Reckless Rival : An Indian college romance

Chapter 26

Nami woke up to her phone ringing and resonated like there was a drill bit running through her head. She had not slept in days, and she didn't know when she would be able to go back to sleeping like she used to. Maybe never, thanks to her rival. She was ruined. How could she believe things that were not sorted out in years would fall into place just like that?

She reached for her phone as it continued to ring. "This is Namrata," her voice was hardly a whisper.

"Ms. Varma, this is Simha Security. Would you be able to come by the main office today at ten?" The man's voice made Nami wide awake.

"What... what is this about?" Her voice was still groggy.

"We need to talk to you about an incident that happened on the campus a few months back. It was a car vandalism case, and we have some questions for you."

"I'll be there." She felt numb on the inside as she ended the call.

The timing could not be any better. Just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, her rival struck again. He has finally decided to do exactly what his family did to hers. Lose everything they had, and this time he even ripped at the most important part of her—her heart.

Shortly after, she stepped out of the shower and got dressed for class. She had to excuse herself for the first half of one of her classes to go to the security meeting. Why was she bothering to go to the classes, anyway? Wasn't she going to get expelled that day after her meeting?

She stepped out of her room and went downstairs, quietly closing the door behind her. It was too early for her roommates to be up, but she had to get out of the housing unit. She went straight to the cafeteria, although food was the last thing on her mind. What she felt was guilt more than pain for what her rival put her through.

In that moment, she regretted going against her family and going to Simha. She got nothing but heartache out of it, and for what she put her parents through, she deserved it.

Unable to contain her sadness, she called her mother to check on her father. It was mid-day in London, and it was the day her father was supposed to be back home. With the impending trial, it was going to be stressful times for her family.

Getting kicked out of Simha was adding insult to injury caused by that family. Maybe it was best for her to leave immediately instead of waiting to be kicked out.

Her mother's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Nami," there was laughter in her mom's voice. "Perfect timing, baby, I was just going to call you."

"Ma, how is Daddy doing? And—" she paused, not wanting to ask about what would happen with the charges filed against her father.

"Your daddy is doing just fabulous, baby. You won't believe it, but the case was dismissed." With the state of mind Nami was in, she was confused as she processed the joy in her mother's words.

"What are you saying, Ma?" Nami was sure she had to be dreaming.

"Yes, you heard it right." Her mother let out what sounded like a cry of joy. "Your daddy's childhood friend, who he had lost touch with years ago, helped us. They have such good connections that they were able to get to the bottom of the allegation in a day and prove your father's innocence."

"Who... who is—"

"You don't know his friend, love. Your father and his friend, Samraat Simha, had parted ways in some unfortunate circumstance, and now..." her mother paused like she was taking in the sight in front of her. "I've never seen your dad so happy. He is talking to his friend right now."

"This is unbelievable." Even as she said the words in her delirious state, she was connecting the dots.

"But... I thought it was the Simhas who had done this, just like they had taken away Daddy's company before." Nami's mind was running on overdrive.