Dear Karan

Chapter Nine

PAST
6th May, 1998

"Bhabi is not here, if that is what you are thinking."

"That is not the reason at all," Karan blatantly lied.

"Then show us what you got, Jha," Vidhyut smirked, "I challenge you."

That was it. They knew that Vidhyut pushed the right buttons. Everybody who knew Karan knew that he cannot turn down a challenge. It was his weakest point as well as the strongest. This is the reason why in the first place that Karan is determined to become an IAS when everyone else brushed it of concluding that he won't become one.

Karan mimicked his expression and rolled the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows. "Challenge accepted!"

He gathered the saliva into his mouth and collected the right amount just in front if his teeth. He pushed the watery saliva between his lips and slowly parted them, forming a small bubble ring. During the first try, he was able to form a small one. On the second try, he was able to form a large ring from the saliva. Everybody clapped their hands in impression before it popped once again. He bursted out laughing with his friends at the sudden pop and wiped the saliva that dripped at the corner of his mouth.

He perked his head to the side and immediately froze.

Sakshi was staring at him in amusement. She watched the grand episode of Karan making a blatant fool of himself and he wanted nothing but to wipe the last five minutes away from Sakshi's memory. She tried to maintain a straight composure but the corners of her lips were slightly twitching up, biting her lip to restrain her laugh and her body visibly trembling with laughter.

Karan could not watch her anymore. He turned his head away in shame and embarrassment. He looked at his friends thinking they witnessed the second-hand embarrassment as well, but were too busy making the bubbles for which Karan felt relieved. He rubbed his face as if trying to wash away the memory. Sakshi, the girl who he is foolishly in love with, saw him being stupid and silly with his friends. He cursed at his bad timing. He refused to open his eyes and face her again.

But something inside him forced him to open his eyes and look at her. Something strong was tugging at him, begging him to look at her, telling him that whatever thoughts were rummaging through his mind were not true and that everything will vanish if he just opened his eyes and looked at her.

So, that is what he did. He let out a shivering breath and turned his head to face her once again. He opened his eyes, still unsure, and what he saw left him speechless.

Sakshi, who was supposed to be disgusted at him, was attempting to blow a spit bubble. It popped repeatedly in the first few tries, but soon she succeeded in making a big one. It popped suddenly and her eyes widened for a second before she bursted out laughing.

Karan has no words for her gesture. He was mind-blown at her attempt in comforting him. She gave him an assuring smile and he gave one in return and nodded, appreciating her kind efforts.

But he couldn't look at that smile anymore. He couldn't even get himself to look at her face. He was sure that she would find out what he was hiding and the secret would come unfolded if she looked at him a bit longer with those mesmerising eyes. How could he? The innocent smile would soon be wiped away by her jerk of a boyfriend. Karan was elated and enraged at the same time. Elated because Sakshi will now see Parth's true colours and leave him, enraged because her boyfriend was such a douche bag to even think of cheating on somebody like Sakshi. The girl who posed a pure and innocent heart who deserved nothing but happiness in this entire universe.

Karan caught Parth getting too cozy with Natasha at the very corner of the library, kissing her. He was aware that he was a prick but never imagined Parth going to the extremes of a selfish bastard. He felt sick and left the library immediately. On his way, he bumped into Sakshi's friend Ananya and gave her a head's up. In turn, she surprised him telling that she already knew and confronted about it to Parth where he promised he would end it.

Karan was hugely provoked. He was annoyed at Ananya for not telling her best friend. He succeeded in convincing her that it was in her best interest that Sakshi deserved to know the truth...... and for his selfish reasons. She promised herself that she will break the news to Sakshi, and Karan for some reason believed her. He even observed how Sakshi was not around Parth often and spending more time with him, for which Karan felt relieved and sympathetic at the same time. It was about time that Sakshi looked over the good boy façade he put in front of her and realised how evil he is.

Also, there were his friends who thought that this was the perfect opportunity for him to swoop into the scene and be the good guy. They wouldn't stop in convincing him that this is the perfect time for him to confess. Not necessarily now, but very soon. They assured him that if he played his cards right, he then wouldn't have to play hide and seek anymore with her.

"And this is where, my friend, your best friends come into the scene!" Vidhyut grinned.

Karan was in dilemma in taking the next step. He knew that he couldn't stall anymore. If he continued in this game, he sure knew that he would loose Sakshi for ever. All he had to look for is the perfect timing. He had to be on his feet every minute to get the girl who always messed up his mind and sleep which was a torturously fantastic feeling for him.

However, no matter how much time it will take, Karan vowed that he will wait for her. He waited for her for a long time and another few more days wouldn't matter. He just wanted Sakshi to be ready because he was and will always be waiting for her in the corner. All she had to do was call out his name and he'll be there. Until then, he will be waiting for her.

Song attached- When You're Ready by Shawn Mendes

Have a great week ahead!

A&V