College Romance

Chapter 1

Suhana's POV:

"Didi! Didi!" I looked over to my little brother, AbRam as he ran into my room. "Kya hai Abi?!" [What Abi]

I was in my room, reading some comments when AbRam came barging to my room. "Oh uh mama asked for you" He pouted because I raised my voice at him.

"Okay go I'm coming" Usually I would pacify him but I wasn't in the mood. I had recently done a photoshoot for Vogue 2018, August edition.

Unfortunately the rest of the nation didn't seem to enjoy it. As a star kid, I had always been under the limelight which meant that all my insecurities were also under the limelight.

I had been receiving unnecessary comments about my appearance all my life. Be it for my skin tone, my height, the fact that I look exactly like my father in a wig.

The last one really irks me the most. I swallowed all the hate and usually didn't care but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt.

Over the years, my parents rejected any offers they got for my photoshoot or any roles because they wanted me to grow up first.

They always mentioned it's important to have both academic experience and hands-on experience.

When I got offered Vogue, they told me I should take this hands-on experience before going to university.

I was over the moon when they let me accept it but I should've seen the reactions coming. I knew the public would attack me for being a star kid.

I was prepared for that but the comments about my appearance really hurt me even when I pretended they didn't.

"Suhana!" I leapt out of my bed when I heard my mother scream my name. "Ji ma?" [Yes mom] I rushed out my room and ran downstairs.

I completely forgot she called me. "Kahan thi tum?" [Where were you] "Room sorry" I mumbled. She shook her head and asked me to sit.

"Seema aunty is inviting us for lunch tomorrow" I sighed, knowing she was going to ask me to go. "What? You like Seema aunty" She must have noticed my reaction.

"Everyone will be there Ananya and Shanaya too" She reassured me. "Ma I don't feel like meeting anyone" I told her. She put her iPad on the table and patted the seat next to her.

"Come here" She said softly. I moved over and sat next to her. She grazed her fingers through my hair as she spoke. "Sue baby I know what's upsetting you"

I looked at my hands as she talked to me. "Jaani you've been trained for this" I was trained for this. I knew what the outcome was going to be.

"Papa and I have told you, this industry is a battle ground and the spectators especially are ruthless" She explained.

"They will eat off every insecurity you have and make sure you know it" It was a wonder how I still wanted to join the film industry.

My parents had always explained it as such. They never made the mistake of sugar coating anything especially when the topic of Bollywood arises.

"You need to know what your passion is and work for it as hard as you can" She tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, "Just remember what Papa and I have always told you"

"Do anything but do something and always work hard on it" I had been hearing that my whole life and honestly I lived by that motto.

"Ma?" Tears were forming in my eyes. "Am I really that ugly?" My mother was not expecting that question and I was not expecting her answer.

"If you think you are ugly, then you are ugly" I stared at her. "And if you think you're beautiful then you're beautiful"

She flashed her world famous smile, "Jaani it doesn't matter what anyone thinks, not even me, what matters is what you think"

She whispered, "And if you think you're not the prettiest girl on this planet, I will be slapping you" I snorted when she said that.

"I love you ma" I hugged her tightly and couldn't stop the tears flowing down my cheeks. My mom soothed my back and let me cry out on her shoulder.

I have lost count to how many times she has sacrificed her shoulder to let all three of us cry on her especially me.

"See didi crying" I wiped my tears and pulled away from my mom. AbRam must have seen me cry and dragged my dad from the study.

"Relax" I stopped my dad before he could say anything. "I'm fine everything is under control" He let out a sigh of relief. He was always so dramatic.

"And you come here" AbRam hid behind our dad. "Come here" I grabbed and carried him. "Careful Sue" My mom warned.

I plopped onto another sofa and started tickling him. I was playing with AbRam but I could hear my dad ask my mom what happened as he sat down next to her.

My mom didn't tell him anything which I really appreciated. He would made a big deal out of it. Mom was calmer in such situations which I needed.

"Don't worry Shah I handled it" She reassured my dad. I heard her tell him, "She may be daddy's little princess but no one can understand a daughter better than her mother."

And if that's not true I don't know what is. My mom always knew what was wrong before I even told her. My phone vibrated on the table.

I figured it was Shanaya or Ananya asking about tonight. My eyes widened as I read the notification on my phone.

My parents jumped in their seats when I screamed. I leapt out of the sofa started jumping in excitement.

AbRam didn't know what was happening but he starting jumping on the sofa. "Suhana kya hua?" [Suhana what happened]

I doubled check my phone because I couldn't believe it. "Papa! Ma! I got into NYU!" Their faces lit with happiness when I told them the news.

"Baby congratulations" I hugged my parents excitedly. "Oh we have to celebrate" My mom said. Finally some good news.