Reckless Rival : An Indian college romance

Chapter 2

A week later...

"I still can't believe it," Nami said, looking around the housing units as they walked toward their allocated room.

Her cousin, Ramya, rolled her eyes. "Can you stop saying that now?" She had to bear Nami's excitement throughout their journey to Simha.

Nami smiled as she was still taking in her surroundings and processing the fact she made it to Simha, thanks to her grandma for convincing her father. She could not believe the timing of their surprise visit.

Nami stepped into her room and let out a sigh. "Oh my God! I'm finally here." She fell onto her bed, hugging the pillow.

Ramya could not help but laugh. "Will you start hugging every pillar and wall when we go to the campus tomorrow?"

"I might as well." Nami sat up in bed. "I'm so glad you're my housemate."

"I was asked to keep an eye on you, big cousin." Ramya winked, giggling.

Nami smiled. "Do you think you can take me to the campus this evening?"

"No." Ramya frowned. "We are not going to the campus. We are headed to the lighthouse." Her eyes flashed with excitement.

"The lighthouse?" Nami was an architecture student, and any kind of structure interested her.

"There's a sick party planned for tonight. Let's go." Ramya beamed.

Nami fell back on the bed. All she wanted to do was take in the moment. "Not tonight. You should go."

"No. Not happening." Ramya started pulling on Nami's arm. "No cousin of mine is missing the pre-season parties. They are the most fun to attend since classes haven't started, and everyone is chilled."

Nami could only laugh. She wasn't opposed to partying, in fact, she enjoyed them, but she was in no mood that night. Not after being overwhelmed by being at Simha. "Ramya, I'm tired."

"Not taking no for an answer." Ramya was turned away from her, digging through one of her suitcases. "Did you pack your romper dress in this bag?"

Nami didn't really plan and pack. The moment her father agreed, she stuffed her bags with what was in her closet and headed out well before the semester started, worried he might change his mind.

Nami remembered something else. "Hey, how can I find out about a student on campus?"

Ramya responded from the closet. "Are you looking for that strange Veer Simha? I already looked him up in the directory, but there is no one by that name."

"What about the Simhas? How many of them are from the founding family?" Nami wanted to know what she was dealing with.

"What about them? The Simha family is so big there are a ton of them in every graduating class." Ramya laughed.

"Oh, how do–" her voice was cut off in her cousin's excitement.

"Found it!" Ramya let out a squeal, holding up a floral dress she had insisted Nami buy on one of their shopping trips.

"Do I have to?" Nami rolled on the bed burying her face in the pillow. She wanted to fall asleep only to wake up to go see the campus.

"Yes! I can't let you be branded as the boring cousin," Ramya teased.

"Whatever." Nami dragged herself out of bed after Ramya left her with instructions on what shoes to wear and what to do with her hair. She needed a shower badly and had to race against time to beat the speed at which Ramya got ready.