The Healing Bond

Awakening Hearts

CHAPTER 11:Awakening Hearts

Radhika's POV

It was 10 PM, and our hostel room, illuminated by dim lights, was filled with the hushed intensity of late-night studying. Visakha and I were both deeply engrossed in our textbooks, our determined expressions reflecting our unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The upcoming exams served as a shared purpose that bound us together.

Our tranquil environment was abruptly disrupted by a call from Aarav, which injected an air of tension into the room. His voice carried an undertone of worry as he spoke, "Radhika, Visakha, it's Aarav. Aditya is missing, and he left his phone behind."

My heart raced, and I exchanged a concerned look with Visakha. Aditya rarely disappeared without a trace, and Aarav's urgency amplified our unease.

"We need to find Aditya," I proposed, my voice barely above a whisper. However, leaving the hostel at this hour was strictly against the rules, and the gatekeepers were known for their vigilance. Yet, the urgency of the situation left us with no alternative.

"We'll have to slip out without alerting the guards," I murmured to Visakha, who nodded in agreement. With careful precision, we stealthily navigated past the common room, down the hallway, and eventually arrived at the hostel's entrance.

Our approach to the gate was cautious, and our hearts pounded with the fear of being caught. The night was eerily silent, with only the faint chirping of crickets, emphasizing the secrecy of our mission. Holding our breath, we managed to evade the guard, who was momentarily distracted by something in the opposite direction.

Outside, the cool night air sent shivers down my spine, but our determination to locate Aditya fueled our courage. We began our journey toward town, guided by the faint glow of streetlights. I could sense Visakha's unease, her tension palpable like the taut strings of a violin.

When we reached a midpoint, we spotted Aarav waiting for us. Visakha clung to my arm, her grip reflecting her unease about being out so late at night. I recommended, "Visakha, why don't you go with Aarav? I'll continue the search for Aditya alone. It's best you're not out here if you're feeling scared."

Visakha hesitated but ultimately consented. Aarav and Visakha proceeded on their way, leaving me to continue my search in solitude. I assured her, "I'll find Aditya. Don't worry."

We scoured the surroundings for half an hour, but there was no sign of Aditya. Then, I recalled that both Visakha and I had seen him rush off with his bicycle.

I called Aarav, "Aarav, what happened before Aditya left the room? Did he mention anything to you?"

Aarav's voice conveyed sadness as he explained, "His parents found out about his basketball participation. They scolded him, and I think it really upset him. He left the room in a hurry, and I haven't seen him since."

My heart sank. I understood how vital basketball was to Aditya and how much he cherished his independence. The conflict between his passion for the sport and his parents' expectations was undoubtedly weighing heavily on him. It was time to retrace Aditya's hurried steps.

I headed towards the school's basketball court, a place where Aditya had always found solace in the sport he loved. The night had grown darker, and the court was shrouded in shadows, in stark contrast to the vibrant life it held during the day.

As I approached, a solitary figure lying on the ground became discernible. Drawing nearer, I realized it was Aditya, his entire body glistening with sweat. He appeared utterly exhausted, as if he had given his all to the game he loved.