"The Elevator to Realms" Act 11: Beneath the Surface

Kriti

 

They say time changes everything... But, I often wonder if that's always true. 

I sit on my bed, scrolling mindlessly through Instagram. We have our English paper the next day and I seemed to be least bothered about it. 

"Damn it...", I said to myself and locked the phone instantly before I tossed it over the bed. I can't help but reflect on how much my life has shifted in the past few months. Things were actually simpler before. It was simpler before Aaryan turned out to be someone entirely different before I realized that love-if that's what I could even call it-could turn into poison. 

How could I even start trusting people after such an incident? How could I even solely love a person after all this... Aaryan wasn't just toxic; he was suffocating. He'd been controlling and manipulative, slowly isolating me from everyone I cared about. I didn't realize it at first; I was too blinded by the idea of being in a relationship. Maybe it was just me.

But it wasn't until I was at my lowest-when I had no one left to turn to-that I understood the depth of my mistake. Well, I tried to keep my calm and collected my senses back. Not a day goes by when it doesn't haunt me. 

I got up and took a really big sigh. This was the time when Vaibhav appeared, like a beacon of light when I was drowning in that darkness. I don't know if it was fate or just sheer luck, but he was there when no one else was. He didn't ask for anything in return after helping me out, he just went for it and saved me from a situation that could've spiralled into something much worse that I don't even want to imagine.

I glanced over at my study table, where the stack of books lay haphazardly. Vaibhav had been there for me, not just in that dire moment, but ever since. He'd become my anchor. It's funny, I thought, how things change-how people can come into your life and change everything without even trying. He doesn't even know it... Hell. He doesn't even know how much I owe him. He seems just too innocent. Maybe, he is really loyal to Pooja. But then again, I have seen a weird tension between them too. Maybe it was time for me to ask him about it the next day.

*Ding!*

My phone buzzed, I grabbed and unlocked it, and I noticed Vaibhav had sent me a meme on Instagram. I smiled, thinking about how he'd send me memes that had nothing to do with our studies and absolutely funny. He'd even tag me on Instagram posts, it had everything to do with distracting me from the stress. He never let me take life too seriously, even when the pressure of exams threatened to overwhelm me. His carefree nature is what I needed the most. With him around, things didn't seem so bad anymore. 

I kept my phone aside after enjoying some memes he had sent, and then I started studying for tomorrow...

 

The Last Exam

It's the last day of our final school exam, and we're meeting under the same large tree, just like always. I spot Vaibhav walking toward me with that familiar grin of his. As he approaches, I can't help but smile. There's something about his energy, about the way he makes everything seem lighter, that always pulls me in. 

"Ready for the big day?!", he teases, his voice filled with playful enthusiasm.

"Not really," I reply with a laugh. "But I'll survive." Listening to this, we giggle together. The atmosphere was filled with excitement for the last exam and finally, everyone's school was getting over. 

"We're gonna miss our friends, don't we...", Vaibhav asks softly while looking around at the cluster of students. "Yeah. A lot...", I said staring at him. Remembering how much he had started to mean to me in the last few days. I quickly turned my gaze as soon as he turned around. My heart did a little flutter.

Just as we're about to walk through the building's gate, my dad strolls over, talking politics with some of the other uncles hanging around the school gate. Vaibhav immediately perks up, waving.

"HELLO UNCLE!", he calls out, always polite. 

My dad chuckles, as he waves bye to his friends and approaches us. "Arre baccho? Aaj tumhara last exam hai. Kya lagta hai, sab theek se ho jayega? Ab to sare dost alag alag ho jayenge, ha?!"

We laugh along with him, but the thought lingers in my mind... Everything will change after today. This chapter of our lives will close, and we'll all go our separate ways indefinitely.  Will Vaibhav and I stay in touch? Or will we slowly drift apart like so many friends do after school ends?

"Chalo fir! Enjoy.", My dad says while putting a pat on the back of Vaibhav playfully.

Vaibhav turns to me smiling. "Your dad's awesome."

"Yeah, he is," I agree, but my thoughts are far from light. Something is weighing on me, something I've been avoiding acknowledging for a while now. I shake it off, deciding that today isn't the day to dwell on such things. We eventually made our way to the ground corridor of the school where the elevator was. We waited there for the classrooms to open up as we both had reached a few minutes earlier. I gave a quick glance at the elevator... 

 

I could easily notice that Vaibhav is somewhat ignoring the elevator. I didn't want to push further about it at that moment, but I think I would ask Vaibhav about it after the exam.

The classrooms opened up in no time and we moved further to take our seats inside the same 11 'D' classroom, one last time. Vaibhav lets out a sigh, he then engages with his friends and wishes them luck. The classroom is filled with chatter, the usual buzz before an exam. Vaibhav is his usual self-joking around with his friends, lighthearted and carefree. I find myself watching him more than I should, admiring the way he brings life to any room he walks into. He doesn't keep anyone behind. He's been my rock through so much, and yet, he has no idea how deeply I've come to care for him.

