Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 55

Aarohi POV

Approaching Tara, I enveloped her in an embrace, to which she responded with a comforting pat on my head. She has always been my anchor, and as I nestled into her arms, I felt myself surrendering to the solace she consistently offered.

"Are you okay?" she inquired, her voice tinged with care.

"Yes, I feel better now," I replied, absorbing her reassuring warmth. Holding hands, we strolled back to the classroom together. Once settled, she handed me a small bag. Puzzlement flickered across my face as I accepted it from her.

Unveiling its contents, I discovered an array of self-defence implements-ranging from a taser to a flashlight, batons, and even a glassbreaker.

Speechless, I gazed at the items until Tara picked up a watch and discreetly placed it in my hand. "Don't hesitate to use this if you ever find yourself in danger," she advised, revealing the hidden blade tucked inside the watch-sharp enough to kill without question.

Mustering a hesitant smile, I acknowledged her concern while still grappling with the weight of recent events. Seeking a distraction, I inquired about the night's occurrences and how they orchestrated my rescue. Tara recounted how she, Rajveer, and Dev collaborated seamlessly, rushing to my aid without delay.

Expressing my heartfelt gratitude, I thanked both Tara and Rajveer, overwhelmed with appreciation. Rajveer, in his signature nonchalant style, responded with a mischievous grin. "My man couldn't sleep, so I had to step up," he confessed, clearly aiming to earn Mayank's approval. We shared a chuckle at his playful banter, dispersing the sombre atmosphere that lingered around us.

As the professor made his entrance, a group of seniors trailed behind, and among them was Karthik, his gaze unwaveringly directed towards Tara. Upon her desk laid the customary gifts-a chocolate, a note, and a rose. Each day without fail, Karthik presented her with a rose, yet Tara seemed to barely acknowledge them anymore. The tokens sat untouched, gathering dust, a poignant symbol of unrequited affection.

Observing Karthik's unwavering dedication, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him. Love, however, cannot be coerced, and if Tara did not reciprocate his feelings, there was little that could be done. Despite this, Mayank seized every opportunity to jest about the situation.

"Ah, it's your blind charmer again" Mayank teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Tara responded with a steely glare that could quell even the most talkative of souls. Without uttering a single word, she silenced Mayank effectively, leaving him chuckling under his breath. Despite the playful banter, I understood that Tara was growing weary of Karthik's persistent gestures, even as she found amusement in Mayank's jests. She refused to entertain what did not resonate with her, a trait that only deepened my admiration for her.

The professor's announcement regarding the impending examination and the compulsory group assignment with seniors instantly ratcheted up our shared apprehension. The mere thought of being grouped with Karthik was enough to send shivers down our spines, particularly in light of Tara's escalating exasperation. The prospect of his inclusion in our team seemed like a disaster waiting to unfold.

Drawing closer to Tara, who outwardly appeared unfazed but seethed with underlying tension, I murmured into her ear, "Don't lose it."

She turned slightly, casting me a glance that conveyed she was teetering on the brink. Yet, for the present moment, she held herself together, even as a tempest brewed beneath her calm exterior.

As the senior announced the assigned groups, a wave of despair washed over me. "Tara, Mayank, Karthik, and Saloni," reverberated through the room like an ominous prophecy. The visible dread on Tara's countenance and the stifled groan from Mayank served as silent confirmation of my worst fears. Karthik and Tara together in one group? It felt as though the very axis of the world had shifted.