Don't believe everything you read.

Vaanya

Finally, the day has arrived when everyone who is someone in our community will be at the Dubey's residence to pay their respects and homage. I have coordinated with the girls accordingly to reach the destination to be with Maira. She has been there since the morning.

"Did Ma agree to go with you today?" Jia asks as she sits on my bed cautiously and I rush to her. She smiles at me as I help her settle. "You don't have to look after me all the time Vaanya," she says and I wave my hand dismissively.

"It's not like Ma is going to help you." I sound much snarkier than I had expected and she giggles. I look at her flushed face, her dyed red hair curtaining her soft visage. My sister looks a lot like me except she is shorter and curvier, also because her baby bump is starting to show up fast and it's on me to look after her. "I'm not sure if she is," I say and turn to face the mirror as I fix my hair with some hairspray. "I'm going with Ranveer."

"Nice." She grins and I glance at her reflection in the mirror. "I miss him visiting us and I miss going to college."

"You'll be going back in no time," I promise and slip on my bracelet. "For now though, you need to focus on the little thing growing inside you."

She caresses her belly and smiles dreamily. "Yeah, I can't believe it will be here in a few months. Could you please tell Maira how sorry I am for not being able to visit today? It saddens me to even imagine what she must be going through and worse because I can't go pay my respects in person."

"She understands Jia." I sit beside her and she smiles at me. "Tell you what? How about we watch some classic zombie movies tonight and I can tell you all about today, yeah?" I cup her face like she is my little doll—which won't be a lie. She is my baby sister—a couple of years younger than me but I love her too much. It's insane what she is going through right now.

"Can you also see if Ranveer would like to join us?" I'm afraid Jia is fonder of him than I am. He makes her laugh and they talk nonsense but more than anything, Ranveer was here when things got hard. He helped me look after Jia and he was here whenever she needed something.

"I'll talk to him but no promises okay?" I smack a kiss on her temple and rise to my feet as I begin to get ready to head out.

"You look beautiful today," she says sweetly. "I miss being able to wear dresses that aren't found in the maternity section." She rolls her eyes and I chuckle.

"You hate motherhood already?" I ask in a teasing tone and she straightens, shaking her head in denial as she looks down.

"It's just that I didn't know this would restrict me so much," she grumbles and I chuckle again. "But I'm excited too."

"It's going to be great, I promise." My phone buzzes on the bed and she picks it up before I could answer.

"Ranveer's here," she announces and I fetch my bag from the bed. "Have fun." I roll my eyes at her dire sarcasm and she shrugs goofily. "With him, after you return, I mean."

"Take care and take your vitamins," I demand as I begin to get out of the room. "And don't do anything stupid. I'll let Ma know that I'm on my way out. Bye."

I unlock the front door and spot Ranveer on his Ninja, his face concealed with the helmet and so are his hands with the biker gloves. He revs up the bike and I smile foolishly when I advance towards him.

"You're late!" I tug his black denim jacket and I can picture his megawatt smile.

"Hello to you too babe." I hear his muffled voice and hop on the bike behind him. He passes me the helmet and I slip it on. "Hang tight," he demands as he coasts through the busy streets.

I wrap my arms around his torso and scoot a little closer to him, feeling his back against me, so perfectly built. Ranveer is lean but he isn't scrawny. He has a naturally fit physic, primarily because he is also a basketball player, or he at least used to be. These days he hasn't been doing a lot as he used to in his junior year.

We talk about some papers that we need to turn in next week and his progress in the subjects so far. One thing is for sure, Ranveer is way smarter than anyone gives him credit for.

The drive to Dubey's residence isn't long. We make it right on time which I didn't expect considering, we started late. He kills the engine and removes his helmet. "Told you we weren't late." He grins and I roll my eyes. "You just like to worry a lot more than necessary."

"Can you blame me? You love to be fashionably late," I shoot and he laughs as I get off the bike and remove my helmet.

"No I just don't squander my time around in shit," he shrugs and slides off the vehicle after parking it. "Why waste it when I can sleep a little longer?"

"Do you know anything besides sleeping?" I jibe as we both head inside. "Never thought I'd make it here like this..." I mutter as I watch the familiar faces all across the room. I'm welcomed with a hum of people chatting amongst themselves.

"You go talk to your friends," he murmurs and I nod. "I'll see you around." He strolls into the room towards Kunal's parents and I spot the girls in the corner across the room and walk to them.

Maira looks stunning in a pair of denim and a simple tee except her face casts all sorts of wrong. She is sad and miserable. "How are you holding up?" I ask as I side-hug her and she forces a smile.

