Heart's In Bloom

Chapter-11 "Tension and Volleyball"

Days had turned into weeks, and the silence between Kiara and Derek only grew heavier. Kiara felt a persistent ache in her heart, unable to understand why Derek was ignoring her. She replayed their argument over and over, wondering if she had said something unforgivable. Her eyes often wandered to him, hoping for a glance, a smile, or any sign that things could go back to the way they were.

On the other side, Derek was a mess of emotions. He wanted nothing more than to hold Kiara, to explain everything, but he couldn't. The pledge he had taken weighed heavily on him, binding him to his silence. His friends noticed the change in him - the once confident and bold Derek was now a shadow of himself, burdened by his own emotions.

One evening, the campus canteen buzzed with its usual energy. Kiara and Maya sat at their usual spot, chatting, though Kiara's laughter lacked its usual spark. Derek and his friends occupied a corner table, far enough to keep his distance but close enough to keep an eye on Kiara. Derek's gaze was fixed on her, his heart aching with each passing moment of her distress.

Anni, sensing his friend's turmoil, leaned in and said softly, "Bura lag raha hai, nahi bhai?"

Derek nodded, his eyes never leaving Kiara. "Haan, bura lag raha hai. Bahut bura."

"Mujhe bhi," Anni replied, placing a comforting hand on Derek's shoulder. The whole group felt the tension; their usually lively and boisterous friend was now quiet and withdrawn.

Raggie, ever the opportunist, saw Kiara sitting with Maya and approached her. "Wanna play volleyball again?" he asked, his voice overly enthusiastic.

Kiara's eyes lit up for the first time in days. "Wait a minute," she said, her voice tinged with a rare excitement. "I'll change into my sports clothes." She got up and hurried towards her hostel, leaving Maya at the table.

Sexa, never one to hold back, glared at Raggie. "Kyu pareshan kar raha hai usse?" he demanded.

Raggie put on an innocent face. "Mei kaha kar raha hu usse pareshan? Dekh nahi rahe kitni khush hai vo."

Derek, unable to hold back any longer, stood up and walked over to Raggie, his eyes dark with warning. "Agar usse pareshan kiya to dekh liyo kya haal karunga mei Tera," he growled, his voice low and threatening.

Just then, Kiara returned, now dressed in her sports attire. She smiled at Raggie, oblivious to the tension. "Let's go," she said, her voice bright with anticipation.

As they walked away, Maya approached Derek, her eyes full of concern. "Khush hai vo. Rola ka Mann nahi bhara? Or dukhi karoge usse?" she asked, her words cutting deep. She didn't wait for a response and went to join Kiara.

Derek stood there, his heart a tangled mess of emotions. He watched as Kiara and Raggie headed towards the volleyball court, her laughter ringing in his ears. He felt a pang of guilt and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. How could he explain his silence without breaking his pledge?

"Let's go watch," Anni suggested, trying to pull Derek out of his thoughts.

Derek nodded, his feet moving almost automatically as they headed towards the volleyball court. As they approached, they saw Kiara in her element, her eyes sparkling as she played. For a moment, Derek's heart lightened, seeing her happy, even if he couldn't be the cause of it.

The game started, and Kiara's energy was infectious. She moved with grace and determination, every spike and serve filled with passion. Derek stood at the sidelines, his eyes never leaving her. He remembered the times they had played together, the laughter, the camaraderie. But now, all he could do was watch.

Raggie, despite his earlier intentions, played fairly, and Kiara's team was doing well. Derek couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and sorrow. He wanted to be the one cheering her on, to be by her side.

As the game went on, Derek's friends tried to distract him with jokes and banter, but his heart wasn't in it. His thoughts were solely on Kiara. He noticed every time she glanced his way, hoping for a sign, a connection. But he stayed rooted in his place, his heart heavy with the weight of his promise.

Finally, the game ended, and Kiara's team emerged victorious. She was beaming, her face flushed with excitement. Derek felt a pang in his heart, wishing he could share in her joy. As the crowd dispersed, Maya came over to Derek once more.

"Derek tumne jabse baat karna band Kiya hai vo bahut dukhi rehti hai" she said softly, her words filled with unspoken meaning.

Derek nodded, his eyes filled with determination. He watched as Kiara celebrated with her friends, her laughter and balm to his wounded heart.

END OF THE CHAPTER