Ayaan's POV

"Dude, you're taking ages. Hurry up and get here!" Vivann exclaimed, his impatience clear through the phone.

"Calm your horses. I'm on the way. Just because you're hungry doesn't mean the world revolves around you," I retorted with a hint of annoyance.

after a while

" You took forever to come " Vivaan exclaimed lookin at me.

" Be happy I reached here."I replied

"Any luck with Sumaira?" Vivann asked as I approached.

"If I had found her, do you think we'd be having this conversation? Obviously, no sign of her yet," I replied, my frustration evident.

Vivann, sensing my agitation, tried to reason with me.

"Listen, Ayaan, I know you're angry with your father, but that doesn't give you the right to take it out on her. You don't even know why she's here."

I clenched my fists, attempting to suppress my anger. "You don't think I need a lecture on that?"

Vivann held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I'm not trying to lecture you. I'm just asking you to keep your emotions in check. It's not her fault."

I replied, "I'll try but i think you know my anger better, Vivaan. It can errupt on her."

Vivann took a deep breath, his expression softening. “I get that, Ayaan. I really do. But let’s not make this harder than it already is. We need to find her, understand her, and maybe this will all make more sense.”

I exhaled sharply, trying to rein in my frustration. “Yeah, I know. I just didn’t expect this—being thrown into a situation where I’m stuck with a stranger instead of my best friend. It feels like my father’s trying to mess with me.”

Vivann gave me a sympathetic look. “Maybe. Or maybe there’s something else at play here. Either way, we’ve got to focus on what we can control right now.”

We made our way to the campus park, the sun setting and casting a warm, golden hue over the trees and pathways. The peaceful setting was in stark contrast to my inner turmoil.

As we walked, I noticed a few students lounging on the grass and others walking their dogs. The park had a serene vibe, which was a welcome change from the chaotic mess of the reception earlier.

Vivann broke the silence. “You know, it might not be all bad. You might actually get along with Sumaira. People can surprise you.”

I shook my head, not entirely convinced. “Yeah, well, I’m not exactly in the mood for surprises right now. I’m just trying to make sense of why my father decided to do this without even talking to me.”

Vivann stopped and looked at me seriously. “Hey, I know you’re upset, but think about it. Maybe your dad has his reasons, even if they’re not clear to you right now. You’re both here for a reason, and maybe this is part of a bigger picture.”

I sighed, my frustration giving way to a small sliver of understanding. “I guess. I’ll try to keep that in mind. But right now, I just want to find her."

few minutes later

I make my way to my room and spotted a girl sleeping on the other bed.

SUMAIRA KHANNA

It clicked. All I wanted to do was to pick her from her bed and beat her to her death, or for god's sake till she tells me how she knows my father. But the words of dad's secreatary and Vivaan echoed in my ears that this thing might have a bigger picture and my anger will just desroy things.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. This was a chance to understand, not to lash out. I had to find a way to make sense of all this without letting my emotions destroy what little chance I had of figuring out my father’s intentions.

I sat on the edge of my bed for a few moments, gathering my thoughts. My frustration was still there, but I knew I had to approach this rationally. Deciding that I needed some space to think, I went into the bathroom for a quick shower.

I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature to just the right warmth. The sound of the water hitting the tiles was soothing, and as the steam began to fill the room, I felt some of the tightness in my chest start to ease.

I let the water cascade over me, allowing it to wash away the frustration and tension that had been building up all day. The rhythmic flow of the water was calming, and I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths as I let the warmth envelop me.

The steam created a soft, foggy haze in the small space, making it feel like a private sanctuary away from the chaos outside. I could hear the faint sound of water dripping from the faucet, a constant and gentle reminder of the calming retreat I’d created.

As the water flowed over my head, I tried to clear my mind, focusing on the sensation of the droplets sliding down my skin. Each drop seemed to carry away a bit of my irritation, leaving behind a sense of clarity. I thought about the situation with Sumaira and my father, trying to piece together the fragments of the day’s events.

After a while, I turned off the shower, and the sudden quiet made the bathroom feel almost eerily still. I stepped out, wrapped myself in a towel, and looked at my reflection in the fogged mirror. The steam had left a hazy imprint of my face, a faint outline against the glass.

I took one last deep breath, feeling more centered and ready to face whatever came next. The shower had given me a moment of calm, a brief escape from the whirlwind of emotions and confusion. As I dried off and prepared to head back to the room, I felt a renewed sense of resolve. I was ready to tackle the situation with Sumaira, armed with a bit more patience and understanding.

I thought of ways i can tackle this situation.

My mind was blank.

"Asking her is the only option" my inner mind suggested

If i keep my calm it could be a good idea.

With a newfound sense of resolve, I wrapped the towel around my waist and stepped back into the bathroom and wore my clothes.

I made my way to the bathroom gate and opened it in one swift move.

Ayaan may seem like a grumpy, dark man(which he is). But, he has a soft spot (which will just be a secret between the reader and him), which our lead will not be able to witness.