretending to be some saint? But don't forget you always want that more badly than us."His voice carried open mockery.
"What happened now?Now it's just acting like some good guy who doesn't want this." Viki also said that.
Omkar took a slow breath.As if he was trying hard not to lose his temper.
"I said enough."His voice came out colder this time.
"Or what , Omkar?You'll fight us too?"Anika folded her arms.
She raised an eyebrow.Her lips curved into a challenging smile.
The corner of Omkar's jaw twitched.
His patience was hanging by a thread.
Then suddenly...
Anika's eyes shifted toward Meera.
A strange smile appeared on her face.
"Oh..I think I know why you're so interested.."She dragged the word out slowly.
Immediately grabbing everyone's attention.
"Anika. Stop this."Omkar's eyes narrowed.His voice was a warning.
But Anika ignored it.
"We've all noticed it.You're different around this poor girl suddenly."She looked directly at Omkar.
"What?"Meera's heart skipped a beat.
Anika pointed toward her.
"Whenever she's around, you suddenly become civilized."Her tone was teasing.
"Oh my God. You are right Anika . I also noticed it."Virat immediately laughed.
"I noticed it too.He's definitely softer around her. Now tell us Omkar do you start liking her?"Tiya smirked.
Meera immediately looked down.
Not because she believed them.
But because everyone was staring at her.
"ENOUGH!!."Omkar's voice came out low. But nobody stopped.
"Don't tell me..you actually like her. When did your choice become this low."Anika looked delighted.
She looked toward Meera.Then back toward Omkar.
Even Veer looked surprised.
Omkar's jaw clenched harder.
The silence became uncomfortable.
Then...
"ANIKA!"Omkar shouted.
The anger in his voice shocked everyone.Omkar took a step forward.
His eyes blazing.
"You know very well I can't love her.So stop creating Nonsense .There is nothing like that."His voice became colder.
But something in his expression flickered.Something nobody could quite understand.Anika opened her mouth again.
"No. Don't start again.I'm done listening." But Omkar cut her off immediately.
"Go back. NOW!!?"He pointed toward the graduation ceremony.
Nobody moved.
The single word carried enough authority.
Virat clicked his tongue.Tiya rolled her eyes.Anika looked annoyed.
Viki muttered under his breath.
But eventually. One by one they walked away.
The moment they disappeared into the crowd..
But eventually.One by one.
They walked away.
The moment they disappeared into the crowd..
The tension finally disappeared.
A heavy silence settled over the area.
Meera wiped her tears.Veer exhaled slowly.
Omkar looked toward Veer.Then Omkar extended his hand.The gesture surprised Meera and Veer.
Veer stared at his hand.Then at Omkar.
"You helping me?"A small sarcastic smile appeared despite his injuries.
"Do you want help or not?"Omkar sighed.
His voice carried irritation.
Veer chuckled softly.Then accepted the hand.
"Fine...Anyway thanks.."Omkar pulled him up.
"Ouch.That idiot punches hard."Veer winced immediately.
"Are you okay?"Meera immediately stepped closer.Her voice trembled.
"Absolutely No." Veer looked at her instantly.
Omkar quietly watched the interaction.Then his gaze dropped.
Toward the broken phone.
The shattered screen....The cracked frame.
He simply stared at it.Something flashed across his face regret.
"It's broken badly."His voice was quieter now.
"Yeah.Mrs Janvi gave me that phone ."Her smile immediately disappeared.
She crouched slightly and picked up the phone.The cracked glass reflected her face.
"It'll be okay.I'll just go to a mobile shop.And hopefully they'll fix it."Bu her voice betrayed her.
Her eyes remained fixed on the broken screen.
"I'm sorry. This shouldn't happen.I'm really sorry that happened."Omkar's expression of guilt.
Meera looked surprised.She hadn't expected an apology.
" It's not your fault. And thank you for helping me."Her voice became softer.
Then Omkar looked toward Veer.
His bruised cheek.His swollen lip.
"You need medical treatment. I think you need to go to the medical room."His tone became serious.
"It's just a scratch. Don't worry."Veer laughed lightly.
Immediately..Meera glared at him.
"A scratch?You're bleeding!"Her eyes widened.
"Okay. Okay i will go."He raised both hands.
Then he checked the stage.Students were already gathering.The ceremony was about to begin.
"I should go now.They'll start soon."His voice became quieter.
"Yeah.Go collect your graduation certificate."Veer nodded.
"Thank you for helping us."Meera nodded too.
Omkar looked directly at her.Longer than necessary.
"It's okay.You two take care."His voice softened slightly.
Then he turned around.And walked away.
Watching him disappear into the crowd.
" Why suddenly Omkar helps us? Don't think it's so weird?" Veer asked Meera.
" Yeah. I also think that. But when i ask him about it he said you will though it soon" Meera answerd.
"Any way let's go to medium room first." Meera said and take him to medical room.
At Phone Shop : ??????
________________________
The technician adjusted his glasses and carefully examined the broken phone.
He turned it over several times.
Checked the screen.Opened the back panel.Connected it to a diagnostic device.
