The sun was dipping below the horizon when Gayathri returned home from school, her heart light and full of excitement. The thought of her new puppy-her dream come true, a gift from Varun-made her steps quicker. She had spent the entire day thinking of the little fluffball, planning how she'd spoil him with love when she got home. The whole day, she had been thinking about names for the puppy and couldn't wait to cuddle with it, imagining the soft fur brushing against her hands.

But as she stepped inside, something felt off.

The usual sound of tiny paws padding across the floor was absent. The house was unusually quiet. The puppy, who usually greeted her with happy yips, was nowhere to be seen. A knot of worry twisted in her stomach as she searched each room, calling out for her beloved companion.

"Where are you, little one?"

Her heart began to race. There was no sign of him anywhere.

She found her relatives sitting in the living room, chatting casually, and she asked them, trying to keep her voice calm, "Where's my puppy?", Her voice trembling with concern.

One of her aunts looked up from her phone and, without a hint of concern, replied, "Oh, that little thing? We gave it away. Too much trouble, you see."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. Her heart sank. She felt a cold chill rush through her body as she stood there, stunned. Did you give it away? Her puppy, the one thing that brought her joy, the one thing she had been so excited about-it was just taken, without even asking her? Her hands trembled, and she felt a lump forming in her throat. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but deep down, she knew what her family was like. She knew how cruel and heartless they could be, and any protest would only result in more pain for her. "Gave it away? Why? What do you mean?" Gayathri's voice cracked, her chest tightening with disbelief.

Another relative chimed in, casually. "It was too much trouble. It's better off somewhere else."

"Why?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Why would you do that?"

Her aunt didn't even look up. "Because we could. Stop whining. It's just a dog."

She stood frozen, her eyes widening with shock and anger. It was clear-they had done this on purpose. They didn't care about her happiness, and now they had taken the one thing that brought her joy. But Gayathri knew better than to argue with them. Her family was heartless, cruel even. No amount of pleading or anger would change their minds. She was powerless here.

Gayathri stood there in stunned silence as her relative's cold words echoed in her mind: "It's gone. We gave it away."

Her vision blurred as tears stung her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of them. She had learned long ago that showing emotion was pointless in this house. Her heart ached for her puppy, the one tiny thing that had brought a spark of happiness into her world. Now, it was gone, just like that. Her family's cruelty left her feeling powerless and shattered.

Her eyes stung with tears, but she didn't want them to see her cry. She couldn't show any weakness in front of them. She just turned away, clutching her schoolbag tightly, and ran up to her room, slamming the door behind her.

The walls seemed to close in around her as she sat on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. She collapsed on the bed, letting the tears flow freely. Her tiny puppy is gone. Her happiness was taken away just like that. It felt like everything in her life that brought her even a glimpse of happiness was being snatched away. She curled up, feeling utterly helpless and alone.

The silence of the house weighed heavily on her. She could barely sleep that night, her mind replaying every detail of how things had gone so wrong.

She wished she could disappear, just like her puppy.

The next day, she went to school.

Gayathri stared blankly at the blackboard, the teacher's words floating past her as though they were being spoken underwater. Her mind was somewhere else entirely. Every time she blinked, she saw her puppy's face-the way his tiny body wiggled when he was excited, the warmth of his fur when she held him close. Now, all of it was just... gone.

The pit in her stomach grew heavier with each passing second. She had barely slept the night before, her mind racing with questions. Why had they done it? Why didn't anyone care how much the puppy meant to her? A sick, bitter feeling twisted inside her every time she thought of the casual way her relatives had dismissed her pain.

It's gone. We gave it away.

Just like that. As if her happiness was something they could throw away on a whim.

She fought back the tears that threatened to spill over. Crying in class would only draw attention she didn't want. People would ask questions, and she didn't have the energy to explain any of it. The last thing she wanted was sympathy from classmates who couldn't understand what it felt like to live in a house where no one cared.

The lunch bell rang, but Gayathri didn't move. She didn't feel like eating. She sat there, staring at her notebook, not seeing the words or numbers scrawled across the pages. She tried to hold it together, tried to pretend everything was fine, but inside, she was falling apart.

