Chronicles Of The Red Sneakers

Chapter 46- Graveyards and College Professors

Strangers, the words stung in Ishaan's ears. Strangers. Is that really what they had become? She used to be his everything. He used to be her…almost everything. They were each other's world. Ishaan listened and solved problems for a living spread like venom in him. Who was he supposed to be mad at? Himself? Vidya? He had no right to be. He too had abandoned her. He pulled his car back into the driveway again. Tired beyond his breaking point, he turned the doorknob.

~Meanwhile~

Vidya sat motionless in front of the place she dreaded, HIS tombstone. The sun was setting behind her and tears streamed her face as her slender fingers traced him name. Sobbing, she choked, "I'm so sorry." Her fingernails tapped over the letters again: Samar Malhotra. "I hate you crying." The words resonated in her ears, "And I don't want tears in your eyes for me. Don't ever cry for me." The words were in such a different context back then, she thought wiping her tears. "I'm not supposed to be here." She said,
"I should be there." She pointed to the brown patches of dead grass beside his grave. "I know wherever you are, you're listening. I know I've said it before but I really want you to know how sorry I am, truly. If it weren't for me…" ~Flashback~

"Hello guys, my name is Samar Malhotra. Call me whatever you like because I'm seriously too young to call sir. Not like I care. So I'm filling in your Organic Chemistry class the rest of the semester. A little about me: I love math, call me a geek but I really can't help it. Ladies and gentlemen, I HATE suck ups. I despise them. Mooching off your flattery skills will get you NOWHERE in this class. Plagiarism as always, will not be tolerated." Vidya's mouth dropped open the minute he opened his own. He was so eloquent, so cultured, and so…sexy? "Any questions?" He asked.

A gelled down boy called from the back, "How old are you?"
"21." He said, shaking his hair out like a wet dog trying to dry off.

"How are you teaching?"

"I'm an intern. I'm substituting." Vidya curled her lip, childishly.

"Are you single?" A girl and her best friend, Abhilasha asked.

"Happily married." He grinned. His smile was so dazzling.

"Will you be filling in next semester too?" He nodded in consent. Abhilasha, Kiran, and Vidya all sighed, exclaiming to them at once, "I am so failing this class…."

"Vidya, get a hold of yourself. He's married for God's sake." Ishaan exclaimed, pumping cheese carelessly on his fries.

"I do not want anything from him. I'll just….admire from afar." She sighed again, futilely. She was still at loss of breath. His presence was so…overwhelming. "Ishaan, do you believe in love at first sight?" She asked. Ishaan rolled his eyes, "Vidya, no." She raised an eyebrow at him, "You sure?"

"Vidya, that's COMPLETELY different. That took lots of time. You're too young for this—for him. He already has wife." Vidya breathed deeply, suddenly despaired. A frown fell onto her face, "Whatever. He's not that special." She sighed, dropping her head to the table. "Ishaan," She groaned, "I know." He replied, patting her head. "Eat something…" He urged. She shook her head, "I'm fine."

"Hey look." Ishaan said, instantly regretting it when Vidya swung her eyes to where the object of her affection stood. He stood carelessly, laughing and talking and picking a salad up to take back to his classroom. "I'm out." Vidya proclaimed, pecking Ishaan on the lips briefly.

"Hey wait, Professor Malho- oh damn, Samar wait!" She called.

"Oh hi Vidya…" He said, lagging behind a bit. "Sup? Did you need help with something…?" He said smiling. Everything she had thought up slipped her mind. "Uh yeah…homework."

"I didn't assign any." He frowned. "Oh, yeah. I meant the test." She said.

"You gave it in today. Completely blank. I understand what you're doing and…"

"But you're married and I'm too young and you're completely uninterested and blah blah blah." She said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh." He said, "I was gonna say you're a brilliant student and I can't quite figure out why you were failing so terribly but your motive seems pretty clear now." Vidya rolled her eyes again.

"Don't call it a motive. It makes everything sound so criminal. I just like seeing you. That's all."

"Miss Thakur," He said, diplomatically, "If your intentions were so noble, you wouldn't be giving me those looks in class." Vidya blushed a deep red, "You've seen er- noticed those?"

"Mhmm…" He stabbed at a piece of lettuce, "Undressing me with your eyes. I know how it works. I was single and in college not too long ago. No big deal." He laughed; Vidya shifted uncomfortably and bit her lip.

"Can you blame me? This class is so cushy-" She complained, Samar rolled his eyes, "I need entertainment." She grinned. He had to admit, he was impressed. Her confidence was enthralling; he searched for a remark for her wit. "Why don't you work instead? You've failed three times. I'm sure you're well off enough to afford it but I'd rather you not watch me like a piece of meat." He said, crunching on a crouton. Vidya sighed hopelessly, "Well, I'm a vegetarian but I'm sure you're delicious either way."

"Open flirting is one of those incriminating activities that make me doubt your intentions." He grimaced.

"Incriminating? I've never been much of a flirt."

"You seem notoriously innocent. As if you're acting. I have been known for that too. But before this gets too out of hand I must remind you—" He started. Vidya had already began towards the door. "I'm not listening anymore. See you later! Bye Samar! Muah!" She blew him a kiss from afar. Samar rolled his eyes again, this wasn't his first "admirer" but she seemed unexpectedly persistent. She'd be a tough nut to crack.

~End Flashback~

"You know Samar," Vidya said, sighing "You were my dream guy." She said, brushing a tear away. "You still are. I keep looking for you in Sagar but it's not you. Krish is just like you. I thought that's what I wanted but I can't stand it. I can't take all this. I miss you, Sam. I miss your voice, I miss everything…" His voice. That's what made it hurt the most; the fact that she would never hear it again. His last words to her had been a plea, a plea that she had so carelessly disregarded. Vidya picked up her phone and dialed his number carefully. His wife hadn't the courage to get it cut off; she was so much like Vidya in so many ways. She let it ring for 8 times like always before she heard his voice again, "Hey all, this is Samar. I'm not here now but leave your name and number and I'll talk to you soon. Bye." His voice was so clear, so smooth, sweet and mellifluous like honey. It brought her near tears when the falsity of the statement registered in her brain with a long beep. She threw the phone down and rested her head on his tombstone.

Sobbing senselessly, she heard a female voice call from behind her, "Who the hell are you?" She asked.