Hateship

1

Aarohi groaned in frustration as she rushed to her internship, already running late on her first day. "Stupid alarm!" she muttered to herself.

As she arrived at the office, she anxiously waited for her boss. When he finally appeared, she nervously approached him. "Sorry, sir... I was late because-"

He cut her off, his expression stern. "I don't want to hear any silly excuses, Aarohi. If you're late again tomorrow, don't bother coming in."

Aarohi felt a lump form in her throat, but she refused to let tears fall. She took a deep breath and composed herself. "Sorry, sir."

After a disheartening start to her day, Aarohi trudged back home. As she entered the living room, she found her parents seated on the sofa with her cousin, Tanya, who had been living with them since her parents' passing.

Just as Aarohi was about to head to her room, her father's firm voice stopped her. "Aarohi, that's enough! You've had your way for too long, but from now on, you'll do as I say. You're just like your mother, stubborn and headstrong. Look at Tanya-she listens to us without question. We've even started looking for a suitable match for her. But you... you're too much like your mother, always challenging us."

Aarohi felt a pang in her heart. She had never known her mother, who had died giving birth to her. All she had were photos and stories from others. Her father's words cut deep, and she wondered if he blamed her for her mother's death.

Aarohi felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to cry. She knew she had to be strong, for herself and for the mother she never knew.

Aarohi's voice rose in frustration. "Why can't you understand that I want to achieve something in my life? I don't just want to be a bride! And please stop comparing me to Tanya. She's not like me, and I'm not like her."

Her father's face turned red with anger. "Aarohi! You're talking to your father, don't forget that!"

"Why do you hate me so much, Father?" Aarohi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her father's expression turned cold. "I don't hate you, Aarohi. I just wish you were more like Tanya. Obedient and respectful."

Her mother intervened, her voice shrill. "Aarohi, go to your room! We've had enough of your disobedience for one day."

Aarohi stormed out of the room, tears of frustration welling up in her eyes. She locked herself in her room and pulled out her phone, dialing her best friend Vaani's number.

Vaani, a law student, answered on the first ring. "Hello, Aaru! How did you think of me?"

Aarohi's voice cracked as she began to recount the day's events, from her late arrival at the internship to her parents' argument. Vaani listened attentively, her concern growing with each passing moment.

"Aaru, take a deep breath... You're my strong, fearless friend. You don't cry, remember? Don't worry, everything will be okay."

Aarohi's sobs subsided, replaced by a determination to prove herself, to her parents and to the world.

Aarohi's phone rang, interrupting her conversation with Vaani. "Vaani, I'll call you back, sir is calling me." She answered the call, "Hello sir."

"Aarohi, we have a case. I need your help. You must collect evidence against Mr. Singhania, who's allegedly involved in some shady dealings. The opposition party claims they were beaten by his men," her sir said.

"But sir, we should also verify the opposition party's claims to ensure they're telling the truth," Aarohi suggested.

Her sir cut her off, his voice irritated. "Don't tell me what to do or not. Just tell me if you can handle this task."

Aarohi hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yes sir, I'll do it."

The call ended, leaving Aarohi wondering how she would tackle this challenging task. "How will I do this now... think, Aarohi, think," she thought to herself, determination etched on her face.

Next day
In the college

Aarohi's eyes widened as she recounted the phone call to Vaani in the college canteen. "Can you believe it? I have to collect evidence against Mr. Vidyut Singhania!"

Vaani's voice rose in surprise, "What! You have to find evidence against MR. VIDYUT SINGHANIA?" She quickly covered her mouth, realising she had spoken too loudly. "Sorry, sorry!"

Aarohi glanced around the canteen, ensuring no one was listening in. "Vaani, don't shout. It's a sensitive case. And I have no idea how I'm going to do this... Mein ye kaise karungi?" she thought aloud.

Ritik, Aarohi's friend, approached them, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Kya karne ke baat kar rahe ho?" (What's going on?)

Vaani shot back, "Tumhe zehar de kar maarne ki baat..." (We're discussing how to poison you to death...)

" shut up!" Said ritik

Vaani retorted, "You shut up first!"

Rohen and aarohi together said, "Both of you shut up"

Vaani pulled Ritik away, saying, "Ok then, tum donon baat kar lo, hum abhi aate hai" (You two talk, we'll be back).

Rohen called out, "Tumhe abhi time hi nahi hain humse baat karne keliye..." (You don't even have time to talk to us...)

Aarohi explained, "Aisaa kuch nahi hai, internship ki vajah se thoda busy thi... Tumhara ye narazgi bulane keliye hum kal bahar jaye..." (Nothing like that, I was just busy with my internship... We'll make up for it by going out tomorrow).

Rohen said, "Nahi kal mujhe kuch zaroori kaam hai, so parso mile... Tumhare ghar vahan se hum jayenge..." (Not tomorrow, I have some important work, let's meet the day after... We'll pick you up from your place).

Aarohi smiled, "Ok... Lagta hai vo dono phir se jhagda kar rahe hai..." (Looks like those two are fighting again...)

Rohen chuckled, "Haa, unka aavas yahan tak aa raha hai..." (Yes, their argument is reaching us here...)

They both laughed and walked over to intervene in Vaani and Ritik's fight.

"Hey, hey, what's going on here?" Aarohi asked, trying to sound stern but unable to hide her amusement.

Vaani and Ritik paused, still glaring at each other. "He started it," they said in unison, pointing at each other.

Aarohi and Rohen burst out laughing. "This is like a never-ending soap opera," Rohen joked.

Vaani and Ritik couldn't help but laugh too, their fight forgotten in the face of their friends' teasing