His expression became worse with every passing second.
Meera sat nervously across from him.
Her hands were tightly clasped together.Veer stood beside her, silently watching...
After several minutes...
The technician finally sighed.
"This phone is badly damaged."His voice was apologetic.
Her fingers tightened around each other.
"Can it be fixed?"Her voice came out small.
The technician hesitated.That hesitation alone made her nervous.
"Maybe it can be fixed."His answer wasn't reassuring.
Veer immediately frowned.
"What does 'maybe' mean?"His voice carried concern.
The technician pointed toward the shattered display.
"The screen is completely destroyed.Several internal components are damaged too."His expression remained serious.
He shook his head slowly.
"And because this is a branded phone. The replacement parts are expensive.".."His voice became practical.
Meera swallowed hard.
"How expensive this will cost ?"Her voice barely rose above a whisper.
The technician typed something into his computer.Then turned the screen toward them.
"It will cost around thirty thousand or more.." he said.
Both Meera and Veer froze.For a moment they thought they had heard wrong.
"Thirty thousand?!"Veer nearly shouted.
The technician nodded sympathetically.
"Original branded parts cost a lot.If it were a cheaper model, the repair cost would be much lower."He pointed toward the phone.
Meera stared blankly at him.
Thirty thousand.The number kept repeating in her head.
Slowly..A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
"I can buy another phone with that much money."
Her smile looked painful.
"I know.But this model is expensive and he screen alone costs a lot.""The technician sighed.
Meera lowered her gaze.Her eyes began stinging again.
Thirty thousand.That amount felt impossible for her.
Veer looked at her immediately.
He could see her struggling not to cry.
"I'm sorry sir . If you decide to repair it later, come back."The technician carefully handed the broken phone back.
"Thank you. "Meera nodded quietly.
Both she and Veer slowly walked out of the shop. They both walked on the road ..But Meera was still sad. She just looked at the road without any expression.
Veer also noticed it . Then without hesitation..He reached into his wallet.
"I have six thousand in my card. You can take it. And add your savings . And we also called Ruchi for help.."
His voice was gentle.
As if he didn't want to embarrass her.
Meera instantly looked up.
"No. Even if we add our savings we can make thirty thousand .."Her answer came immediately.
"So I think i can't take your money. I think i need to arrange something else"Her voice trembled.
"But...At least take it for now.You can return it later."Veer stepped closed.
Meera's eyes filled with tears.
Because she knew six thousand wasn't enough.And because she hated feeling helpless.
Then finally..
Meera looked down at the shattered phone.And whispered softly,
" You know i don't even have a laptop.I do everything on this phone."
Her lips trembled.Her voice broke completely.
Veer froze.
Meera swallowed hard.But her emotions were winning.
"My assignments..My projects...My notes..Everything is there."She stared at the broken screen.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
Veer's expression softened immediately.Meera wiped her eyes quickly.
"This phone..It wasn't even something I bought myself..Mrs. Janvi gifted it to me.The day I got admission into this college by my hard work."Her voice became quieter.
She laughed bitterly.A sad laugh.
A small smile appeared through her tears.Remembering that day.
Her voice trembled again.
"I got in through a scholarship.And then she gave me this phone.She even said she was happy of me."Meera said.
Even he seemed affected now.
Veer's chest tightened.He truly understood why the phone meant so much.
It wasn't about the device.It was about what it represented.
"I can't afford something this expensive.I really can't."Her voice became barely audible.
Veer didn't know what to say.
Even the technician looked helpless.
After a few moments..
Veer quietly pushed her to give his money t.
"Take it anyway.It's not much.But it's all my savings. "His voice was gentle.
A small smile appeared on his face.
Meera felt another wave of emotion hit her.
"Veer..."Her voice shook.
"You idiot.You're a complete idiot."A tearful smile appeared.
Veer grinned.
"That's what all great friends are."
The joke made her laugh through her tears.
For a brief second..The heaviness disappeared.Just a little.
But reality returned quickly.Six thousand wasn't enough.Not even close.
Eventually...
Neither spoke for a while.
The evening felt strangely quiet.
As if the bad day simply refused to end.
A few minutes later..
Meera stared at the broken phone in her hands. Every time she looked at it, her chest tightened.
Thirty thousand.The number she couldn't afford now.
Beside her, Veer walked silently. The bruise on his cheek had started turning purple, but he barely seemed to notice it. His attention remained fixed on Meera.
She looked devastated.
As they reached a small roadside ice cream stall, Veer suddenly stopped.
Meera took a few more steps before realizing he wasn't beside her anymore.
Turning around, she found him staring at the colorful menu hanging above the stall.
"Do you want ice cream?" he asked casually.
"What?"Meera blinked.
"Ice cream.Do you want one?"He pointed at the stall.
"My phone just broke and you want ice cream now!!."She stared at him as though he had lost his mind.
"Your phone didn't die. It got murdered." He said.
"Honestly, I don't feel like eating anything now."Meera rolled her eyes and looked away.
"When was the last time you ate?"Veer's expression immediately changed.
Meera didn't answer.That alone was enough.
