Chapter 9-The After Effect

Amrita reached the café earlier. She ordered her favourite hot chocolate. She knows she really need that as comfort after a big fight with Suresh. Amrita always looks for sweet and chocolate stuffs when she is stressed or sad. It is her own drugs to happiness. Even though she is glad that her relationship is over, she still is sad to know the truth. Never did she thought Suresh would have other plans for being with her. A part of her felt stupid to ever trusting and liking him in the first place.

Shivanesh rushed to the café after getting Amrita’s favourite dessert at her favourite shop. He remembered a few day before their trial where they were both studying in her favourite shop as it was her choice. He was surprised that she finished two portion of the dessert. That is when he realized how crazy she is towards Secret Recipe’s Chocolate Indulgence. When he arrived at the café, he saw Amrita sitting alone. He felt bad for making her wait. Inside of him was tingling seeing Amrita waiting for him. He wanted to just surprise her with a kiss on her cheeks. But he clearly knows that it was not the right time.

“Hi, Girl,” Shiva said tapping on Amrita’s shoulder, “Sorry I am late. I went to get this,” Shivanesh said while putting the dessert box on the table in front of her.

Amrita’s eyes lit up when she saw what was placed in front of her. She was nervous to see if Shivanesh got the right flavour. She opened the box and saw a slice of her favourite Chocolate Indulgence cake in front of her. “Thank you so much. I have no idea you guessed but you definitely made me feel better after a really shitty day,” Amrita said.  

“Care to share?” Shivanesh asked taking the seat next to Amrita.

“First and foremost, it’s over. My relationship with Suresh. I am done. I broke up with him. Ended things with him,” Amrita said digging into her cake.

“That’s good news. Buy, why are you so gloomy? Was it something he said?” Shivanesh asked. Amrita stopped eating and looked down. Shivanesh looked down at her and saw tears flowing down her cheeks. He really felt bad for ever asking. He moved and sat closer to her. He held her hands to let her know that he will always be there for her. Amrita looked at Shivanesh with  tearful eyes doubting if she should tell him about it. Shivensh gave her a reassuring look which gave Amrita confidence to tell him.

Amrita told Shivanesh everything Suresh told her. She was crying so badly that Shivanesh felt like confronting Suresh and beating the crap out of him. His right hand was stroking Amrita’s hand softly to calm her down, but his left hand was in a fist under the table, ready to attack Suresh if he ever comes in front of Amrita. He wanted to walk out of there and straight to Suresh. But he realised that right now, Amrita needs him more. Before he realised, Amrita was already leaning on his shoulder crying. Shivanesh realized how weak and vulnerable she was at that time. He held Amrita close and hugged her to make her feel safe and protected.

At that position, Shivanesh could feel himself losing control of himself. He wanted to make Amrita his cause he knows he can protect her and make her happy. He knows he can make her smile and will never do anything to hurt her. Shivanesh kept on debating with himself. He fought hard the urge to kiss Amrita even on her forehead. She was already hurt, he did not want to make things worse for her.

“Don’t worry. It’s all over now. Cry your heart out. I am going to be here until you are feeling okay,” Shivanesh said pulling her closer and stroking her arm to make her feel better.

“Thanks, Shiva. You are the only one I can rely on now,” Amrita said. “I am sorry that you have to see me like this.” Shivanesh looked at her with a small smile to let her know that it was okay.

After 2 hours of spending time at the café, Shivanesh walked Amrita home. When they reached her house, Amrita hugged Shivanesh tight.

“How glad and thankful am I to have met you. How grateful I am to have a friend like you,” Amrita said.

Shivanesh was a bit shocked when Amrita hugged him but he woke up and held her. Having her in his arms, Shivanesh was afraid that he cannot control himself and hide his feelings for her. To have her so close to him and to be able to smell her scent so close to him. He felt like he wants to keep this moment deep in his memory.

“I am certainly glad I met you. I wish I can be with you forever,” Shivanesh thought in his mind. “I wish I can continue holding you like this and always be the person you come to when you are at your worse state.”

“Ok, then. Thank you, Shiva. For making me feel better, for the cake and for walking me home,” Amrita said and walked away.

Shivanesh quickly held Amrita’s hands and pulled her to him again. He placed his right palm on her left cheek and left hand around her waist. “Glad I could help. Are you sure you are okay?” Shivanesh asked her softly, looking straight into her eyes.

