Chapter Eighty Two.

Chapter Eighty Two.
Veda walked down the quiet school hallway toward the HOD’s office, her steps slow but steady.

Her fingers clutched the handle of her tote bag, knuckles slightly white from the pressure.

The nerves hadn’t left her since morning, and now as she approached the door with the wooden nameplate reading Mr. Pawar... Head of Department, she took a soft breath and knocked.

“Come in..” his voice called from inside.

Veda pushed the door open and stepped in. The familiar office greeted her with the scent of old books and coffee.

Mr. Pawar looked up from a stack of files, and when his eyes landed on her, a smile instantly stretched across his face.

“Veda?” he said warmly, eyes lighting up.

She returned the smile, a little nervously. “Hello, Mr. Pawar.”

“How are you, dear? Please, have a seat.” he gestured kindly, setting his pen down.

Veda sat down in the wooden chair across from his desk. Her shoulders eased just a little.

“The school received an email from the company in Bangalore a few weeks ago.” he began, adjusting his glasses. “Regarding your internship. All that was left was your approval. I must admit, I was starting to worry. You worked so hard for this, I didn’t want to see it go to waste.”

Veda lowered her gaze for a second, guilt washing over her. “I... I’m really sorry, sir. I’ve had a lot on my plate lately. A few tough assignments too, I just wanted to keep my grades up.”

He smiled patiently, shaking his head. “It’s alright. Life happens. But I’m glad you’re here now.”

She nodded and reached into her bag, pulling out the letter she had brought along.

“I’m ready to join the company for my industrial training..” she said with quiet determination.

“Good..” he said, pleased. He opened a drawer on his side and retrieved a large brown envelope. “These are your credentials. The school already transferred your records and documentation to the company. All that’s left now is your signature here..” he tapped the corner of the envelope, “...the school authorities have already signed off.”

Veda took the envelope with both hands and nodded, her smile small but sincere. “Thank you, Mr. Pawar. I’ll take care of it right away.”

“You deserve this opportunity, congratulations.” he said kindly, leaning back in his chair. “When are you leaving?”

She stood, smoothing the hem of her kurti. “Tomorrow, sir.”

He smiled with a nod, pride evident in his expression. “Make the most of it, Veda. If you do well, they might even offer you a permanent position afterward. And I have no doubt, you’ll shine.”

Her heart swelled a little at his words. “Thank you, sir..” she said earnestly, offering him one last grateful smile before walking to the door.

He watched her go, still smiling as the door closed behind her.

♤♤♤

“Haaa!!! Yay!!! I’m so happy for you!” Samaira squealed, practically bouncing as they walked out of the college premises.

Veda smiled faintly, though her nerves were still knotted tight in her stomach.

“Samaira, please lower your voice..” Veda sighed, glancing around. Samaira just grinned and nudged her playfully.

“You’ll be fine once you leave this place, okay? It’s a fresh start!” she said, squeezing Veda’s arm. Veda gave a small nod, her eyes flickering toward the ground.

Suddenly, Samaira grabbed her arm with both hands, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “We’re going to have the best day today. First, we eat out. Then we hit our favorite mall, and after that… My place and more fooooood!” she said dreamily.

Veda laughed softly. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Veda!”

The voice that cut through the air made them freeze.

Samaira’s smile disappeared. Veda’s heart dropped.

They turned. And there he was.

Varun.

He was walking toward them, his pace fast and determined. Veda’s pulse spiked, and she unconsciously took a half-step behind Samaira.

“He looks different…” Samaira whispered. Veda noticed it too.

He wasn’t wearing his usual school glasses. His sharp jaw now carried a light stubble that made him look older, more intense.

And though his face was calm, there was something off about him, something too tightly held together.

“Can we help you?” Samaira asked, her tone protective.

Varun’s jaw flexed. “I want to talk to Veda.”

Samaira narrowed her eyes. “And why would—”

“I won’t repeat myself, Samaira..” Varun said firmly, his voice low, but laced with warning. His eyes didn’t waver from hers, and for a second, even Samaira faltered.

Still, she stood her ground. “And I won’t let her talk to you—”

“I don’t want to talk to you, Varun..” Veda cut in quickly, her voice shaky. “Please… I have somewhere to be.”

Varun looked at her, and for a brief moment, a flicker of something, pain, maybe? crossed his face. “I just… I wanted to ask if you could help me with something.” he said quietly.

His fingers twitched by his side, aching to reach for her, to pull her away from Samaira’s grip. But she was still clinging tightly to Veda’s arm. And he hated it.

“I...I’m sorry. Whatever it is… get someone else to help. I...I have to get home early today. My mom said so.” Veda stammered, her voice rushed, almost panicked.

She couldn’t look at him. She didn’t want to see the way his eyes always searched her face, always stared too hard, too long.

Varun took a slow step closer.

Veda immediately stepped back, and so did Samaira.

“E-Excuse us…” Veda said quickly, turning away. Samaira shot Varun one last glare before walking off beside her.

As they hurried away, Samaira glanced back.

Varun stood rooted in place, his jaw locked, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white. His chest heaved with a slow, angry breath.

Samaira turned forward again, her grip on Veda’s arm tightening protectively.

“It’s a damn good thing Veda’s leaving tomorrow,” she thought grimly, “away from his crazy, obsessed ass.”

As they climbed into the college bus, the day’s exhaustion slowly began to settle into Veda’s limbs.

She dropped into the seat beside Samaira and exhaled shakily.

Her chest rose and fell, fingers fidgeting with the strap of her tote bag resting on her lap.

Samaira, reached over and gently took her hand.

Veda looked down at their intertwined fingers before turning her head to meet Samaira’s warm brown eyes. A tiny, weary smile touched her lips.

"You’ll be fine.." Samaira said softly, squeezing her hand. "Just one more night. After tomorrow… he’ll be nothing but a memory."

Veda didn’t respond immediately. Instead, her gaze drifted to the window beside her.

She placed her head lightly against the glass, the coolness grounding her for a moment.

"What about you?" she asked, her voice barely above a murmur. "When are you leaving for your IT?"

Samaira perked up, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Pune better prepare to be dazzled," she said dramatically, flipping her hair. "Their queen arrives next week."

Veda let out a small chuckle, her first real one in hours. "Queen indeed.." she teased.

Samaira gasped and pouted. "Laugh all you want. I’ll have them bowing down in no time..." she said with mock pride.