KASHISH

The most hectic part of the study is exams. Whenever the clouds of exams come over me, tension starts raining on my fucking head. My exams are going to commence in the next 2 weeks and this is quite depressing for me.

Well, I'm good at studies, but I don't know why I get nervous during exam season. I'm going through the syllabus with three different books because I want to perform tremendously in my exams.

"Kashish, have you solved these MCQs?" Riya asked. "My brain cells have been destroyed while solving this fucking exercise." Frustration dripped from her words. Riya and medical physiology didn't have a good bond. "Yeah, I solved it." I said.

"Where did I keep my register?" I murmured, searching for it. I think I badly need to eat four almonds every day to keep my memory sharp. "Wait, I think I placed it on my desk," she blinked her eyes , and I got off my bed and started searching for it. I had some serious work on my hands and exam pressure on my mind, and I don't know when my attention suddenly shifted to Vikrant.

"I've never seen a flirty guy like him. Seriously, how can he ask for a date so early?" My eyes narrowed in annoyance. I cursed him for gathering all my attention, but the worst part was that his manipulated words were successfully distracting me. I was getting more annoyed just thinking about him. "Did you find it, Kashish?" Riya screamed from behind.

Her croaky voice suddenly broke my delusion. "Don't shout, I get it," I grunted in response. "Here, take it." I passed her my register. Why does she act like she's the only one with exam pressure? 

I stood near the bed, continuously staring at her with my arms crossed over my chest. "Riya, do you know about Vikrant?"

"Vikrant Karmarkar!!" She looked at me. "You're too patient," she giggled, making me sigh. "Yeah, I know him very well. He's the biggest fling I've ever seen in my entire life," she grimaced. It seems like he doesn't have a good image among the girls.

I sat beside her. "But he said—" she cut me off. "Whatever he said, don't fall for his trap," she snapped back. "Why do you ask about him?"

"I just want to know whether he's a nice guy or not," I blew out a harsh breath. "He is a good-looking man, and aside from his fling nature, he is a college topper," she explained little about Vikrant . "And you know that most of his family members served in the Indian army." she added.

"Really!!"

"His father, Digvijay Karmarkar, who often attends events in our college, is a colonel in the Indian army", she said. So his family has hard-core soldiers-well, it is so obvious. I mean, this is an army medical college, and it is quite understandable that every student studying here belongs to well-known army families.

"He has an elder brother who maybe a major in the Indian Army," she said with the brightest smile she could have. "What's wrong with you, bitch? Why are you smiling like an idiot?" I glared at her. "He visited our college six months ago, and I don't know why the hell I was absent that day," she suddenly wailed, resting her head on my shoulder. She is so fucking dramatic.

"Can you please stop this nonsense?" I said with disgust as she looked at me like she wanted to kill me. "You're such a heartless friend, don't you feel pity for me?" she said, shedding fake tears. This girl will surely drive me crazy with her drama. "But why should I feel pity for you?"

"I missed the chance to see his major brother," she cursed. "What's the big deal if you missed the chance?" He was not the president. "You're behaving like you missed the chance to meet your prince charming," I added.

"He is more than my prince charming. Do you have any idea how handsome and dashing a soldier he is?" she revealed about Mr. X.

How would I know that he is damn handsome and dashing as well? My point was, how can you fall for a guy you've never seen? "How can you be so sure that he is handsome just by hearing random rumors about him?" I arched my eyebrows. "You can ask any girl in college about him," she mimicked, answering my irritated gaze.

"I wish he fell in love with me, or I could get a chance to propose to him," she was dreaming. Her delusions were horrible. "But don't you think he's little bit older than you?" My stinging words instantly dropped her bright smile. 

"You're right. What if he has a girlfriend, or maybe a wife? If that's true, my heart will surely be broken," she cried again, pressing her face into the pillow. "Don't think about him, he is not worth it", I scolded her while she rolled up her angry eyes over me.

"One day, you will crave him too," I let out a laugh. "Do you really think I'll crave him?" She nodded. What? But why would I crave him? "It will never happen."

"I only wanted to meet the soldier who saved my life in Delhi, if I ever get a chance", I replied. I was so stupid to understand that we were both talking about the same soldier.

♡

I never thought I would date anyone so soon, but I said yes to Vikrant. "I liked you since the first day we met," Vikrant expressed his feelings, sitting in front of me. It felt hard and awkward to date a senior cadet who was about to leave college, as he was studying in his final year. "Can we get a chance to know each other?" he asked.

If Riya finds out than she will definitely break my neck, that despite her warnings I still sat beside him. Her delusions are filled with his handsome brother and she doesn't like Vikrant. 

"I heard that you're the biggest womanizer, aren't you?" I asked. He sighed before saying, "Look, people like to talk shit behind your back, but that doesn't mean you're like that." He defended himself.

