What did this happen?

When did this happen?

How did this happen?

Questioned Karan to himself mentally, tranced out in his thoughts grinning at Aditi's face flashing before his eyes making him smile captured, as every moment they've had together began replaying itself back, starting right from the day one when he first met her blue oceanic eyes falling over her, till the present day when he met her eyes after having mistakenly kissed on her cheeks.

Each and every small recall making him only grin harder having him gazing tranced out at his untouched dinner plate, rotating the loosely held spoon over it while his other hand rested on its elbows supporting his head from falling as he sat at the dinner table lost in his own world. Noticing all of which questioned his mom shaking him by his shoulder

"Karan? You okay? You didn't have a single bite from last 15 minutes?"

"Huh?? Oh.. Umm.. I was just thinking something, nevermind", cleared out Karan taken aback by the mention of 15 minutes, pulling his hand back under the table smiling at his mom and then to his dad who was right in front of him, making his mom question back with a smirk

"Busy thinking about somebody special huh?", Karan's eyes going wide as soon as he heard her making him gaze shocked at her with expressions 'how do you know', but before he could open his mouth or she could respond, replied his dad from the front table with a laugh

"Oh come on drop that, my son's not like that. He is fully dedicated towards his dream, right son?", The words sweeping away the smile from her face making her gently return a smile at him corner eyeing Karan who just turned straight forcing a light lipped smile muttering with eyes lowered

"Yes Dad!"

"Good, that's what I like hearing from you and by that I got reminded I've a brilliant news for you", the words having Karan furrowing his brows in question looking up at his dad and then his mom who seemed concerned as he heard her whisper warningly to his dad

"-- At least let him finish his dinner, there's entire night for talking"

"Come on, now's a good time", replied he shrugging her off who now kept quiet smiling lightly having her hands rubbing in nervousness, as she watched him pull out an envelope from his coat pocket handing it over to Karan, who smiled taking it from him questioning with his eyes lingering on his mom

"What is this dad?"

"Open it later after your exams", replied his mom instantly only to have her voice fading as his dad intervened

"Oh come on. Don't kill the kid's curiousity, let him open it already", his reply having her passing him a pleading eye look ignoring which he asked Karan who couldn't fathom the looks on his mom's face, shifting his attention to him

"Don't listen to your mom, she worries a lot for no reason you know her, but don't you wanna open it? Go right ahead, OPEN IT!"

The last few words spoken in a tone suggesting an order than a request, making Karan nod his head smiling involuntarily at his dad, before taking another look at his mom switching his attention to the brown envelope which was sealed with a neat wax stamp.

Taking the stamp out with great care, opening the envelope he found a letter inside having his gaze shifting up to look at his mom and dad who had completely opposite expressions on their faces, watching him as he placed the envelope on the dinner table holding the folded letter gently in his hands.

"Is this some vacation plan?", Asked Karan with a smile hearing whom his mom's smile dropped while his dad smile turned into a grin as he replied

"Even better! OPEN IT"

Hearing his dad, he unfolded the letter quick, starting to skim through it only to have his smile fading away with every word he read

"Dear Karan,

We take pleasure in informing you that your application for admission request in the Oxford University of London, for the highschool studies has been accepted successfully.

We are absolutely impressed by your academic performance and take absolute pleasure to offer you an additional scholarship of 80% for your respective year-11th and 12th, in the choice of your desired subjects, provided you wish to take up this offer under our Oxford Future Scholars Scheme.

The further admission details would be contacted to you upon receiving a confirmation of your interest, and until then your admission offer is put on hold as pending.

The time to respond begins right after the mail is delivered to your address. The details to contact us is attached with the following letter. We look forward to hearing from you within a week after which the offer would be invalid and the seat would then be passed on to another deserving candidate.

Kind regards,
Steve Marquee
Board of Oxford University"

Stunned.