"Meera. I know you don't eat anything till morning. And Because of those rascals our food sniffed by me to save you." He said.
"I wasn't hungry after that.That was hours ago." Meera said.
"No wonder you look exhausted."He stared at her in disbelief.
"It's okay Veer .I'm fine." Meera said.
"You're definitely not fine." Veer argued back.
Before she could argue, Veer grabbed her hand and walked straight to the vendor.
"One chocolate. One vanilla." Veer said to the shopkeeper.
"Veer..I told you I don't want it." Meera said.
"Too late. I know you love ice cream . So stop arguing." He said.
"You're impossible."Meera said.
The vendor was already preparing them.
A few moments later, Veer handed her the vanilla cone.
Meera stared at it.Then at him.
He sat down on a nearby bench and took a bite of his own ice cream.
After a moment, Meera reluctantly sat beside him. And eat her ice cream..
The evening breeze brushed against her face.
People walked past them laughing and chatting.
She looked down at the broken phone again.Immediately, her mood sank.
"Still thinking about it?"Veer noticed.
"What else am I supposed to think about?"Meera let out a hollow laugh.
She held up the damaged phone.
"You know what's funny?"Then Meera smiled sadly.
"What?"Veer glanced at her.
" Whenever I think i will do my work with any worried life give me a thing which i had to suffer .. I never thought my phone would be broken just a week before my exam started."She looked down at it.
Veer listened quietly.For the first time, he understood why she was hurting so much.
"I can't afford another one.And I definitely can't afford thirty thousand."Her voice became barely audible.
Veer looked away for a moment.
" Don't be sad. We will find any way. Just believe in Krishna Thakur..if you don't anything worng he will surly help you." He said.
" Maybe.." She said without any hope.
" Don't say like that. We will find the solution any way. Now rest now. It's already a long day." He said put his hand on her shoulder.
"Hmm.. let's go. I also need study now. Our final exam is near." Meera said.
" Yeah . Let's go. I will drop you at your home. It's alright going to night." Veer said and got up from the bench.
" Let's go. " She said and got up and both went to her home.
At Meer's Room: ?????????
_________________________
Meera stepped through the heavy wooden door.
She kept her broken phone tightly in her hands as she walked.Stepping into her bedroom, she pushed the door shut.
Click.
The room was completely silent. She walked over to her study table and set the damaged phone down.
For a few seconds, she simply stared at it. There was all her hard work.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
"No matter how hard I try...Why does everything become so difficult?" she whispered.
She felt a wave of frustration at her situation.
"Is it really that hard to just have a normal day?" she asked the empty room. She sat down on the edge of her bed.
The tears finally spilled over.one after another, and she began to cry openly.
It wasn't just because of the phone, or Tiya, Virat, Viki, and Anika. It wasn't about the money either.
It was just the accumulation of everything over the years.
Her gaze moved across the room to a framed photograph on the wall.
It was a picture of her as a little girl, standing next to her mother, Sita.
Meera stood up, walked over to the frame, and touched the edge of it with her fingers.
"Ma (mom)...I miss you so much.They all have someone, Ma. But I have no one here. If you were here.maybe I wouldn't feel so alone." she said, her voice cracking. She felt incredibly lonely in the large house.
She wiped her face, letting out a faint, sad laugh.
"You would know exactly what to say to them, wouldn't you?" She felt a brief comfort remembering her mother's strength.
"I wish you could be with me then I could tell you everything.Because right now, nothing feels okay at all." she whispered, leaning her head near the frame and stepping back.
She stood before the photo for a few more minutes, letting the last of her tears fall as she remembered her mother.
Then, she stopped crying, wiped her cheeks, and took a deep breath. Her expression changed .
"No.I can't keep crying forever. Crying won't fix my phone, and it won't fix my life." she said, shaking her head.
She felt a sudden wave of resolve clear her mind.She straightened her shoulders.
"You didn't raise a weak daughter.I am your daughter, and I need to start acting like it." she said directly to the photo.
A final tear ran down her cheek, but a small smile appeared on her face.
"I'll become strong. I'll study.I'll work hard like you want. " she said, nodding to herself.
She felt ready to put in the effort.
"I'll become successful.I will build my own life where no one can look down on me." She felt motivated by the thought of her future.
She promised herself .She looked at her mother's face one last time.
"And one day... I'll make you proud." she said softly.
She felt a calm sense of purpose.
The small smile stayed on her lips as she turned away and to the bathroom to take a long shower..
The moment she closed the door, she stepped into the shower, hoping the warm water would wash away the awful day she had endured.
But it didn't.
Everything kept replaying inside her mind like a nightmare she couldn't escape.
When she finally came downstairs, her eyes looked dull and exhausted. And went kitchen for her work.
Meanwhile···
Aarav had also returned from the office.
The entire day had drained every ounce of patience from him.As soon as he entered the mansion, he looked around for his mom.
There was no sign of his mom or his sister.. And his dad was still in office.
"Mom? Are you here!!" he called out.
His voice carried mild irritation and fatigue as he loosened his tie.
No answer....