CHAPTER - 6

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"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning"
--- Paulo Coelho

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5 years ago--

Vahni POV:

I wake up in the morning to see that I am 30 minutes late. Last night, I could barely sleep, I was up the whole night studying for the last exam of the mid-sem, biology is so tough, why can't even one subject be easier? I hurriedly do my morning business, wear my uniform, and run downstairs. My parents have already left for their work. I grab an apple, lock the front door, and somehow manage to catch the 8:30 bus.

When I reach school, I see the corridors are almost empty. I check my watch to see that the exams are about to start in 10 minutes, and my class is on the fourth floor. Great! I don't even need extra workout. My lungs burn, and I am out of breath by the time I reach my classroom. I take out my essentials and enter.

Immediately, I halt. We have been paired up with students of other streams for this exam. I knew it, I had seen it last night, but I didn't know which students... I see Vihaan sitting at the corner of the classroom, my seat is just diagonal to him. As I walk over to mine, I glance back to see him watching me through his peripheral vision.

I recognize my partner as Veer, another close friend of Vihaan's. I know Veer since 2 years, and rumors say that he is a playboy, but I personally feel that he is nice, maybe because he was connected to Vihaan? As the teacher distributes the papers, I start attempting the answers I know first. By the time I am done, I notice already 2 hours 30 mins have passed... another 30 minutes to go... I so badly want to turn my neck and see Vihaan, but somehow stop myself from doing something embarrassing in front of everyone... but a part of me feels his gaze on me.

As the last bell rings, signifying the end of our misery, I sigh. After submitting the papers, I look back and silently watch Vihaan as he packs his belongings. Suddenly, I hear someone clearing his throat. I look up to see Veer standing close to me. He bends down and whispers in my ears, "Done staring at your lover boy?" "Can I tell you a secret? Boys never fall in love with their girl best friends." With this, he walks away, and I sit there trying to grasp the tiny piece of information. I know for a fact that he didn't know about my confession. Vihaan might have hurt my feelings, but he will never embarrass me in front of anyone.

Even if that means him keeping this as a secret from his best friends, but surely people have started to notice by now that Vahni and Vihaan, who were like two peas in a pod, have grown distant towards each other. We barely talk nowadays at school, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out the reason. Everyone earlier had guessed my feelings for him, though no one was sure, but they knew deep down...

As I sit there, lost in thought, I feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. I remember the good old days when Vihaan and I were inseparable. We would spend hours talking, laughing, and sharing our deepest secrets. But now, it seems like those days are behind us.

Suddenly, I am pulled back to reality when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look back to see Vihaan standing, and the classroom is empty now, except for us. He says, "Stop daydreaming," and walks away...

As soon as he says that, I feel my cheeks heat up. I'm embarrassed, and I know I've been caught staring at him. I try to play it cool, but I can feel my face burning. I look down, trying to avoid eye contact with him, but I can sense his gaze on me.  By the time I pack my essentials and leave the classroom, Vihaan is long gone. I move to the 2nd floor to see my best friends waiting for me.

As soon as they see me, they start jumping and telling me about all their vacation plans. Seeing me silent, they stop and ask me, "Hey, is something wrong? Did anything happen?" For a second, I think about telling them my small interaction with Vihaan today, but I stop myself from being the mood killer. I fake a smile and say no... They don't pressurize me too. I know for a fact that they could see right through my facade, but they decide to give me space, and I couldn't be more grateful to them for that.

They continue with their stories, and I find myself smiling as I take part in the conversations sometimes... As we reach the exit, Shruti tells me that we are going to watch a movie today to celebrate our freedom, not even bothering to ask me if I was free because they know that I am... I nod along, trying to match their enthusiasm, but my mind keeps drifting back to Vihaan and our brief encounter in the classroom.

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I hope you guys liked the 6th chapter❤🫂

Writing a story feels so good tbh!!
It feels like I am in charge of it, I can make the ending as I please

Do you guys want a happy ending or a sad one?

Let's see how many of you think like me💋
HAPPY READINGGGG 🎃🌠

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