School started at 7:45 A.M., but Meera barely felt present. She sat with her head down, blending into noise. Teachers came and went. Chalk scraped. Time dragged.
Lunch was the only relief.
Riya and Anushka appeared, laughter trailing behind them.
"My dad comes home drunk every day," Meera admitted softly. "I don't like being home anymore."
Later, on the school van ride, conversation shifted. Teachers. Jokes.
Meera turned toward the window instead.
I shouldn't disturb them.
At home, lunch turned tense.
"Do you know how much your father does for you?" her mother shouted.
Meera stayed silent.
That night, the shouting returned.
She found Neeraj frozen downstairs.
She locked the door behind them.
A tear slipped down her cheek.