Amrita smiled and placed her palm on Shivanesh’s palm and gave a reassuring squeeze. “I am fine. Definitely feeling better from earlier.”

“Well then. Have a good rest. You deserve it. You just came back from a war,” Shivanesh said.

Amrita giggled and said,” Sure. I will. Bye, Shiva. Thanks,” Amrita said walking away from Shivanesh.

“Bye,” Shivanesh said. “I love you,” he thought in his heart.

Chapter 8- The Big Change

Finally, the day that they were all dreading about has come. I was going to be nerve-wrecking moment that could change all their lives and they were all very nervous and anxious as they were counting down the days.

A day before the big exam, Shivanesh was doing some preparation such as stationaries and documents needed for his exams tomorrow. As it was a national level exam, he needed to be sure that he has all his important student ID and examination documents. He does not was one careless mistake to affect his examination tomorrow as the rules during the exam is very strict. While he was preparing, his sister, Sumithra came in his room.

“Anna, all prepared?” she asked.

“I think so. Quite nervous and worried. It is an important turning point,” Shivanesh said really worried. 

“Aiyoo. Anna. You would totally nail it. We all have faith in you. No matter how naughty you are, I still look up to you, ok?” Sumithra said.

“Thanks, girl. That really helped,” Shivanesh said hugging his sister. Shivanesh loves and adores his sister a lot. Eventhough, he always irritates her, he knows he can trust and rely on her.

“Well, continue with your preparation. Amma asked you to sleep early,” Sumithra said and left Shivanesh to continue is preparation. For Shivanesh, Sumithra means a lot to him. They are very attached to each other like a gum. Nothing can separate them. He always tries to be a good brother so his baby sister can rely on him too.

While he was preparing, his phone chimed. Shivanesh went to see his phone and saw notification of a text message.

Amrita :

Hi Shiva. Prepared for tomorrow

Shivanesh: 

Not sure if I am prepared. Worried for tomorrow.

Amrita:

Don’t worry, you will do fine. Good luck!

Shivanesh:

Good luck to you too, Amrita.

Shivanesh replied her text and sat on his bed. He could feel himself feeling gloomy and sad. He was sad with the fact that he might not be able to see Amrita again.

Shivanesh was feeling more depressed because he recently broke up with Vinodini and it has given him a lot of pain.

#

2 weeks ago.

Shivanesh was going out to a bookstore to get his stationaries. He was choosing pencils and pens that he was going to use for his exams. When he heard a girl giggling nearby with a guy’s voice following. They didn’t bother him to find out who these two were until he heard the giggling again. He recognized the voice very well. It was clearly Vinodini’s voice. Shivanesh didn’t want to jump into any conclusion so he decided to listen to these two’s conversation.

“So, that guy you are dating with at tuition, what is he so great about him that you haven’t decided to let him go?” the guy asked.

“I really would like to leave him but he is an innocent when it comes to relationship. He would do anything and everything for me. I have to make use of that. As much as it sounds bad, it is nice to have someone so willing to do anything for me, “ the girl said proudly.

Shivanesh could feel his heart beating fast. He was starting to get breathless. He finds it hard to believe that the girl he likes actually is taking advantage on him. He didn’t want to believe what was happening. He was afraid that he might conclude things too fast even before confirming that the girl was Vinodini. He turned and took a peek between the racks. He was right, it was Vinodini. 

“When are you planning to do so? I want you all to myself. I am hurting here because I got to share you with someone else. I can’t wait till you are fully mine, “the guy said placing his hands on Vinodini’s waist.

“Soon. Very soon. As the exams are over, I will leave him and come with you. Don’t wanna be cruel to him and leave him before the exam,” Vinodini said.

“You do not have to wait. You can go now,” Shivanesh said from behind the racks. He walked to the couples and said “You guys can be together cause right now and here, I am dumping her,” Shivanesh said pointing at Vinodini.

Vinodini was shocked to see Shivanesh there and was frustrated that her plan didn’t go as well.

“Hold on, Shivanesh. What are you doing here? You are not supposed to be here,” Vinodini said.

“Nevermind what I am doing here. How long have you been doing this? You were dating me because you were making use of me? How could you?” Shivanesh said out of frustration. 

“Stop it!! I dated you because I liked you. But needing to hide all the time, made my feelings for you dried off. That guy over there, filled the gaps that you made. But still I couldn’t let you go because I was afraid you might get hurt,” Vinodini said.

