Page 2 of Reckless Dare

Avantika Patel laughed as she adjusted her backpack. “We are at the airport, Ma! My flight leaves in two hours.”

Ava’s mother sighed. “I know. But still, it’s worth a try.”

Ava shook her head and hugged her mother while her father smiled indulgently and her younger sister looked on with amusement.

“Ava will be fine, Vanita,” her father said reassuringly. “Stop worrying so much. She’s going to one of the best universities in the world. And it wasn’t like she was staying home with us in these last two years.”

Ava smiled at her father’s words. She had been pursuing her medical degree at Harvard when she got accepted to Simha University and decided to transfer midway.

“It’s your fault!” Ava’s mother scolded her husband. “You shouldn’t have filled her mind with stories of the university! Because of you, she’s been dreaming about going there since she was a little girl.”

Ava’s mother was right. Attending Simha University was an aim for many across the world. But for her, it was a dream she grew up with. She had been quite disappointed when she wasn’t accepted into the university the first time she had applied. She was told that she didn’t have the required diverse experience to attend a premium university like Simha, which was known to have produced world-class leaders from all areas.

But Ava continued to try by getting the wholesome experience they needed. And when she reapplied and finally got the acceptance letter a month ago, she jumped at the chance.

Dear Miss Patel,

It is with great pleasure that I inform you of your acceptance to Simha University.

Your persistence, along with remarkable accomplishments and academic excellence, convinced us to choose you among the 50,000 applications we received this year. We look forward to the unique and extraordinary talent you will contribute to the intellectual and extracurricular life of our campus and beyond.

Should you decide to accept the offer, you will be sent an enrollment kit along with instructions of travel to the university.

Once again, I extend my pleasure on your admission and welcome you to the Simha University family.

Sincerely,

Neelima Raj

Director of Admissions

After Ava had accepted the offer, the enrollment kit was sent in the priority mail. It consisted of several logistics, a flight pass, and a backpack with the coveted Simha logo.

“Why can’t you graduate from Harvard medical school?” her mother asked again. “You are among the top ten percentile in your class, and you worked so hard all these years. So why do you want to risk it with a change? Then, in a few years, you can join Papa and me at the hospital.”

Ava’s parents were doctors who ran a hospital. Although she wanted to be a doctor like them, her dreams didn’t include joining her parents’ hospital. Instead, she wanted to experience life outside her safe bubble.

But she didn’t know how to say that to her parents without coming off as selfish and ungrateful. She loved them too much to hurt them in any way.

“Let her go, Ma,” Ava’s younger sister replied. “I’ll still be home to bother you and Papa for four more years.”

Ava laughed at Preeti’s words. Her younger sister was quite a handful who would keep their mother distracted enough not to worry about her older daughter.

Ava hugged her sister. Despite the four year age gap, they grew up close. Her younger sister was her best friend. Unlike Ava who took after their father when it came to being reserved, Ava’s younger sister was like their mother, outgoing and the life of the party.

“Only two more years, Ava,” her sister vowed. “And then, I’m going to join you at Simha.”

Ava couldn’t wait even though she would be done graduating by then and doing her residency.

“All right, ladies,” her father interrupted. “Ava will miss her flight if we don’t let her go.”

Ava hugged her sister and mother one more time before kissing her father on his cheek. She smiled at them. “I will call you as soon as I land.”

Ava’s mother still looked worried but she nodded. “Promise me,” her mother said. “If you have even the slightest of problems, you’ll tell us and return back immediately.”

Ava couldn’t possibly imagine a scenario that would make her give up her dream and return home. “I promise, Ma.”

CHAPTER 2

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