When everyone was wrapped in summer holidays,
I completed my board exams with great marks.
I received admission to Columbia University. Finally, I am here in New York.
But I miss India—my uncle Nikhil, aunt Rachana, and... Tara.

As a teenage boy, I always longed for Tara's friendship.
But the rivalry between Dhruv and me, the "stellar crew" and "solar squad,"
created a distance between Tara and me.

That distance forced me to portray hatred toward her
before everyone, though it was never real.
Yesterday, at the Indian airport,
Tara stood behind Aunt Malini, hiding shyly from me.

Her eyes shimmered, blinking with something unsaid.
Rivan, Mahira, Jaya, and Dhruv didn't come, but she appeared to see me off.
When the elders were speaking, she came closer.
I stayed quiet, though a storm raged inside me.
Tara extended her hand to congratulate me on my journey.

Her soft, tender palm met my rough one,
and a smile appeared on her radiant face as she shook my hand.
But it was becoming difficult for me. My breath grew unsteady.
My heart felt a surge...a rush echoing through me.

Fifteen hours from India to New York,
and more than a thousand times, I remembered Tara's touch.
Her touch made me realize something undeniable,
a feeling that is beyond friendship,
haunting me from the first moment we met.

Yes, I love her. I love my Tara.

- from Ishaan's diary written at the age of 17.

TARA'S POV

I read the picture of Ishaan's old diary on my phone, a diary he had written at seventeen.

I'd already gone through his old diary last midnight when Ishaan had slept peacefully due to his medication.

This teenage writing of his felt so special to me. So I took a picture of it.

I remembered the day he left for the airport. Rivan, Dhruv, Mahira, and Jaya were busy at Dhruv's beach house.

But I desperately wanted to say goodbye to him. When Aunt Malini mentioned visiting Ishaan at the airport, I was determined to go, despite my mom's scoldings.

Reading now, I was overwhelmed to know Ishaan had loved me since his teenage years.

My friend Sushmitha approached, and I stretched out my arms to hug her. She hugged me back. I was in my college for my graduation ceremony.

"You look great in your graduation attire!" Sushmitha praised, smiling.

I wore a black satin gown, a yellow sash draped around my neck, and a matching black cap.

I wasn't alone, half the college was in the same attire.

"Everyone looks like a lawyer," I joked as we entered the auditorium together.

"Where are your husband, Dhruv, and your twin brother?" Sushmitha asked, glancing around.

"No one came. Dhruv's upset with me, Rivan's in Canada, and my husband has neck pain." I admitted.

I felt a bit guilty for not informing Ishaan about the convocation. He rested peacefully after a rough night due to his neck pain, and I didn't want to disturb him.

I settled comfortably in my assigned seat next to Sushmitha, who chatted nonstop as we waited.

Then, our department's Associate Professor, Dr. AJ, arrived carrying files and congratulated me for winning two medals for our department.

I blinked in surprise. I didn't know about the medals.

"Mam, What categories are they for?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, dear! I can't tell you that. The HOD will announce it over the mic," she replied with a wink.

I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I wished Ishaan, Rivan, and Dhruv were beside me, but no one could make it today.

The convocation ceremony began, with heads of various departments and the principal welcoming the guest of honor.

The guest spoke for an hour, while half the students whispered stories to their friends.

After six months apart, everyone was eager to catch up. Sushmitha, too, chatted non-stop, and I glanced at the empty seat next to her. It was meant for Rivan.

In the middle of the ceremony, the guest began distributing degree certificates. When our department was announced, we lined up behind the stage.

 In alphabetical order, our HOD called each student's name over the mic. As my name started with 'T,' I was last in line. Then I heard it.

"RIVAN." Our HOD called Rivan's name again, unaware he wouldn't come.

I felt a pang, knowing how much he'd looked forward to this moment.

Suddenly, I noticed movement at the auditorium entrance. Rivan rushed toward the stage, wearing his robe and cap.

I was stunned. How did Rivan make it to the convocation? When did he return to India?

I held back, watching as he grinned at me before receiving his degree certificate, his chest heaving from his sprint.

He gave a heroic entry. I saw Mahira down by the stage, clapping for him. She must have brought him from the airport.

When Sushmitha's name was called, she went up for her certificate. I exhaled deeply, moving forward in line to receive mine.

With a grin, I took my degree certificate from the guest of honor, the university's vice-chancellor, who shook my hand warmly.

"Our department is proud to announce a special recognition at this ceremony," our HOD said over the mic, giving me goosebumps.

