I am Isha. 20 years old. Scholarship student. I count money before buying chai.
He is Rahul Malhotra. 21 years old. Malhotra Industries ka heir. He buys the chai stall if he likes the chai.
We should never have met. St. Xavier's College is big. Rich kids stay in AC canteens. Scholarship kids stay in library.
But life has a stupid sense of humor.
(Day 1 of College.)
I was 30 minutes late. My bus broke down. My dupatta was stuck in the door. My sandals were different colors because I left in a hurry. I looked like a disaster.
The librarian was not happy. "Late fine. 500 rupees. Or no library card for 1 month."
500 rupees was my 10 days food budget. I opened my bag. I had 73 rupees.
I was about to cry when a voice came from behind me. "I will pay for her."
I turned. It was him. Tall. White shirt. Black blazer. Shoes that cost more than my father's monthly salary. Rahul Malhotra. I knew his name because his face was on every college fest poster. "Chief Guest: Mr. Rahul Malhotra".
He put a 500 rupee note on the counter. Did not even look at me. Signed a small slip and walked away.
The librarian gave me my card. "You are lucky. Malhotra sir paid for 12 students this month. He does charity."
Charity. I was a charity case. My cheeks burned.
(Day 8 of College.)
It rained. I had no umbrella. I was standing under the commerce building, watching rich kids get into their BMWs.
A black car stopped. Window rolled down. It was him again.
Rahul:
"You are the library girl."
Me:
"I have a name. Isha."
Rahul:
"Isha. Get in. You will get sick."
Me:
"I don't take lifts from strangers."
Rahul:
"I am not a stranger. I paid 500 rupees for you. That makes me your creditor. Get in."
I should have said no. My mother's voice was in my head. "Ameer logon se door raho, beta."
But my clothes were wet. My notebook was getting destroyed. I got in.
His car smelled like expensive perfume and silence. He did not talk. He dropped me 2 gali before my house.
Rahul:
"Walk from here. People talk."
Me:
"You care what people say?"
Rahul:
"No. But you should. You are not me."
He left. I did not know if he insulted me or protected me.
(Day 20 of College.)
Group project. 4 people per group. Everyone made groups. I was left alone. Scholarship kids are always left alone.
Professor said.
"Isha, join Rahul's group. They have 3 members."
His group: Rahul, Tanya - fashion brand heiress, and Vikram - politician's son. And me.
Tanya looked at my old bag. "Can you even afford printouts for the project?"
I wanted to leave. But Rahul spoke. He did not look at me. He looked at his laptop.
Rahul: "She is in my group. That means she can afford anything. Work starts at 5 PM. My house. Don't be late."
His house was not a house. It was a mansion. Gate opened automatically. There were 3 dogs bigger than me.
But his room was normal. Messy. Posters of bikes. One photo frame - his with an old woman. His dadi probably.
We worked. I was scared to touch anything. Tanya and Vikram were talking about Bali trips. I was silent.
At 8 PM, servant brought snacks. Sandwiches for them. For me, there was a plate of hot rajma chawal.
I looked at Rahul. He was still on laptop.
Rahul: "My dadi said you look like you don't eat. She sent it from kitchen. Don't waste it."
I ate. It was the best rajma of my life. Tanya was staring.
(Day 45 of College.)
We were not friends. We were... something else.
He would pay my printout money and say "return when you are CEO."
I would save his notes when he missed class and say "return when you fail."
He would drop me 2 gali before home. Always.
I would bring him dadi ke haath ka achaar because he once said he missed it.
Tanya asked me one day..
"Why are you always around him? You know he will marry someone like me. Business marriage. You are timepass."
I had no answer. Because I was scared she was right.
That evening, it rained again. I was under the same building. No car came.
I was about to walk when I saw him. No car. No umbrella. Just him, standing in rain, looking at me.
Rahul:
"Why are you not calling me for lift?"
Me:
"Why are you not in your car?"
Rahul:
"Car is for creditors. I am standing here as..." He stopped. Rain was loud.
Rahul:
"As Rahul. Just Rahul. Will you walk with me? In rain? For free?"
My mother's voice was gone. My brain was gone. Only heart was there.
I said yes.
We walked. Two people. One rich. One normal. Both wet. Both stupid. Both... something.
I didn't know it then, but that was Day 1 of us.
Not friends. Not lovers.
Just Rahul and Isha.
And a 500 rupee debt that was about to become priceless.
Author Note: `Do you think Rahul likes Isha or he just pities her? Comment 🌧️ if you think it's love. 100 comments = Ch-2 tomorrow with their first fight!`
CONTINUE.....
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