Chapter 1: FALLING APART
That was my very last day with her.
I knew that I had to lose her, even though she means so much to me, and I'm not very optimistic when it comes to her.
It was my last chance to spend my time with her, but I also know that she wouldn't accept the fact that we no longer stay together.
Either way, I can't force her to stay with me because we can't force people we love to stay with us.
It was our last day at the university; we won't meet again, and there is no chance to see me again!
When I close my eyes, I still remember that day. We were studying together for exams.
That day I attended the class very early, at 7 a.m., and I could see only a few students in the class. They are all minding their own business.
I rolled onto the last bench and started to take a peek from the window.
I was hoping to see her arrival from the window. while I was preparing myself for the test.
The time was slow, like hell. An hour passed, and I couldn't wait anymore, so I decided to give her a call.
(mobile ringing..)
(tring... tring...)
Then she answered.
"Hello!! shristi? Can you hear me?".
"Where are you, I'm waiting here?",
Shristi said, "Yeah! I can hear you; I'm nearby; I think I will be there in an hour.".
"Uh, an hour? Hugh! Ok shristi".
"Pritam, have you studied all the topics? I want you to explain them to me."
"Yeah, I'll explain only if you come soon.". and I hung up the call.
Her thoughts kept me from thinking about anything else; I couldn't get her off my head. "I am turning frenzy.".
There used to be some days I remember we used to hide in class and stay hidden from others.
It has been an hour since I last called her.
I was looking out the window without getting tired of waiting.
Then I saw her rushing into the campus.
She looked worried and calm. She's sneaking towards me silently from the door to avoid everyones attention.
After a moment, we sat next to each other.She was concerned about something and attempted to remain calm, so I held her hand.
She looked gorgeous in that dress, and her smile just took my breath away. I denied taking my eyes off her.
I was completely going out of my mind, so I slipped out immediately by saying.
"You look beautiful today; do you know that? " I admired.
"Oh, stop it; there is nothing special about me," she said as she smiled slightly.
"Yeah, no reason to doubt at all, and why don't you come a bit closer? I have a secret," I asked her.
"I wish to come, but what if someone watches us?" she said.
Slowly, she was moved closer, so I could feel her breath! That was quite amazing; her inhaling and exhaling were like a peaceful rhythm.
"Look, Shirsti, you are fantastic. Hold on; I have something for you." I said.
She leaned on my shoulder, then I gave her a peck on the forehead.
She looked into my eyes after I kissed her and smiled.
On the other end, we almost reached the end of the universe by forgetting about the test.
I explained several topics and made her feel confident enough to do well on the test.
That was the final test, the last day on campus.
Time ran very fast, and I only prayed to stick with her for a little longer.
Her presence made me feel breezy and comfortable. But on the other end, I was afraid of losing her.
She can't visit me and can't talk to me. We will fall apart after that day.
If we want to see each other again, we should meet secretly, but it is too risky for both of us.
All these thoughts were destroying my mind, I couldn't even concentrate properly.
Shristi was preparing seriously and I was thinking about her. I guess she's doing the same but pretending as if she's studying. The test started after a bit.
My girl, Shristi was revising by walking Infront of me in the corridor. Meanwhile I'm concerned about her.
How can someone be so calm, when they know they'll fall apart?
She's heading to the test hall.
"Good luck Pritam, hope you will do great", she said.
"You too shristi", I yelled from distant.
My test was completed in a couple of hours. However, I managed to perform well in the exam.
Everyone started to realize that they were going to fall apart. Each individual had a plan for the future.
Some of them looked very happy about the new future, but a few looked disappointed about departing.
I've been walking in the corridor towards Shristi's test hall.
She was still writing her test, so I had to wait outside for her. She might have borrowed some extra time.
I noticed everyone was watching me in the corridor, but I'm staring at Shristi.
She looked at me while writing, giving me a sign to wait for just a few minutes. She knew that I was waiting for her.
After a few minutes, she came out with a mixed face of anger and disappointment, besides complaining to me about her presentation.
"God, damn it, I didn't complete it, but he dragged and took my paper. I could've done better if there's time," Shristi said.
That gave me a thought If we had more time together, we would make more memories.
I was too vulnerable to protect my love. but I had planned to take her out.
If I asked instantly, she would freak out. We both started walking out of school.
"Cool down, Shristi; you've taken excess time; you must've done great," I told her.
