Meet Ishaa Shetty:
The poised and polished future heir to Arcadia, Hyderabad's largest tech empire. With her flawless style, straight A's, and loyal circle of friends, Ishaa is the embodiment of perfection. Bold, intelligent, and effortlessly beauti...
"Ughhhhh," I groaned for what felt like the hundredth time that night. Slumping back in my chair, I pinched the bridge of my nose and stared at the labyrinthine mess of numbers and symbols on the page. "Was math always this hard?" I muttered to myself.
This year wasn't like the others. Math, once a breeze, had morphed into a complex puzzle that refused to be solved. Just as I was about to attack the problem with renewed determination, a soft knock on the door startled me.
"Come in," I called out, my voice thick with exhaustion.
The door creaked open, and my mom peeked in, a glass of steaming milk held in her hand. The warm glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the worry lines etched on her forehead. I knew exactly what she was going to say before the words even left her lips.
"Just this one exercise, Mumma, I promise," I pleaded before she could launch into her lecture.
She chuckled, a familiar sound that soothed my frayed nerves. "It's 11:40, Ish. You know a good night's sleep is crucial for studying, right?"
I nodded sheepishly, accepting the glass. The warmth of the milk seeped into my hands, sending a wave of relaxation through my body. Taking a long sip, I savored the comforting sweetness. Milk always had that effect – a magical potion that lulled me into slumber.
Unlike other Saturdays, this one wasn't filled with the usual routine of movies, books, and mall trips. Today was dedicated solely to the pursuit of conquering math. Sure, I studied during the week, but weekends were usually for unwinding. Except, sometimes – okay, maybe more than sometimes – those "sometimes" stretched into entire weekends of blissful procrastination.
With a sigh, I sank back onto the bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. Setting my alarm for an ungodly hour in the morning, I closed my eyes, the image of the math problem flickering behind my eyelids. As drowsiness washed over me, a mischievous thought crossed my mind. Maybe, just maybe, sneaking in a quick movie trailer wouldn't hurt...
Ugh, not again! There I was, sucked into the entire movie. "Just one peek at the trailer," I'd convinced myself. Two hours later, I was glued to the screen, cheering on Tom Holland's (don't judge, the man is a national treasure!) daring stunts in "Uncharted."
The movie's epic finale faded to credits, and a jolt of terror shot through me as I checked the time. 2:00 am! My jaw practically hit the floor. Scrambling to minimize damage control, I shoved my laptop back onto the study table, the evidence of my movie marathon hopefully hidden. Sleep, glorious sleep, was all I craved. But lurking in the back of my mind was the image of my mom's disappointed face if she discovered my late-night shenanigans.
With a resigned sigh, I dove under the covers, setting a battlefield of alarms. Operation: Avoid Mom's Wrath was officially a go. Hopefully, the blaring sirens would yank me from sleep before she did.
The insistent ringing of my alarm dragged me from sleep. Squinting at the clock, I saw 7:00 am and let out a relieved sigh. "Perfect timing," I mumbled, rolling out of bed. No suspicious glances from Mom today!
A quick shower later, I was downstairs, feeling refreshed. Stepping into the dining hall. My parents, Anandi Aunty, Gautam Uncle, and Rishi were already gathered around the table, their laughter filling the room. I smiled and greeted everyone, sliding into my seat just as Padma Aunty and the other servants arrived with steaming plates of breakfast.
Today's spread was a feast – fluffy rava idli, crispy dosas with some coconut chutney, and sambar that smelled divine. My stomach grumbled in appreciation.
"Padma Aunty, could I trouble you for a masala dosa, please?" I asked, already picturing the crispy exterior and the soft, potato-filled interior. Dosa was my absolute favorite.
The breakfast was a lively affair, with Dad and Uncle cracking jokes that sent everyone into fits of laughter. Overstuffed and content, we all migrated to the living room. As I settled onto the couch, something caught my eye. All four parents were dressed to the nines.
"Whoa, what's with the fancy attire?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"We have a wedding to attend," Mom explained. "That's why we all ate breakfast together today."
She turned to Rishi. "I have a favor to ask. Yuvraj's away at a football game, and I really don't want Isha to be alone all day. Would you mind keeping her company, Rishi?"
"Sure, Aunty, no problem," Rishi replied with a smile. "Enjoy the wedding!"
