Firstly I wanted to apologize for updating so late. I had actually written the second chapter, when my laptop crashed and lost all my work. So I just got my laptop back, and re-wrote the chapter (and hence I haven't had a chance to edit so sorry for that as well)
Thank you so much! Here is the second chapter, and unfortunately it is very long.
From that day forward, everything had changed between them. Parth would no longer take his normal seat in her class. He would no longer engage in a conversation. He would no longer make eye contact with her. Instead, he opted for the back row and minimum engagement in class. Vibha felt the loss. She felt alone in this school to begin with. When she had started, she had thought she was returning to her second home. She thought she would get a change to relive the life she missed dearly. But when she got here, everything had changed. It no longer felt like she belonged. However, having Parth somehow made it better. She couldn't explain the reason. It just felt better being around Parth. She missed talking to him, missed teasing him and just missed him. He was different than anyone here. She felt it. And now, she was truly completely alone. She didn't know what to do or how long she could continue to hold on.
She sighed as she walked into the library to supervise the reading break. All the kids, except Parth and Utkarsh, were already seated and were pretending to read. She could hear their chatter and the notes they passed behind books. She smiled a little, remembering the moments she used to do the same thing. Even back then, she thought the teachers had no idea that they were passing notes and now she realized how wrong she was. The teachers most likely knew and just ignored it. She walked over to Parth and Utkarsh.
"Koi book choose ki?"-Vibha asked both of them, but she looked a moment longer at Parth. Parth looked up from his search, but instead of answering he just went back to browsing the selection.
"Nahi, mam. I don't know which book. They all seem the same and they only hold my attention for a few pages"-Utkarsh replied with a defeated sigh
Vibha chuckled.
"Well, try this book. It's a Terry Goodkind book. It has got a lot of action, mystery, suspense and a little magic. It seems like something that would keep even you on your toes"-Vibha handed him the novel.
"Thank you"-Utkarsh actually smiled at the book as he headed to take a seat. Vibha looked at Parth. He was still browsing and unknowingly moving towards her. She drew closer to him and reached for the same book he had. Before Parth could select that very book, she had already placed her hand on it and his landed on top of hers.
Parth looked up in surprise and quickly withdrew his hand.
"Sorry" Parth muttered and was about to turn away from her.
"Wait, here take the book. I have already read it" -Vibha held the book out for him.
He just stared at her for a moment, wondering what she was playing at. And instead of taking the book she held out, he reached past her and picked up a random novel without even looking at it.
As Parth walked away from her, she could feel the tears starting to well up. But instead of letting them fall, she swallowed the lump in her throat and returned to her desk. She watched him from there. Utkarsh was ignoring his book and talking to Parth. Well, he was talking and Parth was silently sitting beside him. She knew she made the choice to stay away, to be professional. But she found herself struggling. She wondered if it was really that easy for Parth. He seemed distant and even more closed off than normal. But he didn't seem to struggle moving away. Vibha sighed before returning to her marking sheets.
Parth was reading the words on the page but they didn't seem to make sense in his head. He knew he was distracted and was thankful that Utkarsh had the ability to hold a conversation without his help. He sighed as he looked over at Vibha. She was wearing her glasses and was buried in her marking sheets. She was always beautiful. But she was much more than that. She was different. He couldn't explain it. Couldn't explain what she meant and the reason he wanted to be closer to her. He didn't know why it was hard to pay attention to what Utkarsh was saying right now, but couldn't stop replaying the few words that she had said to him a moment ago. He wanted to respect her wishes, after all he was to blame for crossing the line. He just didn't know how. He figured if he couldn't see her then it would be easier, so he moved away and avoided any eye contact. But it seemed to make it worse. He just couldn't take it. Everything in his life was a mess and the only thing that made it seem better was now lost. He was lost.
"Utkarsh, I am not feeling well. I think I am just going to head to the dorm to rest."
"Wait, what about dinner?"
"Not hungry, I will see you later"
Vibha watched Parth leave. She wanted to go after him, but once again held herself back. As the other students were filing out of the room to head towards the dining hall, she stopped Utkarsh.
"Utkarsh, where did Parth go?"
"Mam, he wasn't feeling well so he is resting in the dorm"
"What about dinner?"
"He said he wasn't hungry"
Utkarsh looked a little hesitant, as if he wanted to say something more but was unsure if he should.
"Is there something else that you wanted to tell me?"
"Mam, it's just that I am a little worried about him. He hadn't eaten anything today. And he seems a little more...well he just seems off"
"Oh" Vibha knew what Utkarsh meant and she knew the reason behind Parth's behavior as well. She didn't think it possible, but now she felt even worse. Utkarsh saw the tension on her face, and felt bad for burdening her with it.
"Don't worry mam, I think he will be okay."- With that Utkarsh left.
Vibha knew what the professional thing was to do. She, like the rest of the teachers, should head to the dining hall and have dinner. But instead, she found herself gathering some fruits from the hall and heading towards the boys dorms. Upon entering the dorm, she saw Parth lying on his bed. His breathing was even and one of his arms lay over his eyes. Even while sleeping, the tiredness and stress were clearly visible. It wasn't for the first time guilt washed over her, but it was the first time that she let herself cry in his presence. She just couldn't hold it anymore. She took measured steps towards him and placed the plate of fruits on the table. She kneeled in front of his bed and just stared at him.
She let out a strangled breath as she smoothed out his hair. She gently placed her hand on his cheek.
"I am so sorry"-she whispered
Parth stirred and opened his eyes to see her kneeling beside him. He looked shocked and she looked like a deer caught in headlights. But she quickly got over her shock.
"Umm...I heard you weren't feeling well, so I brought you some fruits" Vibha was about to get up to leave, but Parth captured her hand and pulled her back to him. He held her to him for a few moments. She also let herself be pulled even closer and closed her eyes as she finally felt a sense of calm return.
"How did you know I wasn't feeling well?"-Parth asked. Vibha struggled slightly to get up, but he just tightened his grip on her. She pulled up slightly to look into his eyes. He could see the hesitance, a hint of blush and uncertainty. She only saw the determination in his eyes, and scared her.
"Parth let me go" she tried to make it sound stern, but instead it came out shaky.
"Do you know that every day in gym, at least one student gets a minor injury? At least one student suffers from a headache. At least one student skips a meal."
Vibha was confused as to the meaning behind Parth words.
"Parth, why are you telling me all of this?"
"Because, if I was like your other students, then their stress and pain would matter just as much. But it doesn't, does it?"
"Please, Parth! Please, just let me go. Someone might come"
"I want answers, Vibha'
The use of her first name shocked her even more.
"I don't have any answers. Please, Parth"
"I want answers, Vibha. I will only let you go if you promise me answers. Promise me you will meet me in the library at 12"
Vibha slowly nodded. Parth brushed a kiss on her forehead before letting her go. Vibha quickly got up and took a few steps away from him. She was shocked at the turns of events and didn't know how to process it. Her only thought was to get out before they went even more out of control.
"Parth eat something" Vibha turned to leave.
"No! Bring me something when you come to see me tonight"
" You are so stubborn" -Vibha took the plate of fruits with a pout. For the first time in a long time, Parth smiled a little.
"With you, I kind of have to be. See you tonight"
End of Chapter
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