31. The seminar

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Aditi's Point of view

I ran away.

I don't know why?

I ran away from the person whom I madly in love with since my childhood and missed him every second of the day. Even to fill hid empty place, I hallucinate him. I am not a schizophrenic patient. I don't imagine things but I love to imagine my handsome neighbour because he is only one for whom I am breathing.

I lost him eight years ago. He leave me when he went to the other city to achieve his dreams. I still remember how I ran behind his car and pleaded to him to meet me one last time but he didn't stop. I was angry on him.

I was angry on him that he also leave me. I wanted to hate him but my love was stronger than my anger. I never wanted to meet him again in my life but as the time pass my love over powered and I started loving him more than before because his memories witnessed all my pain, I went through. He is always in my mind when I moaned in pain. He is the first person to came into my mind when I wanted feel the warmth of other person.

He was with me when he was not in real.

I never wished to meet him again because I never want him to see me like this, broken and vulnerable, like a broken glass. When he leave the city, I always wanted, when we met again, he see me as a strong woman not the one who is unwanted for everyone. I wanted him to see me as a confident girl but everything finished when my family abandoned me forever and leave me between the animals who beats me whenever they want and always treat me like a street dog. Even street dogs lives in batter condition than mine.

First I thought I hallucinating him but when I realised, I was shocked. He completely changed from his teen age. Time really did the numbers on him. He became a strong man and he has the dominating personality which everyone fears. He looked more handsome than I last saw him. His features is more define and sharper than before but his eyes are same. They still holds the innocence in them. His lips are more pinkish than before.

My heart ache when I think this is the last meet of us. I decided not to come in front if him again and will never meet him in future. I don't want him to see me in miserable condition.

A tear drop on the latter in my hand, making the paper wet. Yes, I always cries when I read this latter but today there is something in my heart when I read this latter. It was like you get the thing you waited for years but when the thing is finally in front of you, you are not in the condition to welcome it with all your heart.

I wish he forgot about me like other people did in my life. I wish he never saw me again. I am a bad omen for everyone and I always prayers best wishes for him.

I kissed the latter and more tears fall out from my eyes when I closed my eyes.

"Dhruv hum aapse bhot pyar kerte hai per hum nhi chahte aap hame aise dekhe." I said while looking at the latter in my hand and fresh wave of tears wet my both cheeks.

(Dhruv I love you so much but I don't you to see me like this.)

Since I bumped to him, I was lost in his thoughts and my tears could not stop thinking about him. Today Bua ji gave me food herself. Maybe Dhruv is lucky for me, that's why I get the food today.

I laid down on the floor and hugged his latter to my chest. I love cuddles while sleeping. In my childhood I used to cuddle my pillow when I slept but now I don't have anything except the tore blanket. So I slept every night while cuddling Dhruv's latter. It makes me feel like I sleep holding him close to me.

My exhaustion make my eyelids heavy and I don't know when I sleep while cuddling to the latter.

****

In past three years for the first time I want to skip my college. I do not want to come college today because Dhruv will be there. Today is the last day of the seminar and the lucky student also get selected for the social program and get the opportunity to do his training under the District Magistrate of the city, which is my Dhruv.

I was happy to know that Dhruv complete his childhood dream. He achieved what he was working hard since he was in his school. My prayers and his hard work did the magic and he is the highest ranked officer of the city. Before I was confused about Dhruv's presence in the college yesterday but this morning I came to know by other students that he is non other than the district magistrate, The IAS officer.

Today I came college earlier than usual because I want to see him one more last time. I am not angry on him, I still love him more than before but I don't want him in my life either. I am a mess and I don't want to get closer to anyone, to be left alone in the end.

"Aditi..." I was lost in my thoughts, sitting on the bench of the corridor when Sakshi, one of my classmates pulled me out from my deep zone.

"Tyagi Sir, is calling you in his cabin." She gave me the smile and then walked away with her boyfriend Rohan.

Both Sakshi and Rohan are the famous couple of the college. Their love story is famous among the teachers also. Sakhsi is a kind girl and Rohan is famous basketball player of the college. I talked no one in college and if someone tried to be my friend I always get back. I only had one friend in my past and she also leave me. I don't blame her, no one wants to live with me.

