In a quiet neighborhood where two families are more than just close, an unseen battle rages.
Meet Ruhanika Verma-fierce, independent, and determined to carve her place in her father's heart. Growing up with two sisters, there's only one person who s...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
There are people you can ignore, some you tolerate, and then there's Ruhaan-the one person I can't stand.
I leaned against the window, watching him stroll across the street with that annoying confidence, like the world revolved around him. My dad was out there, too, laughing at something Ruhaan had said, completely oblivious to the knot twisting in my stomach. It's been the same way for years-Ruhaan, the son my dad never had. And me? I was just the daughter trying to prove I didn't need to be anyone else to be worthy of his attention.
Of course, it had to be the same university. Out of all the places in the world, fate-or more accurately, my dad-had decided that Ruhaan was my designated shadow. Not only was I stuck with him as a neighbor, but now, even college wouldn't be a sanctuary. I could already feel the walls closing in, suffocating under the weight of this twisted arrangement.
It wasn't like I had a choice. Dad trusted him. "Ruhaan will look after you" he'd said, like I was a child who needed babysitting. He acted as though I didn't have two perfectly capable sisters or, more importantly, the ability to manage on my own. But no, it had to be Ruhaan. Always him.
With a groan, I dragged myself downstairs, not particularly excited for the day ahead. As if college wasn't stressful enough, now I had to endure his constant presence. And then, as soon as I hit the last step, the familiar sound of laughter greeted me-the deep kind that came from none other than Ruhaan.
My dad and him, sitting at the breakfast table like they were family. Again.
Did his family not feed him? I thought bitterly, crossing my arms as I stood there, watching them. Why was he always here? I shot Ruhaan a look, but of course, he was too engrossed in whatever Dad was saying to notice-or maybe he just enjoyed pretending I wasn't there.
"Good morning, Ruhaani," my dad greeted, the nickname he'd given me since I was little still managing to soften me a bit. But then he added, "Ruhaan's going to drive you to campus today."
I nearly choked. What?
I blinked, struggling to process the words. "What do you mean, he's driving me?"
Dad smiled, like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Ruhaan knows the campus well, and it's your first day. He'll make sure you're settled."
Ruhaan, finally noticing my presence, turned with that insufferable grin already plastered across his face. "Don't worry, Ruhaani," he mocked, his tone sweet but with that familiar edge, "I'll take good care of you."
Oh, that did it.
"Thanks, but no thanks," I snapped, grabbing a piece of toast from the table, more for something to hold than any real intention of eating. "I'm perfectly capable of getting to campus on my own. I don't need a babysitter."
Dad raised an eyebrow, his calm gaze shifting between us. "You know, it would be nice if you two could get along, at least for once. You'll be at the same university; you might as well help each other out."
