𝕌𝕟𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕕 ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕖 𝕆𝕗 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

1

𝗔𝗬𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗜'𝗦 𝗣.𝗢.𝗩

Mom, I'm heading off to college," I exclaimed, adjusting my glasses.

Mom rushed over to me, and I couldn't help but worry about her running.

"Here's a glass of milk, finish it and wait for dad. He's almost ready," she said, handing me the glass. I wish she'd understand that I don't like milk.

"Dad, you don't have to come with me. I know you have a noon shift," I said, trying to change the subject.

"I don't have a shift, Ayushi. I don't work in shifts, beta. How's college going?" Dad asked, making me look at him.

"Like you know nothing," I replied.

"I don't. Tell me, do you understand everything in class? If not, you can always ask me for help," Dad reassured me.

"Dad, have faith in me. I may have taken a few attempts to get into medical college, but I'm doing just fine," I said, feeling someone take the milk glass from my hand - it was my sweet mom.

"And what matters most is that you're doing better. I'm proud of you. Now, finish the milk," Mom said, pressing the glass to my lips.

Reluctantly, I took a small sip. "I wasn't doubting you. I just wanted to remind you that you have a personal tutor if you need extra help," Dad said, smiling at me.

I smiled back, knowing they were always there for me. "Aashika, take Aryan to school. I'm heading to the hospital. If you go to the office with Roshni, give the keys to aunty," Dad instructed, grabbing his bag.

He then walked over to Aryan, kissed his forehead, and slipped a note of fifty in his pocket. "If you want some chocolate, you can have it," he said.

"Mummy, me too! Papa just gave him..." I started whining

"I give you pocket money, don't forget. Get in the car, or we'll be late. No one gets the privilege of being my daughter," Dad said firmly.

"I don't even want it," I muttered.

Soon we arrived at the college premises. He released his seatbelt and instructed me to do the same.

"I'll be in my cabin. If you need me, come find me there. And remember to come to my cabin at 02:00 pm, okay?" He said, playfully pulling my cheeks.

I gave him a stern look and opened my door.

"Bye, dad. See you at two," I muttered, rushing off to attend my first class because I was running late.

I sprinted faster, but suddenly, I found myself kissing the ground. I wished someone would have saved me, like it happens in the movies.

As I looked up, I saw the only person in this college whom I didn't hate. Rihaan, I wondered why he was teaching our class. He had completed his specialization last year. Does he even know me? I'm just his student, right?

"Slow down, you might hurt someone. You're already late, so there's no need to rush," he said, moving ahead. I glanced back and took a deep breath. This man has taken my breath away since I was young, but I only realized it when I turned seventeen. However, I've liked him since I was fifteen.

Is it normal to have a crush on someone since childhood? I don't think it's illegal. He's such a sweetheart.

A tap on my shoulder brought me back to reality.

"Ayushi, Mam will kill us. Run, idiot!" Dikshit shouted, grabbing my hand and running.

"Why are you late?" I asked confused because he never get late for any class.

"Ananya and I were at a party last night," he replied. We stopped in front of our class.

I knocked on the door, catching our professor's attention. She shook her head and gestured for us to enter through the back door as not to disturb the entire class.

"She's so sweet," I whispered, taking out my materials from my bag.

Classes continued until two o'clock. Now I understood why my dad asked me to come to his cabin at that time. Did I mention we had a half-hour break in between?

"Where are you, miss? Let's have lunch together," Ananya called out to me. I shook my head, glaring at her.

"When you all want to party, you forget about me. But when you want to have a simple lunch, you suddenly want me to join you. Forget it, I'm not your friend," I said, starting to walk away.

Dikshit pulled me back and looked at me with concern, knowing the consequences if my dad found out we went to the party. "I love our lives too much to risk it by inviting you," he explained. "But if you want to come next time, that's okay."

I playfully rolled my eyes and freed my hand from his grip. "Dad wants to see me in his cabin. I'll catch up with you guys later," I said, making my way to the side building.

After knocking on the door, I entered without waiting for permission, which might not have been the best move. Dad glanced at me before shifting his attention back to the lady sitting across from him.

"Get admitted, and we'll release you in two days if everything goes smoothly. And stop stressing, it's not good for your already weak heart," Dad advised, passing a paper with something written on it to the lady, who thanked him and left.

"Let's go to the canteen and have lunch together, alright?" Dad suggested. I nodded with a smile, always enjoying our lunchtime together.

We sat beside each other, and Dad placed multiple round boxes on the table, making me realize that Mom packed our lunch like a five-star chef.

"Dad, really? You brought juice too?" I asked, eyeing the bottle.

"I bought it from here," he replied, scanning the area for familiar faces.

"Hey, Rihaan, come here," Dad called out. Rihaan and his dad took seats in front of us.

Only this man could make me feel shy. I pull my hand back making some water spill on table.

"Ayushi, be careful baccha," Dad reminded me, cleaning the table with a tissue.

"How is it?" Dad asked, feeding me a bite. I glared at him, feeling embarrassed in front of my future husband.

"Papa, I'll eat with my own hands," I insisted, eagerly devouring the delicious food.

"Trust me, Aakash, once our kids grow up, they'll take us as a joke or think we're overdoing everything," Dad said, chuckling along with the others at the table.

Oh, he was just joking. He was teasing me.

"I'm not talking to you," I huffed, taking a sip of the juice he had bought.

I sneak a glance at Rihaan, who is quietly enjoying his meal with a gentle grin.

He smiles too much! Be careful, or else some girl might just fall head over heels for you.

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