The Love Maze

43) Lose another friend

Vivan's POV

"Why did you come here?" he shouted, taking careful steps towards me.

I was too frightened to move as the waves crashed beneath my feet. My dad's strict advice replayed on my mind.

But my curiosity got the better of me.

"I'm... scared", I admitted, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Hey, it's alright. Come on, we can still go back. Just take my hand."

When Rihan extended his hand, I felt safe. He guided me forward, his hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder

With each step, my confidence grew. I quickened my pace, feeling the solid ground finally beneath my feet.

"Viv?" the tremble in his voice shook me as I turned around.

In the blink of an eye, he vanished, swallowed by the hungry waves along with the bridge.

I doubt if I could ever scream as I did again. But it couldn't bring him back.

Nothing could...

We had to wait to see him again even after knowing well how we'll see him.

The most unforgettable summer vacation of my life, I guess.

I clutched the trainer tighter, the last of him we managed to retrieve.

My eyes were glued to my finished canvas-the blueness of the sky could easily conceal the faint red dot floating in the river to anyone not searching for it.

"I'm not depressed, Rishi", I shook my head, feeling his gaze over my shoulder.

"Awful time to joke", he gave me a skeptical look.

Fine. It's been four days since I went to college. Rishi would spare all his time on me, keeping my crisis under check.

Also, I heard that Aditi wanted to visit me several times. After thinking about it deeply, I finally found how to approach it.

"I've brought you guys breakfast since you probably haven't eaten yet.", Kyra chirped, bringing the whole Starbucks home.

"Great. Let's eat and get going", I said, flinging my back over my shoulder.

"Go where?" Rishi's face contoured in confusion.

"Where else, dumbo. College", I pretended to ignore both of their concerned looks.

Climbing down the stairs, my parents glanced at me with an emotion I forgot that existed.

Am I missing something here?

I arched a brow at Rishi. But, he did a carefree shrug and headed to his car.

"Are you sure?" Rishi asked once more as we parked outside the college.

"I trust that a lie doesn't become the truth just because everyone believes it."

He flashed a smile and I managed to return it.

My mistakes can't be forgiven. But these strangers have no right to punish me.

Only Rihan should....

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Aditi's POV

Faces I didn't know flashed smiles at me ever since prom. The juniors were looking up to me as a star student.

It felt far from what I imagined how it would feel.

As I shut my locker, Vivan came into the view among the crowd of people in the hallway.