They took my puppy away. The thought echoed over and over in her mind, each time hitting her like a fresh wave of pain.

"Hey, Gayathri!" a voice broke through her thoughts. She glanced up to see Sathya standing in front of her desk, smiling as always. "Come on, let's go grab lunch!"

Gayathri forced a small smile, hoping it was enough to hide how hollow she felt. "Yeah, sure. I'm coming."

She stood up, mechanically packing her things, but her heart wasn't in it. Sathya, ever oblivious, chatted away as they walked to the canteen, not noticing the dullness in Gayathri's responses. Her mind was elsewhere, wandering back to her puppy, to the space in her heart where he used to be.

As they reached the canteen, she spotted Varun standing by their usual table. The moment their eyes met, she knew he could tell something was wrong. He didn't say anything right away, but the concern was clear in his gaze. He knew her too well.

They sat down, and Sathya launched into a story about some funny thing that happened during her math class. Gayathri barely registered the words. She felt like she was on the outside looking in, watching her friends talk and laugh while she remained trapped in her own mind, in her own grief.

When there was a brief lull in the conversation, Varun leaned closer. "Panda ma," he said quietly so that only she could hear. "What's going on?"

(ma- used to show some care and love also respect)

Her chest tightened. She didn't want to talk about it here, in the middle of the crowded canteen, but the weight of everything was too much to carry alone. She swallowed hard, her throat aching with the effort to keep her emotions in check.

"They gave him away," she whispered, her voice trembling. "My puppy... they gave him away."

Varun's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "What? Why? How could they-"

"I don't know," she cut him off, her voice breaking. She could feel the tears threatening to spill, and she hated herself for it. "They just didn't care. They don't care about anything I love."

As Gayathri's words hung in the air, Sathya's eyes welled up with tears. She reached out without hesitation, pulling Gayathri into a gentle side hug as if trying to shield her from the harshness of the world. The warmth of Sathya's embrace was comforting, but it only made Gayathri realize how much she'd been holding in.

"It's going to be okay," Sathya whispered, her voice shaky with emotion. "I'm so sorry you're going through this."

Gayathri leaned into the hug, her chest tightening as she fought the tears threatening to spill over. She didn't want to cry in front of her friends, but the weight of the loss and the cruelty she had endured was too much. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay, but she could feel her walls slowly crumbling.

Varun, sitting across from them, clenched his fists on the table, his knuckles white with tension. His jaw was tight, and although his eyes betrayed his concern for her, the only emotion visible on his face was anger. The frustration and fury he felt toward Gayathri's family were written in the harsh lines of his expression. He didn't trust himself to speak, afraid his words would only make things worse.

Sathya wiped at her own eyes, trying to hide the tears that had slipped down her cheeks. She glanced at Varun, noticing his silent rage, but said nothing. She knew him well enough to understand that beneath that anger, he was just as upset as she was, maybe more. But Varun wasn't the type to show it. He was the type to bottle it up, to let the anger simmer until he couldn't take it anymore.

For a moment, the three of them sat there, the air thick with unspoken feelings. Gayathri felt the weight of her friends' emotions, and for once, she didn't feel entirely alone. It didn't take away the pain, but it reminded her that she wasn't carrying it all by herself.

"You don't deserve this," Sathya murmured, pulling back slightly to look Gayathri in the eye. "None of this is your fault."

Gayathri nodded, though she wasn't sure she believed it. Her family had always found ways to make her feel small, to make her feel like nothing she loved mattered. It was hard to shake the feeling that maybe she didn't deserve better.

Varun's voice cut through the silence, low and firm. "I swear, Gayathri, one day you're going to get out of that house. And when you do, you'll never have to deal with people like them again."

His words hung in the air, filled with a fierce promise. Gayathri glanced at him, surprised by the intensity in his eyes. She knew Varun was angry for her-angry at the way her family had treated her-but seeing it so clearly on his face made her realize just how much he cared.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Both of you."

