|the naive rebel|
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xxxviii| f the stereotypes
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word count- 2453

So! How are you all?

Good morning/evening whenever you are reading this, and my good night as I fall on my bed after posting this.

Question for the update-

>< what's your pet peeve?

I have proof read it, but i am kinda sleepy so if i did make any errors, inline comment them.

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I N A A Y A T
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It might be the first time in my entire life span of 23 years when even coffee is failing to tempt me.

The only thing I am itching to do now is to jump on the stage and hug the life out of her, but the only barrier between me and the stage is hundred other students and the professors who have their eyes glued to the stage.

Currently, the guests and the principal are talking about the importance of Engineers (we all know that, already!) and how their journey was during their preparations, how the academic sessions were held and what were the things that motivated them throughout.

Students were allowed to excuse themselves to the cafeteria for refreshments if they wanted any. Mishti and Garima had gone to the cafe some time back and they returned with a takeaway mug of coffee for me, which is still untouched.

The anticipation to meet and talk to her is ticking like a bomb within me and yet I can not do anything to diffuse it.

"You aren't drinking coffee?" Mishti's voice is laced with confusion and astonishment. "I don't feel like drinking it." My reply on the other hand is slow and measured, my eyes still on her.

The seats on the stage morph their colours, first blue and then red and then yellow and then again blue. The guests answer certain questions thrown at them, they dodge some, answer some diplomatically, some crisp answers and some boring ones.

I am so eager for this program to end but their questions are never-ending.

"So, how do you feel being a graduate from such a highly esteemed field?" The principal questions and I see a soft smile playing on her face. She says something to the person sitting next to her, who nods in response.

The mic is passed to her, and she straightens her dupatta before she bites back her smile and speaks, "I would like to reframe the question. Why should I only be proud if I am an engineer? Completing graduation from any stream is a big deal, for any student. There's no stream as esteemed or non-esteemed. I agree, some fields are noble and highly regarded but that doesn't mean that the rest of the career options aren't esteemed." She pauses and the entire auditorium is silent, and all their attention-focussed on her.

"I had stereotypical thinking too, but my sister changed my thinking. She always managed to question the ancestral thoughts, wanting to know the answer behind every logic or belief, managing to render everyone speechless. She always preaches, that your field can't and will never limit your opportunities. If we are passionate about our career and work hard for our goals- no matter what they are, we will achieve great heights. The works of Shakespeare, Picasso and Alexander Graham Bell are still discussed and are highly esteemed, as you say. It doesn't matter if you are a literature graduate, or an artist or a science graduate-let your works and success speak for you and not your stream. Cause, in the end, even an Engineer can be jobless and an Artist can be highly successful."

She concludes her answer and as soon as she finishes, there are thunderous rounds of applause for her echoing in the auditorium. Everyone in the room appreciates her views but only I manage to notice the gentle grin and the twinkling look in her eyes that she directs towards me.

"Her sister sounds like a sweet person." Garima faintly talks and Mishti nods in response.

"What do you think, Aayat?"

"I think, her sister is lucky to have such a supportive elder one," I mumble quietly.

The question round starts again and the air of andragogy dissolves as the students start talking and chattering while the interaction between the guests and students start soon after.

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"Where are we going?" I ask him for the third time but he continues ignoring me. As soon as the program had ended, I had dashed the green room but before I can enter it, Ishaan had pulled me away.

He has been dragging me in the empty corridor since the past five minutes. The other students are having a close discussion with the guests-one to one. I could have easily used that opportunity to meet Ditu but this person didn't let me use that.

"Shh." He silences me and continues dragging me to the first and then the second floor. "Just don't fall." He taunts and I almost kick his legs but refrain from doing so, because if I kick him, I am sure I'll be the one limping afterwards and not him.

I know my clumsy arse so well.

"Here." He finally stops his marathon just before the flight of stairs that lead to the terrace area.

"Why did you bring me up here?" He rolls his eyes at me before he answers, "Your sister. She is waiting on the terrace, go." He smiles and I look at him gratefully.

"What? Go. I have to go to the auditorium before Nikhil notices my absence." He tells and pushes me lightly towards the staircase.

"Thank You." I appreciate softly before I climb up the stairs eagerly towards the terrace.

Opening the door, I see her back facing me as she is admiring the sky and an empty college campus' top view.

"Ditto." I whisper faintly but she still manages to catch my presence and turns around. I brisk walk towards her, hugging her frame tightly.

"I missed you so much," I whisper tenderly, my voice muffled by the tears that brim in my eyes and croaks in my throat as the words I speak are scratchy and coarse

"Aww, my Inu has grown up so much. She walked a metre without tripping." She claps excitedly.

I break the hug as soon as her chortle reaches my ear and my eyes narrow at her infinitesimally.

My clumsiness will be remembered even after I die.

"Very funny." I scowl at her, and she only doubles over her laughter. I move a little away, my hands crossed over my chest. I tap my feet violently and wait for her to sober up.

"Okay okay, I am sorry." She smiles biting her tongue playfully and raises her hands in the air, as of surrendering.

"But Ditu, you never attend such functions, how did you accept this invitation?" I ask her, remembering the thousands of questions simmering in my head. Her lips contort into a smirk as she looks at me flippantly.

"The guy, Shaan called me two days ago. He told me how this event is being held here and that if I want, I can also attend it. He explained how my little one was missing me, and that it would be a great surprise for you. And also that you'll be very ecstatic about seeing me."

