Chapter 16: Chapter 13

She didn’t look back as she walked away.

“Is it over before it even begins?” I whispered to myself, feeling a pang of something I couldn’t quite name.

I couldn't sleep the whole night— anticipating Noorie's reaction. My experience suggests that she will be mad given how many times I have lowered myself. But this can't go on like this— the relationship has to end, today only.

At the cafeteria

The cafeteria was bustling with life, but I was sitting at the corner table, detached from the noise, with my mind replaying Siya’s words from last night.

“If a relationship can’t bring you peace, even in the chaos of life, it’s not love. It’s a compromise”.

I looked up as Noorie entered, her head held high, exuding confidence like always. She walked over, the click of her heels echoing through the space. Her smirk was as sharp as ever.

“Oh Raghav”, she drawled, taking the seat across the table. “What’s so urgent that you couldn't wait till evening ?”

I leaned back in my chair, “We need to talk”.

Noorie raised an eyebrow, feigning interest. “Oh, me too. I’ve been meaning to say something”. She flipped her hair, her voice sweet but today it contains smugness. “I think we should break up”.

Her words hung in the air, but I didn’t even flinch. Instead, I nodded without even realising it. “You’re right. We should”.

For a second, Noorie froze, her self-assured mask slipped. I had an idea about her being hypothetical that I was sure. Today, I wasn't going to beg her to stay.

“Wait, what?” she stammered, her voice rising slightly.

“You’re right”, Raghav repeated calmly, his gaze steady. “This relationship isn’t working. And I can't take this further, so you are free to marry. It’s over”. I did it.

Her aura completely changed. Her eyes got narrowed, her tone sharpening. “I expected a little more fight, Raghav. What happened to you being the one who can’t live without me ?”

I couldn't help but smile. “I realized I’ve been living just fine. In fact, better without the constant wedding drama you bring”.

I guess the words struck her like a slap. Her composure shattered, and her voice turned venomous. “You’re unbelievable! After everything I’ve done for you—been there for you—this is what I get ?”

My jaw tightened, “Been there for me? Let’s not rewrite history, Noorie. You’ve been there for yourself, always making sure I paid the price for every ounce of peace. This wasn’t a relationship. It was a compromise. It's a compromise. I said it exactly like Siya showed me. The naked truth of my relationship. I was a joker in Noorie’s entire life.

But her face was reddened with anger and embarrassment as the nearby tables grew silent. She grabbed her cold coffee, and without warning, flung it straight at me. Never in my life, I have ever got this much angry. My hands were trembling to do something but I tried to relax myself.

Gasps rippled through the cafeteria as the icy liquid soaked my shirt. The cold rage of mine made everyone in the room hold their breath.

Noorie’s smirk grew, triumphant and cruel, but it vanished the moment I met her gaze. My eyes locked on hers, unflinching and cold as steel. She shifted in her seat, the confidence draining from her posture.

“Listen carefully, Noorie,” I said, my voice low but cutting through the silence. “If you ever try that again, I won’t hesitate to throw hot coffee at you. And trust me—I’ll make sure it burns.” The room went deathly quiet. Noorie’s smirk faltered, her confidence crumbled under my icy glare.

People nearby began pulling out their phones long before the confrontation reached its peak. Whispers filled the air, mostly siding with me. As they should.

“Good for him. She’s been awful to him for months.”

“He is single now, we got the turn”

“Noorie is such a brat”

“Yeah she is awful”

“Finally, he stood up to her.”

Noorie’s face flushed as she realized the crowd wasn’t on her side. “You think you’re so perfect, Raghav?” she hissed, desperate to regain control.

I stepped closer, making my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Let me make this clear to everyone here,” I said, addressing the entire cafeteria. “Noorie and I are done. We’re breaking up, and we’ll never pursue each other again. This chapter is closed.”

The crowd murmured in agreement, some even clapping softly.

I turned back to Noorie, with a cold whisper. “This is the last time you’ll try to humiliate me, Noorie. I’m done playing your games. Goodbye.”

Without waiting for a response, Raghav walked out of the cafeteria, his soaked shirt clinging to him but his head held high.

As he stepped into the crisp air outside, he felt an unfamiliar sense of relief. Siya’s words echoed in his mind again, and for the first time, he truly understood them.