Absolutely stunned remained Karan as he finished reading the letter, going voiceless having his mouth hanging open while his eyes kept re reading the lines making sure it said what it did

"We look forward to hearing from you within a week after which the offer would be invalid"

His mind was immobilized but the words sent him an unknown relief, just when he heard his dad speak

"Can you believe this? I know you must not be able to, THE HELLLL I couldn't believe myself when I received this response the last week"

The last two words causing Karan's eyes to go popping out its sockets having the letter go dropping off from his hands as he lifted up his head watching his dad stupified, stuttering

"La--La——Last we.. weeek?"

"Yeaahhh, And guess what?", Asked his dad grinning at him having him watch his mom unaware how to react, while his dad answered loud grabbing his attention back to him

"You got the ADMISSION!! You will be going to the university you dreamed all your childhood, just in a month time"

NUMB. Numb was all Karan could feel, as the words "just in a month time" rang in his ears, sending his heart for a sudden pause as his soul felt betraying his body, having him blinking lifeless at his dad void of any reaction.

In a matter of few seconds, the faces of Aman, Tanu, Kanishka and Aditi flashed before his eyes, seeming to be moving away from him while he stood helpless watching them fade away one by one, pooling up his wide opened eyes with tears at the blast of emotions happening inside.

"No, no.. this is a joke, it's just a joke, he's kidding... He's kidding", repeated he to himself wearing an optimistic smile as his heart refused to believe what he just heard, causing him to grin silly at himself before transferring his gaze to look at his mom with hopeful eyes yelling his unspoken words aloud

"This is all just a joke, right?"

The look of hopefulness burning bright within his eyes begging her to tell him the same, making her heart feel a sharp sting causing her eyes to go wet hiding which from whom she lowered her gaze unable to look into his heartbreaking ones anymore, shattering the last hope Karan's heart held onto, sending a lone tear rolling down his cheek, just when he heard his dad speak

"And what're you- son and mom duo signalling each other huh?"

An unamused smile spread on Karan's face hearing his dad who had no clue whatsoever, causing him to chuckle bitterly to himself before hiding away his tears quickly, setting all his emotions aside, answering

"Nothing dad, what do you think?"

"I guess you are angry on your mom for hiding this news from you..", the words shifting his gaze back to his mom who looked up at him with a sorry look to which Karan bitter smiled nodding in understanding just when he heard his dad continue

"But you actually shouldn't be, she was just worried about you, she didn't want any of this to be revealed to you not until your exams over, just for you to not feel disturbed and sad"

A hurtful sore smile making out to his face as he lowered his eyes not sparing a look to his mom who frowned teary eyed seeing his hurt self masked behind his smiling face, but watched helpless while his dad continued

"But, it was me who decided to tell it to you before your farewell, so that you can have a proper farewell since you won't get to have one after, as you will be flying out to London right after your exams within a few days", the words leaving Karan astounded as his fake smile now vanished away getting replaced by a look of horror as his lips quivered

"Right after my exams?"

"Yeah, admission procedure begins at a very early stage, but don't you worry about anything, your uncle there will deal with all of these. He is already excited to have you there, he'll take good care of you"

A detest snicker escaped Karan's nostrils hearing him, having him eyeing his dad with wounded small eyes and a hurtful thin line of smile, recalling all those days spent missing him while he was out making some business trips, and now that he was sitting right in front of him, he still missed him.

He still missed a father, who was just never there for him and so for his mom, making business tours every now and then, returning back home from work once in couple of months time, staying just for a few days where all he would discuss with him was his percentage and rank in the class, and for the rest of time just being busy with the work he actually returned for, asking not to disturb him.

The look of despise clearly visible in Karan's eyes, as the realization that even today his dad being there with them having dinner together, was not to wish him luck or do any father's talk before the farewell and his exams up next, but to just inform him about the decisions he took for his future, and for nothing else in matter, dawned upon him filling his eyes with tears, just when his attention shifted back to his dad hearing him speak to his mother with a laugh

"I told you he would only be happy after listening to this news, you were worried for no reason, see he's absolutely fine with it, he knows his priorities, HE IS HAPPY!"

