"You know what? Instead of showing your face to me every morning like a toothpaste ad, why don't you go bother someone else? I already told you-I'm not interested. Yet here you are, following me around like a stalker. Seriously, don't you have a family? Is this why they sent you to college-just to chase after me? Get lost."

At last, the frustration brewing inside me for the past six months spilled out.

I turned around to step into my class, expecting to finally be rid of him. But once again, the brainless wonder who couldn't take a hint blocked my way.

"So you really don't love me?"

I exhaled sharply. "Didn't I just say that, idiot?"

"Then why do you keep looking at me? At the bus stop, in college, everywhere."

I rolled my eyes. "Because you're nice to look at-just a little bit handsome, that's all."

"So no liking, no love?"

"Nope."

"Then why do your friends tease you every time I'm around?"

Ah, that's the problem. I sent a glare toward those buffaloes, who were standing nearby, counting stars in broad daylight-idiots.

"They tease me with the maths professor too! He's also handso-"

"That's it." Ishanth straightened, shaking his head. "Enough. I won't come behind you anymore. Sorry, Jhanu."

I scoffed. "It's Jhanvi. Jhanu is reserved for my loved ones, not for stalkers like you."

Tossing my hair over my shoulder, I grabbed Tara and Keerthi's wrists and dragged them out of the crowd, making my way to our usual spot-the middle bench.

Sitting by the window, I watched the rain hit the sand outside, its scent grounding me. With a deep breath, I turned to my friends and grabbed their ears, shooting them a playful glare.

"Sorry, Jhanu! We didn't know Ishanth would take our teasing seriously," Tara muttered.

"Hereafter, we won't tease you with any other boys," Keerthi pouted.

I sighed, releasing them. "It's fine. Just don't do it again. Ishanth might be a brainless idiot, but at least he understands. Not everyone is like him."

Before we could continue, the bell rang, and our maths professor entered, his cold eyes sweeping across the room. But what made my stomach sink weren't his usual glares-it was the stack of papers in his hand.

Surprise test.

Yesterday, he had thrown a surprise test at us, expecting us to decipher methods and apply formulas to problems we hadn't even seen before. But how was I supposed to find the right formula when I didn't even know these marvelous equations existed?

Looking around, I could tell I wasn't alone. My classmates shared my panic. But instead of mercy, our professor called up each person-only to scold them one by one.

"Jhanvi."

I stiffened. "Yes, sir?"

"Come here."

I swallowed hard, stepping forward.

"Tell me, why do you come to college every day?"

"For studying, sir."

He scoffed. "Then why don't I ever see you studying? Your test scores barely scrape past the margin. I heard you come from a poor family, yet you still lack motivation. Always roaming around with those two girls."

My breath hitched.

"Your family believes in you. If you don't want to study, don't waste their money. Just sit at home instead."

I stared down at his polished black shoes, willing myself not to let the tears spill.

With a dismissive toss, he flung my test paper across the desk. I quickly picked it up and hurried back to my seat, where Keerthi and Tara grasped my hand in silent comfort.

10/50.

That number haunted me.

Being poor and academically weak hurt more than words could ever express.

******

So how is the first chapter guys?

what will you do when you are in her

situation?

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