Chapter 12
When I reached home, I stormed straight into my room like a woman on a mission to destroy something-or someone.
My bag? Launched onto the bed.
Sandals? Yeeted to the floor with no mercy.
I stood in the middle of the room, hands on my head, completely and utterly flustered.
Why? WHY did I have to trip?!
Out of all moments-in front of HIM?
My heart was still racing like it was trying out for the Olympics. Beating fast like a bullet train on steroids. I swear, it nearly exploded when he caught me.
His arm around my waist, that stupidly calm face so close to mine, his voice in my ear-
"Careful. You fall too easily."
I threw myself onto the bed, groaning into my pillow.
What did that even mean?! Was it a normal warning or-was he flirting? No. Impossible. He's incapable of human emotions. He's basically a robot in a suit.
But that stupid smirk. That smirk that said he knew exactly what he was doing to my sanity.
I screamed again into my pillow.
Why didn't I just walk away? Why did I freeze? Why didn't I roast him like I always do?
My brain? Dead.
My dignity? Gone.
My heart? Betraying me for a smirk and an arm around my waist.
I rolled over and stared at the ceiling.
No. This isn't over. Tomorrow, I take back control. Tomorrow, Mr. Khadoos will pay.
Revenge plan: In progress.
But first... maybe ice cream.
And possibly a new personality.
As I lay there, still mentally replaying The Fall of Maya Raichand complete with slow motion embarrassment, my door creaked open.
Raj walked in, casually holding two bowls of ice cream like he wasn't witnessing my emotional downfall.
"Oh... thoda shant ho jaa behen, warna ice cream pighal jaayegi," he said, raising a brow.
("Calm down, sis, or the ice cream's gonna melt.")
I peeked at him from under my pillow fortress, managing a weak glare-but the smell of chocolate betrayed me.
I sat up slowly, taking the bowl with all the grace of a wounded warrior. "This better be double chocolate chip."
"It's whatever makes you stop screaming into your pillow like a banshee."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips.
Raj flopped down beside me on the bed, digging into his bowl. "So... want to tell me why you came home looking like you lost a war?"
I paused, spoon mid-air.
Do I tell him I tripped and Rudra freaking Singhania caught me like some hero in a romantic drama? That he looked me in the eye and said things that made my brain malfunction?
No. Absolutely not.
I shrugged. "Just... life."
Raj raised a brow. "Life with a capital R?"
I choked on my ice cream. "What? No! Shut up."
"You're flustered. You only get flustered around one person."
"I will throw this bowl at your face."
He smirked, leaning back. "You know, this is the same energy as those enemies-to-lovers Wattpad stories you read."
I turned red. "GET OUT."
"Ship's sailing, sis."
"I swear I'll block you in real life."
He laughed, dodging a pillow I threw at his head, and finally left my room, still laughing.
I collapsed back, groaning.
Why is everyone in this house a menace?
And why, WHY was my heart still racing when I thought about Rudra?
I needed help. Or a time machine.
Preferably both.
As my alarm blared like a demonic rooster, I groaned, slapping it with the force of ten thousand suns.
7 AM.
I stretched like a dying cat, arms flailing, back cracking, brain still refusing to function.
And then-the realization hit.
I don't have Mathematics today.
I blinked at the ceiling for a second, then smiled like I'd just won the lottery.
No maths class = No Mr. Khadoos.
No icy glares. No surprise assignments. No passive-aggressive insults masked as "feedback."
Peace. Freedom. Sanity.
I rolled out of bed with an unnecessary twirl, whispering to myself, "Today's gonna be a good day."
I threw on the most comfortable outfit known to mankind, danced my way to the mirror, and gave myself a finger gun.
"Let's survive uni like a queen."
Little did I know... The universe was already plotting.
Because when life gives you a break, Mr. Khadoos always shows up to ruin it.
After brushing my teeth and taking a warm, refreshing shower, I made my way downstairs. The smell of aloo paratha wafted through the air, instantly waking up whatever part of my brain was still asleep.
In the living room, Baba sat comfortably, eyes glued to the morning news, sipping his tea with the seriousness of a Prime Minister preparing for a cabinet meeting.
"Good morning, Baba," I greeted with a smile, plopping down beside him.
He looked up, his face instantly softening. "Good morning, baccha," he replied, patting my head affectionately, like I was still ten years old.
I grinned before making a beeline to the kitchen where Maa was expertly flipping the last paratha onto the plate like a master chef.
"Breakfast is ready, come on," she called out, wiping her hands.
Soon we were all at the dining table, plates filled, the usual morning chatter beginning.
Between mouthfuls of aloo paratha, I turned to Raj who was busy inhaling food like it was his last meal.
"Bhaiya, drop me at uni today," I mumbled, still chewing.
Raj rolled his eyes like it was a full-body workout. "Tujhe drop karna aur ek bandar ko zoo mein chhodna ek hi baat hai," he shot back with a teasing grin.
( Dropping you at uni is same as Dropping a monkey to Zoo)
I nearly choked.
"Excuse me?! Main zoo se aayi hoon kya?"
(Excuse, me? Did i came from zoo?)
The whole table burst into laughter, including Baba, who was now trying not to spill his tea.
I glared at Raj, picking up a cushion nearby, ready to launch it at his smug face, but before I could even move-
SMACK.
Maa appeared out of nowhere and smacked Raj on the back of his head with her spoon.
"Phir se shuru ho gaye tum dono?" she scolded, half laughing, half exasperated.
Raj rubbed his head dramatically. "Main toh seedha tha, maa! Isne shuru kiya."
( I'm innocent, she started it)
I rolled my eyes. Typical. Always blaming the innocent.
"Innocent? Please." I muttered, stuffing another bite of paratha into my mouth.
As the laughter died down, I sat back and smiled to myself.
No Mr. Khadoos. No maths. Just parathas, family, and chaos.
Life's good.
Or so I thought.
Because chaos? Was just getting started.
*Target vote 20 +
*Target comment 5 +
( Hey sweeties, Do you like this Chapter? If yes then please drop a Vote and comment down your opinion on it. And Follow me on Instagram, because Reach ki Dhajiya uud chuki hai??)