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Part 3
That night Vidushi went back up. She saw Sanyukta and Kaustuki trembling which meant that they were hiding something. But this time, Vidushi had no interest in it. She paid little attention to them, and rushed into bed. There was so many things that happened that day which made her feel exfoliated. She mentally rubbed away the dirt making herself feel clean.
The next day brought new hopes for Vidushi. She went to class with better concentration, studied at the library herself, and ate at the canteen in peace. She didn't realize that in one day there were so many things that she needed done. Even though Maya was butting her way the whole time, she found ways to avoid uncomfortable situations. She saw Parth in the hallway during a passing period. She didn't ogle at him as she did in the past. Her heart was in too much pain for her to do it. But it didn't matter now. She knew she had given a part of her to him, and she could never get it back. But it wouldn't matter. It shouldn't matter. She was able to control her feelings despite having her heart ache.
That night again she wandered out onto the grounds between the hostels. She embraced her new self. Her talk with Vardhansir was probably the only thing stopping her from causing more harm to herself. She looked up at the stars. Today, she could see them more clearly; it was just like she could see her future more clearly. She was going to do things the right way, and make sure that her family is taken care of.
"If you don't get more information, I will make sure you leave very soon." Vidushi froze in her spot. She knew that voice. She cringed. It was Maya Ma'm. She turned around to see Maya's hand folded across her chest. Vidushi was avoiding her the whole day, but she didn't realize that this Dean had access anywhere. She could find her anywhere, anytime. Vidushi straightened up and took a step forward.
"Ma'm. I was finding the information. That's why I couldn't talk to you today." She heard her voice sweeten up. Goodness. How will I be able to get out of this mess? Upar se yeh Dream Team ka kam... they aren't anywhere finished. Shit yaar, kaha phas gayi mein.
"Then, what did you find?" Maya's voice was filled with suspicion.
"Ma'm, yeh log toh aren't keeping their prototype in any of the rooms. I bet they are going off campus. But they come to all the classes. None of them have missed them. I tried following Sanyukta, but she went to the library. They didn't even check out any books. She and Randhir looked, but they got books for our classes."
"Oh. Well. I want you to follow that prodigy of Vardhan's. I don't care if you miss class. Follow her. Whatever that Sanyukta does, you let me know. Keep me in the loop. Next time I don't have to find you. Don't waste your time here looking at the stars. You should be getting more information." She could sense Maya's suspicion subside. Vidushi inwardly smirked. It wasn't that hard to fool this sly Maya.
"Ma'm, I was here thinking of a plan to catch them red-handed, but nothing has came in my mind so far. But don't you worry, I will follow Sanyukta and let you know by the end of the week what I found." Vidushi forced a smile out of herself. If she had a choice, she would have spat on the "prestigious dean", but of course, she couldn't do it. She needed to stay in this college as long as she can.
Maya nodded her head and left Vidushi there in a bind. What am I going to do? This Maya is hell-bent on trying to get more information on the Dream Team. If I didn't act so selfishly, I would be in the Dream Team, Parth would respect me, and I would be covered in Vardhansir's scheme. Hold up. I don't care about Parth. Why should I care? Oh shit. Whatever. I don't need to spend time on him. Think fast. Think FAST. I need to know how far they are. What time is it? Vidushi looked down at her watch, and saw it was 1:30. She smirked. Good! They will be getting more tools and reference books. If I go now to see how they are doing, I will be good.
And with that, she went to the secret Dream Team room.
...
Vidushi crept toward the room, made sure no one was there, and entered inside. She observed the Dream Team's blueprints, and compared it to the parts that were assembled. She was happy that they got a lot done; it meant that they were close to their goal. She saw what else needed to be done, and calculated another week. She frowned. How was she going to make Maya back off for another week. It is Wednesday tomorrow, he had to let Maya know on Friday what was happening. She couldn't think of anything to make Maya not doubt her. If I tell her to give me more time, surely she will be suspicious of me! And tab, koi mujhe bachana nahi aayega. Damn yaar. Mein ab kya karu.
Whatever. I have to think of something fast. I don't care. Vardhansir trusts me. And I will never be able to break his trust. Never. Vidushi stared at the blueprints and gathered up the necessary parts so that when they come in they can start faster. That's when she got an idea. What if she came and gathered the parts everyday so that they can finish faster? What a stupid idea. They will find out. Well. No. Because they think I am not a part of it. Sahil is not that suspicious. He will just begin working on the parts. As long as I make sure that no one else sees me.
Once she finished gathering Sahil's parts, she had the urge to start assembling them, but just then she heard footsteps approaching toward the room.
She froze. Who could it be? If it is one of the Dream Team members, they would taunt her and perhaps move the secret room. Shit. What should I do?
She looked for an escape but didn't see any other closet or table where she can hide underneath. She was doomed. Just then, she quickly moved beside the window to the hall and opened the lock on the window. She silently opened the window, and when the door opened, she silently jumped out making sure no one could hear. The group came in. Randhir, Sanyukta, Parth, Kaustuki, Yoyo, and Sahil. They all came in joyful and oblivious to the fact that she had been there. She didn't know what to do after; she could have stayed or ran. If they saw the window unlocked, someone would know that there is a problem, but her heart longed to listen to the group. She wanted to be apart of the laughter, but she knew that there could be no way for that to work out. A tear escaped her eye. Alone. Just alone.