"I had my past relationships, but they all ended mutually. I didn't dump any girl just to grab another one." He was offended, and I could see this on his handsome face. "Okay, we can date and get to know each other," I smiled. I liked him, so I thought he deserved the chance. I never judged a book by its review or cover. I believed in reading the book first and forming my own opinions.

"Can I ask you something?" He leaned forward, placing his hands on the table. A message popped up on my phone, and it was from Riya. I wanted to ignore the message, but if I did, she would kill me.

"Excuse me," I grabbed my phone and opened the message. RIYA: Where are you, bitch? She wasn't feeling well, as she had a fever for a few days. I'll be there soon. I texted her.

"Yes, what do you want to ask?"

"Have you ever had any relationships?" Vikrant stopped when my astonished glare pinned him. "Don't get me wrong, it's just a general question, and if you mind, feel free to ignore it." Being a medical student, I never had enough time to think about relationships or dates. "Nope, I've never had one," I replied while he sipped his coffee.

"Hmm, impressive," he said. I gulped down the leftover coffee in one shot. "I need to go because my best friend isn't well." I grabbed my bag and stood up. "Wait." I turned around as Vikrant's voice came from behind.

"Is there anything else, Mr.?" I replied mischievously, and he smirked. One of my hands was fixing my hair strands while the other gripped my phone. "It feels great having you as my girlfriend. I know it's weird, but I just wanted to tell you."

"Pleasure is all mine, see ya", I winked and I walked out. I agreed to step into a relationship. I feel like life is going smoothly and pleasant. I have no idea that the thunder of sorrow and soreness is waiting for me.

♡

It's been a month since my exams finished. It seems like Riya has been experiencing a mix of stress and relief because of the exams. I'm the one who entered into a relationship, while she, on the other hand, entered into her blanket.

"Are you feeling good?" I touched Riya's head to check her temperature. "Yeah, I'm feeling a little better", she replied through her nose. She slid the blanket over her. She is still scrolling on insta, "Why are you using your phone when you aren't well?" I nagged her while pulling her blanket and she sighed in annoyance.

"I'm teaching some manners to a motherfcker," she yelled, raising her eyebrows. "All boys are fckers, and I don't know why they disturb private people like me by sending random DMs," she grunted while typing the sh*t to that unknown ID.

I got out of bed and walked toward the closet. "Who told you to eat four cups of ice cream?" I shouted at her while she covered herself under the blanket. "Are you ignoring me?" I asked when I saw her in a hibernated state. "Nope!"

"You're better now, so stop hibernating." I grabbed my towel and went to take a shower. After a 30-minute hot shower, I stepped out wearing only a towel. "Why do you always come out of the shower wearing just a towel? Don't you have any shame?"

"Shame, but why? Aren't you a girl, and btw, we both have the same structures, two boobs, two bumps, one mouth, and one hole?" I giggled while she throwing the pillow on me in annoyance. "Bitch!!"

"Are you a fool? Why are you wearing just one anklet? Where's the other one?" she asked, staring at my legs. She reminded me again of the most painful moment of my life. I stopped moisturizing my legs. "I lost the other one," I said in a breathy voice. I opened the closet and pulled on my crop top and booty shorts. "You're such a careless girl." I know.

"I lost it in Delhi, maybe, but I'm not sure about it," I said, taking big steps toward the bed. "When I realized I had dropped my anklet, I went back and searched for it, but I couldn't find it." I caressed my empty ankle.

This anklet was my mother's last memento, as it belonged to her. I tried searching for the exact pair and design in every jewelry shop, but I couldn't find the same one. I can't bring myself to take this anklet off, as it's like a blessing from my Aai (mother).

"Might be someone has your anklet and fell in love with it", she said with a bright smile, but my gaze cut her off. "Like it happened in movies and romantic novels, where a male lead kept a girl anklet and fell for it", she giggled.

Seriously, her delusions are quite romantic. Now when she's spitting useless facts and it doesn't feel like she was sick earlier. 

"So you think that someone has kept my anklet and sleeps every night with it?" I mimicked and she blinked her eyes.

"What nonsense is this? It not happen in real life"

"Step out of your fantasy world, as it's destroying your mind," I pinned my glare at her, and my reality-check words dropped her smile. "These types of men only exist in the fictional world, as real life is too harsh for love and for lovers as well," I said before hibernating myself under the blanket next to her.

♡

"I'm going home in the next two days," Vikrant's words landed me back in this world, and I looked at him. "Can you stop using your phone like an addicted person?" he asked, throwing his hand in the air.

"But I'm just scrolling through Instagram," I said, gathering all my attention back to my phone. The phone is important to me, as my life revolves around it, and in today's era, phones are important for everyone. "I'm doing some online projects, that's why I'm quite busy these days," I said, sipping my coffee.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked. He nodded. "Why do you want to join the Indian Army?" I was curious to know about his dreams.

"I don't have any specific reason to join the army. It's like my family legacy, as most of my family members have been serving the nation for three generations." I knew about it, as Gossip Girl Riya had already informed me.

