Chapter 10: A Quiet Victory

Winter passed and spring came. The chill faded, replaced by the scent of blooming jasmine and the promise of new beginnings. Exam fever hit full force. With one month left before the board exams, everyone was cramming.

For the farewell function, Riya, as cultural committee member, stood at the podium, clipboard in hand. 'Priya, do you wear XXL or XXXL?' A few kids snickered. I straightened my back, looked her in the eye. 'I wear size S…'

A hush fell. Riya’s pen paused mid-tick. For a split second, hope flickered—maybe someone would defend me. My throat closed up, hands going cold, but Kabir caught my eye, giving a silent thumbs-up from across the room. For the first time, I let myself smile, just a little, and it was enough.

As the rain hammered the tin roof that afternoon, I wondered if anyone would ever see me as more than just moti.