"Guys, we need something that would impress Maya and make her have to accept the Dream Team." Sanyukta blurted out, bringing Vidushi back to reality.
"Haan, guys, mujhe kuch samaj nahi ayya what Vardhansir said. Kuch na kuch puzzle give karta hai aur kehte hai ab fix karo." Sahil joined.
"Par mujhe yeh baat nahi connect ho rahi hai ke koi Vidushi ko band kiya ek store room mein. Jo bhi yeh kiya hoga is a very good person. Esi bad logon ki saath bad hi hota hain." Kaustuki chimed.
Another tear escaped Vidushi's eyes. She was the villain in their lives. She knew it. But she didn't want it that way. She never did. She just let her revenge, future, and longing for security come in the way. She knew that she had done things that could never be forgiven. What she did to Sanyukta was awful; the flashback of trapping Sanyukta in the water tank flashed in her mind. More tears running down her cheeks. She closed her eyes.
"Shut it. Whoever did that was wrong. Koi ese kese band kar sakta hai." Sanyukta said. The group had a silent pause.
"Chod na. Kyun oos ladki ke liye apna time waste kare. Farzi that girl has always wished bad for you and you are ki... What are you thinking?" Randhir finally spoke.
Everyone hates me. They just hate me.
"Ek minute. Vardhansir ne yahaan aakar bolo. Iska matlab..." Sanyukta stopped midsentence. Vidushi's eyes sprung open. Shit. Did she find out? Vidushi walked over to the window, and saw Sanyukta in front of Parth.
No no no. Don't tell him anything. Vidushi became restless.
"Iska matlab tumne kiya yeh sab." Sanyukta looked straight at Parth. Vidushi barely could see his face, but she saw a hint of a smirk.
"Haan. I said that I'd take care of her so that she won't bother us." Parth's voice had no remorse.
"Good job Parth. I can't believe I didn't have that idea." Kaustuki's voice sounded happy. "That should have happened long time ago."
"Par-", Sanyukta tried to retort when Randhir held her hand and pulled her back.
"Listen, we need to focus on the plan of making Maya impressed. We can't waste time on nonsense like this." Randhir dominated ultimately changing the topic.
Vidushi's silent tears were stabbing her heart. She felt disgusted that she had stooped down so low that people didn't care about that exploitation happening to her. She couldn't believe that she was that bad in their eyes. Maybe I just deserve it.
Unable to control her feeling, she crept away.
Vidushi dragged herself in bed that night. The fact that she had to think of something to cover up the dream team was making her restless. She knew better that Maya would be suspicious soon. She needed to do something fast. Vidushi didn't realize that she was up until 4 in the morning until she noticed Sanyukta and Kaustuki didn't return back at their usual time. Hopefully they have came up with something.
The next morning Vidushi was awoken by a phone call.
"Hu-llo." Vidushi spoke sleepily.
"Vidushi, wake up." The voice made Vidushi sit up hastily.
"Yes, Mam." Vidushi tried to sound as if she didn't wake up just two seconds ago.
"I want you in my office in ten minutes." Vidushi could make out the dean's expression. Strict. Mad. Annoyed. All into that one controlled stern look.
"But Mam, ten minutes? I need to-" There was no way she could reach there within ten minutes when she had a lecture in 20.
"I will see you in my office." Maya hung up the phone.
Damn. Hurry up Vidushi. Ab kya karne vali hai yeh Maya Mam.
Vidushi sprinted to the restroom and got ready. On her way to Maya Mam, she saw a lot of people on their phones. She was curious, but she decided not to waste time. Vidushi constantly kept looking down at her phone, hoping that Maya Mam wouldn't contact her again before she reaches her office.
Just then... she bumped into someone. She, agitated, looked up at the person and was about to give them a series of taunts, but turned silent when she saw Parth's face. He grabbed her by the shoulders and moved her to the side of the hallway.
"Just because you don't have any character, doesn't mean that I don't either. I am not like you. Stop being so cheap. I thought you would have learned something after the store room incident, but I was wrong. You, just like always, will be an attention seeker. You will never change." Parth's words pierced Vidushi even more. She blinked in horror. After realizing that she wasn't going to say anything, he pushed her back and stormed away.
She hissed and closed her eyes. She tried to control her tears, but in vain. He hates me... I am nothing for him. Nothing. A lonely tear escaped her eyes. She opened them just to see Vardhansir talking to some other students. 'I am proud of you Vidushi.' She wiped her pain, corrected her posture, began walking back to Maya's cabin, and started thinking.
Upon reaching the dean's cabin, Vidushi was surprised to receive a letter from Maya. Am I late? Where is she? What is she going to make me do? Wait. This letter. Is this my expulsion letter? Oh god no. What am I supposed to do?
Anupamaa
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