FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 2

The cool winter breeze began settling in upon the university. Students were sitting under trees in groups, studying together as the upcoming midterm examinations were around the corner. Although they weren't as important as final examinations, they came just as close because of the percentage of the grade they were worth. It didn't matter who was studying where, but every corner of the campus had a busy-body atmosphere as everyone had their noses in books, trying to get to their next class.

Parvati was no different. She stepped into the halls of her university, closing her notebook so she didn't accidentally run into something or someone. She held the black, spiral notebook to her chest while heading to class. Her creme-colored dupatta, which was loosely hanging over her, blocked out the gentle breeze that trailed through the crowded halls. The similar gazes from familiar faces were once again bestowed upon her. But Parvati treaded forward without concern for those pairs of eyes that focused solely on her.

As she entered the lecture hall, she heard some conversations come to a pause. She knew they were about her, most often they were. The soft whispers of her name still echoed in the room. But Parvati had learned to ignore the words and whispers, even if they sometimes nicked her heart. She kept her gaze down as she made her way to her usual spot in History: the seat in the middle row next to the window. She set her notebook down and settled herself into her usual seat, before glancing at the empty chair next to her. As always, the seat would remain empty. No one bothered to sit next to her. When she glanced up in the direction of the others students, Parvati found a few of them turning away from her, as they had been staring. But as she opened her notebook to review her notes, the whispers didn't falter.

"Why does she dress that way?"

"Why the salwars? For God's sake, we're in Delhi."

"I bet no one will sit next to her again."

"Who is going to notice her?"

"She can't afford it. She has always been an orphan."

"So lower class. Why is she still here?"

"Would it kill her to smile?"

The words continued, but Parvati droned them out. She had been used to hearing this since she entered the university. It's true that she was an orphan. She had been since she was three years old. Even after she had left the orphanage, the owner of the place, whom everyone simply called Mami-sa, had given her shelter. It's also true that she was from a lower class than all other students at the illustrious college. The only reason she managed pay for it was because of her scholarships. The clothes she wore were also a reason for the constant belittling. Unlike the girls who were short skirts and tight, revealing shirts, Parvati wore simple salwars. It's not that she couldn't afford clothes like them, she just wasn't comfortable in those things. It was completely against her upbringing. Even if she tried to explain this to them, Parvati knew it would be pointless, as they would continue to taunt her. So she remained silent and listened to the things being said about her, without any need or strength to fight back. And after everything she had dealt with in her life, a smile could quite possibly kill her.

Parvati ran her fingers through her long, brown hair as she reread her notes from last week's lecture. She had woken up late that morning and hadn't had time to fix her hair, so she was stuck with the flowing mess that, thankfully, rested peacefully on one side of her face. Parvati's gaze never deterred from her notes. Not even when the instructor, Professor Sengupta, entered the class and began talking. Professor Raj Sengupta was a middle-aged man who was short and stout. Often soft-spoken, he was commonly misjudged as a naive soul that hid behind his gold-rimmed spectacles. However, the discipline with him was nothing less than a dictator. His strict nature and high expectations were a reason many people were terrified to take his course. However, those who take his course and pass are often given high recommendations from him, which opened a range of opportunities since Sengupta had many connections in and out of the university. Therefore, it was a difficult, yet rewarding class. Parvati glanced up once to see the professor giving some small announcements before returning to her notebook. Her ear half-listened to what he was saying.

The professor's topic had now transitioned into something much more interesting, "I know we are almost halfway into the term, but we actually have a student transferring into the course. Usually I don't give such introductions, but I have a feeling that many of you will recognize this fellow."

The professor opened the door and gestured someone in the hall to enter. Almost everyone's eyes had gone to the door, everyone's except Parvati's. She however, didn't see the new student's entrance, but instead she felt it. Her head had been resting away on her right palm, completely blocking her view to the door. A soft breeze had gotten her attention. Usually this happened when someone opened the door, but this was something different. This breeze was almost...alive. It was soft and gentle as wrapped around and caressed her cheeks, vying for her attention. It nudged Parvati, beckoned her to look in the direction from which it was coming from as it brushed a strand to her face. It wasn't harsh, but it was enough to pull her out of her thoughts. It was then she noticed the pin-drop silence that fell on the classroom. Parvati moved the strand of hair from her face as she finally looked up to see what the deal was.

Her eyes locked on one person, and one person alone. The strange man, whom she had never seen before, stood next to the professor, taking in the sight of all the students. Since Parvati hadn't been paying attention moments before, she had no idea who this man was. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be a student. He wore a pair of denim jeans with a white T-shirt and a black leather jacket. In his hand was a black, five-subject, spiral notebook, similar to Parvati's. His free hand went to his face, where he adjusted the tips of his thin mustache. His jet black hair was properly brushed, but looked as if it had a certain bounce to it.

Parvati felt like she knew him from somewhere, but she couldn't place her finger on it until she heard the whispers of her fellow classmates. When the words BSD' and son' reached her ears, it was then that the lightbulb clicked. That guy was BSD General Dilsher Ranawat's son!

Professor Sengupta gave a small smile, "This is Rudra Pratap Ranawat. I'm sure many of you recognize the name. However, there will be no special treatment given in this class. Understood, Mr. Ranawat?"

Rudra gave a dashing smile and nodded.

"Good. Now, why don't you take a seat in one of the empty chairs and then we can begin. We have a lot to cover today."

Everyone began looking around to see where the empty seats were in the room. There were four total. One was next to a nerdy, young lad with glasses and an asthma inhaler. Two other seats were open next to two other girls, who quickly began putting on makeup in hopes that the General's son would cast a glance in their direction. And, as always, the seat next to Parvati was empty. As Rudra scanned the classroom, his eyes caught sight of every empty seat, but he was forced to do a double-take when he caught a glimpse of Parvati.

The smile immediately disappeared from his face as a serious expression emerged. It was as if he had obliterated everyone else in the room, just so he could solely focus on her. The chocolate brown eyes locked with hazel orbs. Parvati felt herself shifting in her seat as she felt like a deer caught in headlights. Disregarding the glances and whispers, Rudra's attention never drifted from her, even as she broke eye contact and went back to her notes. He slowly made his way up the steps, past the asthmatic nerd and the two cake-faced girls, and sat down in the seat right next to Parvati. The small gasps of wonder and surprise had not gone unnoticed by her, but she didn't dare look up in the event that she found multiple pairs of eyes shooting daggers at her.

Parvati didn't exactly know what to do with herself at that point. She had never EVER had anyone sit next to her in class before. Not only that, but she could feel Rudra's gaze on her. She didn't have to look to confirm it, just the heat she could feel was enough. It felt like the sun was sitting next to her, radiating heat in attempts to scorch her. However, Parvati didn't look in his direction once. Instead, she focused on the lecture and taking proper notes. Internally, she hoped that this would be the last time Rudra sat next to her.

*****

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Next update: Will Rudra sit next to Parvati again? Hmm...

Thanks for reading.