Ishq

Chapter 26

His alarm rang, and he opened his eyes to see the time. It was seven a.m., time for his classes. Adam sighed, looking at the restaurant it was still a mess. After Bakhtiar lost the job, all the load fell on Adam's shoulders. He was handling college college, internship, and part-time all at once. And it was draining him slowly.

He had replaced his scooter for a cycle. People  in his college didn't understand why he didn't hung out with them, and when he would tell them he didn't have the money, they would suggest him to ask his parents..

"Ask your parents, sometimes I overspend too, you should just ask"

They thought that he had cash at home lying around or strict parents. Some people couldn't comprehend that some people couldn’t comprehend that his reality was different. Adam didn’t have the luxury of asking his parents for money; they were struggling themselves, trying to make ends meet after Bakhtiar lost his job.

Every penny Adam earned went towards paying bills, buying groceries, or keeping the restaurant afloat.He couldn’t bring himself to explain to his friends that his father’s health was deteriorating, that his mother worked double shifts just to cover the basics, and that asking for help would only add to their burden. So he kept quiet, offering a tight-lipped smile and a nod whenever someone suggested he just “ask his parents.”Adam pushed himself off the chair, running a hand through his unkempt hair.

He couldn’t afford to be late for classes, not if he wanted to maintain his scholarship. He glanced at the clock again and hurriedly gathered his things, taking one last look at the restaurant before locking up.As he pedaled towards college on his worn-out cycle, he felt the familiar ache in his legs, a reminder of the distance he traveled every day. The wind was crisp, and the streets were starting to fill with people heading to work or school. Adam envied their carefree demeanor, the way they could focus on their studies without the constant worry of making ends meet.

When he arrived on campus, he parked his cycle in the usual spot, taking a deep breath before heading inside. As he walked through the crowded hallways, he kept his head down, avoiding the curious glances of his peers. He knew what they saw: a guy who was always tired, who never had time to hang out, who wore the same clothes a little too often.

Ironically, the person who noticed him the most was his biggest enemy, Neha, his competition.

He was back to being in second place, as Neha smugly placed her paper on his desk, “Sau marks,” she said with a smirk, pointing to the perfect score at the top. Adam glanced at the paper, then up at Neha, who was waiting for his reaction. He forced a smile, trying to suppress the wave of frustration and exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him.

“Congratulations,” he managed to say, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Neha's smirk faded slightly, as if she had expected more of a reaction. But Adam had no energy left for rivalry.

“Thanks,” she replied, a hint of confusion in her tone. She lingered for a moment, as if contemplating whether to say something more, but eventually, she turned but he stopped her, "Neha!"

"Haan bolo"

"Can you give me your paper to review".

"100 Rs"

"Hein dimaag nhi maang raha tumhara!"

"Knowledge is expensive."

He made a face, "Laalchi".

"Kanjus", she hit back, "Rehne do agle unit m mai first nhi aaya toh apna naam badal dunga".

"Chamcha kaisa rahega?"

Adam rolled his eyes but couldn't help a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. This was their usual banter, a strange mix of competition and camaraderie that had developed over time. Despite their rivalry, there was an unspoken understanding between them, a recognition of each other's struggles that neither fully acknowledged.