Maybe, Maybe Not!

Nisha’s Reflection: Her last year trauma

The weight of the past year still lingered in Nisha’s mind as she sat in her room, the soft glow of her bedside lamp casting a warm light over her as she rested against her pillow. It was a moment of stillness in an otherwise chaotic world.

She closed her eyes, the sounds of the school day still echoing in her head—the laughter, the whispers, the stares. And then, there was him. The boy who had first caught her attention with his harmless compliments, the kind she had dismissed with a polite smile, thinking it was nothing more than typical high school behavior.

But it wasn’t nothing.

Nisha flinched, a wave of discomfort rising within her chest. The memory of how things spiraled after he proposed to her came rushing back, and her stomach twisted.

She had never liked him, never felt anything more than indifference. She had rejected his advances as kindly as she could. But when he couldn't handle her rejection, when his pride and ego were bruised, that was when everything changed.

He had surrounded her, his friends jeering and laughing, hurling insults in front of everyone. "You think you're too good for us? Not even a chance, huh?" The words stung, a bitter reminder of how rejection could be met with cruelty. Her heart had pounded as the abuse escalated, each word cutting deeper into her.

The worst part wasn’t the boys themselves. It wasn’t even their harsh words that rattled her—it was the silence of everyone else.

The girls stood there, whispering behind their hands, some of them even nodding in agreement with the boys. The teachers saw it happen but chose to look the other way. Why? Why was it always her?

She remembered standing in front of the class, her hands shaking, her voice barely a whisper when she tried to explain what happened.

"It was just a rejection," she had said, her voice wavering. "I didn’t deserve all this..."

But no one listened.

The teachers blamed her. They told her it was her fault for leading him on, for giving him the wrong impression.

Her parents were the only ones who believed her. They stood by her, even when everyone else turned their backs. The memory of their comforting words in the face of such injustice still brought a tear to her eye. We trust you, Nisha. We know you didn’t do anything wrong.

But even that wasn’t enough to erase the damage. How could she fall for anyone again? How could she let someone in when her experience with trust had been so violently shaken? The thought of someone like him—that boy who couldn’t handle a simple “no”—brought a chill to her spine.

What if Arvind, too, was just like him? What if, by allowing herself to feel something for him, she was only setting herself up for more hurt?

Her mind raced with questions she couldn’t answer. Why can't I just like someone without this fear? Why is it so hard to trust my own feelings?

Nisha opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, her thoughts tangled in a knot. Maybe I could find someone who really understood me, someone who could see past the rejection and the pain and just... love me.

But, as much as she longed for that, she didn’t know how to make it happen. Every time she thought she could trust someone, that old fear crept in. What if he was just like them?

The boy had harassed her. Her classmates had shunned her. Her teachers had blamed her. Her heart ached as she whispered, almost to herself, I just want someone who will listen to me, who will believe in me. Someone who won’t hurt me, someone I can trust.

Her breath caught in her throat, and she wiped away a stray tear that had rolled down her cheek. The fear of falling for someone, of trusting again, felt suffocating.

What if I never find someone who gets it?

She let out a shaky breath and closed her eyes again, her mind heavy with that final thought. I just wish I could find someone who understands me, loves me for who I am, believes me when I say I’m not lying, and listens when I speak. Someone I can cuddle with every day without wondering if he’s going to be cruel. Someone who will make me feel safe, no matter what -

Absolutely, let’s capture his side and make it authentic to his character. Here's how we can structure and explore his perspective:

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Arvind’s Side: A Normal Boy, Until She Came Along

Arvind had always been the kind of guy who lived in his own world. The world of books, bikes, and casual hangouts with friends. He was never the type to go out of his way to notice girls, and honestly, he never really had to. His life was simple, and that was exactly how he liked it. He wasn’t a boy who noticed the subtle blush of a girl across the room, nor did he pay attention to the fleeting gazes exchanged in hallways.

