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.