Sometimes, a break in a relationship is the pause needed to compose the perfect pudding of love.

Nivedya went to school in a car that day and reached only after the first period was over. He spoke to Abhedya who was equally resentful but they decided to accept their destiny and a new identity.

Abhedya promised to make things easier for everyone once he was prepared to claim the throne. Though he had his doubts and personal issues.

Nivedya requested him to take care of Swarnima and not be annoyed with her because it wasn't her fault.

Abhedya didn't commit for the same to him because the girl he loved so much, misled him since the time they met again. He felt cheated and raged by Swarnima's habit of keeping secrets but he knew he had to comply with the duty he was born for.

When Nivedya reached school, Nimrit was the first person he saw. She was escorting the kindergarten kids to the amphitheatre probably for a class activity. He couldn't speak to her but he couldn't look away from her. Nivedya didn't go to his class and secretly followed her to the amphitheatre.

She made the kids sit down while the teachers were preparing the stage. Nimrit waved hi to Hans, the quietest boy in grade nine. He stood next to Nimrit and they were speaking to each other in hushed tones. Nivedya didn't know the context and he was curious to know what was going to happen.

Nimrit and Hans went on the stage and demonstrated the difference between a 'good touch' and a 'bad touch' for the kids. Surely it was essential to make the kids aware but Nivedya didn't like the act. He had a lot on his mind and watching his girlfriend being touched by a boy on her face, back and front was not easy. The kindergarten teachers thanked them for helping the kids understand, and Nimrit and Hans escorted the kids back to their classes.

Nimrit's eyes finally met Nivedya's when she entered her class and all the songs about a broken heart, played in the background. Turning off the sad tunes of the violin playing in her head, Nimrit sat on her seat as the teacher entered the class. Examinations were close and the teachers were helping the children with the doubts they had.

During the lunch break, Nivedya announced to his friends that Nimrit and he had made a joint decision to maintain distance till the examinations.

Their friends laughed it off and Aashna commented, "You cannot even look away from her, how will you stay away from her?"

"Practice," Nimrit jumped down the small wall she was sitting on and told their friends, "dedication and zeal to do something, can do wonders. One should experience everything in life then why not distance also? Right, Nivi?"

Nivedya could feel Nimrit was hurt and she had every right to be but that didn't mean she could do what she did with Hans today. "Yeah right. See you after the examination."

"Are you sure, you will see me after the examination?" Nivedya couldn't decipher the meaning of her words, she looked at him and explained, "You know, what if you find someone else who is a treat to your sore eyes or what if, I find someone who is the light to my gloomy skies."

The girls laughed at Nimrit's poetry and headed back to their classes making fun of Nivedya. Collin put his hand on Nivedya's shoulder requesting him to relax but there was nothing that could help him calm.

While going back to the class Nivedya and Collin saw Hans being mistreated by some boys. Everything aside, the class stood united in times of need. They went to Hans and the boys teasing him went away from there laughing.

Collin asked Hans patiently, "What's wrong, dude? Why were they troubling you?" Hans was a boy loved by all and was never involved in any fights or arguments.

"I don't know what's wrong with class eighth boys. Their way of thinking is rotten. Today morning, Nimrit and I displayed to the kindergarten kids the difference between good and bad touch. These uncouth rascals asked me whether I enjoyed explaining the bad touch part."

Nivedya's eyes burnt in fury and he fisted his palms tightly lest he could kill the boys for their cheap remarks.

"I mean, I did not even touch her. It was just a demonstration. How do they even get these ideas? I am so disappointed. I hope they don't question the same to Nimrit. Do you think, I should give her a heads-up?" Hans asked Nivedya and Collin for a suggestion.

"No need dude. She is Nivi's girlfriend he will take care of it. Let's head to the class." Collin stressed the word girlfriend and Hans's mouth formed an 'o' to the revelation.

Nimrit's head was buried in books and she didn't realise when Nivedya came and sat next to her. She was doing her work with so much concentration that Nivedya didn't want to disturb her. He felt guilty for having thoughts alike the class eight boys.

"Exams aren't over yet Nivi." Aarfa bent backwards and commented, making their friends laugh teasingly.

Nimrit saw Nivedya sitting next to her and that made her angrier. She didn't speak nor spared a glance at him. She didn't want him to play a double game with her. Say something, do something.

Nivedya tried tricks to gain her attention but he was unsuccessful. So, when the final bell rang he asked Nimrit to meet him near the canteen. She rejected his request and went to catch her bus.