"Babe, let's go somewhere else soon!!" I asked.
She'd agree easily because it was the last day; she did know it.
"Don't be so mean; on our last day, I should be at home before the light goes down.
I'll come wherever you take me before it becomes dusk, she said.
"I have a surprise for you; definitely, you'll enjoy it," I said.
We came out of college very fast and I started my bike
"Let's go, Shristi!" I screamed.
"So, why don't you tell me where we are going?"Shristi asked.
"Huh! Why don't you hold tight and sit? You'll see," I said.
"Pritam, what if my father checks on me?What should I say to him?'", shristi mumbled
"Tell him that you are with friends; what's wrong with that?" I asked.
"Do you think he believes that..? every father keeps his eye on his children, she said.
"I hope not today at least!! It's our peculiar day; it's our last day of college, I said.
"Relax Pritam... Let's think about the present moment for now. Sorry for reminding you about him." She calmed me.
"It's ok, let it be," I said.
Her father loves her a lot because she's the sole elder in her family; he always had his eye on her.
At last, we reached.
"Wow!! What a beautiful place it is!!" she exclaimed.
She appeared overjoyed to have discovered that place. That was a waterfall with lush foliage all around, located near countryside hills.
Only a few of them knew that place existed. There is fresh air everywhere and waterfalls.
We were both savouring the moment. I began to ask her to swear that she would meet me discreetly after graduation.
"Shristi, we do meet, right? "After graduation?" I asked. in a quiet voice.
"Yeah!! "Don't worry, dear; we'll meet, and I'll come for you when I miss you!" she added.
"Okay, just leave it! We should not throw away time right now! Let's go swimming. Come on." I embraced her.
We both dove into the lake wearing swimsuits and began swimming.
It's 2 p.m., and the weather is sunny. We both felt as if we were in heaven at that point.
"Come on, girl... try to drown me!!" I teased her.
"Watch this!" she exclaimed.
She has been climbing me and jumping into the water, trying to show off her diving skills to me.
She dove a little deeper and attempted to pull me down by dragging my leg and scaring me.
That was really lovely of her; even though she didn't have the strength, she refused to give up.
But I am not afraid of depth. I used my arm to pull her out of the water.
"Do you think you can scare me?" I asked, laughing at her.
"You are lucky." "I could have drowned you deeper," she continued.
We both had a great time drowning each other. We had lost track of time.
It's 4 pm now, and I'm trying to distract her.
"It's a beautiful day, right?", I said.
"Right, but what's the time?", she asked.
"4 o'clock shristi", I said.
"What !! Are you kidding me? It's late, so get dressed and let's go. She shrieked at me.
She rushed and fell.
Shristi had wounded her knee with a stone while rushing, and it was gushing.
"God! Pritam? honey, It is bleeding. I am hurt. "It hurts, honey!"She is crying.
There's lots of blood everywhere.
I rushed towards her and exclaimed, "Oh! God, it's bleeding; hang on, Shristi, and let me take care of it."
I cleansed the cut with water and wrapped a handkerchief around it to stop the bleeding.
"Pritam, it hurts; did that work?" she asked.
"Yes, the bleeding has stopped; you will be fine soon," I soothed her.
Her eyes were filled with tears, and her lips were full with smile.
"Pritam, you have been very nice to me since the day we got together, it's really hard to leave you!" , she said with tears in her eyes.
I wrapped her in my arms.
Suddenly, we both heard an aggressive voice from a distance.
"Shristi, what the hell is going on?" "Get off!" Her father screamed from the distance.
"Dad? Oh my God, Dad...! It's not what you think. "He's my friend," she attempted to persuade him.
"How dare you touch my daughter? Step to the side immediately," he warned me.
"Uncle...Sharma, it's not what you think she got hurt by a rock" , that's what I said.
"You did that to her," he shouted at me.
"you brought her here and you better stay away from my daughter."
He was yanking her away from me and taking her violently.
"Listen to me, Dad!" she cried.
Pritam, are you there? Pritam, are you there?"She screamed for a very long time.
"Come on, Shristi, don't be so stupid; let's go home," he tugged her forcibly.
Her father took her home.
She was weeping while yelling my name. I stood there calmly.
I was speechless and helpless. I did not take any action at that time.
"This is not supposed to happen" . I kept repeating to myself.
To find out who Pritam Gupta and Shristi Sharma are, we have to travel back three years.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone