Stubborn Love

A Demon Called Attraction

Sia settled down on the first stair of the short fleet leading to the inner lawn of the hostel. Placing a small paper cup on the cemented ground, she took frequent spoonfuls of Maggie from her plate. Four hours of untimely sleep had completely eradicated her headache.

Tomorrow she would ask Akshay or Rahul to get her bag from Raghav. She should better call on her phone and ask Raghav to switch it off.

No... A very weak thought overcame her common sense. She couldn't let him see her embarrassing basic phone. She had seen his cellphone. It was so expensive. All her friends had smartphones, too. A petty thought? Agreed. Still she didn't budge. Better petty than embarrassed.

But what if her father called? Her head went into a frenzy with the alarming thought.

He wouldn't answer it! Sia breathed again. God bless the dictator professor who forced her to put her phone on silent.

Sipping the steaming tea, Sia's thoughts invariably went to her conversation with Silvi.

She could have shown a little more empathy... Silvi was clearly upset with her, otherwise she would have woken her up for dinner. She should go back to her room and talk to her.

No. Sia decided again. Why her? Why was she always the one to take the first step of reconciliation? Silvi was mean to her too. She laughed at the idea that she would find love... Or did she laugh at the idea that she could fall in love?

Forehead creased and eyes narrowed, Sia contemplated for an answer taking another sip. What if she was right... A sudden shortness of breath forced her to inhale sharply. Then she bent and picked up a withering flower from the lawn and dismantled its leaves one by one. 'I will find love. I won't. I will. I won't. I will. I won't. I will!'

That settled, Sia could breathe a little easier. Silvi was wrong. And there was no way in hell she would concede this time.

But it was time for her second dose of happiness pill...

Sia sighed and rose to the corridor but stopped on finding Silvi sprinting towards her.

'It's your dad!'

Sia's eyes widened. Taking the phone, she undecidedly sat back on the stair. 'Hello Papa.'

'Where is your phone?'

Sia clutched the phone a little tighter. Did she imagine the chill in his voice? 'Er... Papa, it's - it's in my room. I kept it on silent. Sorry if I missed your call.'

'So you have started lying to me, Chini?'

Sia's throat dried in an instant. How did he know? Gulping, she attempted innocence, 'Lying? I just woke up. I couldn't think clearly. Let me look for it.' she stalled. 'I - I can't find it. Maybe a friend of mine has it. I will call you back once I find it.'

'Who is Raghav?'

Her heart raced through her chest into every single nerve of her body. 'No one! I don't know anyone of that name.'

'He has your phone.'

'He does? I don't know Papa. Oh! I remember now! I left it in the lecture hall. Maybe - maybe this student found it there. I will get the phone first thing in the morning.'

'Hmm.'

Sia closed her eyes. She had to repair the damage. Fast! 'I am sorry Papa for being so negligent. I bumped my head today and it was hurting so much. Maybe that is why I misplaced my phone.'

As expected the voice on the other end lost all its edge, 'You are hurt? How bad? Why didn't you tell me before? You should have informed me right away. Did you see a doctor?'