Love's Redemption♡

CHAPTER- 26

" How odd, I can have all this inside me and to you its just words"
-- David Foster Wallace
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5 years ago--

Vahni POV:

I've been staying at home for a month now, trying to escape the memories that linger in every corner of our school. I went to school to give my practical exams but came back just after that because all the classes have be dissolved due to the upcoming finals. Occasionally, I still cry, remembering the good times, the laughter, and the adventures we shared.

But I've gotten better at hiding my tears, at putting on a brave face, even when my heart feels like it's shattering into a million pieces. The ache remains, a constant reminder of what I've lost, but it's becoming duller, more bearable, as I get used to it.

Everyone is busy with their finals, stressing about grades and college applications. It's hard to believe that next year, we'll all be in different colleges, chasing our dreams.

My dream is to get into medical school, to make a difference in people's lives. My friends will be going to different colleges, pursuing different passions. And then there's Veer, who wants to study business, always talking about startups and entrepreneurship. It's exciting to think about the possibilities, but it's also scary, leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of our school days.

Tomorrow is the first exam of our finals, and I'm scared. I know I've studied hard and I'm well-prepared, but I just can't shake off the feeling of anxiety that's been building up inside me. What if I forget everything I've learned? What if I run out of time?

Just as I'm starting to feel overwhelmed, I hear the sound of footsteps outside my room. It's my parents. They walk in, looking concerned.

"Hey, beta, how are you feeling?" my mom asks, "You're not feeling too stressed about the exams, are you?"

I shake my head, trying to reassure her. "No, Mom, I'm fine. Just a little nervous, that's all."

My dad sits down beside me, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "You've studied hard, kiddo. You're going to do great. Just remember to take deep breaths and stay focused."

I nod, feeling a little better. My parents have always been supportive, and it's nice to know they're here for me.

"Get a good night's sleep, okay?" my mom says, smiling. "You'll feel more confident in the morning."

I nod, smiling back at her. Maybe tomorrow won't be so bad after all.

I wake up the next morning feeling like a bundle of nerves. I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down, and then start getting ready for the exam. I gather all my exam essentials: my admission card, a pen, a pencil, an eraser, a sharpener, and a calculator. I double-check to make sure I have everything I need.

I head to the kitchen, where my mom has already laid out a simple breakfast for me: a slice of toast with butter and jam. I eat it quickly, washing it down with a glass of water.

As I finish my breakfast, my dad calls out to me from the living room. "Ready to go, kiddo?" he asks.

I nod, grabbing my bag and following him out to the car. I'm grateful that he's driving me to the exam center today. I wouldn't want to disturb Veer, not when he's also stressing out about his own exams.

As we drive to the exam center, I feel a mix of emotions: anxiety, nervousness, and a hint of sadness. I miss Vihaan, and I wish things were different between us. But for now, I need to focus on my exam and do my best.

[3 hours later] :

As I walk out of the exam hall, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. The bell ringing, signaling the end of the exam, was music to my ears. I take a deep breath, feeling the tension in my body start to ease.

As I make my way through the corridors, I catch sight of Veer. He's standing by the window, looking relaxed, and he waves at me as soon as our eyes meet. I wave back, and we exchange a brief smile.

I wait for him by the stairs, and we chat for a bit about our papers. "How was it?" he asks, and I shrug. "Easy, I think. How about you?" He nods in agreement. "Yeah, I thought so too."

We stand there for a few minutes, chatting and laughing, before we decide to wait for Anisha and Shruti outside the school gate. As we walk out into the bright sunlight, I feel a sense of freedom that I haven't felt in weeks.

When Anisha and Shruti join us, we launch into a discussion about our papers. We compare answers, discuss the questions, and gossip for a bit about our classmates. It's nice to finally relax and be ourselves after weeks of studying and stressing out.

As we chat, I glance over at Vihaan, and he catches my eye. We exchange a brief smile, and I feel a flutter in my chest. It's a small moment, but it's enough to make me feel happy and carefree.

As I look at Vihaan, I realize that my anger towards him has finally started to subside. It's been replaced by a mix of emotions that I'm still trying to figure out. I miss him, that's for sure. I miss our laughter, our jokes, and our late-night conversations. But I know that things can never go back to the way they were before.

There's a distance between us now, a distance that I'm not sure can be bridged. I'm not even sure if I want it to be bridged. A part of me is still hurt by what happened, and I don't know if I can ever fully trust him again.

As we stand there, chatting and laughing with our friends, I catch Vihaan's eye again. This time, he holds my gaze for a moment longer, and I feel a flutter in my chest. It's a small spark, but it's enough to make me wonder if maybe, just maybe, there's still a chance for us.

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