Sirf Aur Sirf Hum-Vibharth FF (Update 07/07 on pg8) - Page 3

Chapter 3

Vibha rushed out of the dorm and ran straight into her own room. She was shaking and continuously replaying the events. She just couldn't grasp how they both ended up here. She couldn't understand how she lost control. But worse of all, she could feel the line between right and wrong beginning to blur. She was a mess to the say the least. She sighed as she collapsed onto her bed and stared at the picture on her nightstand. It was a picture of the people that meant the most to her and the only reason she continued to suffer at Warrior High.
In the past, she would have listened to her emotions in a heartbeat. But today, she had to maintain her resolve. She missed being her old self. She missed being oblivious to the struggles of the real world. Though sometimes, she felt like she was beginning to gain her old self back, but she couldn't afford the luxury anymore. She had to be Parth's teacher and only his teacher. She couldn't afford to be anything more. She buried her face in her pillow and let all the anguish spill over. She had never felt so defeated. But she knew that she had to be stern and absolute when she would meet Parth.

Parth knew the struggle the Vibha must be going through. He understood the difficulty she faced. The truth was that she was his teacher. And for that very reason, he had tried to accept her wishes. But he just couldn't do it. He just didn't have it in him to move away from her. And maybe his reasons were selfish, but it felt like it was beyond his control. He didn't know what would happen tonight, but he knew what he hoped they would both come to realize.

All the boys were already in bed and were asleep. He had already mentioned to Utkarsh that he would be sneaking out at midnight. Utkarsh was shocked to say the least as it was so unlike Parth. He was then excited and wanted to come as well. That was until Parth mentioned that he was heading to the library at which point Utkarsh claimed to be suddenly extremely sleepy. Since then Parth had been laying in his bed with his eyes glued to the clock on the wall. It was half an hour early, but he couldn't wait any longer. Parth sneaked out of the dorm and headed towards the library.

Warrior High seemed to known for its vibrancy, especially during the night. There seemed to always be an event, whether it was secret parties, secret boxing matches and secret movies nights. However, tonight was different. The halls were completely empty with only a few small lights and the little light that the moon provided. As Parth cautiously walked through the halls, he had spotted the guard doing his rounds on the second floor. Parth carefully opened the doors to find the library completely dark. He carefully treaded his way to the back of the library and stopped short. Vibha was already there. She was sitting on the floor with her head leaning against the bookshelf and a plate of food next to her.

"Hi" Parth whispered as he took a spot next to her. Vibha looked up at him and Parth could tell that she had been crying.

"Parth, can you please just eat?"

Her voice was so soft and small, that he could feel himself breaking along with her. He didn't trust his voice, so he just nodded as he took the plate from her. Vibha watched as Parth took a few bites and then put the plate aside.

"Parth, please just finish it. You haven't eaten enough"

But this time, Parth didn't obey. "I will finish it, but later. Right now, I want to talk."

At this, Vibha suddenly became alert. Her eyes became more focused and she sat up a little straighter.

"Parth..."

"I know...I know what you are going to say. Bu I don't want to hear that rehearsed speech or the diplomatic answer, please I just want you to tell me the truth, please"

Vibha sighed as she slumped against the shelf again. She had a plan and everything seemed to be going against. She wondered if things were going according to Parth's plan and what his plan would lead to. She struggled with the decision of telling him the truth. She knew if she told him then they couldn't go back.

"You know the truth. In class, I look at you a moment longer than I look at any other student. I talk to you more than I talk to any other student, more than I talk to anyone for that matter. After my dad's accident, I changed. I seemed to have lost something. But talking to you, teasing you, and just being with you makes it seem like I am getting that back. You remind me that my life is more than just the responsibilities, but you also give me the courage that I can handle my responsibilities."

Parth listened to every word and with every word he became anxious. He carefully placed his hand on her face and pulled her towards him. He gently moved her face closer to his, until he was looking right into her eyes.

"So tell me why. Why, when you know what it is between us, do you want me to move away from you?"

Vibha tried to look away, but Parth didn't let her. She sighed as if giving in and placed her head against his.

"Because I am your teacher"

"That isn't reason enough"

Vibha leaned over and gently kissed him on his forehead.

"It has to be. I am sorry"

With that, Vibha got up and was about to walk out. But Parth grabbed her hand before she could.

"Don't go"

"Parth let me go"

Even though Vibha refused to turn around, Parth could tell by her breaking voice that she was crying. He walked closer to her and placed his arm around her waist and pulled her closer so as to make sure she wouldn't run.

"Everything in my life seems like a struggle. My father's death, my step-father's abuse and the worry for my mother have all contributed to making me feel as if I am constantly drowning and barely hanging on. And I know I have flaws, my anger being the most obvious. But I haven't known anything more than that, until now. For the first time in a very long time, I feel more than pain and anger. I feel like I have someone that inspires me to be better. But more than that, for the first time in a long time I actually smile and it's because of you. Please, please don't take that away from..." Parth tried to control his voice, but he couldn't help that slight quiver. Vibha suddenly turned and hugged him tightly. As Parth pulled her even closer, he moved them down to sit against the shelf. He held her tight against him.

"How is this going to work? I am still your teacher, Parth. People, society won't accept a relationship between a teacher and her student. I can't lose my job and I can't bear to see your future destroyed either. " Vibha whispered against his chest, without making eye contact. Parth held her face to his and gently kissed her on her cheek. Parth understood that this conversation would again lead to Vibha trying to move away from him. So he pulled her even closer and looked right at her, to make sure that she understood the confidence and determination with which he spoke the next words.

"It will work"

Vibha struggled against him and moved away a little bit.

"How, Parth? I am still your teacher and you are still my student. This can't work. Please try to understand, our relationship has everything going against it. Nothing has changed. I am still your teacher, and the world people just won't accept our relationship. Maybe it's best that we just forget about this"

Vibha leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead before getting up to leave. But Parth held her hand to stop her. He tried to gently pull her down to come take her seat beside him, but she wouldn't. Parth let out a sigh as he could feel he was losing her again.

"The world isn't always right. There are a million examples of that just within this library, whether its slaves or inter-caste relationships. Society eventually changes its thinking, but I don't want to wait for that. Vibha, in two years you won't be my teacher and I won't be your student. But in those two years, can you honestly tell me your feelings will change?"

At this Vibha actually turned to look at him. He looked just as tired as she felt. She finally took the seat beside him and gently placed her head on his shoulder. Parth wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer.

"No they won't change. You know, they won't."

"No they won't"

Parth repeated before kissing her on the cheek. He shifted so that he could place his head in her lap and for the first time tonight he really smiled.

"Finally! You are a lot of work." Parth let out an exaggerated sigh.

Vibha chuckled as she gently started playing with his hair.

"Now what?" Vibha asked nervously. Parth smiled as he took her hand and kissed it.

"Just because we both know where this relationship will lead us, doesn't mean I want to miss the moments in between. So that is what we will do in these two years."

Parth stoop up and held out his hands to help her up.

"Come, I will help you sneak back to your room"

End of Chapter