Page 50 of Reckless Dare

She reached out to the picture frames on the wall of her family. And packed them carefully into the suitcase.

Then taking a deep breath, she placed a call to book her flight. When the phone began ringing, her eyes fell on the picture frame with the smiling faces of her mother, father and sister.

She recalled how they had been so proud that she got an admission in Simha University, especially her father. Even though her mother wasn’t thrilled about her leave to a faraway university, she had overheard her mother telling her father how proud she was of her daughter getting an acceptance.

Her sister was working hard and gearing up to join Simha in two years as well.

How will they react if they find out I was driven away from the university?

And that too not by the university staff but a cruel, entitled guy who hates me and wants me gone.

Ava could imagine how disappointed they would be, knowing the truth.

“Simha travel department,” a woman’s voice said in a brisk tone on the phone line. “How may we help you?”

Ava held on to the phone unable to talk as she kept staring at her family picture.

Abhiram Simha drove her to the brink and she hadn’t even put up a fight. All she did was beg him to let her stay and to leave her alone.

Who is he to tell me to kill my dreams and leave?

Who is he to have the power to disappoint my family?

“Hello?” the woman on the other end said. A moment later, the woman sounded concerned. “This call is placed from Avantika Patel’s room. Is this Miss Patel? Is there an emergency?”

Ava realized her ID must have shown up. Taking a deep breath, she spoke in a firm voice.

“Sorry, I called the wrong number.”

Ava ended the call.

She continued to stare at her family picture, drawing strength and determination.

No. Abhiram Simha didn’t succeed in breaking me. He only made me stronger.

She was not only going to stand up but also fight back her tormentor.

CHAPTER 14

“Good morning, sunshine,” Nitya greeted with a smile. “How come you are up early after last night’s party?”

Ava hadn’t slept at all. Her mind had been running a mile a minute. It still was.

She forced out a smile. “I guess it’s the mental clock.”

Nitya poured coffee into two mugs and handed one to Ava. “How was the party? Heard the Simhas crashed it and made it more fun.”

Ava’s heart jerked at the mention of Simhas. But she kept a normal expression. “Yes. But I didn’t stay long enough.”

“Oh. Too bad. Those guys are super fun. Wherever they go, things always get interesting.”

Ava was quiet while she took a sip of the black coffee. The dark, bitter taste filled her mouth. She always had her coffee with cream and sugar, but that day, she was in the mood for bitterness.

“Pooja will be happy you didn’t stay long enough to socialize with Simhas.” Nitya shook her head. “She keeps complaining that you are out to catch the attention of Abhi.”

“I’m not.”

Nitya laughed. “I know. Although it shouldn’t matter whether you do or not. Pooja doesn’t have exclusive rights on Abhi even if she seems to think she does.”

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