A chuckle escaped Karan's lips hearing the last words causing him to roll his lips inside to keep all the pain bulging within, making him gaze elsewhere nodding involuntarily in affirmation hiding his teary eyes from his dad, who smiled at his response commenting

"That's like my son"

The rush of emotions raging inside Karan, having him squeezing his eyes shut clenching his fist below the table, as he felt himself suffocating with all the emotions erupting inside causing his legs to stand on its own unable to hold himself back anymore, mumbling not meeting anyone's eyes

"I'll be back in some time"

Before anyone could reply, he was already off leaving the dining room in a flash, having his dad blinking his eyes baffled while his mom excused herself to go check on him, going straight behind only to be taken aback watching him wear shoes sitting by the door preparing to leave outside, having her questioning surprised

"Karan?? What are you doing?"

"Mom please just please don't, just .. leave me alone, please", requested he in response not turning to look at his mom with his teary eyes but his voice expressed enough for her own to shed the long held tears as she whispered bending down to his level

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry Karan. I know you're hurt and angry, but trust me I didn't know any of this not until he came home today evening", Her hands approaching his shoulder only to get jerked off as soon as it did, as Karan turned looking at her with his dripping eyes

"And what if you knew before mom? Would you do anything to change this from happening? Just like you did today?"

Tears dropping down her eyes as her head bent helplessly hearing him, making him gaze elsewhere bitter chuckling at her response, nodding an 'As expected' look, sucking in a sharp breathe saying

"It's okay mom, I get it. You don't have to explain me, I'll not say anything to dad, I'll do what you want me to do, don't worry"

A tear running down her cheek hearing him, having her eyes lifting up watching him stunned speaking after a moment of silence with a heavy heart

"I didn't come here for that"

"I know, I know", said Karan blinking back his tears nodding to himself standing up grabbing the cycle keys from the key holder, about to step out just when his hand was held back by her preventing him from opening the door knob causing him to turn to look at her who requested him

"Please don't go out anywhere, at least eat something, you haven't even had your dinner yet"

"Don't you think I've had enough already for today mom?", Questioned he in response having her grip on his hand go losing, letting him step out the door who ignored her requesting eyes sitting on his cycle, about to leave when a thought of his mom standing behind watching him with tears struck his mind, having him let out a sigh pausing for a moment.

"Don't worry, I'll return before an hour and won't do anything Stupid. Tell dad I'm in my room, he wouldn't mind checking"

Saying it without turning back he left pedalling as quick as he could not awaiting a response from his mom who hiccuped a sob watching him leave all the way down the road, murmuring to herself an "I'm Sorry" before closing the door behind.

***

"I'll always be by your side Aman, even when you say you don't need me, because there's no me without you"

"I'm always there with you Tanu, you will always find this brother standing right next to you no matter then what happens"

"I can't imagine my life without you guys Kanishka, I just can't. You guys make me what I'm"

"We'll go to the same college, we will stay like this forever Aditi"

Tears flowing free as the pain crushed Karan from within, getting stronger inside every moment with each face crossing past his eyes replaying all his words and promises to them, only making him more weaker and vulnerable than he already was.

His legs giving up from cycling non stop from past 10 minutes, driving in the speed he doesn't normally, but his mind refused to stop even for a tiny bit of second, having him closing his eyes squeezing all the burning pain continuing to drive at the speed his adrenalines felt calming to his crying heart.

His hands clutching hard on to the handles going absolute red of the tight grip, as the face of his dad telling everything he did, started repeating itself over in his mind having him yelling to himself gnawing his teeth

"Why dad? Why? Why do you always do this? Why don't you ever care about me or mom? WHYYY??"

The hot tears rolling down his eyes getting swept away by the wind blowing against his face, having him squeezing his eyes closed sucking in the cold breeze, which was capable enough to send chills and shivers, shaking down one's entire body in no second, but to him it rather felt soothing his pain, giving him the strength to continue driving to reach the only place his heart could be brought back to peace that moment.

