Chapter 2 Life Before Texas

Trisha's POV:

The pounding bass of the club's music reverberated in my ears, mingling with Jenny's voice as she shouted above the din. "She's beautiful, though!"

I winced, trying to make myself heard over the cacophony. "God, why are you shouting?" I muttered, feeling a headache coming on. "And yes, she's perfect for him. Loving, supportive, caring. What more could a guy want? They're the perfect couple."

Despite my efforts to keep our conversation private, I found myself raising my voice as well. The club was hardly conducive for a meaning meaningful conversation.

"Aren't you feeling jealous, Ishy?" Jenny arched an eyebrow, a sly grin playing on her lips. "She's quite the catch."

I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Are you out of your mind? Why would I be jealous? We're friends, Jenny. You know that, right?" I attempted to maintain a pleasant tone, masking the turmoil swirling inside me.

"So you're fine if Adhish is dating someone?" Jenny's gaze bore into me, her eyes narrowed.

"Didn't I just say that?" I shrugged, tension knotting my shoulders. "He's my best friend, practically family. I'd be thrilled if he found someone who truly cares about him."

I forced a tight-lipped smile, concealing the turmoil churning within me.

Adhish's happiness is paramount to me. Isn't that obvious how important he is to me?But let me tell you about Adhish. Well, Adhish Armaan, the hottest guy in our college. A real playboy. Son of a rich!

I vividly remember our first encounter on my freshman year, his senior year.

Three years back:

"Mom, relax. I'm not a little girl anymore. It's just the first day of college, not a survival mission," I reassured her while stuffing my books into my bag.

"I know you're not a little girl anymore, but you'll always be my little one. Just be careful, okay? Stay away from troublemakers and don't fall victim to ragging. Call the college office and speak to Uncle-"

I cut her off mid-sentence. "Okay, mom. Can I go now? I'm already late. And trust me, I'll be fine," I sighed impatiently, eager to leave. "You don't have to worry."

"Trisha Sen! Don't argue with your mother. I know what's best for you."

And that's how our conversation always ended. Same old story. Tears pricked my eyes, but I hastily wiped them away.

"Right," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I'll leave now. Love you, mom."

"Take care, dear. Love you too," she replied, her tone devoid of emotion.

I wanted to talk to my little sister, but I was on the verge of tears, so I just left without a word.

Parents don't always understand, but it doesn't mean they don't love you.

I hailed a taxi and rushed to college.

The bustling energy of the college campus greeted me as I hurried through the gates, my heart racing with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. The first day of college always brought a flurry of emotions, from excitement to trepidation, and I was no exception. With my bag slung over my shoulder and my mind buzzing with thoughts of new beginnings, I made my way across the crowded courtyard, eager to find my first class.

But my haste proved to be my undoing as I rounded a corner and collided with something solid, the impact sending a jolt of surprise through my body. With a startled gasp, I felt my grip loosen on my water bottle, it landed on the ground, a small puddle forming around it as droplets of water splattered onto the pavement.

The collision was sudden, unexpected, as if fate had planned the encounter with a mischievous twinkle in its eye.

"Sorry," I muttered, the word escaping my lips in a hushed whisper as I bent down to retrieve the fallen bottle. But before I could make amends, a voice cut through the air like a whip, sharp and cutting in its disdain.

"Don't you have any manners?" The voice was tinged with irritation, dripping with superiority like honey from a poisoned cup.

I froze, my heart lurching in my chest as I turned to face the source of the accusation. Standing before me was a man, his features obscured by the harsh glare of the midday sun, his expression twisted into a sneer of contempt.

"I... I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice trembling with nervousness. "I didn't mean to-"

"Look at me when you apologize," he interrupted, his tone laced with condescension as he towered over me like a looming shadow.

I felt a flush of embarrassment creep into my cheeks as I raised my eyes to meet his gaze, the intensity of his stare sending a shiver down my spine. He was undeniably handsome, with chiseled features and piercing eyes that seemed to strip away the layers of my composure with each passing moment.

