Back when life was simple and snacks meant the world, Ishika's happiest days were computer class days.
Twice a week, after their regular lessons, Ishika, her younger brother, and a few classmates would head to a special place — the principal's house. It wasn't just a house, though. It also served as a hostel for boys, including their seniors, tucked quietly behind the school buildings.
But to them, it was magical.
Upstairs, in a small room with a PC that hummed like a tired spaceship, they learned everything from Paint to WordPad. Or at least… they were supposed to.
"It's a computer class," Suryakant would say with a grin, "but today's lesson is… Disney!"
They'd watch Tangled, Cars, or whatever new animated movie he'd downloaded that week. Sometimes, they played simple games — racing, puzzles, dress-up. Ishika, sitting cross-legged on the mat with her lunchbox by her side, felt like she belonged in a world far away from tests and rules.
They knew they weren't supposed to.But it was their top secret.
"Class Top Secret," her brother would whisper, eyes twinkling."No snitching!" they'd giggle in chorus.
And Suryakant? He was like an elder brother — firm when needed, fun when allowed, and always fair. Ishika looked up to him with quiet admiration. She'd never had a real elder brother outside of home, and somehow, this bond felt… safe.
But childhood doesn't stay innocent forever.
In fifth standard, a new girl joined their class — Deepali. She was bright, cheerful, and quickly made friends. Ishika liked her. Deepali was funny, friendly, and easy to talk to. Over time, Deepali became close with Ishika and — unexpectedly — with Suryakant too.
That's when things started to shift.
Ishika noticed it in the little moments. How Suryakant now praised Deepali more. How he looked at her first before speaking to the group. How she got the better spot in computer class. These were small things, but Ishika felt them. And though she didn't understand why it stung… it did.
Still, she said nothing.She was only a child, but her silence knew how to carry pain.
Around this time, Ishika also made another friend — Sarvadnya, through Deepali. They were a happy little group… or so she thought.
Then came the lunch break that changed everything.
It was just a normal afternoon. Ishika sat on the bench with Deepali and Yuvraj, laughing between bites of idli and mango pickle. That's when Deepali began talking about Eram, their classmate.
"She acts like she's so innocent," Deepali said, rolling her eyes."Yeah," Yuvraj added, "but she always complains to the teachers."
They spoke quickly, casually — as if words didn't have weight. Ishika didn't fully agree, but caught in the moment, in the laughter, she said something too. Something small. Something wrong. And it was enough.
She didn't know Eram had overheard.She didn't know what was coming.
The next day was Friendship Day.
Children walked around with bright bands, ribbons, and handmade cards. Some had twenty on their wrists. Others gave them shyly, one by one. Ishika had even made one the night before, unsure who she'd give it to.
Then Eram approached.
Her eyes were red. Her voice was trembling.
"You hurt me, Ishika," she said."I'm going to tell the principal. And my mom."
Ishika froze. Her face went pale. Not because of the threat — but because in that instant, she realized she had done something wrong. Her parents had always taught her to never speak ill behind someone's back, to own her mistakes. And now, the mistake was standing in front of her.
Worse still, Yuvraj and Deepali had told Eram everything Ishika said.But not what they had said.Not the full truth.
So the blame fell only on her.
That entire day, Ishika walked with a heavy heart. Friendship Day felt like punishment. Yuvraj and Deepali exchanged bands with everyone — even Eram. They laughed, shared chocolates, while Ishika stood on the side, wondering if she'd lost all of them in a single afternoon.
Later, they came to her.
"It's okay, Ishika," Deepali said sweetly."We told Eram you didn't mean it," Yuvraj added.
Then, as if nothing had happened, they tied a friendship band around her wrist.
Ishika smiled, but her heart didn't.
She looked at the colorful threads on her hand and realized… these bands meant nothing. Not when truth could be twisted. Not when friendship came with conditions and betrayals.
That day, something changed in her.Not loudly. Not all at once.
But a quiet wall began to rise.And behind that wall, she began to guard her heart.
Even children feel pain.They just don't always have the words for it.
And Ishika… she began learning the hardest lesson of all:
Not every friend stays.Not every smile is honest.And not every apology heals what was broken.