“Get hurt? Well then, this isn’t hurting? Forget it, Vino. It is over. You cheated on me. You could have told me when you didn’t have feelings for me. It would have hurt less than this,” Sivanesh said and left the bookstore without turning back to look at Vinodini.

  

#

Shivanesh haven’t fully cured from the heart ache Vinodini caused him. He was more hurt to learn the fact that she cheated on him than the fact that she does not like him anymore. But he knows how important it is for him to stay focus now. He needs to get his head together as tomorrow is his way of changing his life and his future.

#

After 3 weeks of struggle, the examinations were finally over. Amrita couldn’t be less happier by the fact that she has finally finished her secondary school life. Amrita was also excited because she has finally decided to put an end to her disastrous relationship. She knows the toxic relationship she has with Suresh would have to end now.

#

Amrita was preparing her things for her exam when she thought about the last day of her exams. She remembered what Suresh said clearly. The end for her is finally here. She texted Shivanesh to ask for his opinion.

“Shiva. You are my friend who actually knows the rubbish I am going through. Remember how Suresh said that I would have to wait until the end to break up with him. I think the end is finally here. Do you think I should tell him off tomorrow after exams?” Amrita send Shivanesh a long text.

After a while, she heard her phone ringing. It was Shivanesh. She quickly answered the call as she was eager to hear what her friend has got to say.

“Do it. Muster all the courage you have and tell him directly to his face. After all you went through, you don’t need to be with the guy ever again,” Shivanesh said.

“Thank you, Shiva. I will make sure I end my pain tomorrow. I don’t have to put up with that guy anymore.”

“You definitely don’t have to. Good luck, girl. Go for it,” Shivanesh said and hung up his call.

#

The last paper has ended and everyone was excited that they have all officially ended the school life. Any steps taken after this are adults’ decision and Amrita knew she needed to make one immediate and fast. She walked to Suresh’s class and tried to find him. When he could not be found, she asked his classmates and found out that he was at the school gazebo. When she reached the gazebo, she saw Suresh, clearly flirting with another girl.

“Well, that is convenient,” Amrita said. Suresh turned and saw Amrita and just moved away from the girl.

“What is it, my love? What can I do for you?” Suresh said.

“Don’t ‘my love’ me. We both know what I want,” Amrita said sounding really stern.

“Oh, come on. Are we going to go through this, all over again? I thought we agreed,” Suresh said.

“Yeah, we agreed. To end this at the end. This is my end, Suresh. The end of my patience. End of my time for you. So, I wanna end it now. Right now,” Amrita said. She is really sick of Suresh’s attitude towards her.

“Well, girl. We make a great couple. You head girl, me, head boy. We make a compatible couple,” Suresh’s said proudly.

“So, this is what this was all about? You are just dating me for popularity sake?” Amrita was really annoyed of hearing the words coming from Suresh. He was basically using her for his sake.

“Yeah. Did you think I really loved you? The whole school said we are a perfect couple. That is why I proposed,” Suresh said.

Amrita was so angry. She couldn’t believe Suresh was playing with her heart all the time.

“You are really cruel. How could you?” Amrita said in the verge of breaking into tears.

“Well, every guy wanted to have you. How else can I be on the good picture of everyone besides dating the most popular and intelligent girl in school, the school’s sweetheart,” Suresh said. Suddenly, he felt someone slapped his face really hard.

“You are really a cruel, selfish idiot. We are over. I don’t bother about your plan. You hurt me so badly and you feel okay about it. Truly disgusting. I have had enough of you. You said to wait till the end? This is the end. End of your glamour, end of this relationship,” Amrita said and kicked Suresh between his legs before walking away.  

She really felt like crying, but she didn’t because she doesn’t want Suresh to think she is weak.

After leaving the school, Amrita made a call to someone and asked that person to meet her at the café near the tuition center.

#

Shivanesh was talking to his classmate when his phone rang. It was Amrita.

“Hey, How did it go?” Shivanesh asked.

“It was ok. Will it be okay for you to meet me at the café near our tuition center?” Amrita said.

“Sure. When.”

“Now,” Amrita said.

Shivanesh could hear Amrita’s voice breaking. He knows that something was not right. He knew that she needs him urgently and there was nothing else important to him right now but to be by her side.

“Sure. I am leaving school now. I will see you there,” Shivanesh said.

He packed his stuffs, bid goodbye to his friends and left to see Amrita.