Sathya gave her another squeeze, sniffling quietly, while Varun leaned back in his seat, his fists finally unclenching, though the fire in his eyes remained. They sat in silence for a moment longer, the unspoken bond between them stronger than any words could express.

Gayathri knew she wasn't okay-not yet. But with Varun and Sathya by her side, maybe one day she would be.

Varun's thoughts raced as he watched Gayathri. He knew she needed time to process everything, but the longing to pull her into his arms was almost unbearable. His mind kept replaying the image of her returning home to find her puppy gone-her face falling, heartbreaking as her family dismissed it like it was nothing.

How can anyone be so cruel? His jaw clenched again, rage bubbling up just under the surface.

He forced himself to take a deep breath. Now wasn't the time to lose control. Right now, she needed calm, not more chaos. But it killed him to hold back when all he wanted was to protect her from everything.

Varun watched as Gayathri sank into Sathya's side hug, her face crumpling with the weight of everything she had been holding in. His heart clenched painfully in his chest. The moment she whispered that her family had given her puppy away, his blood boiled with a fury he could barely control.

How could they do that to her? The question pounded in his mind, over and over again, like a drumbeat of anger. He wanted to march over to her house and confront those heartless people-people who didn't seem to care about anything that brought her joy. Every tear Gayathri fought back only stoked the fire of his rage.

But he stayed silent. He had to. If he let the storm brewing inside him spill over, he wasn't sure he'd be able to stop. His hands were clenched into fists so tight that his nails dug into his palms, but he didn't care. The only thing he cared about was Gayathri-sitting there, trying to stay strong while her world crumbled around her.

I swear I'll take you away from that place, Panda. One day, I'll make sure they never hurt you again.

He could barely look at her without his chest tightening painfully. The sadness in her eyes, the way she tried so hard to hold it all in, broke something inside him. She was always the strong one, always pretending everything was fine, but he could see through the cracks. He knew her better than anyone, and seeing her like this... It made him feel powerless.

And he hated that feeling.

He looked down at his clenched fists and slowly relaxed them, knowing that anger wouldn't help her now. Instead, he channeled his energy into something more productive: a promise.

One day, Panda, He vowed silently. One day, you won't have to deal with their cruelty anymore. I'll take you far away from them. I'll give you the love, the kindness, and the life you deserve. You'll never feel like this again.

It wasn't just words in his head-it was a mission. A fire inside him that refused to go out. He would make it happen, no matter what it took.

More than anything, Varun wanted to cross the table, pull her into his arms, and never let go. He wanted to hug her tightly, to press his lips to her forehead, her cheeks, everywhere, until she felt the comfort and warmth she deserved. He wanted to kiss away her tears, to show her that she wasn't alone. She had him. She always would.

He glanced at Sathya, who was doing her best to comfort Gayathri. Varun appreciated it-Sathya had a gentle way of caring, and it seemed to be what Gayathri needed right now. But deep down, Varun wanted to be the one holding her, whispering reassurances that everything would be okay. He wanted to be the one who made her feel safe.

I can't stand seeing you like this, Panda, he thought, his eyes flickering with a mixture of anger and tenderness. You deserve so much more than what they're giving you. I'll give you everything if you just let me.

He could imagine it so clearly-taking her far away from her family, away from the suffocating cruelty she endured every day. He would build her a life where she never had to feel this kind of pain again. A life filled with everything she loved. A life where she smiled and laughed, without that haunted look in her eyes.

The thought of it burned in him, a fierce determination to make it a reality.

His heart ached to reach out to her. Every part of him was screaming to close the distance between them, to tell her that she didn't have to stay with those people. He could give her a better life. She deserved so much better.

But Varun swallowed the words. He didn't want to overwhelm her. Not here, not now. He had to be patient. Gayathri was fragile right now, and he couldn't let his own emotions add to the weight she was already carrying.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his voice low and steady, though the anger still simmered beneath the surface. "You shouldn't have to deal with this. You deserve better than this, Panda."