"Mrs. Tara Divan is this year's best outgoing student and college topper. Tara has also secured the gold medal in our university."

The vice chancellor handed me the medals, and I accepted them, glancing at Rivan, who was cheering beside Sushmitha.

I walked down the stage steps, collecting the medals, and Rivan tugged me into an embrace.

"I'm so proud of you, sister," he said, kissing my cheek.

"I'm glad you came," I replied, adjusting the cap on his head.

Sushmitha captured the moment on her phone, and we took selfies when Dr. AJ approached.

"Tara, you need to give the graduation speech," she announced, leaving me momentarily frozen.

"I didn't prepare anything," I replied, my mind racing.

"Go to the staff room. Inside, there's a store room. In that room, the closet contains a file of sample speeches on the table. You can refer to it and speak on stage," Dr. AJ instructed, urging me to hurry.

Rivan accompanied me, and I noticed the panic on his face as we walked toward the staff department.

"I need to tell you something," he muttered.

"Is it more important than my graduation speech preparation?" I asked, stepping into the staff room.

"Yes, much more important. I won't be staying in India after the convocation. I'll be heading back to Canada on the next flight. This is about the sponsor for our education," Rivan continued, walking me into the store room.

"What's there to say about the sponsor?" I asked, searching for a file in the closet in the store room.

"I know who it is," Rivan whispered, picking up the file.

"Who?" I extended my hand for the file.

"It's Ishaan Divan," he stated, placing the file in my hand.

I froze, blinking in disbelief, wondering if this was even possible.

"Stop talking nonsense! Whoever told you this must have made a mistake," I replied firmly.

"Ishaan admitted it to me after Ishaan slapped me in his office," Rivan murmured, causing a storm of emotions to surge within me.

"I... I can't believe it," I whispered as footsteps echoed from the staff room.

Rivan motioned for me to stay quiet. We could hear our HOD's voice outside.

"Thank you for sponsoring Rivan and Tara's education. Both are excelling academically because of you," our HOD said to someone.

I couldn't resist. I wanted to see who it was. The store door wasn't completely closed, and through the gap, I spotted our HOD speaking with someone.

"Just like me, Tara and Rivan's mother would be proud to see her children achieving great things," the person replied in his bass voice.

That voice, there was no mistaking it.

Rivan was right.

It was Ishaan.

My heart pounded as I realized that Ishaan was the one who funded Rivan's and my education.

I stared through the gap, watching Ishaan interact with our HOD. Back in college, I'd been curious about who was sponsoring me. To find out now that it was Ishaan left me stunned.

I was speechless. Rivan gently touched my shoulder, bringing me back to the moment. I stayed silent, determined to hear more of their conversation.

"Tara has brought great pride to our college, thanks to you, Mr. Divan. Right after signing the marriage papers, you met with me to discuss her future," the HOD praised.

A contented smile appeared on Ishaan's face. I recalled the day of our wedding. He hadn't even looked at me after signing the papers, hurrying off for what I now knew was this meeting with my professor.

"I remember thinking you were here to stop Tara's studies because of her marriage with you," the HOD admitted, guilt evident in her voice. "But I was wrong. You just wanted information about her academics."

"Dr. Meenakshi Sundari, you only had her best interests in mind. You're an exceptional professor," Ishaan said, offering her a respectful nod.

"When a student marries while still studying, it's often assumed she'll drop out due to family obligations. But your support helped Tara reach new heights. I even thought marriage might lower her academic performance. But she maintained her excellence. How?" Dr. Meenakshi asked, genuinely curious.

"I kept my distance for these three years. I didn't want her to be distracted by dates or outings with me. I wanted her to focus on her studies. So, I decided not to involve her in any 'marriage-related' matters," Ishaan replied proudly, sending a jolt through my heart.

"You are the perfect husband for Tara," the HOD commended him.

"No, I am not." Ishaan gave a painful smile to HOD.

I saw Ishaan leaving the room with a sudden phone call. I took every word of Ishaan from the store room with Rivan by my side. These last fifteen days of reading his diary, I had suspected he harbored hidden feelings for me.

But now I realize he had concealed much more but hiding his identity as my sponsor.

A wave of emotion built up inside me, but I was determined not to break down.

I watched through the gap as Ishaan left the staff room. Should I confront him about this?

"Tara, Rivan, come out of the store room. I know you're in there," Dr. Meenakshi's voice cut through my thoughts, startling us.

