Found [End]

Vihaan's P.O.V:

The feeling is intoxicating. I can't seem to shake off the feel of warm lips on mine, hot breath on my face and the faint sweet fragrance on my shirt. Hell, I'm going insane.

Seeing her is spellbinding. I don't know since when I started desiring more. Not just I want to watch more of her but to expect more, to demand more, the earnest wish of having her relying on me all of that increased many manifolds.

Today was a stressful day for me. I remember how I completed my exam and took the next flight home so that I could confess my feelings. That idiot, stupid, assh*le guy almost destroyed my chance.  I knew I was stupid to feel despair over rejection but it did hurt a lot. If heartbreak isn't real then I don't know what is. That hour was dark as the darkest part of the tunnel. Her call was the light shining at the end of that tunnel of despair and self-depreciation.

I never knew the feeling of coming home, but with her in my arms, I knew what it meant to be coming home means. A tune is going on and on in my mind, which is none other than her ringtone. I laugh at my brain as he was the one giving me warning signs and 'advising' me not to give in to my heart, but now see who is thinking of her and remembering a simple ringtone?

She is truly a fool. Asking me why I like her. How can I not when she is the only one recognizes me for me? The day I saw her sitting in my place I was intrigued by the choice of book at the table. Becoming partners for the project was merely a coincidence and after that whatever followed was at my own discretion. She wasn't the one thinking I'm unapproachable. She confronted me head-on, various times. I can't help but laugh at her harmless glares. And finally, I have her, I know I need to work hard to keep her to me. She wasn't just my junior but my best student, she wasn't just my best friend but solace, she wasn't just my girlfriend but my soulmate. And I'm glad I found her.

The next morning I rush to college to meet her. I was a little late because I woke up late. Well, if we didn't talk whole night this wouldn't have happened.

When I finally went near her hostel I saw her pacing back and forth.

"What happened?" I asked approaching her from behind and giving her a hug and kiss on her head.

"Vihaan, will I be able to do this? I'm very nervous. What should I do? Why did you give me this thing?" She was on the verge of tears.

I hugged her tight and whispered in her ears.

"What do you think, Manya? Who other than you is suitable to become Literary Club President? I know it's you who could succeed me. And people need to know how awesome my girlfriend is."

Her hands tightened around me. When I pulled apart I saw her blushing face and couldn't help but kiss her. The momentary softness and sweetness bursts like fireworks inside my brain. Though I enjoyed this feeling a lot I couldn't do that here, in broad daylight in front of her hostel. I reluctantly pulled apart.

"Are you ready, my lady?" I asked when she looked dazed.

"Umm...yeah." She cleared her throat and walked ahead of me.

I chuckled at her response and walked ahead to hold her hand.

*********

Vihaan led me to a room beside the hall. Many people were already rushing around and there was panic everywhere. The surroundings affect you. I was infected by the nervousness around me. When I reached the room I saw my friends waiting for me. Avika, her boyfriend, Kabir, Riya and Trisha.

"What are you all doing here? Avi, don't you have your performance?" I asked.

"Yup but first I wanted to listen to your speech and encourage you. We all are here to wish you the best." Avika said.

"Okay, I'll try my best." I was filled with warmth. These people are the ones who truly care for me.

Ever since that incident, I have always felt I didn't deserve happiness but this feeling of being loved is very special. I always felt I was inferior and always hid from the public and their scrutinizing gazes, but today I won't find scrutiny rather I'll find proud faces of my friends in the auditorium.

I started my speech confidently and when completed the five of them applauded loudly for me. My eyes were brimming with happy tears. I know I can do it and I will.

When my time came to speak up I went up the stage. I never said my voice was melodious but it did have the clarity which I think could be praiseworthy if it's laden with self-confidence. The familiar feeling of nervousness gripped me. I was feeling nauseous. But if I didn't do this today I won't be able to do it again in my life. I glanced at the audience, my vision was blurry. I couldn't pinpoint the faces until I saw him. He looked at me with a proud smile. Like a parent watching his child on the stage and I could do anything for that smile. I could feel my nerves calming down and I started in a loud crisp voice.