"Vaibhav? Please take your seat!", the lady invigilator blurted out. I let out a soft giggle and Vaibhav seemed to notice it, as he sat on his place and smiled back at me. I took my seat after saying hi to my friends and wishing them the best for the exam. After all, everyone would get busy and separated apart after today.

Soon, the exam started. I smiled at Vaibhav as the invigilator approached his row with the blank answer sheets. He caught my glance and slowly mouthed, "Kya Hua?" (What happened?) I shook my head, "Nothing," I replied with a smile. As we began writing, I couldn't help but notice how focused Vaibhav was. His pen moved swiftly across the answer sheet, and I knew his English and Vocab were strong. He was going to ace this exam today. I felt relieved and quite amazed. 

"Guys. Mark your attendance and pass it over.", said one of the invigilators. He was kind of grumpy with a serious face all the time. His eyes were like a hawk. I secretly wanted him to keep his gaze away from the students as everyone needed to score better.

In no time, the attendance sheet came to me. "Thanks", I whispered to the person sitting in front of me. An idea popped into my head. As soon as the sheet came to me, I quickly flipped the page, found Vaibhav's name and made a tiny 'K' with my pencil, just for fun. Damn it. I couldn't hold it and let off a small giggle. "Sorry," I announced in a shallow voice. 

I lowered my gaze and locked it onto Vaibhav. Waiting, for him to notice the tiny 'K' in front of his name. He got the sheet and started searching for his name... And then, flipped the sheet. Damn it. It was intense! I quickly turned my gaze to my answer sheet and pretended to write answers and think. I could feel his eyes on me, smiling. I pretended to catch him looking at me and smiled back. He had a big grin on his face and then he rubbed the letter 'K' passed the sheet behind, him and shook his head. He looked so cute!

Before I could even know, the exam was over, and a chorus of cheers erupted in the school and the hallway. We had done it --our last school exam ever. The feeling of relief was overwhelming, and I could see the joy on everyone's faces as they realized it was finally over. The school was officially over now. The exam just flew away. As we leave the classroom, the sense of finality hits me. This is it! The end of school, the end of a chapter of our lives. 

I found Vaibhav rummaging through his bag for something just outside the classroom.

"Kriti, hold on!", he calls out, pulling out a Dairy Milk Silk, wrapped in a little red ribbon. "This is for you. Thanks for helping me out... during exams. Without you, I don't think I could even pass."

I laughed, touched by the gesture. "Aww, buddhu! You didn't have to! But, now you have to share it with me. Deal?"

"Deal", he grins sheepishly, and we start walking toward the gate. It's just all memories now. As we walk, we talk about everything - our favourite memories, the teachers we loved and hated. It's bittersweet, knowing that this might be one of the last times we'll walk out of the school gate together.

Suddenly, Vaibhav glances at the old school elevator, the one that has always fascinated me. For some reason, he seems to tense up. I've noticed it before, how he avoids talking about the elevator, and I've always respected his silence on the matter. Today, though, I feel like asking.

"Acha Vaibhav, you never told me what's with the elevator."

His face darkens for a split second, but before he can respond, his friends come over, pulling him into a group hug, laughing and celebrating the end of exams. I watch him, standing there... with his friends, and it hits me. He's always there for everyone, making them smile. He's so lively, but I don't know if anyone really sees him the way I do.

Later, he offered me a ride home in his car. I went with him. As we drive together towards my home, the mood has shifted slightly. The excitement of finishing school is still there, but there's a quietness around us now. I can't help but ask, "Vaibhav, what about Pooja? How are things with her?"

His expression changes. The lightness in his eyes dimmed just a bit. "Pooja's... Complicated, Kriti...", he admits. "I'm not sure if things are working out anymore. She's always busy, and I get it. But... I don't know, Kriti. Isn't the whole point of a relationship to make time for each other?"

I feel a pang in my chest, but I push it aside. "Relationships are hard," I say softly. "But they're supposed to be two-sided. If you are the only one making the effort, maybe it's time to talk to her about it, Vaibhav..."

He glances at me, his face softening. "You always know what to say, Kriti..."

"Hey Um... Don't take it personally but, This is what I feel.", I smile, but inside, my feelings are a mess. Vaibhav has no idea how much he means to me. He doesn't know that every time he talks about Pooja, it feels like a teeny tiny crack in my heart. But I can't tell him that, I just can't. Not now. Not when he's already going through so much. I feel sad for him. 

As Vaibhav continues to drive, I steal a glance at him, with a heart heavy with emotions I can't quite put into words. I know I care about him more than I should, and I know that these feelings aren't going away anytime soon. But for now, all I can do is to be there for him, the way he's always been there for me. I could feel a tiny pain building up my throat, as I try to hold my tears and emotions. I took a sigh and smiled. 

Vaibhav drops me off at my h house, and as I watch him drive away, I wonder what the future holds for us. Will we ever be more than just friends? Or will I always be the girl who watches from the sidelines, cheering him on while he chases after someone else... 

Either way. I know one thing for sure -- no matter what happens, I'll always be grateful for him. For saving me when no one else would. For making me laugh when I didn't think I could. And for being the one person who made me feel like I mattered...

***

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