Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha~ Short Stories Collection

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Karne de sabko yaara meri buraai
Manzoor mujhko meri hai yeh tabaahi
Main jeena chahoon tere liye
Khud ko main bacha loon tere liye
Itna mujhpe ehsaan zara kar de

Author's POV 

5 Years Ago

The medical college buzzed with the energy of a new academic year. New faces, filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, wandered the sprawling campus. Among them was Mihika, a new fresher. Her big, expressive eyes and calm demeanor masked a fierce determination. She was here to become a doctor, not to play childish games.

The senior students, however, had different plans. The annual ritual of ragging was a tradition they cherished, a test of the juniors' mettle and a chance to assert their dominance. Rajveer, a confident and charismatic senior, led a group of friends who relished this tradition. Tall and charming, with a smirk that could both allure and intimidate, Rajveer was a force to be reckoned with.

"Look at the fresh meat," Arjun, one of Rajveer's closest friends, chuckled as they spotted a group of juniors entering the main hall. The juniors, including Mihika, were wide-eyed and nervous, addressing their seniors with the utmost respect as they had been instructed during their orientation.

"Excuse me, sir, may we pass?" Mihika's voice was soft yet steady as she approached the group of seniors blocking their path.

"Oh, we have a polite one here," Simran, Rajveer's girlfriend, remarked with a sneer. "What do you think, Raj?"

Rajveer's eyes narrowed as he focused on Mihika. "Well, well, what do we have here?" he drawled, stepping closer to her. "You, with those big expressive eyes and that composed demeanor, you must be looking for your own Kabir, aren't you?"

Mihika felt a flush of irritation but kept her expression neutral. "Sir, with all due respect, I am here to pursue my medical education, not to find a character from a movie."

Simran's eyes flashed with annoyance. "Raj, why are you wasting your time with these juniors? Let's go."

But Rajveer ignored her, intrigued by Mihika's composure. "You may deny it, Preeti," he teased, using the name of a popular movie character, "but I can see it in your eyes. You want your own Kabir, and I can be him for you."

Mihika's lips curved into a polite smile. "Sir, you can be anything you want, but I am not Preeti, and I am certainly not here to find my Kabir."

Rajveer's friends exchanged amused glances, but Rajveer himself was fascinated by Mihika's boldness. "You're feisty, I like that," he murmured, stepping even closer. "But no matter what, for you, I will always be your Rajveer."

The tension in the air was palpable as Mihika held Rajveer's gaze. "Sir, I think we've taken enough of your time. May we please go now?"

Rajveer smiled, a slow, predatory grin. "Fine, you can go. But remember, Mihika, this isn't over." With a dismissive wave of his hand, he allowed the juniors to pass.

As Mihika and her friends walked away, her heart was pounding. She had stood up to Rajveer, but she knew this was just the beginning. The ragging would continue, and she needed to be prepared.

That evening, after returning to her dorm room, Mihika couldn't shake off her curiosity about Rajveer Shekhawat. She needed more information, but asking her father seemed too risky. Instead, she decided to call her brother, Mihir, who had always been her confidant. Dialing his number, she waited as the phone rang.

"Mihika! What's up, kiddo?" Mihir's cheerful voice greeted her.

"Hi, Bhai. I need a favor," Mihika said, trying to keep her tone casual. "I need some information about someone for a project."

Mihir laughed. "You and your projects. Who is it this time?"

"Rajveer Shekhawat," Mihika replied, bracing herself for Mihir's reaction.

There was a brief silence on the other end before Mihir spoke, his tone more serious. "Rajveer? As in the Rajveer Shekhawat?"

"Yes, him," Mihika confirmed. "Do you know him?"

Mihir sighed. "Know him? We were childhood friends. His family and ours go way back. But why do you need to know about him?"

Mihika hesitated, then decided to be honest. "He's my senior at college, and he's been... well, let's just say he's taken an interest in me. I want to know more about him."

Mihir's voice softened with concern. "Rajveer can be charming, but he's also known for being reckless and a bit of a playboy. His family is powerful, but he's always had a wild streak. Be careful, Mihika."

"I will, Bhai. But can you tell me more about his background?" Mihika pressed.

Mihir paused, then relented. "Alright. The Shekhawats are one of the most influential families in our region. His father, Vikram Shekhawat, is a successful businessman, and his mother, Priya Shekhawat, is heavily involved in social work. Rajveer is their only son, and he's always had everything handed to him on a silver platter. He's smart and capable, but he doesn't always use his talents wisely."

Mihika absorbed this information, a mix of fascination and wariness swirling within her. "Thanks, Bhai. I just needed to know what I'm dealing with."

"Mihika, promise me you'll be careful," Mihir said, his tone serious. "Rajveer is not someone to take lightly."

"I promise, Bhai," Mihika assured him. "I'll handle it."

After the call ended, Mihika sat back, thinking about what Mihir had said. Rajveer Shekhawat was more than just a mischievous senior; he was a complex individual with a powerful background. She realized she needed to tread carefully, but she also felt a spark of determination. Rajveer might be a challenge, but she was not one to back down easily.

Rajveer sat at his desk, tapping his fingers, deep in thought about Mihika Chaudhry. He called his secretary, Neha, into his office.

"Neha, I need you to dig deeper into Mihika Chaudhry's background. I want everything—friends, schooling, hobbies, routines. Leave no stone unturned," Rajveer instructed.

"Yes, sir," Neha replied, making notes on her tablet.

A few hours later, Neha returned with a comprehensive dossier. Rajveer opened the file and began scanning the contents.

"Sir, Mihika is the daughter of IAS officers Shrijal and Mrinal Chaudhry. Her older brother, Mihir Chaudhry, is also an IAS officer," Neha explained.

Rajveer looked up, surprised. "Mihir Chaudhry? Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir. They come from a very distinguished family. Mihir is highly respected in his field," Neha confirmed.

Rajveer leaned back, smiling. "Mihir and I were childhood friends. This is quite the revelation."

Neha continued, "Mihika is known for her intelligence and strong principles. She keeps a low profile, with no past relationships and a close-knit group of friends."

Rajveer chuckled. "So, Mihika is Mihir's sister. Interesting. Gather more details—her social media, daily routines, mutual acquaintances. I want to know her inside out."

"Understood, sir," Neha said, leaving the office.

That evening, Rajveer received a message from Neha with more information about Mihika, including her interests and candid photos.

"Mihika Chaudhry," he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "Let's see if you're ready for the game I'm about to play."