"People are starting to show up, damn...I feel anxious," Sam says and I frown at her questioningly, she looks at me. "All eyes would be on us."

"All eyes would be on Kunal's grieving parents," I correct her and she purses her lips. "Oh look, even Saxena Sir is here."

"What is he doing here?" Ella asks snarkily. "I swear sometimes that dude seems fishy." I snap my gaze on her bewildered and she arches a brow at me. "He's always around us for some reason."

"He's the staff," Sam jumps to defend him. "Besides, he's the counselor. He must be here for the students."

"Yeah but this is a private event," Ella retorts. "Nobody wants him here."

"I called him," Maira announces and we all gawk at her. That's very odd. What does the college counselor have to do with any of this?

"You did? Well, thanks M," Sam says and squeals lowly and I'm still confused.

"But why?" Ella asks pointedly. "It's not like he knew Kunal all that well."

"He has been here for us and it felt right to add him to this," Maira says and I nod silently. "He has been concerned about Kunal so..."

"Well I guess you did the right thing," I say and she looks at me. "I mean, he did insinuate that we had something to do with his death and now he can see for himself that we are licking our wounds just as much as everyone else who knew Kunal personally."

"That's all you're concerned about?" Maira asks harshly and I back away. "I called him out of a decent gesture. Can you for once give it a day's rest? People need to simply remember him and cherish his memories. That's all today is about!"

"No you're right," I mumble and rub her arm up and down to calm her. "I'm sorry. I know it's hard Maira. Let me know what we can do for you okay?"

"You want to do something for me?" she asks, stepping closer to me and I look at her hazel eyes before I nod silently. "Then stop trying to prove yourself innocent when nobody's interested. Stop trying to find people you can shift the burden onto and stop trying to make it hard for me!" Shift the burden onto? What burden? But before I could ask, she stomps off towards Arijit across the room and I gape at her dumbfounded.

"What crawled up her ass this morning?" Ella asks and I suck in a deep breath as I say at the same time, "Just give her today, she's hurting." We both look at each other and smile. "Let's get this over with because I can't stay here for long."

"Why?" Sam asks, prying her eyes away from Saxena Sir and she looks at us. "You got plans with Aagnay?"

"Something like that," she mumbles and types something on her phone. She's been at it since I walked in here. "There's somewhere I need to be tonight."

"I have to be with Jia," I admit, and Ella nods, hitting the keypad again.

"Great! Guess that leaves me alone," Sam mumbles and I feel bad for her. "But it's okay," she quickly recovers and I smile at her. "I'll watch some shitty vampire show with loads of popcorn."

"I can watch that with Jia tonight!" I say because vampires seem more tempting and tug her arm. "Any recommendations?" I don't feel time drift away as we soon indulge in our conversations.

*

It's a little post evening after lunch and many people have left already. Ella is busy with Aagnay and his friends while Sam is talking to Saxena Sir. They seem cute together. Maira is with Arijit and I'm looking for Ranveer but he isn't around.

I saunter out of the room and find Ranveer smoking a joint in the parking lot by his bike. "I've been looking for you everywhere." I walk to him and he smirks.

"And here I am," he says and exhales the dense smoke out through his nostrils. "Did you need something?"

"No, I was just bored," I say and hop on his bike. "It's pretty morbid inside."

"Exactly why I'm smoking shit right now." He drags another puff. "All these people do is cry and I'm losing my nuts with that. It isn't like I can help them and I don't know what to say to make them feel better—not sure if I should."

"And smoking marijuana helps you?" I ask comically and he looks at me with his deadpan eyes.

"At least it helps me not feel a shit, so yeah." He nods and takes another drag. I watch the tip of the joint light up and look away.

"But you should be feeling Ranveer." I turn to face him and place my hand over his. "It's only humane if you do."

"I'm not a fucking stone Vaanya," he drawls and exhales the smoke before he grabs my hand. "Besides, I feel my love for you and that's all that matters." That makes me blush and I look away. He notes my gawkiness and urges me to look at him before he tosses his joint to the asphalt ground. "I'm guessing you're bored too." He stamps his feet over the joint on the ground and I sigh.

"I am, but..." I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "I have to be here for Maira for a bit longer." I assert and he nods thoughtfully. "I was also wondering if you'd like to join me tonight for some movie marathon with Jia."

He raises his brows in surprise. "Sure, what movies are we watching?"

