Chapter 5: Truth or Consequence

06

"How about... we just tell the truth."

Meera’s voice was tiny but steady, her messy braid trailing over her shoulder, eyes red from crying. She fidgeted with a broken bangle, as if it could ward off the fear.

But with fierce Chanchal standing behind her—hands on hips, eyes blazing—I understood where the courage came from. Chanchal was always the one to fight for anyone’s honour, her anger righteous and loud. Their presence together tightened the air, everyone waiting for what would come next.

I touched my locket, murmuring the childhood mantra Amma had taught me, desperate for some shred of protection. The room, stifling and reeking of old formaldehyde, felt smaller than ever. The faded science charts curled at the corners, and the squeak of chalk under someone’s nervous grip seemed to echo forever.

Somewhere in the chaos, I’d lost my best friend. Or maybe she’d just chosen to leave me behind.