Page 66 of Reckless Dare

Nitya looked shocked. “My God, Abhi did all of that to you?”

Ava nodded. “Yes. When I called him entitled and arrogant, that was me standing up to him and letting him know, he cannot make me leave. That’s when he began… pursuing me.”

Nitya frowned. “I believe you, Ava. But something doesn’t seem right. Abhi isn’t the kind to be mean to anyone. In fact, he is the person students approach if they are being targeted. He’s always known to be the protector. That’s why he won the elections as the president even though he was younger than his opponent.”

Ava didn’t know what to think. But her experience with Abhiram Simha made her fear him at first and then hate him.

Yes, she still thought he was stunningly handsome. And still felt an uncontrollable attraction. But it would take a lot more than a handsome face and strong attraction to stop hating the guy who had made her life a living hell for many weeks.

“Did you meet Abhi before coming here to the university?” Nitya asked.

Ava shook her head. “No. I haven’t met him.”

Nitya frowned. “Why would he ask you to leave the university then?”

Ava had spent days and nights for several weeks wondering the same. She had even begged him to tell her why he hated her and wanted her gone. But she didn’t get any answers.

“I have no idea. And at this point, I don’t care. I hate him too now.”

Nitya fell quiet.

“I didn’t mean to dump all of this on you,” Ava told her roommate who was one of the few friends she had at the university.

“Oh no. I like you Ava and you are my good friend. Of course I will listen and support you in whatever you choose.”

Ava felt touched. She hugged her Nitya. “Thank you.”

Nitya smiled. “See you later this evening.”

Ava cleared up the remnants of her breakfast. Her eyes then fell on the student newsletter magazine.

“I hate you,” she whispered looking at the handsome face of her tormentor.

But even as she said that Nitya’s words began to play inside her head.

“He’s always known to be the protector. That’s why he won the elections as the president even though he was younger than his opponent.”

Somehow, those words rang true. Majority of the students here worshiped him.

Was it all an act? Or real?

She also recalled Nitya’s question of whether she had met him before and whether something might have warranted his hate.

“You asked me to leave you alone, and I’m doing as I promised. Go back to your father and tell him you don’t belong here.”

Ava frowned. Until then she hadn’t analyzed his words before. She had been too distraught. But now, even though she was filled with anger, she wondered whether his choice of words meant something.

“Go back to your father and tell him you don’t belong here.”

Did he say father because she had mentioned her dad during the welcome speech. Or was there something more?

She would have to find out.

*****

The classes continued as usual for the rest of the day. She finished her assignments in the library. But instead of going to her room, she sat in front of the computer in the library.

She then typed the keywords ‘student archives’.

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