Marry me, professor!(18+)

Chapter 2-Captured

Riddhima's POV 

I can't stop thinking about Vansh. That man is simply divine, like an ethereal being walking amongst mortals. Yesterday, during our chemistry class, my world shifted on its axis when that accidental fire broke out. As the flames licked at the girl's clothes, Vansh sprung into action without a moment's hesitation. 

The way he swiftly removed his shirt to smother the fire, revealing his chiseled, tattooed torso - it was enough to make my knees go weak. I felt my heart skip a beat as I drank in the sight of his muscular frame. And then, when he turned his concerned gaze towards me, checking if I was alright, I practically melted into a puddle right then and there.

I must have fainted from the sheer intensity of it all, because the next thing I knew, I was in the medical room with Vansh hovering over me. The worry etched on his handsome features was almost too much for me to bear. "Are you okay?" he asked, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

I wanted to tell him that I was more than okay - I was absolutely enthralled by him. But the words seemed to get stuck in my throat, and all I could do was gaze at him in awe and fainted again.

"Ridz, he's our professor!" Aditi said in an exasperated tone after helping me up. "You can't be crushing on him like that."

"So what?" I retorted. "The age gap isn't huge - he's only around 36. I have a chance!"

Aditi rolled her eyes. "You have a chance? Have you not seen the way Gayatri ma'am looks at him? And the way the other madams look back? They're practically undressing him with their eyes!"

I felt my heart sink. "Wait, Gayatri Rastogi? The physics professor?!" 

"Exactly her,Ridz," Aditi said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You don't stand a chance against her. She's got the looks, the brains, and the confidence.You're just a lovestruck girl with a big heart, but that's not enough to compete with her."

I stood in front of the mirror, examining my reflection with a critical eye. At 5'5", I was of average height, but my pale skin and the persistent acne on my face made me feel anything but ordinary. In contrast, Gayatri madam was the epitome of beauty - with her rosy cheeks, porcelain complexion, and mesmerizing pale blue eyes, she was like an apsara who had descended from the heavens.

Inwardly, I cried out to God, wondering why I couldn't have been blessed with the same captivating features. But then I remembered what my mother had always told me - that it's not about how you look, but how the one you love looks at you.

I had already mustered the courage to confess my feelings to him, but he had turned me down. Now, it seemed like Gayatri madam was doing her best to pursue him, and it wouldn't be long before they were drawn to each other.

Anger flared up within me as I turned to Aditi, my best friend. "Just you wait and watch," I said, a determined glint in my eye. "Within a year, you'll be coming to my house to attend my godbharai. Our child will call you mausi. And you will call me madam."

Aditi looked at me, a mixture of surprise and skepticism on her face, but I knew what I had to do. I was going to fight for the man I loved, no matter what it took. This was my story, and I was going to write the ending myself.

I started examining with different types of facepack. From besan to chandan,none was left.The constant battles with acne and tan had left me feeling self-conscious and frustrated. Yet, I couldn't resist the urge to experiment with all sorts of face packs, trying desperately to find a solution.

One day, as I was applying a new cream, my mother called out, "Riddhima, go and make tea for your brother. He's just returned from work."

I felt the irritation rising within me. "I can't," I replied firmly.