"I don't know yet but I was talking to Sam earlier and she gave me a list of Vampire movies we can dive into," I giggle and he strokes my chin, his eyes blazing into mine. I'm not sure what he is thinking but he sure seems dreamy to me.

"Guess I can't turn that down now, can I?" he flashes a lopsided grin and I tiptoe to kiss his cheek quickly before anybody could catch us together. Kissing him in public is a different thrill I revel in, although PDA is never our thing; our parents are cool now. They have accepted us—they can't help it, they had figured.

"Wanna get in?" I ask as I pull away and he sighs audibly. "Just don't let them know you're too high."

"Don't worry about all that," he says and we skirt inside.

"Go mingle with people, will you?" I chime in as I release his hand and he gawks at me.

"I don't people with people," he mutters but leaves almost immediately before I could manage to laugh.

I stalk to Ella and find her touching up her mauve lipstick. "Where's Aagnay?" I query as she shuts her compact mirror.

"Must be around somewhere." She drops her items in her satchel and I nod. "How nice is this? Almost two weeks now and since everything is officially over, we can finally move on."

"Tell me about it." I chuckle and prop my hip against the edge of the center table. "There's so much more to focus on besides this godforsaken column and Kunal's death. Our exams are around the corner and I need to set my strategies." She gives me a knowing look and I swat her arm. "That's not what I'm talking about."

"I didn't say anything," she snickers, her hair bouncing over her torso as her head falls back and her shoulders shake with laughter but soon her laughter dies down when our phones chime at the same time, familiar ringtones blaring into the air and my heart begins to race in my chest. "Are you fucking kidding me?" She roots for her phone in her satchel and I do the same in mine.

Fear sets on my spine like a stone sinking into a river. I turn my phone on with my shaky hands and tap on the hyperlink in my inbox.

The Good Girl: #Exposed

Evening my darlings! You must have thought I was AWOL but I was on a much-needed break but I'm back with a bang with some more juicy deets this time. You might find it hard to believe but I have known the good girl to have smuggled her pride for grades in last mid-term paper and I know it for a fact, courtesy of a solid unnamed source.

Is it true V? Did you sleep with your Econ Professor to ace the test? Don't tell me our good girl isn't squeaky good after all. I would love it if you choose to correct me and please do because I can only picture your wounded pride, but hey, you know I'm watching and I'm not at all that kind to you. Until next time, x.

My feet falter as I feel the ground shatter beneath me. My visions blur with hot, dense tears and I force my gaze away from the home screen to spot the girls. Maira is furious beyond the point of return and Ella looks like she has seen a ghost. I dart my blurry gaze around to find Sambhavna and finally spot her looking ashen as she gets out of the bathroom. Her eyes meet mine and I know how scared and embarrassed she is.

I wipe my tears and tuck my phone in my bag but halt in my tracks when my gaze lands on Ranveer looking right at me with so many emotions on his face—anger, horror, shame, and a flash of hate. He marveled at me for acing that test and now that the cat's out of the bag...I've never been more humiliated before.

Sambhavna

This is not right. Fucking hell, this isn't right!

I shouldn't have breathed a word about this to Ella in the first place. Of course, she couldn't help herself and write my secrets in her journal. I feel so tiny and people must think I'm insane and weak. I just want to sink into the floor and disappear. I keep staring at the gossip column as my shoulders begin to weigh down.

Irrelevant Bitch. #Exposed

We are next on to the nobody of this little coop. I spied with my little eye, the hot mama getting hotter with the hotties in the town. Did you think you can hide behind this secret for the rest of your life S? Is your mama the new cougar in the town?

I have heard she was hooking up with a certain blueblood not very long ago. Did that make you sick or do you guys check those merchandise out together? ;) x.

I gasp, startled as I feel a hand on my shoulder and yelp before I pivot. Mayank holds his arms up alarmingly and I heave a sigh. "God, you scared me."

"Sorry, didn't mean to," he remarks. "Are you okay?" I shut my phone off and clasp my shaky hands together. To be humiliated like this in public? No Mayank, I'm not okay. I remain silent and look away. "Hey, it's going to be alright. I'm already looking for this person."

I avert my gaze on him. "You are." That isn't a question intended rather it piques my curiosity even more. He nods. "Well, any luck so far?"

"Nothing so far but I might have a few leads," he says, and before I could ask him anything about it. Maira tugs my arm back and I wince to the force.

"Sorry, we need our friend right now." She fakes a courteous smile and I wave at Mayank awkwardly before I leave with Maira.

"Okay, this is getting way out of our hands!" Ella snaps as I near her and Vaanya wipes her tears. I didn't read her column post but I guess it's pretty bad if she's tearing up like this.

