"The Elevator to Realms" Act 6 Exam Days
"The Elevator to Realms" Act 6 Exam Days
Pooja
It was already February. The gradually decreasing chill in the wind marked the end of the winter season. Everyone was hustling for their final board exams. Many were tensed about the change in question pattern this year. I had to score good marks this time to get admission in a good University. I opened the board's website and entered my details to find out my exam center.
DAV Public School Sector 4, Bokaro.
I let out a sigh, and sat on my study chair. I grabbed my notebook, and then I thought to myself... "Yaar.. Vaibhav ka exam center kidhar hogi?" I switched on my desktop computer one more time and searched for Vaibhav's admission number.
It was different. His exam centre was located in a completely different city...
Delhi Public School, Jamshedpur.
At this point, I had a wild idea that Vaibhav hasn't noticed this yet. A part of me wanted me to inform him about this right now. But, I didn't.
“Aarti! Would you please make me a good coffee?”, I said, while scanning through my Organic Chemistry book.
“Why. You go and make one.” Answered Aarti in a brazen tone, leaving me completely blank. Yeah well, its better to go make one instead of arguing. I let out a big sigh and slammed my hands over the books and got up. As soon as I started making myself a cup of coffee, my phone buzzed.
Good Morning Pooja Ji ❤️ Wanna meet? Actually, I have to attend a wedding with my family.
Text from Vaibhav.
Honestly, I really wanted to meet him. But at the same time, I wanted to study. So I texted him saying,
Vaibhav, I was onto something. Some organic. Maybe I’ll catch you later?
He texted back saying, he really wanted to meet me. After a few text exchanges, I asked him for a quick meet at a nearby café. I told my friends, Kriti and Kajol to accompany me, upon which they agreed to.
We reached the café sometime after our breakfast. Vaibhav was already waiting for me. We hugged and looked at each other.
"Hi Kriti, Hi Kajol. How are you guys doing? It's been a while since I saw you guys.", Said Vaibhav.
Kriti is tall and has a really fair complexion. She takes very good care of her health and is really concerned about her life. Although, she is very introverted and finds it tough to open up to people so easily. I must admit, she has a very big heart! She never thinks about herself before anyone else she loves. I secretly wish, I could maintain the figure and body she has.
Kajol loves to stay in a jolly mood everytime. She is kind of muh-fatt. She would never ever see her friends in distress. Our dabangg girl!
"Yes. Everything's going fine... Bas Pooja thodi tensed thi.." said Kajol.
"And, why?!" He asked.
I started glaring at Kajol and Kriti. I was damn sure that they knew why I was tensed. Because of that damn organic. Yes, as usual, I tried to divert the topic and asked Vaibhav about the family function.
"Vaibhav, when are you going for the function?"
"Oh yea, I have to leave by today itself. It's my cousin brother's marriage. Nani ke ghar me." He said.
"Oh... So, by when you'll be back?", I asked curiously.
"Um.. maybe, after 15 days.", He said in a low tone.
Damn. He would get really less time to study and prepare for the exams. And then there's me. Who is worried about Organic a month before the chemistry exam. What kind of stupid I am! Although, I was a little bit tensed about the exams. I blurted out, “Vaibhav, I can’t do organic”. Vaibhav was left thinking. He said, okay, we would study together then. No issues, but let’s talk about something else right now. I nodded a yes. We all four sat together and had a chitchat.
“You guys are just awesome!” said Kriti.
Confused but happy upon hearing this, he asked Kriti, "whoa. And, how is that?!" I could clearly see the happiness on his face, I couldn't hide mine.
"Saath me padhna.. saath me ghumna... Saath me elevator me stuck hojana... Ye sab naseeb walo ko hi milta hai", said Kajol, teasing us. I poked her with my elbow and signalled her to stop teasing us. Both of them laughed. But, Vaibhav was looking a bit different this time. He was not in the moment. He was tensed and I could clearly say, that he was thinking about something.
“Hmm.. Some guts Pooja has, going out during these exam times…” said Kajol in a very low tone. I noticed that Vaibhav was staring at me after hearing this. I said, “Nice joke by the way! Vaibhav, kuch aur baat karte hai. Ghar me sab kaise hai?”.
"They're fine Pooja", He said.
"Good Noon, what would you like to have today?", Asked the waiter.
Vaibhav was staring at the menu. "Bata bhi do, pagal...", I said.
"For me, just a cappuccino would be fine." He said.
