Page 24 of Reckless Dare

“Tell me about the cute guys in college,” Preeti demanded with a mischievous smile. “I’m sure there are many.”

Ava bit her lip as Abhiram Simha’s face flashed in her mind. He could hardly be termed cute. The guy was devastatingly good looking and she had been drawn to him immediately. But thanks to what transpired between them, she now found him terrifying.

He was no longer her crush. He was her tormentor.

“I haven’t gotten the chance to look around yet,” she replied in a neutral tone.

Her sister sighed dramatically. “Oh come on! Not again! Remember, you won’t get back college days again. You need to make the most of it!”

Ava smiled. “Okay, Grandma.”

Before her sister could prolong the topic, Ava’s mother intervened.

“Stop harassing your sister, Preeti,” Ava’s mother scolded.

Ava laughed as she saw her mother in a short tussle with her younger daughter. She managed to grab the phone.

“How are you, my baby?” Ava’s mother asked.

Ava knew her mother must be getting ready to go to the hospital.

“I’m fine, Ma. I was just telling Pree that I’m yet to get used to the time zone.”

Her mother frowned. “I guess it will take a week or so. Are you taking your vitamin C supplements? Is the food good there? Do you want me to ship you something from here?”

This time Ava burst out with a genuine laugh. “Ma, Papa wasn’t joking when he said Simha University is known for its food. We get everything here and it’s all sourced locally too.”

“That’s good I suppose.”

Ava knew her mother wasn’t still happy that her oldest daughter flew halfway across the world.

“When are the holidays?” her mother demanded.

Ava shook her head. “Today is my first day of classes, Ma. Holidays will be after five or six months around June.”

“Fine. If you feel homesick, just get back home. You can take classes online from San Francisco too.”

“I’m fine, Ma.”

Ava wished her father was there during the call. She missed her dad’s excited face asking and reminiscing about Simha University. But he would be at the hospital until much later in the night. He was free only during the weekends which he strictly spent with his family. Unless of course there was a medical emergency.

“I’ve got to go, Ma. I have to catch up with my assignments.”

Her mother nodded. “Take care, baby. Call me whenever you need me. Don’t worry about timing.”

Ava’s eyes prickled as a pang of homesickness hit her, but she controlled her tears.

She put on a smile. “I will, Ma. Bye.”

She waved goodbye to her sister before ending the call. Putting her phone away, she stared outside her bedroom window.

For some reason Abhiram Simha disliked her and wanted her gone. She had no idea why.

Since she wasn’t the kind to confront anyone or get into arguments or fights, she decided to avoid him at any cost.

*****

She successfully managed to avoid her tormentor for two days.

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