"It's not that my father didn't give us the freedom to choose our profession. He said, 'Do whatever you want to do in life,' but still, my elder brother has joined the army, and he is a major now. My father is really proud of him." Vikrant's voice held pride.

It's the third time I've heard about his brother. And I don't know why, but whenever I hear about him, I end up with a tingling sensation all over my body. I never stated that his appreciation or anything about him gives me an electric sensation in my body.

I started to remember the soldier who saved my life in Delhi. But the strangest thing is that both men have given me the same sensations. This feeling is so annoying.

"You admire your brother, don't you?" I asked, tugging my hair behind my ear. "Well, my brother's nature is worse than a natural disaster," he said with a smile. "He has the worst anger issues, and he doesn't like to talk to anyone in our family," he added.

He thinks I'm interested in exploring about his angry soldier brother? I don't give a damn about his anger, I only listen to him because my boyfriend wants to talk about him. I personally don't like such men who behave badly with everyone under the shell of anger issues.

"The funny thing about my brother is that he uses limited words in a day," he said, and I let out a loud laugh. "I think you guys are living with an alien for sure," I said, still laughing.

"My brother is a nice guy except his anger and short temperament behavior." He defended his brother.

"Stop laughing at my brother, Kashish," he said in annoyance, and I nodded. "He needs someone in his life who can understand him and explore his lovable side, as he hides that side behind his anger," he was worried.

I put my hand over his. "He will surely find someone who mitigates his loneliness if he's not a bad guy," I assured him.

♡

The most annoying moment for me is waiting for food, as I'm a foodie. I don't know how much longer I'll need to stay in hostels. I miss the warmth of home so much. I always wonder if someone could become the definition of a sweet home to me.

Why does it take so long to get food? Rats in my stomach have already taken three rounds. Deva, this is why I hate being in a queue. Today, the serving person and method have changed again. "What the fuck?" I muttered in shock, sliding myself out of the queue. There were so many boys standing ahead of me.

I threw my hands in the air. "If I had known about this, I would have stood in line ahead of the boys," I whispered into Riya's ear, who was standing in front of me. I was steamed up as my stomach started aching with hunger.

"Yeah, babes! We're already exhausted from jogging, and now the server is testing our patience," she gritted through her teeth.

We were cursing the server when my phone rang, rolling every annoyed glare toward me. This time, they were staring at me again, but not because of my beauty—it was because of my ringtone, GASOLINA.

Why the hell are they staring at me like I'm an alien? Can't I set the ringtone of my choice? After all, I have a fundamental right to do that. I stared back at them, and they quickly turned their eyes away. I picked up the call. "Kashish, good morning," Baba said.

"Morning, Baba," I said in a low voice. I lose my strength when I'm starving. "What happened, sweetheart? Why is your voice so low?" he asked. That's why I love my father—he knows me so well. I've always wanted my life partner to have qualities like my father.

"I'm starving, baba." I cried.

"You should have a roar in your voice, my sher baccha," His compliment brought a bright smile to my face. He always knew how to bring a smile to my face. I'm a strong girl and stubborn as well.

"I've always had a rebellious personality, as my father never taught me to fear. He is the definition of a sweet home to me, but I rarely get the chance to feel his warmth and love. "Baba, how have you been?" I asked.

"I'm absolutely fine, beta, and I want to update you that I'll be out of town for a few months." This news instantly dropped my smile because 'out of town' meant he was about to leave for a mission. 

Whenever he told me he was leaving for some months, my heart fluttered with terror. I loved my father, and he was my only family. I didn't want to lose him. "Kashish, are you there, baccha?" he asked, but I remained silent, overwhelmed by scary thoughts.

"When will you come back, Baba?" I asked, trying hard to hide my anxiety. "I'll be back soon, beta. Don't be scared, remember your baba has superpowers." He let out a soft laugh, and his words brought a smile to my sad face. When I was little, I used to tell everyone that my baba had superpowers, and he knew about that.

"Baba, I'm going to Manikaran for my orientation program," I informed him. The orientation program was a one-month training session as part of my studies.

Riya brought food for me, and I was sitting in a chair talking to my father. "Good, do your best at the training. Okay, bye beta, love you," Baba said, while Riya glanced at me to understand what was going on as tears dripped from my eyes.

"Bye, Baba, love you too." I hung up and wiped my tears away with my knuckles. "Are you okay, sweetie? What happened?"

"It was Baba's call that made me emotional. I'm okay," I assured her and pulled the plate in my direction as I was starving badly. "You didn't even thank me for this," Riya blustered before I took a bite of idli.

I shook my head to thank her. "Ugh, you're a bitch," she cursed me again, leaning back in her chair. I'm excited for my Manikaran trip. It's going to be fun.

♡

COCO - comment are you excited for ranvijay and kashish meet in manikaran.

comment for your favorite part.

Please do comment and votes as i don't get whether you liking the story or not. And your votes and comments motivates me to write.