We reluctantly exited the room. I had no idea how she knew we were hiding there.

She raised an eyebrow at us, her expression calm. Rivan glanced at the file in my hand.

"We came to get the file," he said with a shrug, hoping to appear innocent.

"Tara, Ishaan made me promise not to tell you about his sponsorship. So I, along with Dr. AJ, devised this plan to let you discover the truth on your own. That file doesn't contain any graduation speech samples," she explained just as Dr. AJ entered the staff room.

"We know about your divorce, Tara. That's why we arranged for you to find out the truth. Divorce isn't always the answer to end a relationship. Now that you know more about him, maybe you could start anew your marriage life with Ishaan," Dr. AJ suggested. I nodded, absorbing their words.

"Now, it's time for your graduation speech. No need for notes or sample documents, just speak from the heart," Dr. Meenakshi encouraged.

Before I could respond, Rivan leaned in, brushing my shoulder, his words making my heartbeat quicken. 

"I also need to share something else with you," he began, glancing at me with a seriousness that made me brace myself.

"Ishaan is like a cactus. On the outside, he's all thorns, his attitude and harsh words make him seem cold and unfeeling. But deep within, he's as soothing and gentle as aloe vera gel. Don't leave him, no matter what," Rivan said, pulling me into a side embrace.

Dr. AJ interrupted, urging me, "It's time, Tara. You're up for your graduation speech."

"I...I can't," I whispered, tears streaming down my cheeks. "I'm not in the right state of mind to speak in front of thousands right now. I need to find Ishaan, to confront him."

"You need to speak for the person who made you into the strong, independent woman you are today," my HOD added gently, as Rivan wiped my tears.

I reached the stage of mixed emotions after learning about Ishaan's sacrifice for my studies. I was both happy and heartbroken.

As I stood at the microphone, I noticed Mahira and Ishaan in the audience, Ishaan attempting to stay out of my sight.

I approached the center of the stage, gripping the microphone firmly.

"My dear graduates, today is a dream come true. We all waited for this moment to hold a degree. Surely, we may have skipped classes to go to the movies or restaurants, but we always wanted that degree after our names. Professors work tirelessly to cover entire textbooks, while we students manage to do it all the night before the exams. Aren't we the true legends?" I chuckled, and laughter echoed from the audience.

"But jokes aside, this moment is precious. As we transition from students to graduates, our responsibilities grow. This achievement wasn't just our own. It took the hard work and support of everyone around us, parents, professors, friends, and even those distant relatives obsessed with our marks."

The audience was silent, listening intently.

"The right person can change everything in your life. I am here today because of one such person. I might have dropped out in my second year if not for my sponsor, who taught me that education is the most powerful weapon."

I paused, and the seriousness in the room intensified.

"Until today, I didn't know who my sponsor was. But I've finally learned the truth. The sponsor who supported my education was none other than my husband, whom I married three years ago." My eyes scanned the crowd, seeking Ishaan. 

He stood behind Mahira, a look of astonishment on his face, realizing I now knew the truth.

"I owe my deepest gratitude and respect to my husband, who cared about my dreams and education." My breath quickened as our eyes met.

"From the bottom of my heart, Mr. Ishaan Divan, I wanted to say this to you... I love you." My heart raced as I confessed, my voice resonating through the auditorium.

Applause filled the hall as I handed the microphone to Rivan and hurried off the stage toward Ishaan. Emotions swirled in his eyes, mirroring my own. I reached Ishaan breathing hard. Unable to hold back, I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, tears of joy streaming down my face as I pressed my forehead against his chest.

"Graduates, Time to throw those caps in the air!" Rivan called out from the stage, beaming with joy.

"I love you, Ishaan," I whispered, clutching the back of his shirt.

I glimpsed at everyone, throwing the graduation cap in the air. I didn't throw. I was waiting for Ishaan's reply.

He remained silent, momentarily lost in thought. I couldn't tell what he was feeling. He didn't hug me back.

"Tara!" a familiar voice shouted. I looked up to see Dhruv, his face clouded with anger as he noticed how I was embracing Ishaan.

I tried to pull away, but Ishaan surprised me by pulling me back into his embrace, leaving me astonished.

Sorry for the late update. I had a cold for the past few days. I am fine now. I hope you have enjoyed the Diwali celebration.

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I'd love to hear what you thought of Chapter Fifteen, so drop your thoughts in the comments section below. Your votes and comments truly inspire me to keep going, so let's keep the conversation alive!

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