"Please make it two..." I said, smiling at him. But, something was wrong. I could notice the seriousness in his eyes. Kriti and Kajol ordered themselves some shake.
Kriti had some issues with her current relationship. And, she needed Vaibhav's help. So, me and Kriti had discussed about this, I asked her, "Kriti, why don't you share with us? About the matter? Maybe, we both could help you out. Jitna bhi hoga, hamlog help karenge pakka." Upon which, Kriti nodded.
"We... Actually, me and Aaryan are not together anymore...", she said.
"We're sorry Kriti, aakhir aisa kya hua batao?", I said.
"Last time we met, was when we were at Dehradun. We both had planned a trip with some other friends. We all were enjoying a lot. While we were at Dhanaulti I happened to have Aaryan's phone. He wanted me to click some pictures of him with his friends. We were so much into the moment at that time. But, a message popped up on his notifications... It.. said..
'I'll miss you.. ♥️' with a heart emoji.
I couldn't believe my eyes at that time. I was shocked and .. everything seemed to stop at that time.. But I happened to confront this to him when we reached back to our resort where we stayed. That was the time he admitted that he is indeed talking to some other girl.", She explained.
"What! All this happened and you didn't even tell us...", said Kajol. I could clearly notice the disappointment in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry... I didnt had the courage to tell this to anyone."
"And why is that?", I asked.
"Because... If I shared this to anyone, he threatened me to post all my... Pictures .. online.... ", said Kriti in a trembling voice. She couldn't hold her tears back anymore.
"Oh my god.. shit yar" I said. Damn what kind of man he is?! How could he do this to the person he loves?
"Kriti, did you see the name? Who sent this message to him?" asked Vaibhav.
"No. I couldn't... It was something else. Maybe some random contact name.", Kriti said.
"Please. I am tensed. Do something guys. I cannot let this happen."
"Kriti can you go to his home? Just talk normally, and you would have to have physical access to his home WiFi router. Can you do that?", asked Vaibhav. Kriti nodded with a Yes.
"I can try. What are you gonna do?", she asked curiously.
"Leave that to me, Kriti. And chill out. I'll give you a pen drive this evening. I'll tell you the further steps uske baad. Okay?" said Vaibhav, smiling. Kriti smiled back at him and said, "You guys are the best!" She wiped her tears and smiled again.
Okay. This made me a little jealous. It actually did. But I don't know why. Maybe because I would never want to share any part of him with anyone else? I don't know. Why does Vaibhav has everything figured out every time! Damn.
"Vaibhav, I think.. we should get going. We have exams approaching. And, I have to get on with my Organic.", I said.
"Just.. your Organic? Bas tum hi padhoge, Pooja? Subah bhi.. you clearly denied yaha aane se.", Said Vaibhav. In a serious tone. I had an idea that this was coming. "Tell me. Kya chhipa rhe ho ha?", He said.
"Vaibhav, your exam centre is in Jamshedpur. In a totally different city. Far away from mine...", I said.
"Pehle padhna tha... Ab lo. Exam center bhi door hai... Pooja, hamlog door to nhi horhe, right?", He said.
I looked around. I looked at Kriti and Kajol, they both were looking at me. I couldn't handle it anymore so I got up and started walking towards the balcony.
"Kya yaar? Ye sb kehna zaruri tha kya tereko?!", Said Kajol. "Ja ab. Manaa ke aa."
I stood there, and I could hear his steps towards me. He held my hand and said, "Remember our date? That was the best day of my whole life. Mene nahi dekha tha apna exam centre..." I couldn't hold my tears and turned around to give a tight hug to him! "Vaibhav, I would never ever want to get separated from you. Even if it's about the exam center. I dont want you to go. Please mat jao?" I said. During our hug, he caressed my back and hair, "Nahi ja raha kahin. Bas kuch din ke baad, I'll be back here. Till then, promise me you'll take good care of yourself. And miss me." He said.
"Ofcourse pagal! Promise.", Then we looked deeply into each other's eyes.
"Oye love birds! Wapas bhi jaana hai madam ko." Exclaimed Kajol. We giggled, and then Vaibhav offered us to drop all of us home.
We dropped Kriti and Kajol to their homes and we reached at my home. Vaibhav stopped the car at the side.
"I'll wait for you. Dhyaan se aana aur jaana. Khoob saara enjoy karna.", I said while hugging him. I kissed the corner of his lips. He smiled and said, "I love you".
"I love you more!!"
..
..
I opened the car's door and looked at him while he drove away.
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