Samayra moved into Ayra's house with her belongings.
As she stepped inside the room, Ayu suddenly tripped her with her foot. Samayra lost her balance, but before she could fall, Ayu grabbed both of her hands, preventing her from hitting the floor. However, if Ayu let go, Samayra would collapse instantly. Samayra wondered to herself—why was this girl deliberately picking on her? Had she done something wrong?
Ayu: "Why don't you be a little more careful?"
Samayra: …
Samayra's cheeks flushed red. Sithi helped her stand properly and said,
"Come on, let me show you your room. But just so you know, there's only one bathroom, so you'll have to adjust. Also, we get food delivered from Ayra's house three times a day."
Samayra had never lived in such a large house before. The place was massive, yet only five girls lived there.
Sana – She loves sleeping and takes every chance she gets to nap.
Sathi – She enjoys playing computer games and is currently engrossed in one.
Mayur – She loves dressing up and keeping herself neat and tidy.
Sithi – Friendly and easygoing, she gets along with everyone.
Ayra – A beautiful girl, but something about her seems strange. Samayra can't quite figure her out. And for some reason, whenever she sees Ayra, her heartbeat quickens. Is it fear? But fear of what? She doesn't know.
Lost in these thoughts, Samayra unknowingly fell asleep at her study table.
At 10 PM, Ayra came to wake her for dinner. She hadn't expected Samayra to look so peaceful while sleeping. Looking at her, Ayra felt a strange sense of calm—like having someone familiar and close by.
The moment Samayra opened her sleepy eyes and saw Ayra standing in front of her, she got startled.
Ayra: "Oh? So you get scared too?"
Samayra had no idea how long Ayra had been standing there, staring at her.
Samayra: "Ah… Y… O...UU…"
Ayra: "Are you stuttering?"
No response.
Ayra: "Dinner is ready. Come eat."
With that, Ayra left.
When Samayra reached the dining table, everyone was already seated, waiting for her. She felt bad—no one had started eating because of her. It was a strange feeling because she was used to eating alone. She had never experienced the warmth of a shared meal before.
Sithi: "Come, sit quickly. I'll serve everyone."
Samayra: "If you don't mind, can I serve the food instead?"
Everyone was surprised—this was the first full sentence Samayra had spoken all day. They stared at her in astonishment.
Samayra: "I'm always doing something or the other. Sitting idle makes me uncomfortable."
Sithi: "That's fine, but why are you addressing me so formally? We're the same age! And why are you using 'you'? Call me by my name and use 'you' informally. I'll let it slide today since it's your first day, but if you speak like that again, I'll pinch your cheek until it turns red!"
Samayra smiled slightly. Ayra thought to herself—this girl looks way too cute when she smiles.
After serving everyone, Samayra sat down to eat.
The table was quiet until Sana broke the silence.
Sana: "What's everyone doing after class tomorrow?"
Sathi: "I'm going to play games."
Mayur: "I'm thinking of going shopping."
Sithi: "I don't have any plans. What about you, Sana?"
Sana: "I'll be sleeping."
Everyone laughed—after all, that's all Sana ever did.
Sithi: "Ayra, what about you?"
Ayra: "No idea."
Sithi: "And you, Samayra?"
Samayra: "I'll be going out to look for tutoring jobs."
Hearing this, Ayra's blood boiled. She knew her father had arranged for this girl to tutor her. Her father was the principal of the college, so Samayra wouldn't have the courage to refuse. Ayra could tolerate many things, but not her father. She blamed him for remarrying, which she believed had led to her mother's heart attack. Because of this, she could never accept him.
Sithi realized Ayra was getting angry. Before she could say something reckless to Samayra, Sithi tried to distract her. But before she could, Ayra spoke up.
Ayra: "You seem like you're from a decent family. Do your parents not give you enough pocket money, or are you just so greedy for money that you have to work?"
Samayra wasn't expecting such a question. It hit her pride hard, but she didn't know how to react. Should she tell Ayra she had no one? That she managed all her own expenses?
Drops of water started falling onto her plate—tears.
Everyone stared at Ayra in shock. No one had expected her to say something so harsh.
Ayra: "Why is everyone looking at me? Did I say something wrong? And if I did, why is she staying silent? You know, only the truly wicked stay silent."
Samayra had endured enough. She composed herself, stood up, and said,
Samayra: "Thank you for the food. And for giving me a place to stay. But I didn't come here to be insulted. Maybe you've forgotten, but you were the one who forced me to come."
Ayra: "Oh? Then I'm telling you to leave now. Sithi, tell her to get out."
Samayra couldn't stop the tears streaming down her face. Why did Ayra's words hurt so much? They had only known each other for a few hours. So why did this feel so painful? She had endured many harsh words before, but nothing had ever made her feel this way.
Sithi: "It's late, Ayra. Stop this. And Samayra, don't take it to heart."
Samayra: "I can't leave at night, but I'll go first thing in the morning. I'll also pay for tonight's meal and my stay.
She turned to leave but suddenly stopped. Turning back toward Ayra, she spoke with a trembling voice,
Samayra: "And one more thing… I have no one. I grew up in an orphanage."
Everyone froze. Ayra remained silent, staring at her.
Sithi: "Do you realize where you went wrong? Apologize and end this here."
Everyone knew that Ayra never apologized to anyone. And no one dared to ask her to. Only Sithi had the courage to stand up to her.