Chapter 37: Tears Behind the Smile

The lunch bell rang across the school.

Students rushed out of their classrooms, filling the corridors with laughter and chatter.

Yash closed his notebook and looked at Aarav.

Yash: "Let's check on them."

Aarav nodded.

The two brothers first walked towards Ayat's classroom.

They found her sitting with a few girls, happily eating the lunch Poornima had packed.

One of the girls laughed at something Ayat said, making Ayat laugh too.

Aarav smiled.

Aarav: "Looks like she's already made friends."

Yash nodded.

Yash: "That's good."

He didn't disturb her.

The two brothers quietly walked away and headed towards Aarhan's classroom.

Yash looked inside.

His seat...

Was empty.

He frowned.

Yash: "Where's Aarhan?"

The class teacher looked up.

Teacher: "He asked permission to go to the washroom a few minutes ago."

Yash and Aarav exchanged worried glances.

Without wasting a second, they hurried towards the washroom.

They checked one after another.

Finally, from the last cubicle...

They heard soft sobs.

Yash gently knocked.

Yash: "Aarhan?"

The crying immediately stopped.

No answer came.

Yash knocked again.

His voice became softer.

Yash: "Aarhan... it's me."

After a few seconds, the door slowly opened.

Aarhan stood there with red, tear-filled eyes.

His cheeks were wet.

The moment he saw Yash and Aarav...

He couldn't hold back anymore.

He burst into tears.

Yash immediately knelt in front of him.

He gently held Aarhan's shoulders.

Yash: "Hey..."

His voice was calm.

Yash: "Look at me."

Aarhan slowly lifted his head.

Yash wiped away his tears with his handkerchief.

Yash: "What happened?"

Aarhan lowered his eyes again.

He didn't answer.

Aarav crouched beside him.

Aarav: "Did someone hurt you?"

Still...

Silence.

Yash spoke patiently.

Yash: "You don't have to be scared."

He gently squeezed Aarhan's shoulder.

Yash: "Tell me what happened."

Aarhan tried to speak, but his voice broke.

Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks.

Yash didn't rush him.

He simply stayed beside him, waiting for his little brother to find the words.