A Bond Of Intellect

Chapter - 12

Riti's head hung low, tears streaming down her face as she bit her lip to stifle her sobs. Her fingers fidgeted anxiously. Evan watched her every movement, his expression unreadable.

"I haven't even scolded you, so why are you crying?" he asked, his tone firm but measured.

"Let me make one thing clear: tears have no place in studying. I don't care even if you cry in front of me, because studying will not hurt you. Save your tears for something that truly warrants them."

Riti's tears were still uncontrollable, and she struggled to compose herself. Despite her best efforts, her emotions overwhelmed her. Clumsily and hurriedly, she wiped her tears with her hands, still sobbing.

Evan watched her, his expression stern. He rubbed the area between his eyebrows with his thumb and first finger, a gesture of frustration. "Not preparing for the test was your biggest mistake," he said. "And after realizing your mistake, you're still reacting like you've done nothing wrong. But I have."

He continued and stated , "well I have said before that you are not a child that I can discipline you by punishing you but seems like I was wrong.

After a brief pause, he sighed and said, "Stand up." His tone was commanding, and Riti felt a jolt of fear. She didn't know what he was going to do. Memories of past experiences flashed through her mind, and this time, she quickly stood up, clutching her dress in her hands.

Evan remained seated, watching Riti stand up. He checked the time on his watch, then said, "Now, grab your ears and do 10 sit-ups, right now without any excuse." As Riti heard this, she felt like her soul had left her body. She stood frozen, too embarrassed to move.

Seeing her immobile, Evan said firmly, "Did you not hear, what I said?" Riti clenched her dress, and more tears began to fall. She still didn't move.

"DO IT NOW" Evan said , his voice a little louder than before. "The more you delay, the more I'll add. So do it now." Riti felt deeply embarrassed and didn't want to comply. She replied in a barely audible voice, crying, "N-no, d-don't want to d-do it."
Evan had heard her, and his response was stern: "I said do it. You don't even have the right to speak in this situation."

Riti was terrified of not following Evan's instructions, but she still lacked the courage to do the sit-ups, knowing it would be too embarrassing at her age. She remained frozen, struggling to move. Then, Evan suddenly slammed his hand on the table, making a loud _thud_ sound that made Riti flinch.

As Riti saw Evan about to stand up from his chair, she panicked and said, sobbing, "O-okay, I-I am doing it, d-doing it." She moved back from the chair and stood behind it, hoping it would partially conceal her body as she did the sit-ups. She was about to start when a voice stopped her.

"Wait,come in front, then do it," Evan said. Riti realized her tactic wouldn't work on Evan, so without saying anything, she moved to stand in front of him. The distance between them was not close, but Evan could still see her clearly.

Then, she grabbed her ears and slowly began doing the sit-ups. As she completed the first one, she realized it was harder than she thought. She didn't look at Evan, instead keeping her eyes on the floor as she continued. Her tears fell like a waterfall as she struggled through the exercise.

Every time she sat down, she pulled her legs closely together. After completing only six sit-ups, her legs started to tremble, making it harder for her to stand. Struggling, she managed to complete the remaining sit-ups without falling, which would have been even more embarrassing.

After completing the sit-ups, Riti struggled to stand, using the nearby bed for support. She still didn't look at Evan. Evan stood up from his chair and said, "Hope you remember today's lesson and try your best not to repeat this mistake again." As he was about to leave, he added, "And hurry up, come for breakfast."

As Evan left the room, Riti sat down on the bed, releasing all her pent-up tears at once. She recalled the embarrassing moment and slapped her both cheeks at once, sobbing uncontrollably. "I-I wa-want to...go home, I want to go to...my mum and dad," she cried.

After some time, Riti wiped her tears and washed her face. She didn't want to face Evan, but she knew that if she didn't eat breakfast, he would still force her to. Helplessly, she went for breakfast. After eating, they both departed for college.

Riti's face looked sad as she entered the class. She sat beside Kavya, who noticed Riti's distress. "Hey Riti, what happened? Today you're looking very upset. Did something happen?" Kavya asked.

Riti's throat choked as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She controlled herself and replied, "N-nothing happened, I just don't want to talk."

Kavya sensed that something was wrong and pressed Riti for an explanation. "No, I know there's something. Tell me what's wrong."

This time, Riti couldn't control her emotions. Tears started streaming down her face, and she tried to hide them. Kavya noticed and said softly, "Riti, what happened? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry. If there's something, you can share, it might make you feel better."

Riti broke down, crying and sobbing. Kavya hugged her, hiding her face as they were still in class. Fortunately, there were fewer students in the class, as others had not yet arrived. Kavya patted Riti's back, comforting her.

Riti couldn't bring herself to share the embarrassing incident with Kavya. Instead, she said, "I miss my family." It was also true; she was really missing them.

Kavya replied, "It's okay, Riti, I can understand. You can meet them if you miss them, or you can call them on phone .So, stop crying. Don't you think it will also make your family sad if they knew their princess is crying?" Kavya comforted Riti, and after some time, Riti wiped her face and felt better than before.

She asked Kavya, "Does my face look like I've been crying?" Kavya laughed and said, "Your big eyes are looking very red, but it's okay, they'll get better after some time. No one will notice that much." Riti smiled slightly, feeling reassured.

Then, they both concentrated on their class, trying to focus on the lesson and put the emotional moment behind them.

After college, Riti returned home and settled into her usual routine with Evan. Their interactions remained limited to discussions about studies and other important matters.

However, Riti's approach to her studies underwent a significant transformation. She became more diligent and seriously preparing for all the tests that Evan had assigned, as she don't want to repeat that incident.

Finally, Riti's exam came and she have prepared them well as Evan has tried his best to make her study, it was the last exam in college, as all the students were done with their exam , a announcement came and every student gather on the college ground and a teacher announce about a trip that was going to in a hilly area , every student got excited for it .

Kavya and riti too was present there, and Kavya said to riti , " finally, they announce a good news , I am so excited, we are  gonna fun so much " , riti was also happy but something was bothering her , so she just replied her "yeah!" and forms a smile.

Riti was getting worried about, whom she asks for money for the trip , as she knows she can't trouble her parents as Evan had warned her before, and she can't even asks him as she don't have that much courage.
With thinking all that , they reached home and as usual, after eating dinner, departed for their sleep and riti didn't able to ask him.