Meet Ishaa Shetty:
The poised and polished future heir to Arcadia, Hyderabad's largest tech empire. With her flawless style, straight A's, and loyal circle of friends, Ishaa is the embodiment of perfection. Bold, intelligent, and effortlessly beauti...
Four weeks had flown by in a whirlwind of emotions. Meera's wedding had left a bittersweet taste in my mouth – joy for my friend's new chapter, tinged with a pang of loss for the familiar routine. But today was a new beginning for me too – my first day at Crestwood College!
Standing in front of the mirror, I gave myself a final appraisal. A nervous flutter danced in my stomach, but it was quickly overshadowed by excitement. This was it, a whole new chapter filled with endless possibilities. With a deep breath, I grabbed my bags and headed downstairs, the scent of freshly brewed coffee a comforting welcome.
Breakfast was a quick affair, fueled by nervous energy and whispered goodbyes from my parents. Ravi Uncle, ever the reliable family driver, pulled up in his car right on schedule. A quick hug from Mom, a playful ruffle of my hair from Dad, and I was climbing into the passenger seat, Rishi already waiting for me.
The fifteen-minute car ride was filled with a comfortable silence. Rishi, ever the supportive friend, squeezed my hand reassuringly, a silent message of encouragement that warmed my heart.
As we pulled up in front of the college, my breath hitched. The grand entrance, adorned with climbing ivy and a sprawling oak tree, radiated a sense of history and prestige. A thrill of anticipation shot through me. This was Crestwood, and it was magnificent!
Whipping out my phone, I captured the moment – a selfie with the imposing entrance as the backdrop, captioned with a simple yet significant "Hello, Crestwood." Another picture, this time with Rishi, a goofy grin plastered on both our faces, documented our shared journey to this new adventure.
The hallways buzzed with manic energy, a sea of new faces and nervous laughter. We found our friends, the familiar faces a welcome anchor amidst the chaos and spent some time catching up before diving into the whirlwind of classes.
The day was a blur of introductions – to professors with an air of quiet authority, to classmates brimming with nervous excitement, and to the very building itself, its labyrinthine corridors and echoing classrooms becoming slowly familiar. By the end of it, a pleasant exhaustion settled in, accompanied by a handful of new friends and a head full of knowledge.
Exiting the college gates, a sense of accomplishment mingled with relief. We grabbed a quick bite with the gang, exchanging stories about our first-day adventures. Goodbyes were exchanged.
Rishi and I decided to end the day with a walk by Hussain Sagar lake, the twinkling streetlamps casting a warm glow on the water. As we strolled along the sidewalk, the NTR gardens glowed like an emerald oasis across the street.
Suddenly, a reckless urge seized me. Ignoring Rishi's startled call, I darted towards the park entrance, the lure of the gardens momentarily overwhelming my sense of caution. A screech of tyres and a blinding flash of headlights jerked me back to reality.
Fear turned my limbs to lead. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the impact when a strong hand yanked me back. The world tilted, and I landed with a thud against a solid chest. Disoriented, I mumbled a thank you, my fingers twitching to pull away.
But Rishi held firm. His grip was surprisingly tight, laced with a tremor of fear that mirrored my own. His voice, when he spoke, was a low growl, laced with a raw emotion that sent shivers down my spine.
"Do you have any idea how fast that truck was going?" he rasped, his dark eyes blazing with a mixture of anger and something else I couldn't quite decipher. " Ish if something happened to you under my watch ... how could I live with myself? do you know how much you mean to me, your family, and our friends?"
His words, laced with a desperate intensity, washed over me. Shame flooded my cheeks. I had been so caught up in the moment, so oblivious to the danger, that I hadn't considered the consequences.
Reaching out, I wrapped my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. "I'm sorry, Rishi," I whispered, the words thick with remorse. "I promise, I promise I won't be so reckless again."
He held me for a long moment, his body trembling slightly. Slowly, the tension ebbed away, replaced by a quiet understanding. As we pulled back, his eyes lingered on mine, a storm of emotions swirling within their depths.
The near-accident hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the fragile nature of life. But amidst the fear, a new layer had been revealed in our friendship, a depth of concern that went beyond words. Standing there, under the watchful gaze of the city lights, a silent question hung between us. What did this newfound vulnerability mean for the future of our bond? With a shy smile and a lingering touch, we continued our walk, the path ahead uncertain yet filled with a newfound sense of possibility.
ISHA'S OOTD
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RISHI'S OOTD
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Author's Note: Hi! Here's the chapter. This one is about when Rishi and Isha enter their college or pre-university. I'm really sorry I missed posting this chapter earlier. Hope you enjoy the read, and don't forget to comment and vote!