His skin, a rich shade of brown, flawless, radiating warmth. A face framed with a defined jawline, giving him a sense of rugged masculinity. His eyes, a warm shade of brown, with a hint of mischief twinkling within them. Thick, dark eyebrows arc gracefully above his eyes. His nose is straight and proud. His lips are full and sensuous, with a natural curve that hints at a playful smile waiting to be unleashed. A well-groomed beard adds to his appeal, framing his face with a touch of rugged sophistication. His hair, dark and lustrous, is styled with effortless charm, framing his face in a way that highlights his best features.

But his charm was overshadowed by the audacity of his next words, a smirk playing on his lips like a cruel joke.

"It won't be accepted until I get a kiss," he declared, his voice thick with arrogance. "On my cheek."

I gaped at him, my mouth falling open in shock as his words registered in my mind like a distant echo. The audacity of his request left me speechless, my mind reeling with disbelief at the sheer gall of his presumption.

"I... I..." I struggled for words, feeling as though I had been caught in a trap of his making, unable to escape the confines of his charm.

"It's an easy task," he continued, his tone dripping with flirtatiousness. "And I wouldn't mind if you wanted to kiss me elsewhere."

The implication hung in the air like a heavy fog, suffocating me with its implications as I recoiled from his advances. But even as I sought to distance myself from his unwelcome attentions, I felt the weight of his gaze bearing down on me like a leaden cloak, trapping me in his orbit against my will.

Summoning every ounce of courage within me, I straightened my spine and met his gaze head-on, my voice trembling with defiance as I delivered my response. "I apologize, but I won't be kissing anyone," I said firmly, my words a quiet declaration of my refusal to be swayed by his charms.

With that, I turned on my heel and pushed past him, my heart pounding in my chest as I sought to put distance between myself and the unwelcome stranger.

As I started walking away , a voice broke through the haze of my thoughts, "You've found another freshman,"

My heart sank at the realization of the predicament I found myself in, a lone freshman caught in the web of intrigue woven by the upperclassmen. With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I quickened my pace, eager to put distance between myself and the dangers that lurked in the shadows of this unfamiliar world.

But even as I hurried away, I couldn't shake the feeling of his eyes burning into my back like twin flames of desire, leaving me to wonder what other dangers lurked in the shadows of this unfamiliar world.

"Oh, what a terrible start," I muttered to myself, my voice barely above a whisper as I hurried away. "I hope I won't see him again."

Fast forward to the present:

Aashika's voice shattered the buzz of the conversation like a sudden clap of thunder, pulling me back from the depths of my thoughts.

"Hey, bitches!" she exclaimed, her tone brimming with a mixture of exasperation and affection.

"You're 40 minutes late!" I scolded her, though my reprimand was softened by the warmth of the hug I enveloped her.

"Sorry, Ishy. Blame my nap. And where's that bitch? What did she ask?" Aashika's words spilled out in a rapid-fire stream, her protective instincts kicking in as she scanned the room for signs of trouble.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her overprotective nature, a fond smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Oh, calm down, my angry young woman. No violence," I teased, adjusting the hem of my dress with a playful flick of my fingers.

"Right," she muttered, though the glint in her eye betrayed a mischievous spark as she began to act out some imaginary yoga routine, her movements exaggerated and theatrical.

Aashika was my complete opposite in many ways, a whirlwind of energy and spontaneity that contrasted sharply with my more reserved nature. But they say opposites attract in friendship, and no one understood me better than her. It would be hard not having her by my side when I will be embarking the new chapter of my life.

"We will miss you, Ishy. You moving to Ontario, right?" Veronica's question cutting through the lighthearted banter that surrounded us.

"No. Texas!" I announced, unable to contain the excitement that bubbled up inside me, my cheeks aching from the sheer force of my smile.

"Texas? Oh my God, that was your dream!" Veronica exclaimed, her eyes widening with genuine enthusiasm.

"Yes!" I nodded eagerly.

"Which college?" Jenny interjected, her curiosity piqued by the revelation.

"Knisons University," I replied, feeling a thrill of anticipation at the thought of the new opportunities that awaited me.

"That's... It's owned by Daniel Knight! Oh my... You lucky girl! He's a dream!" Jenny's eyes widened in awe, her voice tinged with a hint of reverence.