The place he always searches for in his low times, no matter then what he's going through, whether it's his dad who has hurted him again, or it's Aman and his pain which broke him, whatsoever be the reason, this place always manages to ease out his pain, calming him down, helping him overcome every wound deep within his heart.

The nature of the place, the true solace to his inner soul, where his heart gives up all his pains and hurts, and just admires the silence of the surrounding united with the shallow stream babbling over the smooth rocks rippling slowly below the stone bridge.

Taking the turn from the main road to the thinner route which had the bridge, his speed finally reduced getting slower every second as he now neared the bridge.

His eyes full of tears blinking captured tranced out in his own train of distressing thoughts, just when he spotted someone standing by the bridge turning his eyes wide at the sight having him pulling the brakes of his cycle instantly while the words escaped his shivering lips

"AMAN?"

Tears running down his eyes at the sight, having him stepping off the cycle, moving closer to have a proper look blinking his tears back making sure it was actually him and not him just hallucinating things out of pain now.

As the sight didn't escape past his eyes even after a moment of watching, a sob of joy escaped past his lips sending tears rolling down his eyes as the sudden urge of running straight to Aman hugging him tight crying all his pains out on his shoulder grew inside him.

A faint little smile breaking out to his face, having him wiping his tears off his eyes about to take a step ahead towards Aman, just when a voice inside his head had his legs ceasing having it hanging midway in air.

"How can you even do this? How can you even think of telling him the truth when you know exactly how he is gonna react to it? It will break him!"

The thoughts seeing him pulling his feet back, having him bending his head down shaking it in negative trying to keep his emotions on check, while repeating to himself

"I can't, I can't do this to you"

A rush of tears flowing down his eyes as he stood still watching him for a while, before turning back with a heavy heart looking to leave silently, when the voice ceased his feets from making any further movement

"Karannn? Is that you?", The words having him squeezing his eyes shut, mentally groaning getting spotted by Aman who now approached near, sensing whose footsteps he quickly wiped off his tears from his face and turned to face him with a smile, only to be taken aback by him who came running taking him for a tight embrace.

The gesture opposite much to Aman's self, who doesn't even like greeting with a hello upon meeting, was now hugging him like he had met him after ages, leaving Karan absolutely stunned.

Had it been any other day he would be all panicking wondering the reason behind this unthinkable, bombarding Aman already with infinite questions, but this moment all he could feel was his heart finally at peace, beating at a soothingly calm pace, feeling home in his embrace, the one he had been craving for, making him roll his lips controlling himself from sobbing on his shoulder or hug him back, just when he heard him speak

"I was just thinking about you, I've something very urgent to tell you", said Aman pulling himself back holding Karan by his shoulder who just watched him with a light smile with his eyes blinking back the tears of unsaid words "me too", nodding at Aman who now pulled him along with him by his wrist up to the bridge while he secretly wiped the tears bubbling off his eyes.

"I... I... I talked with Tanu, and ... And I've.. I've decided something", said Aman re-repeating himself taking breathe pauses to phrase his words having a shy smile on his face, making Karan blink out of curiosity lifting his brows signalling him to continue who looked elsewhere murmuring in a low voice

"I.. I'll.."

"You will? You will what?"

"I will tell Kanishka that I..."

"I? I??", Karan's eyes going wide, for a change out of happiness, as a smile finally spread his lips having him hold Aman's shoulder shaking it unable to wait for him to complete who finally answered after a while of looking around fixing his eyes to the ground answering

"I love her"

A rush of joy danced Karan's face who jumped with laughter taking Aman for a tight embrace who chuckled in his hold rolling his eyes feeling a strange shy, saying his next words which drained Karan's smile off his face

"Only under one condition"

"What condition?"

"Simple, just promise that you will always be there with me", the words fading away the little moment of happiness replacing it with an instant feeling of sorrow, masking all of which with a straight face he pulled himself back eyeing all around but not Aman as he continued speaking

"Be there with me to correct me, to tell me what's right and what's wrong like you always do, because you know me like noone else does. I can't do this without you. With you by my side I know I will be fine, I won't hurt anyone"

Tears flowing down Karan's cheeks as every word pierced his crying heart like thousand knives being stabbed at once, having him losing the hold of his self as he took Aman for a tight hug sobbing inaudibly on his shoulder while he hugged him back asking him in a soft voice again

"You will always be there with me right?"