I also got up from the bench and walked towards Tyagi Sir's cabin. Tyagi sir is the HOD of our department and in charge of this seminar. I knocked the door two times when I reached his cabin.

"Come in..." I opened the door when I heard his faint voice and went inside. Sir was doing his work behind the desk. His spectacles stuck to his nose and he was looking a typical government school teacher.

"You called me sir." I asked him while looking down.

"Hmm..." He closed the pen cap, adjust his spectacles on his nose and continue, "Aditi, you didn't paid the exam fee of last year. Your scholarship only pay your college fees but you have to arrange your exam fee by yourself. If you didn't pay the fees before the semester exam, then I am sorry to say, I can't let you sit in the exams of this year. You may get fail." He was looking at me apologetically.

"But sir how could I? You know my condition." I looked at him with worried face. I told everyone that I belongs to a very poor family and they could not afford my studies.

"I know Aditi and I do everything to help you. But I can't delay this time." Tyagi sir said while looking at me with sympathy.

"Can nothing happen sir?" I requested him.

He nodded his head and said, "There is only one way. You can submit the exam fees if you get selected in this program. You will get some money along with the certificate. That's why I gave your referenced to the dean sir but last decision was DM's. So pray to god that DM select you in thus program."

Tyagi sir suggested me the way but it was no use. Bua ji already knows about this program. She already told me if I don't select in this program and give all the money I might get she will beat me till I my skin came out from my body.

"Okay sir." I said in a low voice while looking down.

Tyagi sir helped me many times related this kind of issues but this time he also looked helpless. I don't know what would I do. I planned to escape after completing my graduation but it seems like I could not complete my graduation and stuck in this hell forever.

I am like the cage bird who always dream to get free one day and explore the whole sky with her long wings but in actual she took her last breath in that cage.

"Aditi, I am going to the MD sir's cabin with these files. Can you help me with them?" Tyagi sir asked me. I nodded my head, took all files which he was holding and then walked towards MD sir's office with Tyagi sir.

****

Tyagi sir and I both entered in the MD's sir cabin. This is the first time I am coming inside in his cabin. MD sir has the largest cabin in the college, his certificates hanging on the wall. Left side on the room there was small library. His desk was on the middle of the room and right side if it there was a large window, where the sunlight was coming inside the cabin and at one corner there was sitting arrangement with couches and table. Dean sir was also there and he was discussing something with someone who was wearing the reading glasses.

MD sir was on the phone with someone and he nodded his head to Tyagi sir in acknowledgment.

"Put these files on the table." Tyagi sir said while pointing towards the table. I nodded my head and put all files on the table in front of MD sir.

As I turn to leave I bumped into someone's hard chest. I looked up, ready to apologise to the person and my eyes met the most attractive black eyes which were directly looking at me with so much emotions. I don't know how long he was standing behind me because I didn't notice the shock in his eyes.

"Aditi.."

"Dhruv.."

We both whispered each other's name. while looking at each other intendedly. Clock stopped ticking, times stopped around us when we both lost in each other. I can not see anything without him. There are so many things in mind, I want to ask so many questions to him, I want to apologise to him for my yesterday behaviour but my lips seal. It was like I lost my voice some where.

I want hug him and wanted to feel his arms around me once again. I wanted to confirm that he is in real, not my hallucination. Tears welled up in my eyes when I reminded myself, I don't have any right to touch him or feel him. I never had.

Not in eight years ago, not now.

But one part of my heart was being a stubborn and wanted to talk to him but my mind keep reminding me he will leave you like others. Don't get your hopes up.

Don't get attached to him.

But the look in his eyes saying other story. I can see the relief in his eyes but uneasiness at the same time. There is calm in his eyes but I can see the storm also. He lifted his right hand to touch me but before he could..

"Mr. Malhotra, I was about to call you." Someone called him. We both blinked our eyes, coming back to the reality. It was our MD sir who called him.

"We should proceed to the seminar hall. It's almost a time." MD sir said to him but nor he move his eyes from me neither I.

"Aditi, you are still here. Go to the seminar hall." I looked at Tyagi sir who was standing just beside MD sir, was saying directly looking at me.

I nodded my head and with a heavy heart, without looking back I leave the room but I can feel his heating gaze on me when I finally step out from MD sir's cabin.