I smiled politely, unsure of how to respond to her admiration. Beside me, Aashika shot daggers at Jenny with her eyes, her displeasure evident in the sharpness of her gaze. After an awkward silence, Jenny excused herself, leaving behind a palpable tension that lingered in the air like a heavy fog.

"I hate that girl," Veronica grumbled, her frustration evident as she downed another tequila shot in one swift motion.

"So do I," Aashika muttered, rolling her eyes in agreement. "Anyway, I'm getting stoned tonight. My only friend is leaving me here to fend for myself," she added with a playful smirk, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes that she couldn't quite conceal.

As I looked around at the faces of my friends, each one a reflection of the bond we shared, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving them behind. But as the night wore on and laughter filled the air, I pushed aside my worries, determined to savor every moment of the time we had left together before my departure.

Suddenly, a hand gripped my waist, causing me to panic. As a hand encircled my waist, a jolt of calmness shot through me.

Adhish!

Despite the familiarity of his touch, I couldn't help but panic for a moment before his strong arms pulled me close, enveloping me in a comforting embrace. Pressed against his chest, I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"You look stunning, Tishy," his voice whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine as his warm breath brushed against my skin. He is definitely drunk.

I couldn't help but smile at his words, the tension melting away from my body as I relaxed into his embrace. "Adi, when will you stop giving me mini heart attacks?" I teased, the relief evident in my voice.

A weak smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he leaned back slightly to meet my gaze. "This is the last one, I promise," he replied, his tone laced with sincerity.

I raised an eyebrow skeptically, unable to resist the urge to tease him further. "No, definitely not!" I retorted playfully. "Won't you come to see me off?"

Adhish chuckled softly, the sound like music to my ears as he enveloped me in a hug. "Probably, yes," he conceded, his arms tightening around me in a comforting embrace.

"Say definitely!" I mumbled, unable to suppress a grin as I playfully nudged him.

He shook his head with a chuckle, his laughter infectious as he relented. "Nope," he replied, his tone teasing. "But okay, definitely." with a small pause, he asked, "Where are the others by the way?" His brow furrowing slightly as he scanned the area for signs of our friends.

"They're staying. I want to go home. I'm truly exhausted," I admitted, feeling drained from the events of the evening.

"Let's go then. I'll drop you," Adhish offered, his voice filled with quiet reassurance.

As we made our way to the car, Adhish offered his assistance in helping me carry Aashika, who was in no state to walk properly after a night of revelry.

I settled into the passenger seat beside him, a sense of contentment washing over me as he started the engine and drove us home.

I stole glances at Adhish as he focused on the road, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights. How many times had we shared moments like these, comfortable silences punctuated only by the sound of our breathing? Memories flooded my mind, snippets of our shared history flashing before my eyes like scenes from a movie.

Adhish had been my rock, a steadfast presence in a world of uncertainty. From the first moment we met, there had been an unspoken bond between us, a connection that defied explanation.

But our relationship had always been complicated, a tangled web of friendship and unspoken feelings. I had buried my feelings deep within my heart, afraid to acknowledge the truth that lingered just beneath the surface. Yet as time passed, it became increasingly difficult to ignore the flutter of my heart whenever he was near.

As we neared my apartment building, I reluctantly broke the silence that had settled between us. "Thanks for the ride, Adi," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the soft hum of the car.

He turned to me, his eyes searching mine for something I couldn't name. "Anytime, Tishy," his voice equally quiet "You know I'll always be here for you, right?"

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat as I struggled to find the words to express the depth of my emotions. Adhish was more than just a friend to me, and yet I feared the consequences of confessing my true feelings; he was the missing piece of my soul, the one person who had always seen me for who I truly was. Although none of it matters because he is in someone else's destiny and I am a perplexed woman.

But as he reached across the console to brush a stray lock of hair from my face, I felt something shift between us, a subtle change in the air that left me breathless with anticipation. In that moment, I knew that our story was far from over, that the pages of our shared history were still waiting to be written. And as I stepped out of the car and watched him drive away into the night.

For Adhish Armaan was more than just a playboy or a rich businessman's son. He was my confidant, my protector,, the one person who had always understood me in ways no one else could. And as I gazed up at the stars twinkling overhead, I knew that our journey was only just beginning.