His older sister Meera had always been the overachiever, the one everyone compared him to. But Meera didn’t rub it in his face—she never tried to make him feel small. Instead, they shared a bond that was rare for siblings. Meera was always there for him, teasing him in the most affectionate way, and in return, he admired her for being so effortlessly brilliant. He had always felt like the quieter, laid-back one, while she was the firecracker. But there was no competition, no rivalry—just understanding. She was the genius, and he was... well, just Arvind. And that was fine with him.

But then, puberty came crashing into his life, and things started changing—suddenly, he began noticing things he had never noticed before. Things like... her.

It was a regular day, nothing out of the ordinary. He was heading to the library for his usual afternoon study session when his gaze landed on a new face. She was sitting in the courtyard, her head tilted slightly as she talked with her friends. She laughed, and the sound of it seemed to echo in his chest in a way he couldn’t understand.

At first, it was nothing more than a passing thought. Just another new student in school. But then he saw her again, walking through the hallways with an effortless grace, her hair swaying with every step.

His heart did something odd. It skipped. Was this what people talked about when they said they noticed someone?

He tried to shake off the feeling, but it lingered, like a question he couldn’t answer.

That night, as he sat on his bed, Meera barged into his room, as usual. "So, Arvind... have you noticed the new girl?" she asked, her voice teasing but gentle.

Arvind looked up from his book, suddenly feeling a little awkward. "No... why would I?" he mumbled, trying to act indifferent.

Meera raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Uh-huh, sure," she said with a smirk, before continuing, "I bet you’ve noticed her. She’s kinda... different. Like, interesting different. Or maybe I’m wrong, you know, I’m just teasing."

Arvind just shrugged, trying to play it cool. "She’s fine. Nothing special," he said, hoping it sounded convincing.

But deep down, he knew that wasn’t true. There was something about her that was different.

The next day, his friend, Rohan, casually brought her up. "Hey, did you see the new girl? Nisha? She’s been getting all the attention, bro."

Arvind shrugged, feeling a strange discomfort in his chest. "What about her?" he asked, trying to mask the sudden nerves building up inside him.

Rohan chuckled, "Dude, are you telling me you don’t care? I can see it in your face. You’ve got a crush on her, haven’t you?"

Arvind froze for a second before giving a quick, almost defensive response. "No, I don’t. Just stop," he muttered, rolling his eyes, not sure if he was trying to convince Rohan or himself.

But it was true. Something had shifted in the air. Nisha was different—she wasn’t like the others. She had a presence that made him forget his usual cool demeanor.

He didn’t know what to do with these feelings. He’d never really had a crush before, never really cared enough to be confused about someone. But with her, it felt different. She was mysterious, and yet, there was something so genuine about her. The way she carried herself, her quiet confidence, the way she didn't try to blend in with the crowd...

One day, as he walked past the hallway, he saw her laughing with a group of friends. His heart did that odd flutter again, and he couldn’t help but stare, his eyes lingering on her. He quickly looked away, pretending he hadn’t just felt his pulse spike. But there was no denying it anymore—he was interested in Nisha.

He couldn’t help but wonder—was it just a crush? Or was it something more?

Arvind sat back in his seat during the next class, his mind wandering. He caught a glimpse of Nisha sitting near the window, her eyes lost in thought, a faint smile on her lips. For the first time in a long while, Arvind found himself staring, not at the book in front of him, but at her.

His thoughts were interrupted by Meera, who smirked as she leaned over and whispered, "You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?"

Arvind rolled his eyes, but deep down, he knew she was right. "No, I’m not," he muttered.

But in truth, he was.

---

Certainly! Here’s a monologue reflecting the contrast between Nisha and Arvind, highlighting how they come from different worlds, with differing mindsets and experiences:

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Nisha’s Monologue:

She’s been running on guard for as long as she can remember, always on the lookout for the next betrayal, the next hurt, the next disappointment. Every smile, every word, every glance—it all feels like it could be a lie, a trap. Life has taught her to be cautious, to question every gesture of kindness, every whispered compliment, because she knows what happens when you let your guard down.