Her words whirl around me like a cocoon, tightening and squeezing me and managing to mutilate my thought process as I try remembering when I had told Ishaan about my sister. How did he know about Ditu?

I don't even remember telling him about her.

Not only that, how did he find her contact details and a fact that I don't fail to notice is that he introduced himself as Shaan and not Ishaan.

"So..what's the scene?" She queries and I look at her confused.

"What?"

"A guy calls me out of nowhere, talks about my sister's happiness and arranges my entry in this event so that I can meet you on this auspicious day."

Smirking at my confused state, she walks towards the edge of the terrace and leans her back on the whitewashed wall, eyeing me like I am a criminal and her, a cop.

"I had no idea.." My answer melts in the thin air, I think about her question.

Ishaan is seriously messing with my brain and heart.

"Oi, don't put too much pressure on your head. Who is he? Is he a college student? But then, how would he know about me?"

"He is working on the case, I am sent here for. He's an officer." I tell her, her eyes widening at my answer.

"Sweet. Looks like you both are getting involved in two cases instead of one." Her eye drops in a wink.

I don't know about him, but I, for sure am fighting another mental battle. That day outside the factory, where we had kissed, had messed up my brain so badly, forcing me to think so deeply about the scenario and to acknowledge my feelings. To get enough courage to beat the sea of denial I was drowning in. That day, the happenings were so sudden and surely unexpected.

I had never thought that any of this will ever happen in my life, but here we are-in an estranged college, dealing with a psychopath killer, handling the trauma of so many suicides, starting to like the once arrogant person who had first blamed me of using my dad's reputation for my benefit and now, the person who took efforts just to make me feel a little less homesick, who arranged this for my happiness.

"I like him." For the first time, vocalising my feelings for him. A human heart works in such a strange way of its own, you expect one thing but you get something else.

You are never prepared for the things that'll be thrown your way, but the best way to process them is to accept them and to stop dodging them.

Running away from your feelings, or your confusions will always land you in more trouble. Have the strength to face them, and then decide how you have to tackle them.

"I could see that in your eyes. The moment I mentioned him, your eyes softened and your face reflected a soft emotion."

"Are you trying to pursue psychology? Deducing my facial changes and trying to understand my inner turmoil and emotions."

"Maybe? And that's why for now, I am trying to help you solve the battles you are facing within. But before we talk about him, we should tie these soon, or else they'll feel quite neglected, don't you think so?" She says, dangling the two rakhi threads in front of my eyes.

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My eyes feel so heavy that they keep drooping continuously while I read my Literature course books, Ditu had told me how Mishti's grandmother aka my Principal wanted me to at least keep studying my coursebook topics so that when I resume again, it doesn't become very difficult for me to cope up.

I couldn't sleep the last night, my brain was overworked by thinking about Ditu, the case and Ishaan.

It's a Thursday and the library is empty as the other students are busy attending their daily lectures. On the other hand, as I had slept late, I missed my alarm and ended up bunking today's lectures.

The librarian is busy cleaning and arranging the bookshelves and I am therefore easily able to study.

"Miss. Clark?" A thunderous voice echoes in the empty library, I am startled by the invasion and raise my gaze to the gate where I see three professors and our Principal standing with bundles of files in their hands.

I bend a little low trying to hide behind the medium-sized shelves so that they don't see me bunking classes. Why the hell are they even here?

The librarian rushes towards them and they all engage in a serious conversation. Mr Sam moves towards one of the long reading tables and keeps his share of files, skimming through them to find something, probably records.

It seems like a staff meeting is taking place as they discuss, talk and debate. I try my best to not make my presence known. My book is long forgotten as I look at them and certainly start thinking about how the event was successful and they are probably discussing the costs incurred.

Which makes my brain wander towards the sweet gesture Ishaan had done by especially asking Ditu to come here. I don't even remember how he knows about Ditu, and my eagerness to meet her, after these months of not being able to meet her personally.

The golden light blazes through my eyes as the sunshine and the metal part of the watch reflects and I am certainly reminded of my location. I have to get out of here as soon as possible.

I close my book and collect my belongings. Scrapping back my chair slowly and gently, to not make any noise.

Taking my phone and my bag, I squat little as I walk towards the second entrance door of the library. Taking the steps to the ground floor, I quickly glide downstairs.

The Sun is shining brightly, the weather seems scorching yet fresh as I walk towards the campus' gate. Having nothing to do in the morning, I decided to go to my flat so that I can study peacefully there.

Swiping through my phone and deciding to text about my whereabouts to Ishaan, I am put to halt by a sudden voice.

"Hi." The sound calls me and I raise my eyes to see a stranger looking at me hopefully.

"Yes?" I ask seeing the visitor ID card in his hands.

"Do you know anyone named Garima Desai?" He asks and I nod involuntarily.

"Can you tell me where she is?"

"If I ain't wrong, she is in her class right now. The class ends in an hour. After that she'll directly come to the cafeteria, you can meet her there." I inform him, and he thanks me after which he walks towards the college building.

As he leaves, I walk towards the main road to catch a rickshaw.

•
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Hey? So many new developments as we head towards the *fourth phase!!* Chapter 39 will be out (hopefully) by night.

I hope you are liking it :-)

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- @ the_clumsygirll

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Be safe and Take Care.

Love,
till the next update,
keep dodging the bullets,
ऊ.