"Wish you all best of luck for your bright future ahead! Thank you." The Vice Principal smiled at the TYBcom students standing in front of him. He stepped down from the podium as the crowd erupted into cheers.
People went mad, hugging and kissing each other. The feeling of passing out of college was a mixed feeling; both happiness and sadness were a part of it.
Swayam had been standing on the stage, squashed between the AGS, Rey and his CS, Sharon. As soon as the VP ended his speech, he jumped up in the air and hugged Rey tight. Rey reciprocated with equal happiness and they were practically swinging each other around.
Swayam turned to his right to look at Sharon, but she had disappeared.
"Strange" He thought. She had been here just a few seconds ago.
He scanned the crowd, searching for her. He spotted the girl gang by one of the pillars, squealing and giggling. But he couldn't find Sharon standing amongst them.
He walked over to them and tapped Simmi on her shoulder.
"Swayam!" She screamed, engulfing him in a tight hug.
He hugged her back, slightly embarrassed.
"Uh Simmi , have u seen Sharon? She was on the stage a few minutes ago and then she just vanished."
"Woah woah calm down lover boy, she must have gone to the washroom or something, don't worry."
Swayam smiled at her and then moved away. He knew for sure she wouldn't be in the washroom.
He had a certain feeling she would either be in the rehearsal hall or on the terrace. He checked the rehearsal hall but it was empty. He ran up the stairs to the terrace.
And there she was, sitting on the empty water tank.
She looked lost and sad. He hurried up to her.
"Sharon?" He asked.
She turned around and quickly wiped away a tear from her eye.
"Oh Swayam, hi." She gave him a sweet smile.
He climbed up the tank and sat beside her.
"When did you come here?"
"Just now, actually. I wanted some time to myself, to think about a few things."
"I can understand."
"Huh?"
"I was here last night too."
Sharon looked at him in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yeah. I prefer to come here at night. It's a good place to think, under the stars."
"Think about what?"
"Well, our lives are going to change drastically now that college is over. No more fun, it's time to work. I'm excited but I'm nervous too."
"Yeah, I can't believe 5 years in this college have come to an end so fast."
"I know. College life was the best time of my life. I'll really miss all the fun."
Sharon shook her head, chuckling silently.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
"More than fun, I'm going to regret the many mistakes I made in these 5 years." She said, looking him straight in the eye.
"Mistakes? What do you mean?"
Sharon looked at him. His expression was so sincere and innocent, like he really wanted to know what she was talking about. At that moment, she felt like hugging him tight and letting out all her sorrows.
"I spent most of my college life making fun of people, not realizing what all I was losing out on. I was so immature."
"Making fun of people? Sharon, that was a long time ago. Nobody remembers that."
"People remember it Swayam. People still feel I am a rich bitch. I've broken so many friendships because of my stupid attitude."
"Sharon, nobody feels like that. And if they do, well they never deserved to be your friend anyway. You have real friends who care so much about you. So why should others even matter?"
"Friends?Are you referring to the gang?"
"Yeah the gang. The gang who is always there to cheer you up when you're down. They are the ones whose opinion should matter to you. No one else. Since they are the ones who actually care about you."
Sharon looked at him gratefully. She could always trust Swayam to make her feel happy. He would do anything to see a smile on her face.
She moved her head so that her hair was covering part of her face and quickly wiped away another tear.
Swayam wanted to reach out to her and comfort her.
"What's wrong?"
"Will we all still remain the same friends we used to be? "
"Of course! We are all in this together aren't we? We started D3 together and I for one am not going to let go of it. We're been successful so far haven't we? It's all because of our team work.So don't you worry."
Sharon looked at him, but it looked like she wasn't actually staring at him. She was lost in her own thoughts. About him.
She suddenlt took a deep breath and opened her mouth.
"Hey Swayam I need your suggestion about something."
"Yeah go ahead and ask me."
"Actually there is a particular book that I have at home."
"Uh huh"
"Well this book had been gifted to me by someone so I hardly glanced at it. I had actually sort of forgotten about it. It was always lying around , but I never bothered to pick it up and read it. But then one day I passed it and I decided to stop and pick it up. It was as fresh and clean as it had been on the day I had got it, just a little dusty which I wiped off."
Swayam nodded encouragingly.
"So I started reading it. And man, the book was a treat to read. But the thing was, I couldn't understand a lot of what was written in the book since it dealt with such complicated subjects. Frustrated at my inability to understand the book, I tossed it away instead of trying to work hard and understand what was in the book." Sharon stopped and looked at him.
"Go on."
"But I could never forget the book. Every minute of the day it used to eat into me, that I had been unable to read and understand the book. But then, I thought, why not give it another chance? This time I would try to really understand what the book was trying to teach me instead of give up midway."
"Okayy." Swayam said, a little confused.
"So I went over to where the book lay and opened it up. Surprisingly, it was not a bit dirty. It was fresh and clean as ever. And that gave my decision to try once again more encouragement. So what do you think? Should I give the book another try?"
"Of course you should! Nothing can be better than grasping new knowledge! So what if you didn't understand the first time? Try harder next time right? Now you're better prepared."
Sharon nodded and looked him straight in the eye.
"So Swayam, will you help me open the book again?"
Swayam looked at her in confusion for two seconds but then it dawned upon him. His eyes went wide in shock.
"Y-y-you mean…?"
"Yes that's what I mean. The Book. OUR book. OUR story. Can we start afresh?" She asked, stressing on the "our".
"Wow, you mean you and me? Together?"
"Yes, us" She said. The word "us" hit Swayam in shock. He couldn't digest it. Sharon wanted to start their story once again. Their unfinished story.
"Sharon, I cant believe it. You know I love you so much and I-"
"I love you too Swayam." Sharon said, unable to control her tears anymore. She reached out and pushed herself into his chest.
A dazed Swayam wrapped his arms around her, as she sobbed happily into his chest. He didn't know what had shocked him more. Sharon's "I love you" or her hug.
He hugged her back with all his strength, protecting her from all the bad things of the world. He kissed her hair affectionately. Tears slowly began falling out of his eyes too.
They lay there for God knows how long, Sharon in Swayam's arms, both of them crying. After a while the crying stopped and they both just sat silently, enjoying each other's company.
Finally, Sharon sat up straight her wiped her tears away. They both looked at each other's red, sore eyes and began giggling like little kids.
Swayam reached over and placed a strand of Sharon's hair back into place. She took the same hand and placed her tiny hand in his. Then she slowly placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
They stayed there for almost half an hour talking about the randomest things, Sharon in her red sari and Swayam in his black suit.
They didn't notice Rey sneak up behind them. Rey saw his two best friends holding hands and in a minute everything became clear to him.
He grinned and thanked God for FINALLY uniting the two love birds. He watched them for a while before deciding to disturb them.
"Guys, you'll are here? I've been searching for you'll all over the place! Everyone's waiting for you'll we have to cut the cake! Chalo!" He said, shaking them both.
The two of them got up from the tank. They continued holding hands even after they had got down from the tank
"Bas haan ab" Rey said sarcastically." I can't stand so much of sweetness"
"Oh come on, you have to expect sweetness." Swayam said with a grin.
"Why?"
"Swayam the lover boy and Sharon the diva are finally together."
Rey grinned as the two of them stared at each other.
"Yes they are." Sharon said putting her arm around Rey too. The three of them walked down the terrace arm in arm.
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Mihika and my Writing Gallery
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