Graduation

YASHVI

My heart was thumping in my chest as I jolted to my feet.

"Leave me alone!" The nightmare's echoes continued to haunt me, but I managed my breathing and calmed my pounding heart.

I spotted the menacing black shadow as my eyes swiveled to the window.

My entire body tightened, but I was not going to give up.

Determined to face the apparition, I gazed at it.

I was haunted by this enigmatic figure; who was it? I didn't back down until the shadow vanished.

I took my time, letting the stress leave my body as I breathed.

Keeping my hands steady, I poured a glass of water and took a sip.

My throat was relieved by the cool liquid, but my mind was still buzzing with inquiries.

Why was this shadowy creature still observing me? It had been lurking for six years, making me shiver.

I was aware that it was harmless, yet the fear it evoked was instinctive and deep. It gave me chills to this day.

Leaning back on the bed, I forced myself to concentrate on tomorrow's graduation. I couldn't risk appearing worn out.

I closed my eyes, determined to divert my attention, and my eyelids soon became heavy.

I dozed off in fits, plagued by the black shadow.

Shivansh

I was reminded by my father, "Be sure to pick up Yashvi."

I sighed deeply, marking it as the 97th time I had done so throughout the day.

I was perplexed by her ability to exert such control over my family.

I nodded grudgingly and went outside, where Dwiti was waiting next to me.

Today was their graduation day, thus it was a momentous day.

Aditya was originally supposed to drop them off.

However, there was a work emergency. So, he gave me the assignment.

It was impossible for me not to feel frustrated.

Dwiti quietly sat next to me as I sat down in the driver's seat.

A small smile appeared on my face as I glanced at her and saw how much my sister had matured.

I compelled myself to keep my face expressionless and turned on the engine.

The moment has come to pick up that annoying female.

Had she not consented to that useless union.

Just thinking about her made my jaw tighten.

I hated her; I hated her deeply.

For the last thirteen days, I had been at peace because I had no reason to see her.

A booming "I'm here!" reverberated back when Dwiti screamed out for Yashvi as we pulled up.

I was even more annoyed by the tone of her voice.

When I turned my head to face the voice, I saw a scene that made me gasp.

The image was so beautiful that my heart felt like it was about to explode out of my rib cage and start galloping in my chest.

Her face was brilliant with warmth and kindness, and there she was, smiling brightly at us. Her saree was snow-white and it shimmered in the sunlight.

Its elaborate embroidered designs gleamed like gems.

Her slim shape was elegantly encircled by the silk cloth. It gave her the appearance of a goddess, a celestial entity from above.

The luxurious fabric embraced her curves, perfectly.

It felt like the clock had stopped and time had slowed.

Everything around me vanished.

I fought to digest what I was seeing, my chest heaving as I tried to fill my lungs with air.

Her face drew my attention like a magnet. A loose lock of hair was grazing her cheek, and I saw it.

My heart ached from the jealousy that stabbed through me like a sharp sword.

A wave of possessiveness passed over me.

That's my right.

She must have seen how intently I was staring at her because she bit her lip and looked up at me nervously.

My eyes clouded.

With an instinctive need to demarcate my domain, my pupils tensed.

Only I can do that!

"You look incredibly gorgeous." The sound of Dwiti's voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I was unaware when she got out of the car and embraced Yashvi.

Yashvi gave her a huge smile, and my breath stopped.

Again.

What in the world is wrong with you, Shivansh? Remember that she agreed to marry you, and she will wreck your life.

They both headed for the car, and just as Yashvi was about to sit in the backseat as usual, I heard myself exclaim, "Sit at the front."

What the hell am I saying?

I glanced at Yashvi and saw that she was staring at me with her mouth open and her eyes wide.

I tried to cover it up by clearing my throat. "uhm, I mean—"

God, this might be the first time I've been reluctant to speak up. Help!

Before I could embarrass myself, Dwiti interrupted. Thankyou bhagwan !

"Yeah, abse to Teri hi jagah hai ye" she said, forcing Yashvi to sit in the passenger seat while giving me a small, playful smile.

(yeah, this is your place from now on.)

I looked away from her and glanced at the woman sitting next to me, who was still looking dumbfounded.

She glanced at me but quickly averted her gaze, and I frowned.

Is she trying to avoid me?

With a sigh, I started the engine and drove off towards their college.

The ride was unusually quiet, and Yashvi, who is normally very talkative, didn't say anything.

Instead, she simply nodded two or three times at whatever Dwiti said, and most importantly, she did not glance at me.

Is she upset? But for what exactly?

We arrived at the college shortly after, and Dwiti said goodbye to me as they both stepped out of the car, receiving a small nod from me.

I thought Yashvi would say goodbye with her usual cheerfulness, but she simply walked past me without saying anything.

"Kya?" (What?) I asked Dwiti, who was attempting to hide her smile.

She simply shrugged her shoulders and murmured, "Bye then, take care," before sprinting up to catch up with Yashvi after my angry and irritated voice came through.

I gazed at their vanishing silhouettes, my head buzzing with inquiries.

What did I do?

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Hello, my cutiesss, I hope you guys are healthy and happy, this chapter sounded way too good in my mind, but I wasn't able to write it very beautifully but I still hope you guys like it, so please lmk your thoughts on this one, and don't forget to like and comment!

~Sika