He meant it with every fiber of his being. If he could, he'd whisk her away that very moment and never look back. The thought of her being stuck in that toxic environment tore him apart. Every day she stayed there felt like another piece of her being chipped away, and Varun couldn't stand it.

As she whispered, "Thank you," he noticed the slight tremble in her voice. His heart squeezed painfully. He wished he could do more-say more-but for now, he had to settle for being the rock she needed.

he had to stay strong for her. Varun glanced at Gayathri again, her shoulders still hunched in quiet pain, and his heart shattered all over again. He couldn't hold back any longer.

Without saying a word, he stood up and walked around the table. Both Gayathri and Sathya looked up, startled, but Varun ignored the confusion in their eyes. He stopped in front of Gayathri, his gaze softening as he took in her tear-stained face. Her lips trembled, and she quickly looked down, as if embarrassed by her vulnerability.

That did it for him.

Before she could react, Varun crouched down and gently pulled her into his arms giving her a side hug. His touch was firm but tender as if trying to shield her from the world. Gayathri stiffened for a moment, surprised, but then she relaxed, melting into his embrace. He could feel her body trembling slightly, and it made him want to hold her even tighter.

He pressed his cheek against her hair, inhaling deeply, trying to hold back the overwhelming urge to kiss her all over-to let her feel just how much he cared, how much he wanted to take her pain away. But for now, he just held her, letting her know she wasn't alone.

"You don't have to be strong all the time," Varun whispered, his voice soft but full of emotion. "You can lean on me. I'm here. Always."

He felt her nod against his chest, her small movements barely noticeable. His hands tightened around her, but still, he held back from doing more. The urge to kiss her forehead, her cheeks, her lips-to make her forget all the pain-was almost suffocating, but he knew he had to go slow.

"I hate them," Varun muttered, the anger creeping back into his voice despite his best efforts. "I hate the way they treat you."

Gayathri didn't respond, but she shifted slightly in his arms, her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt. The small action made his heart ache even more.

He closed his eyes, fighting the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. He wanted to shout, to let her family know what they'd done was unforgivable. But more than anything, he wanted to make her smile again. To see the light return to her eyes, unclouded by sadness or fear.

Varun pulled back just enough to look at her, cupping her face gently in his hands. Her eyes were red, and a few tears still clung to her lashes. Without thinking, he kept his palm fingers on his lip and placed his hands on her forehead giving her an indirect kiss lingering there for a moment longer than he'd intended.

"I'll take you away from all of this," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "One day, I'll give you everything you deserve, Panda. I promise."

Her eyes fluttered open, and for the first time that day, a small glimmer of hope sparked behind the sadness. She didn't say anything, but the way she looked at him, with trust and vulnerability, told him everything he needed to know.

Varun's heart swelled with determination. This was his vow. He would make sure Gayathri never had to suffer like this again. One day, he'd give her the world.

But for now, he was content to stay right here, holding her in his arms, letting her know she was safe-letting her know she was loved.

And he wouldn't let anyone take that away from her.

Not ever again.

SATHYA'S POV:

Sathya stood quietly by as Varun embraced Gayathri, his own heart heavy with the weight of her pain. He had always known that her family treated her unfairly, but hearing about the puppy-that was a new level of cruelty. It made him sick to his stomach.

When Varun spoke, promising to take her away from all the hurt and give her the life she deserved, Sathya couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He had always admired Varun's fierce loyalty and love for Gayathri. At that moment, everything Varun said resonated deeply with him.

She deserves so much more, Sathya thought, his eyes misting over. He had been trying his best to comfort her, but hearing Varun's words, hearing someone else who cared for her as much as he did, filled him with a quiet joy. He wasn't alone in wanting to protect her.

Varun's promise was exactly what Sathya had been thinking all along, but he hadn't found the right words to say it. Now, seeing how much Varun cared, how determined he was to make things right for Gayathri, Sathya felt a deep sense of agreement.

She needs this. She needs both of us.

Sathya smiled softly, wiping the corner of his eyes, and gave a small nod of approval. Whatever Varun planned, he was on board. Together, they would make sure Gayathri never had to endure this pain again.

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