At the end of the speech, the whole auditorium echoed with thunderous claps. I couldn't help but feel astonished at the importance given to me. It felt surreal to feel visible for once, to be visible for the things you want to, for the things you love to.

When I got off the stage I was still in control of adrenaline. My phone buzzed and I went outside to check the call. Suddenly I realised a lot of people called me the time I was on the stage. Who were these people?

I saw the numerous texts on my phone. What was happening? My phone number wasn't leaked, right?

I couldn't even operate my phone, the screen froze due to the text messages. Finally, when I was able to open them I was thoroughly confused. There were several messages stating they were sorry and were apologizing for their mistakes in the past.

Few of the messages were sent by a girl of my previous school who cut off all the contact with me after the incident. She is asking for my forgiveness now. I'm very confused, what in the world happened?

I called her after I went ahead to a quiet place.

"Hello," She answered.

"Hii is this Tina, I'm Manya," I said.

"Manya, Oh my God, I'm really sorry Manya. It was our mistake to treat you like this I'm really sorry. All the things were a misunderstanding. We are really sorry." Tina rambled on.

"Wait a sec, what are you speaking I'm not able to understand."

"Manya, don't you know?"

"What?"

"Didn't Shelly tell you?"

Shelly?

"I think, yes, she did call me yesterday but I rejected the call, what happened?"

"Actually, Rohan's cousin sister didn't believe he committed suicide so she hired investigators to find the truth behind it. We recently got to know that a girl of our age from nearby school committed suicide. That girl was in depression for the whole of last year. Ultimately, she couldn't control the guilt and did the deed. In her suicide note she said, she pushed Rohan off the terrace on that day. Rohan was just playing her, whenever he and Shelly had a fight he would look for her. Ultimately on that day, he promised her that Shelly and his relationship was over. When Shelly caught them in the bed she rushed off. After that, you know Rohan started calling and texting. He left the girl in that state and went upstairs to smoke and drink. The place was without railings. When she reached upstairs they had a huge fight. Rohan slapped that girl. The girl overcome by jealousy pushed him, but he staggered and fell off the roof. This what happened Manya, everybody got to know this matter. They are immensely sorry to you. You, the girl and Shelly were victims. But you were the most innocent one and we did very atrocious deeds to you. I'm really sorry. Every student in our class is apologetic to you."

I was shocked. I couldn't grasp around the fact that this was the reality. My phone slid off my hand and I sat down to calm myself down. I pulled my knees to my chest. I don't know how long I sat there. Maybe hours, minutes or mere seconds when Vihaan's hug engulfed me. I instantly breathed and calmed down. He didn't ask me what happened. He just let me cry silently, soaking his shirt. Finally, when I felt a load of guilt washing off my shoulders I relaxed. I told him the story I got to know so that I could believe it so that I could make it real.

"It's okay Manya, I know it's difficult to admit this. This was already difficult, to begin with. Finally, you got rid of the guilt. I know you still blamed yourself even though you knew it wasn't your fault. Now let's embrace the present and look forward to the future. Let the past be past. The innocent will be proven innocent no matter what, right?"

"Now don't cry, your makeup is smudging." He said and kissed my forehead.

I looked up and playfully punched him on his chest. He laughed a melodious rumble when I was against his chest. His heart was beating so fast, that mine automatically tuned to match his.

I looked up in his eyes to find my reflection. And I leaned in to have an imprint of my lips on his. He grabbed me tightly and gave me a deep kiss. Better than yesterday, better than the morning. This was a plundering kiss that took over my mind, brain, body and soul. He wasn't just my senior but my mentor, he wasn't just my best friend but my therapist too, he wasn't just my boyfriend but my soulmate. I'm glad I found him.