*****

Whole seminar hall filled with applause when Dhruv end the speech and not for a single second he averted his eyes from me. He has the strong impact on me and locked his gaze with me that I also could not move my eyes from him. Though I was sitting at the end of the seminar hall but still we both managed to lock our eyes. Now Dean sir was speaking something on mice but my mind block his voice and my eyes automatically reach to Dhruv when he took his seat beside MD sir and soon his eyes find mine. He was daring me with his eyes not to move my eyes.

"The winner of the social program is.."
I turned my attention to the Dean sir when he was about to announced the name of the social program and my heart started beating faster. I crossed my fingers on my lap and started praying to get select in this program.

This may be the simple program to other students but for me this is the ticket of my graduation. But still I didn't find the way to pay my exam fees because Bua ji knows about the scholarship. Her friend is the professor in this college and she updated her everything about every activity in college.

"Aditi Tripathi.." If I say I am surprised, then it will be underestimate because I was shocked after hearing my name. I don't know how but I win this program. Seminar hall again filled with applause and everyone waiting for me to get to achieve my award. I looked towards the stage, Dhruv also waiting for me to approach him on the stage and he has smile on his face.

A smile, I always die for and do anything to get that smile from him because it's rare when he smiles.

I got from my chair and took a slow steps towards the stage. Everyone's eyes on me, I feel cautious. My hands are sweating and nervousness building inside me. I am not used to of attention. I am a kind of person who loves to hide in the corner uf someone see her more than a minute or show any kind of love because these things I never get in my life. I slowly looked up towards the stage and Dhruv was looking at me with that same smile.

I went to stage and stood beside Dhruv but I didn't looked at him. I keep looking on my feet because I was nervous. Seeing him from a far is one thing but standing beside him in front of everyone was another thing.

"Congratulations.." I gasped and looked up when Dhruv whispered in my ear. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I can feel my face turning into red. He  was grinning like he achieved something. He winked at me and my eyes went wide. I immediately looked down and tried to control my red blush face.

"You are ignoring me." I again looked at him when he speaks. He had a frown on his face. I took a deep breath, to control my emotions. They always all over the place when I am near him.

"No, I didn't." I said in a low voice.

"Then why did you ran away from me, yesterday?" He asked me while looking at me.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to." I said while looking at him and then looked down. We both get disturb when Dean sir approached us with the certificate.

Dean sir gave the certificate to Dhruv to give it to me. Dhruv forward the certificate towards me and then we both turn to the cameraman for a picture. None of us smile. We both have our pocker look on our face.

"We have lot to talk about. Meet me after your college. I'll pick you at 5 p.m" He said while turning to me.

"I can't. I have to go home before 7." I looked at him with worry. It took me two hours to cover the distance by walk to reach home and if I get a minute late my bua ji didn't gave me food and I get the beating also.

"We still have two hours. Don't worry, I'll drop you to your home."

"But..."

"I don't want to hear anything. I'll see you at 5 and if you tried to run this time, I will kidnap you from your house." I tried to protest but he was adamant. He shoves his both hand into his trousers and dared me with his eyes.

I sighed and looked down.

"Okay, I will come with you." I nodded my head while looking down.

*****

It's already 5 p.m. College ends five minutes ago and I was walking towards the main exit of the college. I don't want to meet Dhruv because I could not afford to break down in front of him. He is the only person who met me from my past. He is the best memory I have. He knows me as a strong girl and I don't want him to know the reality of my life in present.

It's already hard to ignore him all day. We both crossed path two times when he was on the tour of the campus and I tried my best not to come in his way but he find the way to come across with me. I can't meet him.

But he warn me, he will kidnap me from my house.

He was so confident when he said that. He must know about my house. I can't let this happen, my Bua ji will kill me.

"Are you Aditi?" A man in a guard uniform and riffle on his shoulder asked me. I nodded my head as yes.

"Dhruv sir, is waiting for you at the back exit of the college. He ordered me to bring you to him." He requested me. I nodded my head and started walking behind him.

......................................................................

I hope you like the chapter.

Thank you for the 500+ comments. I never thought you give me so much love.

I planned Dhruv and Aditi meet in this chapter but the chapter go long and I could not put all things and emotions in this chapter so I decided, I will write their proper meet in next chapter.

Akhir Tadap mai hi to maja hai.😉

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