With that, they all trooped out to the car, waving goodbye. Rishi and I watched them leave before turning back to the living room. Feeling a familiar urge to unwind, I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. Netflix loaded up, and I started browsing for something to watch.
"Doctor Slump!" I declared, settling on a show with a grin. Park Hyung Sik was simply too good to resist.
He settled in without a word, his gaze flicking between me and the screen. About thirty minutes into the first episode, I was completely engrossed in the sweet, slow-burn romance unfolding. Suddenly, the TV went dark. Rishi held the remote aloft, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"Hey!" I protested, startled. "What are you doing?"
"Isn't this a little too slow-burn for us, Ish?" he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. Then, in a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine, he whispered, "We need something with a bit more...action."
My cheeks flushed crimson. This wasn't the first time Rishi had flirted with me (he was a flirt with everyone but nobody took it seriously and brushed it off ), but it felt different today. Maybe it was the way his voice dropped to an octave lower or the intensity of his gaze. Whatever it was, it made my heart skip a beat.
"Oh yeah?" I retorted, trying to sound nonchalant. "Give me back the remote, then."
A playful battle for the remote ensued. I lunged for it, determined to reclaim control of my Netflix marathon. Rishi, ever the playful tease, held it just out of reach, his laughter echoing in the room. In the heat of the moment, I lunged a little too far, my balance failing me. With a surprised yelp, I tumbled forward, landing squarely on Rishi's chest.
The world seemed to stop. The air crackled with a sudden electric tension. The warmth of his body seeped through my thin shirt, sending a jolt through me. His hand, which had instinctively shot out to catch me, rested lightly on my arm. I could practically feel the sculpted muscles beneath his T-shirt.
Slowly, I lifted my head, my gaze meeting his. His brown eyes, usually filled with laughter, were now intense, holding me captive. A blush, hot and uncontrollable, flooded my cheeks. My face felt like it was on fire, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I resembled a ripe tomato. We stayed like that, suspended in a moment of unspoken awareness, the only sound our ragged breaths and the faint thumping of my heart against my ribs. Two minutes stretched into an eternity, the air thick with unspoken questions and a dawning realization.
An unexpected sound that shattered our intense moment made us both jump. My phone vibrated insistently on the table, the shrill ringtone pulling me back to reality. A jolt of worry shot through me as I glanced at the screen and saw Yuvraj's name flashing. Taking a deep breath, I answered the call.
"Hello?" I said, my voice laced with concern.
There was a choked sob on the other end, followed by a sniffle. My heart clenched. "Yuvraj?"
"Akka..." His voice broke, thick with tears. I held the phone tighter, willing myself to project calmness through the receiver.
More sobs were the only response for a moment. "Endhuku edusthunnav kanna?" (Why are you crying, little one?) I asked gently.
"Akka... everyone... all my friends brought their parents to the game... but I didn't bring Mumma and Dad... everyone is teasing me, Akka."
I glanced at the watch on my wrist. 9:30 am. His match started at 10:15. Panic bubbled in my chest, but I forced it down.
"Don't worry about them teasing you," I reassured him firmly. "You know you're a strong boy, Yuvraj."
Another choked sob. "I did ask them to come but I guess they never heard me like the way they heard you. I always scolded and you are always praised. I know that Mum and dad did not prioritize me but not to the extent that they stopped listening to me. I have no one to cheer me on." his words sent a pang through my heart
"Yuvraj, listen to me you have got it all wrong !," I said, my voice soft but determined. "By the time your match starts, you'll have a surprise, okay?"
Without waiting for another word, I went to my room, grabbing my handbag on the way. Rishi stood in the living room, a question mark etched on his face.
"I know we were going to hang out," I explained quickly, "but it's Yuvraj's first match and he's all alone. I have to go support him."
Before I could race out the door, Rishi caught my hand. "I'm coming too," he declared. A smile erupted on my face, warm and grateful.
We hopped into the car, urgency fueling our movements. "Ravi Uncle," I called out, "take us to the football academy, please!"
Isha's OOTD
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Rishi's OOTD
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Author's Note: Hey everyone! How are you enjoying the story so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. I know it's a bit cringy and far from realistic, but I really appreciate you sticking with it! Also, what do you think of the outfit descriptions?
I'm writing this during my holidays, so I'll be updating regularly. And once again, please don't forget to comment and vote—it means a lot!
