The professor's secret

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The rehearsal hall was buzzing with energy, but for Naina, every sound felt like a sharp sting. As she stood near the back of the room, waiting for her turn, she heard the unmistakable, mocking voice of Sakshi, her senior.

"Naina, sorry to disappoint you, but the audience doesn't want to see a fat girl in a school drama. Can you even imagine your entry? Everyone's waiting for the heroine to appear, and then you walk in, wearing a saree. Just picture it—how terrible would that look on you?" Sakshi's voice was filled with malice, and she wasn't alone. The group of girls surrounding her burst into laughter, each one contributing to the cruel atmosphere that made Naina feel smaller with every word.

"And how would we even drape that saree on your... big waist?" Sakshi added, her words dripping with venom. The other girls joined in, their laughter ringing in Naina's ears.

Naina's heart hammered in her chest, her hands trembling at her sides. Her gaze dropped to the floor, unable to look at those girls—those perfect girls with their slender bodies and flawless appearances. How could she compete with them? How could she even hope to fit in? At 90 kilograms, Naina felt like an alien in her own skin.

She just wanted to disappear. She wanted to curl up in bed, bury herself under the covers, and eat dark chocolate until she could forget their cruel words, even if it was only for a moment.

Another voice cut through the air, even harsher than the last.

"Naina, why don't you try joining a gym so you can get rid of that belly fat? You look like a big bear. I can't even imagine you in a saree. Honestly, people might start throwing cans and bottles at us during your performance. Just think about it!" The another girl's voice was full of disdain. The cruel laughter that followed made her stomach churn. The words hit like a punch, and Naina felt a lump form in her throat. Her hands trembled as she fought to keep herself from breaking down right there.

She lowered her head even more, her face hidden behind a curtain of hair. Slowly, almost robotically, she began to shuffle toward the exit. She didn't want to hear any more. She couldn't stand it. The sound of their laughter, their judgment, echoed in her mind. She just wanted to escape.

But before she could reach the door, a voice snapped her out of her spiral.

"Naina! I'm talking to you. Are you listening?"

It was Keshav's voice—sharp, annoyed. The words cut through her thoughts like a knife. She blinked, startled. She had completely forgotten where she was. She wasn't in the rehearsal hall anymore. She was sitting in Keshav's office, and she'd been zoned out while he lectured her.

Keshav stood in front of her, arms crossed, his face a mask of frustration. "I'm talking to you, Naina," he repeated, his voice rising. "Why are you zoning out again? I'm trying to help you, but you're not even trying to listen!"

She snapped back to reality, her eyes darting to Keshav's face. He was staring at her with irritation, clearly waiting for a response.

"Are you even paying attention, Naina?" Keshav's words were sharp, and Naina could feel the weight of his gaze boring into her.

"I'm sorry, sir," Naina whispered, her voice barely audible. She wished she could be more confident, but all she could do was lower her head, afraid to meet his gaze.

"You've got so much potential, but you keep messing things up." His voice was less angry now, but still filled with disappointment. He sighed, rubbing his temples, clearly trying to remain calm. "Why do you do this to yourself? Why can't you just focus?"