Pain. Sometimes the pain crushes you. It leaves you incapable of everything. It leaves you broken- in and out. Just what was Karan experiencing as he rolled in his lips, sucking it in tighter holding back all the tears and pains overflowing his heart as his words kept ringing in his ears.

Sucking in a large breathe, killing his unbearable urge of breaking down and yelling out the truth which would only take away Aman's all happiness, he pulled himself back with a heavy heart placing one of his hand on Aman's shoulder muttering in a deep voice

"As much as I want to, I can't make a promise to you. I can't speak for the future, but I'm always there with you, know that. Maybe not physically all the time, but you will always feel my presence, a part of me is always with you, just look for me, I'll be there"

Fresh set of tears rolled down his cheeks despite his control as he spoke, having him directing his gaze to the floor for a moment catching in his breathe, before looking back at Aman who had a concerned look on his face saying the rest with a smile

"And besides, you don't need me or anyone else to tell you what is right or what is wrong, you know it better yourself, just stop listening to this brat Aman will you?", Said Karan pointing a finger marking Aman top to down before placing it on his heart continuing

"Listen to this, this is your 'North Star'. Start listening to this more often than you do, and nobody's gonna get hurt. You won't need me"

"And that's where you went wrong", replied Aman turning back Karan's finger to point at his own self saying with a smirk natural to his own self

"A north star is no special without its stability, and you provide that stability. So I need you more than this, but now I'm done with you and all this talks. I'm super hungry, and so so damn late, so I'm on way running, enjoy your stay with stars, see ya tomorrow in the farewell"

Said Aman checking his watch before running off to his cycle disappearing in a second, leaving Karan standing still like a statue, staring blankly at the space still processing his response for some seconds until the rush of emotions finally hit him breaking through his trance, having him falling down on his knees crying aloud shaking his head letting all the tears out in open muttering with loud sobs

"You will have to Aman, you will have to, I can't be with you forever even if I wish to, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry"

The last words merely inaudible whispers as his jaws shivered to speak another word going breathless gasping for air. Every face flashed past his mind came with the recall of his words and promises done, tearing apart his broken self further having him squeezing shut his eyes, closing his ears with his palms in order to stop the voices inside his head, but none helped leaving him requesting crying helpless

"No, please no, No stop it please"

The sobs and wails filling the entire surrounding, echoing throughout the empty bridge, with him punching the ground at times caring the least of his hands hurting by each strike, as no pain was stronger than the one exploding inside his heart having him repeating to himself

"I hate you, I hate you dad, I just hate you"

Sometimes, the pain leaves you incapable, incapable to balance every emotion.

Too vulnerable to see or find a way, for an escape, or an option.

Too insensitive to feel yourself or the heart for the matter, or for any motion.

Too wounded, to be cured or healed, by a painkiller or a lotion.

Just the feeling of being broken remains, prevails with an increasing commotion.

It's the pain and ache, that leaves the deepest scars, not the people or for the fact the poison.

***

Hello everyone..!

Yeah I'm late, super late, sorry for that, but so was the last three months of my final year, full of exams and assessments, and only just a week back got done finally with my bachelor's degree.

So here's the update.

How was the update?

I know it was emotionally heavy, but it had to be.. *sighs and cries*

What do you think-

Will Aman actually be able to propose kanishka?

And what will Karan do? Will he be able to keep all this to himself?

And how will he react looking at Aditi in the farewell?

The two boys finally confessed their feelings, but there came the unexpected twist.. *sobs*

All the answers, in the next update of farewell, stay tuned

Meet you all in the next update, hope it's quick, I'm even working now till my masters begins, but hope for the best. Until then

<Bye, Tc🤍>