She has been the new girl in too many schools, seen the looks, heard the whispers. When she was younger, it was just harmless curiosity. But as she grew, so did the stakes. The boys who once looked at her like she was just another face in the crowd, began to look at her like she was something to possess, something to conquer. Their words—they were sharper than knives, cutting into the self-worth she had fought so hard to build. The rejection, the harsh laughter, the cruel whispers—they cut deeper than she ever thought words could. She couldn’t run fast enough to escape it, couldn’t hide herself deeply enough in the walls she built around her.

Her parents tried to protect her, but they couldn’t shield her from everything. They never pushed her, never expected her to be more than she was. All they wanted was for her to be happy. But happiness? It felt like a fragile thing, so easily shattered. So she learned to hide, to stay quiet, to keep her heart locked away. She told herself, You don’t need anyone. You can be strong on your own. No one’s worth the pain.

And now, even in this new school, with its promises of starting fresh, she wonders if it’s all just going to be the same. The same hurt, the same disappointment. She doesn’t know if she’s strong enough to let someone in again. The pain from the past still lingers like a scar—deep and raw.

Maybe it’s easier to keep everyone at arm’s length. Maybe it's safer that way.

---

Arvind’s Monologue:

He never expected to feel this way. He never even knew this feeling existed. Growing up, his world was simple. He had his sister, who was way smarter than him, and his friends, who always joked around. Girls? They were just... there. He never noticed them like that. They were part of the background, part of life. His sister was the genius, the star. He was just the guy who went along with the flow. And that was fine. He never really thought much about it. He never had to.

But something happened when she walked into the room.

Nisha.

He wasn’t sure what it was at first. He just noticed her. Noticed the way her eyes flickered, how she seemed to live in a world of her own, lost in thoughts. He didn’t think much of it—until he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Every glance, every moment, every smile she gave to someone else felt like it was meant for him. And it confused him. What was he supposed to do with this feeling? He wasn’t someone who overthought things. But this? This was different.

He tried to brush it off. Tried to convince himself it was nothing. But every time she passed by him in the hallway, every time their eyes met—he couldn’t help but feel something stir inside him. Something strange. Something exciting. He tried to keep it casual, like it was no big deal. But it was a big deal. It felt like his world was shifting, like things were changing in ways he couldn’t control.

And then came the moment that made everything more real than he was ready for—the way his heart skipped when he saw her smile, when she finally acknowledged him. He tried to play it cool, but he knew she saw right through him. He had to admit it. He was interested. Maybe more than interested.

But now, he can’t help but wonder, Is this what it’s supposed to feel like? The butterflies, the nervous energy? He doesn’t have the answers. All he knows is, for the first time, he’s paying attention to something he didn’t even know was important before.

And it scares him. Because he knows nothing about love. Nothing about girls. Nothing about how this is supposed to work. What if he messes it up?

But he has to try. Doesn’t he?

---

They come from different worlds. Different mindsets. Different experiences.

Nisha, who has built walls around herself so high that even she wonders if anyone could ever scale them. She has learned, over the years, that trust is a fragile thing and love, even more so. Every step forward feels like a risk. A step into the unknown, where the ground could suddenly disappear beneath her.

And Arvind, who has lived a life without worrying about these things, without even knowing they matter. He grew up in the comfort of simplicity, where things just made sense. Girls were not a complication. Life was about jokes, friendships, and studying. He didn’t know what it was like to guard his heart. He never had to.

Now, they both find themselves in a world where everything is shifting. Nisha is caught between wanting to stay safe and wondering if she can open her heart again. Arvind is trying to understand a feeling he never knew existed, questioning how this new attraction fits into his simple world.

One is scared of getting hurt again. The other is scared of making a mistake. Both are trying to find a way forward, but neither of them has the answers.

Maybe, just maybe, they’re meant to figure it out together.

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