Reckless Rival : An Indian college romance

Epilogue

Later that evening, she stood looking out into the ocean, her eyes following the light path from the lighthouse. It was the location of their first date and after the way her day started, never in a million years did she think it would end this way.

She felt his presence before she heard his footsteps as he came up from behind. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. She tilted her head, hitting his chest as he trailed his lips down her neck. "This is surreal."

He groaned against her delicate skin. "You are unreal."

She raised her hand and ran her palm along his cheek. "I'm sorry I... slapped you twice in a few days."

He took a nibble on her neck. "That's not how you apologize." There was a taunt in his voice.

She smiled, turning around to face him, her fingers interlocking in his hair on the back of his head. Without another word, she went up on her toes, and just as their lips were going to be smashed together, she stopped. As if in a tease, she stuck the tip of her tongue out, running it along the edge of his mouth, all the while their eyes locked.

His breath hissed and his eyes deepened, but he didn't avert them. She planted featherlight kisses along his jawline. "I missed you, and even as I wanted to hate you, something fought with me all along, telling me I should not."

He moved, running his fingers into her thick hair, smashing their lips for a quick, hard kiss before pulling back to look at her. "You are one crazy tigress."

She smiled. "Neela Ma'am said something similar this morning."

He laughed, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Pretty sure she thought we were both nuts."

"That was one crazy morning, and how did you know I was meeting the security team?" She was surprised how he had timed it.

"Just knew. I have a computer genius of a cousin who was on a task." His eyes held mystery.

She thought for a moment. "Ved?"

"None other." He laughed.

She remembered something about his cousin. "Are Ved and Sam a thing?"

He winked, smiling. "They are something."

"Did these guys know each other before Simha?" Nami had always been curious.

Rana hesitated for a moment. "Ava's and Sam's father attended Simha just like our dads, and things happened that drove a wedge into their friendship."

She would have never guessed such a similar situation for the others as well. "So, my dad probably knows them too."

"Yeah, we should ask our dads to tell us their whole Simha history when your folks visit in a few months." The families were quick to plan a family vacation, and Rana's parents were preparing to visit Nami's family in London in a few weeks.

"Yes, I still can't believe such good friends had a fallout." Nami hugged him closer.

Rana nodded. "Unfortunately, the timing of how a difference in opinions in business turned into arguments and one such argument followed by an accident... that wasn't anyone's fault but my grandfather was in such rage, he blamed your father for it." He paused like he wanted her to process the details. "I heard my grandfather blame your family over and over again, during the time I lived with them. He was the one who used his connections to shut down all opportunities for your father to run his business in India."

Nami let out a gasp. "Do you know that for sure?"

"Yes." He took in a deep breath. "I talked to him after I found out my parents never held a grudge over your family and he fessed up to getting your father's business contracts cancelled."

She pulled back looking at him and placed her hand on his cheek. "It must have been tough for your grandpa, especially after losing his daughter and then his son being in an accident."

Rana nodded before planting a kiss on her forehead. "I was planning to meet your dad when I travelled for my boxing championship to explain everything that happened and apologize on my grandpa's behalf. But before that, this allegation came up and I confronted my grandpa first before I got my dad to take care of the case."

"Really? You were gonna go talk to my dad?" She smiled.

He chuckled. "I had to bring my dad's best friend back and someone had to bridge the gap."

"And you would have introduced yourself as?" she taunted.

He knew where she was headed with the question and a small smile played on his face. "As Samraat Simha's son who was willing to do what it took to get his forgiveness."

She shook away the overwhelming emotions, batting away happy tears. "So, I want to tell my parents about us at the right moment." She wanted it to be when she could talk to her parents and her family together in person, with Rana. "And, for sure, I'm going to get a cheesy comment from my grandma about us."

He pulled her to him. "Yeah? What about us?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "That we were supposed to be rivals, not a couple." She let out a laugh. "We are one crazy rival couple."

He smiled, kissing her nose. "I love the crazy you."

"And I love the rival you... so hot." She felt a shudder pass through him, matching her own. "Too bad you won't have a fangirl or a fake girlfriend anymore. Neela Ma'am has already approved my admission as a full-time student."

"Are you considering staying?" he teased.

"On the fence. Still trying to figure if you are the perfect boyfriend material as you claim to be." She bit her lower lip, gazing at him.

"You'll need to stick around to see how awesome of a boyfriend I can be." He pulled her a bit closer, his lips going past her cheek before sinking his teeth against her ear.

She hissed, feeling excitement pool between her legs while her heart went on a rampage just like it did the first time their eyes clashed. "I shouldn't have kissed you on that day. What was I thinking?"

He pulled back, his eyes dazzling at her. "You are so stuck with me, no escape."

She blushed before hugging him and wanting to be a captive in her rival's arms—forever.

*****

Back on the campus at Neelima Raj's home office, she looked at the pictures on her table—specifically, one of her best friends and her during a picnic at the Simha estate gardens. She slowly ran her finger over the frame of the picture, looking at her childhood friend, Vaishanvi Simha's face.

Everything had started just about the time of Vaishu's marriage alliance with Avinash, and everything spiraled down. Friendships had fallen apart, and she could never forget her friend's words.

"I have a bad feeling. Before anything else happens, I need to clear the conflicts between my brothers and their friends."

Vaishu showed her a picture from a picnic. "Neela, I have to get everyone in the picture back together."

Neela had thought the Vaishu's brothers and their best friends would be estranged only temporarily, but when the conflicts went on and got worse, it made her friend sad.

Neela looked at the doorway when she heard footsteps approach her office.

"Neela, why are you sitting in the dark?" her mother asked, turning on the light.

"You should be in bed," Neela said, watching her mom settle into her favorite chair.

"Why are you not in bed then?" her mother scowled.

"Just about to sleep, Ma." Neela smiled, thinking about how protective her mother was when she was a little girl.

"So, those children who came to our house this morning. Did you have anything to do with that?"

Neela shook her head with a small laugh. "What do you mean, Ma?"

Her mother's smile grew. "I know what you are up to. I'm proud of what you are doing to fulfill your friend's wish."

Neelima Raj didn't reply but only nodded, a small smile playing on her face.

The End