"You're right, we have to do something," Maira whispers and I push my phone in the back pocket of my denim.

"But how? My journal could be anywhere and anyone might have it," Ella laments, tapping her pump against the floor. "God...Aagnay is going to be furious," she groans, and as if on cue, Aagnay appears behind her out of nowhere and drapes his arm around her waist.

"We need a minute ladies," he says evenly and Ella winces to herself. "In private, right now."

I roll my eyes as I back away from them to give them space and Vaanya wanders to the other side of the room. "I'm sick and tired of playing this fucking game all the time," Maira snarls under her breath and I let out a slow groan.

"It's all my fault, I shouldn't have told you guys about it in the first place," I mumble and she glowers at me.

"Do you mean to imply that we have something to do with the gossip column?" she snaps and I'm quick to shake my head in denial.

"But Ella is. If it weren't for her journal, we wouldn't be a freak show right now," I huff and she nods silently. "I should've known secrets are never safe around people."

"You're not the only one who has to deal with the damage," she barks and I don't know what has her so worked up. Sure it's humiliating but she also knows that none of this is anybody's fault but Ella's. "I just need to find the person behind this."

I refrain from revealing to her that Mayank may have been onto it with his leads. It isn't wise to tell them anything until I'm sure about it. "Let's catch up tomorrow after class and discuss all the possible suspects to this thing."

"It's no use," she says and then groans, rubbing her eyes to wipe off her tension. "The whole college must be out to get us for all we know."

"I don't care. I'll burn that fucking building down to ashes if I have to but this shit has to stop," Ella fumes, striding to us and I know she is trying hard to keep it together with her poker face. "It didn't target me this time—this person wreaked havoc on Aagnay and this shit about your mom is so not cool S."

"Yeah chuck it," I hiss sharply and I don't care if she looks hurt. "You never cared about her or me before so why pretend you do now huh?"

Her lips twist ruefully and she narrows her gaze on me icily. "You're right. I shouldn't be wasting my breath on whatever happens to you or your mother."

I'm about to say something in my mother's defense when I catch Ranveer storm out of the room without paying heed to Vaanya's soft sobs. "Ranveer please, just listen to me, let me explain..." she pleads desperately and we rush to her before she could catch more attention. "I can explain..." she whispers as she chokes on a sob and I feel pathetic for her.

Maira holds her arm and stops her before she could get out. "Let it be Vaanya," she coaxes softly. "He needs some time alone."

"Please let me go with him," she begs. "I can fix this."

Ella comforts her by draping her arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure you will but for now, you need to let him be V. He's just shocked and mad at you is all."

I look past her to spot people around but thank heavens the Dubey's aren't in the room at the moment. Vaanya wraps her arms around Maira and breaks down into breathless sobs.

Ella's phone chimes in and she draws it out of her clutch to answer the line. "I need to take this," she mutters and skirts away from us as I stand behind Vaanya and rub her back up and down to soothe her. I turn around to spot the Dubeys eyeing in our direction and murmuring among themselves as they walk into the room. At this moment, right now, looking at Arijit's judging eyes mortifies me more than anything.

He smirks at me before I tear my gaze away from him and feel goosebumps rising on my skin. I can already feel his presence and it's damn near depressing to face him.

Please don't talk to me. I send up a silent prayer for him to find someone else to indulge with. Please don't talk to me. He is walking right to me. Shit. Please...please...please...

"So, is it true?" he queries and I wince silently. Damn it. I turn to face him and feel worse with that condescending smirk. "About your mother. Does she date guys half her age?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I mumble, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear carelessly and ignoring to look at his eyes.

He arches a brow in realization and Maira gapes back and forth between us as though she is trying to read between the lines but I know she can't because there isn't any. "Really? So your mother doesn't fool around with kids your age?"

I let out an awkward chuckle and say, "Don't believe everything you read." He peers at me, searching my face that makes my nape prickle with cold sweat. Why is he acting like that? What is he onto?

"Huh." He shrugs nonchalantly. "Does anyone know—"

"I have to leave," I cut in curtly and he glowers. "I have somewhere else to be. Thank you for having me here and I'm sorry for your loss." I begin to back away and wave at Maira mindlessly. "Okay, bye." I sprint out of the hall towards the parking lot and decide to hit the quaint café near the campus instead.

If this is what it seemed to be—then, he knows.

~~~~

Hey my darlings!

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Let me know how you like it? I'd love to read your thoughts. I know I have been a little off lately but I swear I'm around.

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