After a while, she looked where the stalls along the beach buzzed gently, their voices mingling with the sound of waves and the scent of roasted corn, sea salt, and sweet coconut water. Anaya walked slowly, her sandals brushing against the fine sand, her eyes caught between colors and memories. She wasn't in a hurry. She wanted to soak everything in each echo, each hue of the sky.
Anaya stopped in front of a small stall that sold handmade trinkets, bracelets with seashells, glass bottles filled with colored sand, and a little rack of keychains shaped like marine animals. Her gaze landed on a tiny blue whale, made of soft rubber with round, shiny eyes and a shy smile.
She reached out and touched it.
There was something about its simple face. Something lonely, like her. Or maybe… quietly hopeful to her.
"I'll take this one," she said softly.
The old woman at the stall smiled as she handed it to her. "A gift?"
Anaya looked down at the tiny whale in her palm, then shook her head. "No. A friend."
She clipped it to her sling bag and gave it a gentle pat. From that moment, the little whale became her only best friend, the one who didn't ask her to speak, one who would quietly go wherever she went, the who can listen everything she says without any talk back.
She walked further out, away from the crowds, toward the mountain path by the sea. The sky had begun to shift into evening, the clouds turning faint shades of pink and peach. The sea, ever faithful, mirrored the changing sky. The higher she climbed, the more breathtaking the view became. Hills rolled behind her, the village lights beginning to sparkle like stars. In front, the vast ocean stretched endlessly, waiting for the moon.
And then it came.
The moon rose slowly, as if emerging from the very heart of the sea. At first, just a pale shimmer, then brighter and rounder. Anaya sat on a smooth rock and watched it rise. It looked perfect but not a quite full moon. Just like her. And that, in its own way, made it more beautiful.
She stayed there for a long time, saying nothing. Thinking nothing.
Only feeling...
the night is getting thicker, Anaya finally reached the home. after finishing her dinner, she slept in her room without any other thoughts.
the next day morning, Anaya packing her things up into her backpack. and then, her grandmother entered into her room and asked her after seeing her packing her things up. "are you going?"
Anaya replied, " yes, grandma! I just.. I just missed home and then I returned here without reporting to higher ups."
her grandma said, " ohh! its okk. then take care of yourself there and eat more, if the food is doesn't taste well. just bought outside and eat. if you want money call me, i'll send you. I know, that you are picky about food but eat more what you like. okk!"
Anaya whispered, "grandma! I don't need any money and also I've money. i'm living better there, you don't have to tire yourself up because of me. rest more. okay!"
her grandmother whispered, " okay.. okay..!" then, her grandmother bring some snacks into her room and packed a bundle of snacks like some are homemade sweets, dry mango slices, and fried peanuts. everything sealed neatly in paper and tied with string. She even tucked in a little packet of mango pickle. and settled them in another bag.
"Eat whenever you feel lonely," grandma said.
Anaya smiled and hugged her. "I do."
then after a while, Anaya had breakfast with her grandmother and said a warm goodbye to her grandma. not only to her grandma, but to the whole village. she doesn't when she will be able to return again.
then, she got in the bus and reached the railways station.
At the railway station, she waved one last time before stepping into the train to the place where she likes to stay. Anaya finally settled herself in her seat. in the compartment the seats were mostly empty, the journey slow. The landscape blurred past the window, green fields, grazing cows, distant temples.
the next day morning..
By the time she reached Hyderabad, the city had begun to hum with the buzz of Valentine's Day.
The metro station near the university was filled with students carrying roses, balloons, and gift bags. Anaya held her sling bag tighter, the little whale keychain swaying with each step. She didn't feel out of place, not exactly. But she didn't feel like she belonged in their noise either.
she reached the university gates, but don't want to get into the college. Anaya thinking,... "even if go to the college, what's the use. all of them are already outside."
then, she decided instead of returning to her dorm right away, she headed to the restaurant where she had been worked part-time. The small doorbell jingled as she stepped inside the restaurant.
The owner, a kind man in his forties, looked up in surprise.
"Anaya? You disappeared for four days. is everything okay?"
She bowed slightly, her voice soft. "I'm sorry. I just got somethings at home and leaved suddenly. But… I'd like to work today. Overtime, if possible."
He studied her for a moment and then gave a gentle smile. "It's Valentine's Day. The place will be packed. You're always welcome."
Anaya went to the backroom, changed into the long cream skirt that she used to wear that she leaved it here before, and weared a black mask. then, she took out her violin case and sat on her place, where she used to play.
Anaya whispered herself, " I hadn't played in days...."
But as soon as she touched the strings, her fingers remembered. The first few notes were shaky, but then the melody flowed, gentle and warm. The same kind she used to play on quiet evenings when the sun was tired and hearts were still healing.
A piece of strings... violin music... music... music...
The restaurant filled up quickly. Laughter, murmurs, clinking plates. And in the background, her violin sang stories. Of longing, of peace, of someone who didn't speak much but still wanted to be heard.
Many customers stayed longer just to listen. Some smiled at her, others simply closed their eyes and let the music carry them.
When the last table emptied and the lights dimmed, Anaya sat in a quiet corner, her body aching, her heart full. She rested there for the night, curled up in the corner seat by the window, the little whale keychain still hanging from her bag beside her.
[February 15th... shows in a calender.]
The morning was clear and cold as she waked up, the owner of the restaurant put money on Anaya's hand.
Anaya asked in shock, "Boss, what happened. why did gave me money. do you want me to leave here... why?"
the owner whispered, "don't... its the payment of yesterday's collection. yesterday, the business went well. I don't how can i say thank you to you. so, i just decided to gave you the bonus."
Anaya whispered with smile on her face, "Boss! I know that i don't look well. but, you decided to give me this job. i don't want this. well, i'll just take the salary. it was yours, i just want to made up for my mistake, I don't need any money now."
then the owner said with sadness, "how could this be.. well, I know that you never meant to slack off on work. but, this is for your talent. without that our restaurant had been closed. how about this, do you need anything? just ask me, i'll try my best to help you out."
Anaya whispered with excitement, "really.. i've something to ask you.."
the owner said, "its okay! you can ask me anything.."
Anaya whispered slowly..., " then, I want to live here. the store room had not been used at all, i want to live there. I'll clean it myself. is it okay!"
the owner hesitated and said, "well, I don't have any problem to give it to you. but, why you want to live here.."
Anaya replied, "its nothing, I don't have any enough to spend on hostel fee, even if I do, the food in canteen is getting worse and worse. I promise, after finding a room i'll leave here. and also I can do the chorus in the restaurant."
the owner replied, hmm, okay! you can live. but, you don't have to do any other works and also focus on your studies more.
Anaya replied, "hmm! thank you boss."
then, she returned to the hostel, seems like all of her roommates had gone to the college.
she freshen up herself and made her way to the college..
The moment she stepped into the corridors, the students who are in the corridors, all heads turned towards her.
Whispers began, hushed and fast.
But she didn't pause. Didn't shrink.
She walked with her usual quiet step, her eyes soft but steady. The little whale bounced gently by her side.
As she entered the classroom, all conversations fell silent. Her classmates turned toward her with wide eyes. some in disbelief, some in quiet awe.
She paused at the doorway for a moment.
They were all staring at her.
But she didn't know why.
She gave them a small nod and walked to her seat without a word.
Whatever it was, whatever they had seen or heard… she didn't need to know it now. Not yet.
but, she is in dilemma and questioned herself, "why they were all staring at me..."