Acts of service

                                        

                                              
A/N-The second half of this chapter includes scenes related to suicidal tendencies. Read at your own risk. I'll give up a heads-up right before the scene starts.
Yuvaan: Catch me if you can!!!!
Saanvi chased him breathlessly. 
Saanvi(shouted angrily): Let me get my hands on you, Yuvaan. You're so dead!!!!!
They ran through the school's corridor without a care in the world. The other students looked at them astonished. Yuvaan ran straight into their classroom.
Ayush: Woahhh....careful guys!!! What's up with you both?
Saanvi: He is spreading false rumours.
Ishaan: What rumours?
Saanvi: ......that Adarsh likes Misha!!!!
Ishaan: It's true tho!
All girls(at the same time): WHAAAT!!!!
Ishaan: Are you guys dumb or what? Otherwise why would he risk his life for Misha?
Before they could debate further, Mr Ren arrived, and they went back to their seats.
Mr Ren: I guess you all are aware about the incident which occurred recently. If you face any problematic situations, reach out to me. Don't be reckless! 
Ayush and Ishaan started discussing about 'the incident' in whispers.
Maahi(whispered from behind): Book mein dekh kar baat kar warna sir dekh lenge. (Look down at the book and talk, otherwise sir will notice that you both are talking.)
Misha looked at Aditya who was sleeping in class with his head on the table. Then she shifted her gaze towards the empty seats of Adarsh and Aanya. Aditya who had just woken up from his sleep, noticed her staring at Adarsh's desk and felt downhearted.
... 
During the recess, Aditya went to the rooftop of the school. He thought about Misha and cried. He didn't notice Misha coming from behind.
Misha(worried): Aditya, what happened?
Aditya(surprised): What are you doing here?
Misha: I felt something was off, so I followed you here. Is something wrong?
Aditya(wiped his tears): I'm fine! Do you think that I look cringe when I cry?
Misha wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. He rested his head on her shoulders and sunk his face deeper into her collarbone.
Misha(whispered softly): It's beautiful when you express your emotions. 
She rubbed his back as she consoled him. 
Misha(emotionally): I feel the urge to hold you in such situations and be there for you. I can't see you cry but if needed....I WANT YOU TO CRY ONLY IN FRONT OF ME rather than any other girl.
She broke the hug but still locked him in her arms. She looked straight into his eyes and kissed on his forehead.
Misha: I want to comfort and support you at your lowest. You're too adorable to be called 'cringe'.
Aditya was surprised at her words. He broke down into tears. 
Aditya(sobbed): I wish you didn't love Adarsh. 
Misha(taken aback): Adarsh? I never loved him.
Aditya(stunned): But......
Misha: I do feel guilty that he risked his life to protect me. 
Aditya was speechless but decided to take the moment and confess his feelings to her. Before he could say anything further, they heard Ayush's voice calling out for them. They quickly adjusted themselves.
Ayush: Where were you guys? The class is about to start. Let's gooo.....
Aditya(in mind): I love you more than anyone can think, Misha.
Misha(in mind): If only loving was as easier as thinking about love.... 
....
Aanya's dad flipped over the table and the glass jar fell down, shattering into pieces. 
Aanya's dad: Where were you??!!!!
Aanya's mom didn't reply and avoided his gaze. Her father slammed his fist on the wall. 
Aanya's dad(shouted): I'm asking you something.....you !!!
Aanya's mom(replied back): Don't pretend to care about me! I know you never did!
Aanya's dad(scoffed): Look at you, acting all high and mighty!
Aanya held back her tears as she observed them from the kitchen. She came to pour herself a glass of water but ended up witnessing her parents' fight.
Aanya(in mind): You've always hated me dad. I know you wished that I never existed. It's all because of me.
Aanya shivered as her father started hitting her mother. She rushed to her mother's aid. Her father pushed her back and she ended up getting hurt. She winced in pain as the broken pieces of glass slit her bare skin. 
Aanya(whimpered): Mom, please go back to your room. 
Aanya's mother(anxiously): Are you fine?
Aanya(shouted): Just go back to your room!!!!
(((A/N-READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!)))
Aanya's mother reluctantly went back to her room leaving Aanya all by herself. She heard her father slam the door as he walked out of the house. She looked at the broken pieces lying on the floor. She felt drawn towards them. 
Aanya(in mind): If I die, will it solve all the problems?
She picked up a broken piece of glass and brought it closer to her wrist. 
Aanya(in mind): This is too painful. I don't want to do this.
She quickly gathered the shards of glasses and threw it away. She pulled over an oversized-jacket and walked out of the house. She didn't bother to tend to her injuries. She didn't care about her bleeding arm. She walked towards the beach, mindlessly.
Aanya(in mind): I can't take it anymore. Life feels more suffocating than death. I want to choose death. They know I'm suffering but they don't care. 
The waters led her deeper into the ocean. She could feel the water up till her knees. Her presence of mind was caught in the void within her. She went with the flow of the water.
Aanya(mindlessly): Only death can give me the pleasure which life cannot. I'm just a lifeless soul, a living dead. I'm tired and exhausted. I just want to relieve myself from the pain. 
IT'S LIKE I WANT TO BE ALONE, BUT I WANT TO BE LOVED.
She let go of herself, and her pain, as the water rose up till her chin. She closed her eyes in anticipation. Would death free her from her pain? Would death give her the freedom she was craving? Would death answer all her burdens?
...
Adarsh sped up his bike knowing that every second mattered and that he might lose her if he was not fast enough. Underneath his determination lied a fear-fear of her safety, fear of failure, and the fear of what might happen if he didn't reach on time. The fear clearly held tension and care for her.
To ensure her safety, he had asked Aditya to keep an eye on Aanya. He regretted not being there for her, when she needed him the most.
Adarsh(referring to Aanya): She can destroy everything around her, but that idiot chose to destroy herself. I wanted to be gentle with her because she's been hurt too many times. I wish I could show you what a genuine and sincere love feels like, but you make such abrupt undecisive moves. It throws me off guard. It's not easy to handle a fiery woman like you, Aanya. I don't mind though as you're MY WOMAN!