Chapter 6- Can It Get Any Worse?

Aarthi took out her phone from her pocket and turned off the audio recorder. She recorded the whole conversations with Shivanesh earlier. After adding the contact numbers, she sent the recording out to all the girls in the whole school.

“This is what you get for making me feel like a fool. If I can’t get you, I will not ley anyone have you,” Aarthi said.

#

After the break, Shivanesh heard many phone chiming at once and saw many girls checking their phones. One of his classmate turned on the audio and heard both Shivanesh’s and Aarthi’s and the conversation they had. Shivanesh embarrassed and clueless on how to react to the audio and what to do.

“That girl is so sneeky. Shit!!! Great. Now everyone knows. So much for keeping things a secret,” Shivanesh thought to himself. He looked around the class and saw everyone staring at him.

“Shiva, is it true? You already have a girlfriend?” one of his classmates asked.

“Yeah. I do,” Shivanesh answered realizing that there is no point to keep anything a secret anymore.

Throughout rest of the school hours, Shivanesh could not concentrate as he was worried about what was going to happen next. He knows that there are many of his school students who were attending that same tuition as his and would somehow recognize Vinodini instantly. He could not put his mind in class because he was worried about some girls looking for Vinodini. The one thing he doesn’t want is for anyone to harm Vinodini.

After school, Shivanesh went to get the chocolates he planned to get for Vinodini and got his lunch as well. After lunch, he changed his clothes and went to tuition. When he arrived, he saw many of the students were gossiping. “So, Shiva. Who is that girl? Is she from this class?” one girl asked.

Shivanesh just ignored her and went looking for Vinodini. When he realized that she was nowhere to be found, he went to look for her best friend, Anusha.

“Anu, where is Vino? Did she come today?” Shivanesh asked

“I guess she hasn’t told you yet. Some girls from you school came to our school earlier. They met Vinodini and told her a lot of thing. That is when I realised that you both really are dating. She was crying on her way back and told me that she doesn’t want to come to tuition because she is too afraid,” Anusha explained.

#

Earlier.

When Vinodini was walking out of school with Anusha, she was stopped by a few girls.

“You are Shiva’s girlfriend, right?” one of the girls asked.

“No. I am not,” Vinodini said.

Suddenly the girl grabbed Vinodini’s hair and pushed her straight to a wall. “Don’t lie or I swear you won’t be having a pretty face to continue dating Shiva,”

“Yes. I am sorry. Don’t hurt me. I am. What do you want from me?” Vinodini said crying because of the hurt she felt on her hair and her face because of the impact she had with the wall.

“I am Aarthi and I want you to leave Shivanesh alone. Understood?” Aarthi said.

“Who are you to tell me what to do? Stay away from me or I will Shiva what you did,” Vinodini said.

“Aww. Little missy wants to go complain to her boyfriend,” Aarthi said teasing Vinodini. She suddenly slapped Vinodini hard on her left cheek and said “If I can’t have him, nor can you”. Aarthi pushed Vinodini on the ground and walked away. Vinodini woke up with the help of Anusha. She could not believe what was happening. She now understood why Shivanesh wanted to keep everything a secret.

#

 Shivanesh felt so bad because it was his fault that Vinodini was threatened by his school girls. These were the main reasons he doesn’t want others to know of his relationship. He called Vinodini to check on her condition.

“Vino, are you okay?”

“No, Shiva. I am not okay. Who were those girls and why were they threatening me?” Shivanesh could hear Vinodini crying as she speak

“These are the girls who had some sort of a stupid crush on me. They were the reason I wanted to keep things secret. I knew they would go after you if they ever found out,” Shivanesh explained.

“Yeah, but how did they know?”

“Sorry. I actually wanted to make it up to you for what I have done so far to you. I wrote things down in my diary. For the first time, I brought my diary to school. A guy, the bully of the school and the guy who has been crushing on the girl who attacked you, saw my diary and things got worse from then on. I am so sorry,” Shivanesh said feeling really guilty and helpless.

“It is ok, Shiva. I need some time to digest all of this,” Vinodini said.

“Sure, take your time. Do let me know when you are ok?” Shivanesh said and hung up the phone.

Shivanesh walked back to the class not knowing how to react to the rest of his classmate who might have just found out about his relationship. He decided to ignore everything and just go home so he packed up and left even before class could start.

The next day, Shivanesh went to confront Aarthi about what she did to Vinodini.

“Aarthi!!” Shivanesh shouted when he spotted her at the class corridor.

“Owh. Good morning, Shiva. How is your day so far?” Aarthi asked with a flirty voice.

“Good, after I kill you,” Shivanesh said as he walked towards her.

“Wow. Feisty. What is it about? What made the hero be in a bad mood? Maybe a fight with his sweetheart?” Aarthi said trying to irritate Shivanesh.

“Why did you confront Vino yesterday? I made it clear to you that you are not allowed to see her, didn’t I? How dare you?,” Shivanesh said.

“Owh yeah. Her name is Vino, right? Sorry, don’t bother to remember. So little miss girlfriend complained to you about it already? Come on, Shiva. What are you going to do about this? I know you don’t hurt girls,” Aarthi said running her fingers on Shivanesh’s chest.

Shivanesh was starting to get really irritated with how Aarthi is behaving. He grabbed her hand hard and pulled her closer.

“I don’t mind even killing a girl if she harms anyone precious to me. Want to have a taste of it?” Shivanesh said as he hardens his grip on Aarthi’s hand and twisted it hard.

“Shivanesh, you are hurting me,” Aarthi said struggling to get her hands of Shivanesh’s grip.

“Well, this is only a bit. Imagine if I grip your neck this hard? I bet you won’t be talking anymore.  Go near Vino again and I swear I will rip your head off,” Shivanesh warned. Seeing Aarthi’s shocked face, Shivanesh continued with a cunning smile on his face,” I bet you know what kind of person I am and I don’t see you as a girl, so I have no problem hurting you at all.” Shivanesh then let go of Aarthi’s hand and said, “Have a great day,” and walked away leaving Aarthi alone.

“One problem solved,” Shivanesh thought to himself.

When Shivanesh reached his tuition 2 days after, he was not so pleased. Vinodini was still missing but he understood that she still needs time. He assured her that no one will ever come and disturb or threaten her ever again. But he knew she needs her time to cure from the trauma she faced.

“So, it is Vinodini, right? No wonder she always met you in private,” Suresh said trying to find out more about the couple.

“Just shut up and get lost. I am not interested in explaining to you about anything,” Shivanesh said trying to ignore what Suresh just said.

“Well, she told me that she has a secret she wished she could tell everyone and she is not allowed to. Why Shiva? Why did you hide your girlfriend? So that you can flirt with other girls?” Suresh said just to provoke Shivanesh.

Shivanesh woke up and grabbed Suresh’ collar. “I don’t flirt with girls while having my girlfriend in front of me. You maybe a Head Boy in your school, but here, you are just a student. I won’t hesitate break your pretty face here and now,”

“Really? How would Amrita react to that? She thinks you are a good guy. Does she knows this violent side of you?” Suresh said to continue provoking Shivanesh.

“Yeah. I do want to show a good side to her. But she is your girlfriend, isn’t she? How would she react if she knows you are using her name to provoke me or maybe make yourself popular, huh?” Shivanesh said to get back at Suresh.

“Suresh!!!! Shiva!!!! What are you guys doing?” Amrita shouted.

Suresh move away from Shivanesh and smiled at Amrita. “Well, nothing. We were talking. Do you know? Shiva has a girlfriend,” Suresh said trying to introduce hatred in Amrita towards Shivanesh.

“Owh, really? Congratulations, Shiva,” Amrita said shaking hands with Shivanesh. Both Shivanesh and Suresh were caught in surprise by Amrita’s reaction. Realizing that he would only make a fool out of himself if he continues, Suresh walked away to his seat.

Shivanesh looked at Amrita with a shocked face. “You are okay about this? Why aren’t you reacting like others?”

“I would be surprised if I don’t know,” Amrita said.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Shivanesh asked.

“I already know about your relationship with Vino. How? I saw and heard the both of you arguing 3 days ago, after tuition,” Amrita explained

“Sorry. I should have told you earlier,” Shivanesh said

“It all make sense now. The sarcasm that Vinodini was showing me all this time. It was all because she was jealous. I guess I really need to keep a distance with you,” Amrita said.

“Please don’t do that. You are the only one talking to me properly in class. I really hope this does not affect our relationship,” Shivanesh said.

“Relationship?” Amrita asked.

“Err… Sorry. Friendship” Shivanesh corrected. He could feel heat rushing up his neck and to his cheeks out of embarrassment.

Shivanesh saw the whole class still staring at him.

“Yes, Vinodini is my girlfriend. Done?” Shivanesh said and went to his seat. On his way, he heard something that made him smile. “Vinodini is so lucky. Dating the Ice Prince of the class.”

When he was at his seat, he found Amrita seating at the next seat smiling at him. “You don’t mind me seating here right?” Amrita said. “I am starting to hate to sit next to my so-called boyfriend,” she continued.

“You are always welcome to,” Shivanesh said while taking his seat.