Nivedya was equally stubborn and wanted to speak to her desperately so, dragged her behind the last bus and asked her, "Why are you behaving so weirdly?"
Nimrit looked at Nivedya with so much fury that he got scared for a second. "Alright. Let me get straight to the point." He told her what happened between Hans and the eighth-grade boys. He suggested her, to be alert and watch out for the nasty boys.

Nimrit heard him patiently and when he was done talking, she started to move toward her bus without saying anything. He caught her hand from behind and said, "Hey, aren't you going to say something?"

The tough face Nimrit was maintaining till then turned soft with his touch which sent a tingling sensation in her. She struggled to release her hand but Nivedya's grip was strong.

"Bad touch. Bad touch." A kindergarten kid shouted when he saw Nivedya holding Nimrit's hand inappropriately. Nivedya immediately left her hand and Nimrit called the child there.

"What do we do when someone does that? We either shout for help or..." Nimrit hit on Nivedya's legs such that he fell flat on the ground. The child clapped his hands and Nimrit told him to go to his bus.

Dusting his clothes, Nivedya questioned angrily, "My touch was bad?"

"It was without my permission so, it falls under that category," Nimrit replied bravely controlling her emotions. Nivedya pulled Nimrit to a farther end where he was certain no one could see them.

"Stop being so difficult. I am dealing with a lot already. Help me. Don't fight with me. Besides, we decided to take a break, we haven't broken up." Nivedya's words blurred Nimrit's eyes and she pushed him away.

"We decided? No, Mr Singh. You passed a decree that we should stay away. I did not even get a chance to say a word. You just assumed what I would think."

Nimrit wiped the tear at the corner of her eye and said, "I... I rather die the second I live without you. This girl you see smiling and doing everything normally, in reality just a living corpse in your absence." Nimrit's eyes accused Nivedya and filled him with guilt even though the mess in his life wasn't his fault.

Days passed like a time-lapse video and Nivedya never bothered Nimrit. They barely spoke to each other and their friends were worried for them. They tried to talk to them and get them close but nothing worked. The decision was crucial and its execution was equally important. There were times Nimrit gave hints to Nivedya but he pretended to not understand them because he did not want anybody's life to be at risk.

Nimrit dedicated herself to taking care of Reet and she was getting better every day. Amber had gathered enough information about Abhedya. He was quite famous and everyone knew him well. He was the star boy, the one who started the kissing challenge at the college. He went to pubs almost daily and broke the hearts of several girls. But he was also brilliant in his studies, the only boy in the history of Swarnbhoomi to secure the first position in all semesters of his college. His knowledge of warfare and defence skills was unmatched. His college mates said he was the best friend anyone would ever come across. According to them, he wasn't the heartbreaker but most of the girls assumed he liked them which wasn't his fault.

Amber threw his file in anger. He felt frustrated analysing the life of a boy who was supposed to run the state but had no experience in governance. He was too young to be making crucial decisions and Amber wasn't sure he would sign the papers of approval. Swarnbhoomi's fate lay in his hands and he felt the pressure of the same in his bones.

Tension and gloom also filled the house of Singhs. Nimrit's words kept reverberating in Nivedya's mind. "I am a living corpse in your absence." Can someone love someone so much? He thought. Surely he was also missing her but it wasn't like there was anything else to hold on to. He had a family and Swarnima, along with other things to look after. He felt miserable for Nimrit and didn't want her to go through all the drama. If only, he could tell her why the distance between them was best for everyone.

Examinations were close and Nimrit became everyone's go-to person. She was always surrounded by her classmates who took help from her or asked her for her comprehensive notes. Nivedya could see Nimrit develop a good friendship with Hans. He was probably the first boy outside their core group she was speaking to. He didn't mind because he knew it was a genuine friendship.

On the day of the first examination, all the students were nervous and wished each other good luck. Nivedya shook hands to wish Nimrit and they could feel the sparks erupt in their bodies. They hadn't touched each other and a mere handshake shook them. Nimrit hid her smile of acknowledgement and Nivedya felt victorious because he affected her as she affected him.

'I promise you Nimrit, I will fill your life with colours. Just let this drama settle.' Nivedya said to himself before writing the paper. But he didn't know the drama was far away from its climax.

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Dear Readers

Nimrit and Nivedya are on a break and missing each other terribly. Will it change their relationship for the better or worse, only time can tell.

Stay Hooked!

Lots of love!