CH 14 - RUDHIR'S MYSTERY DEEPENS
Chapter 14
Roshni stood outside the hostel gate, gazing at Rudhir's car as it drove away. She let out a sigh and began thinking about Rudhir. "Rudhir, you're a mystery to me. Who are you, and why do I feel like I've known you for a long time?" She wondered if it was because of what his friend said - that she had the same face as someone important to Rudhir. "What a weird feeling! I used to be so confident and focused on my life, but now I'm so confused and can't stop thinking about you. What are you, Mr. Rudhir Raichand? You're cold on the outside, but very soft on the inside, huh?"
Roshni was lost in her imaginary world when she heard a voice behind her. "Hey Roshni, I heard about what happened. I'm sorry." She turned around to see the hostel warden, Mrs. Kumar. Roshni greeted her and said, "Hello, ma'am. Yeah, it's okay." Mrs. Kumar nodded and said, "Yeah, I already changed your room and roommates. Now you're sharing a room with just one girl, Neha. It's a small compensation from the college, and as per Mr. Raichand's request." Roshni's eyes widened in surprise. "You know about Rudhir, ma'am?"
Mrs. Kumar smiled and said, "Oh, didn't everyone in the college know him? I'm talking about the teachers and college staff, not the students. He's a very intelligent guy; the scholarship was deserved by him." Roshni raised an eyebrow, confused. "My scholarship? What do you mean, ma'am?" Mrs. Kumar smiled and said, "Sorry, Roshni, don't mind me, but you have to know this. You're the second candidate who barely qualified for the scholarship." Roshni was shocked and realized, "Yes, ma'am."
Mrs. Kumar nodded and said, "He's the top student with marks always in the top. Rudhir is very intelligent and won the scholarship, but he refused to accept it, saying he can pay his fees and that the scholarship should go to the person who is really deserving and can't pay their fees. He's very kind, but..." Roshni looked confused, and Mrs. Kumar's face turned serious. "But he's very cold and ruthless when it comes to others' matters. He's very arrogant, even with teachers or the principal. No one can do anything about him because he comes from a rich and influential family, the Raichands, who have always been at the top."
Roshni muttered, "The Raichands?" Mrs. Kumar replied, "Yes. Don't hang out with him; he's a dangerous person. You already know about the rumors since you're a witness to the incident. You know that he replaced the principal; he's planning to replace him anyway. When the principal threatened him after his son bullied you, and he punched his son in front of the whole college... his son was a fool who messed with the Raichands, and now he's missing." Mrs. Kumar warned, "You come from a very different place than him; you're focused on your goals, so just focus and don't ruin yourself. Anyway, you have to go now; you're going to be late for class. It's already 8:45, and class starts in 15 minutes. Your room number is 137 on the second floor, and your roommate is Neha, who's in the same class as yours. Hurry up!"
Roshni hurried to her room, opened it with the key she received from Mrs. Kumar, and found that her roommate, Neha, was not there. She quickly took a bath, dressed up, and started running towards the classroom. She arrived just as the class was starting.
Roshni entered the classroom, and all eyes were on her. She felt like she was being stared at by every single student. The gossiping and whispering started immediately. A girl turned to her friend and said, "Hey, isn't that her?" Her friend replied, "Yeah, I know. Some people are staring at her like she's the main culprit, while others are ignoring her like she's invisible."
Roshni's face turned red as she made her way to her seat, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. She could feel the weight of their judgments and accusations. She wished she could disappear, but she knew she had to face this. She took a deep breath and sat down, trying to focus on the class, but the whispers and stares made it difficult for her to concentrate.
The class was about to start when the teacher, Mrs. Geetasha Arora, entered the room and placed her books on the table. "Hello, students. I am your history teacher, and I hope we can understand each other." She looked at every student, and when her gaze landed on Roshni, she said, "Why are you nervous, stand up, and tell us your name?"
Roshni stood up and said, "Nothing, ma'am." Then, she turned to face the students and said, "Hello, everyone. I am Roshni Mehra, from Geeta Kumari Orphanage. I'm here on a college scholarship, and I'm here to focus on my studies." She spoke with a hint of confidence but a nervous tone.
Mrs. Geetasha started clapping and said, "Very good, so you're the one. I've just arrived at the college and heard about an incident the whole college is talking about, but I'm really proud of you, Roshni. Good, keep focusing on your goal and ignore the others who discourage you." She turned to the other students and said, "And you students, don't talk about bad things about Roshni. You know she's a victim, not the culprit. I hope you all get along."
One by one, everyone gave their introduction. There were 40 students in the class, and this was only Section A. A girl had just ended her introduction when a boy stood up from the back bench and said, "Hello, everyone. I am Kabir Singhania. I'm not good at studies, but I'm really good in sports, especially basketball. I'm the only son and successor of the Singhania Group. Thank you."
Everyone started gossiping again. "Hey, this is Kabir Singhania! He's quite handsome, you know." Everyone chatted a little, then calmed down. The teacher said, "Next!" A girl stood up from Roshni's line and said, "Hello, teacher. Hello, everyone. I am Neha Verma. I'm from Nainital, and I'm an average student in the class, but I'm really good at computers and technology." Everyone stared at her like she had done something wrong.
The teacher said, "Ah, very good. Now, sit down." Everyone gave their introduction, and finally, the last girl stood up and said, "Hello, teacher. My name is Teena Malhotra. Everyone calls me Tia, so you can call me Tia as well. I'm the only successor of the Malhotra Group, which has a good relationship with the Singhania Group. My father and Mr. Singhania are good friends. I'm already in a relationship, so don't try to flirt with me."
Everyone stared at her, some with jealousy and others with admiration. She was a beautiful girl from a rich family, and everyone wanted to be friends with her. The teacher said, "No one wants to date you, Tia, here in college. Focus on your studies, not relationships and all." Anyway, everyone did, and the teacher said, "Now, open your books and start with Chapter 1."
Just as she said that, the class door opened, and a very handsome boy with black hair, black and a little bit red eyes, wearing a black shirt and black pants with black shoes, entered the room. Everyone was looking at his handsome face - girls because of his good looks and good body, and boys with jealousy. Everyone started chatting about him. The girls started saying, "Wow, he's so handsome! I wish I had a boyfriend like him." Another girl said, "Huh, did you see his face? He belongs to me!" Everyone started fighting because of him and started making noise.
The girl named Tia muttered, "Huh, he's handsome and has some standard. He can ask me out on a date; I can give him a chance." Roshni recognized this person very easily and smiled at him, but the boy's expression didn't flinch. The teacher said to the class, "Silence!" and stared at him, "Who are you, Mr...? We are here in the class?" A boy started looking at the teacher and said, "Hello, teacher. I am sorry; I am late. I had some business to deal with, so I got late, and I am a student here. My name is Rudhir Raichand!"
TO BE CONTINUED.....