The Downsides Of Popularity ✓

Epilogue

WHAT THE F-.

I WAKE WITH a start. My heart beats rapidly in my chest and perspiration gathers on my forehead as my eyes take in the surroundings. Blue walls, a window, a wardrobe in the corner and two doors, one that opens into the balcony and another that connects to the living room. My room- bathed in the morning sunlight that manages to peek through the curtains.

I look down at my blanket and it's a thin one, lavender coloured. I push the blankets away from me and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. As my feet land on the ground, I expect the tingling sensation of the cold winter chills, but the marble floor isn't cold.

When my eyes land on the table, next to my bed, my normal phone lying on top, I pick it up and switch it on. As the Android logo disappears and my lock screen comes up, the wallpaper is the one I designed, inspired by my favourite movie- "To All The Boys I've Loved Before".

But didn't I put this up in the summer?

That's when I notice the date: 20th June 2022.

June? But it was December...

I look around my room again. This is my real room and everything looks like it's gone back to normal. I examine my arms and legs, then check my face in the mirror in front of my bed.

I look fine.

No scratches, or injuries whatsoever are visible on my body covered by my white pyjamas. My ears catch the sound of birds chirping by the window and then comes the irritating voice of Mrs Loudspeaker from a storey below, 'O go! Tomar bari te esheche aajke?!' (O dear! Has she come to your house today?!)

Her question is followed by an equally loud voice of Mrs Loudspeaker No. 2. Their voices do irritate the hell out of me every morning but today, it's the only sign of hope for me.

I've escaped. I'm free!

I jump around my room out of sheer joy and happiness. The rush of delight is something I hadn't felt in a long while. I thank the Gods and Ms Walker, and Srey in the alternate universe, who helped me break free from that cage.

That's when an uneasy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.

Is Srey alright? Is Ms Walker safe?

Ms Walker assured me she'll protect Sreyansh, but I still can't help worrying about both of them.

'Shweta! Good morning darling!' my father exclaims as he enters my room to give me my morning hug. As he engulfs me in his warm hug, I forget all my worries. I missed these morning hugs too. In the parallel universe, my father and I barely spent any time together, so this moment that I got back- I'll forever be grateful for it.

'School starts today. Hope you're ready for it?' my father asks and I nod my head in the affirmative. 'That's great! C'mon, let's quickly finish our breakfast,' he says and kisses the top of my head, before leaving my room to head to the dining room.

I giddily make my way to the bathroom to freshen up for breakfast.

***

After having breakfast, I took my usual morning bath, to get ready for school. I check the clock for the time and it's 10.43 am. I straighten my tie and check my uniform in the mirror once, before grabbing my bag and heading out of my room. I take a quick glance around my room with a smile on my face, before closing the door.

As I'm about to leave, my parents wish me good luck for the day and I wish them the same before stepping out of my home. My mother closes the door behind me as I walk down the staircase.

When I walk into the parking lot, I do miss the SUV rides to school and the friendly lady driver, but walking to school is a better option and more eco-friendly 'cause it's such a short distance.

I pass by people chatting over their cups of tea and the bustling of the city starts as soon as I reach the main road. I try to walk faster on the uneven footpath to reach school early and check on Sreyansh. In most probability, he won't be the same Srey I had to abandon in the witch's realm but I still want to make sure he's okay.

There are quite a few students who walk in with me into school. I try to pick up my pace a little more before I reach the porch outside the auditorium. I spot a few of my classmates who wave at me and so I wave back, in return. Suddenly, I spot a tall guy and recognise the familiar hairstyle. He's standing right outside the basketball court.

I rush through the crowd and make my way to him.

'Hey, Good morning,' I say with a smile on my face.

He turns his head in my direction and looks at me, perplexed as if I've said something absurd out of the blue.

'Pfft!'

Sreyansh shakes his head before walking right past me towards the porch, leaving me shocked.

I'm rooted to the spot in astonishment at how he didn't say two words to me. Just made a begrudging expression and walked away. I turn around to check whether it was really Sreyansh, my best friend whom I just greeted, a minute ago.

That's when my world starts to spin, almost going off-axis, as I watch Sreyansh walk up to a girl and wrap his arm around her shoulders.

But that isn't the only thing that surprises me. My jaw literally drops on the ground, so hard it could probably have penetrated the rocks six feet under as I catch a glimpse of the girl's face.

KRITI FREAKING OBEROI?! What the f-

THE END.

***

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