FF: Unloved (Complete) - Page 4

Parvati had managed to make it through class without speaking to Rudra. As usual, she remained silent and fully focused on the lecture. However, she was aware of the casting glances that came from him every so often. It wasn't a direct stare, but more of a soft glance from the corner of his eye. Regardless, she still felt it. Because he was new to the class, she gave him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't know who she was. Once the rumors of others had made its way to his ears, he would surely join them and leave. Parvati hoped that he would only sit today and only today, and that he would sit somewhere else afterwards.

The following class session, Parvati had arrived at her usual, early time. She peeked in before entering. Her soft pink dupatta, that accompanied her white salwar kameez, covered her front yet again, with the edges swaying gently. Her half-pinned hair hung like a pendulum as she peered into the barely-full classroom. There was no sign of Rudra, just the usual bunch of students that came across as a blur to her. Parvati made her way to her seat and settled herself in. She placed her notebook on the table in front of her, and opened it to the next blank page.

Her attention then turned to the image just beyond the window. Being on the second floor of the building, the picturesque view captured the calm and collected nature of the campus. The once-green leaves began fading from orange to red to a crisp brown. The colors managed to bring life to the often colorless campus. The leaves gently fell from their home and onto the soft, pliant grass. The autumn breeze helped the trees shed their layers. Parvati was completely engrossed in the view that she failed to notice the lingering presence approaching her.

Rudra casually entered the class without any regard for the various pairs of eyes glancing in his direction. His outfit was almost an exact replica from last class, except the leather jacket, which was now a musky brown instead of black. His notebook was still in his hand, with the pen hooked on the spiral. He immediately began wondering what seat to take when his gaze involuntarily went in the direction of where he sat on his first day. Instantly, Rudra found himself staring at the woman who was lost in the image beyond the glass. The moment was almost transcendent. The sunlight that peeked through the clouds shone through the window, and barely touched her.

He wasn't one to become lost in someone, but Rudra couldn't deny that this moment was unlike anything he had ever seen before. He had a perfect view of her side profile as she rested her chin in her hand. A small glimmer was visible in the hazel eyes that he could catch, even from his distance. The flowing hair was pulled to one side of her face, which illuminated the fair complexion of her skin. Rudra was completely surprised by the image of such...innocence. There wasn't another way to describe it. Rudra didn't know when he began striding up to her until he had taken the empty seat next to her. She was beautiful, there was no denying that. He found himself observing the beautiful stranger, wondering what was going on in her mind, wondering what she was really staring at, or if she was even actually staring at anything. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed the back of his neck. She hadn't even noticed his presence next to her. Although he didn't know who she was, Rudra found himself wondering about her.

Before he could take the chance and talk to her, Rudra was burst out of his bubble by a female voice, "You're Rudra, right?"

It appears that he was not the only one that was surprised by an unannounced presence. Parvati, who had heard Rudra's name spoken, jumped slightly and looked to her right. The empty chair was suddenly filled with his being. He was looking right at her. Their gazes locked momentarily before searching for the originator of the voice. They both turned at the same time and noticed the woman dressed in a white, knee-length dress and a jean jacket standing in front of their desk. Parvati knew her name to be Laila. With one glance at her, then at Rudra, Parvati turned her attention to her notebook on the table.

Rudra looked at the woman in front of her, and gave a casual smile, "Yeah, that's me."

"Hi, I'm Laila," the woman said. "Why are you sitting here?"

He looked at her as he didn't understand the question, "What do you mean?"

"I mean why are you sitting here," Laila glanced in Parvati's direction. "When there are so many other seats available? I mean, the one next to me is empty. Why not come with me?"

Although not directly stated, Rudra could sense something amiss with Laila. It wasn't that women threw themselves at him, they did...sometimes more than he cared for. He was experienced in accepting and rejecting such offers, and this time the need to reject Laila's request pushed through his mind like a bulldozer. The one reason was the interesting woman sitting next to him, who had her gaze on her notebook but her attention on the conversation.

Laila watched as she caught Rudra look at Parvati from the corner of his eye before looking back at her and responding, "No thanks. I like it right here."

Feeling like she hit a mental wall, Laila struggled to figure out what to say next. She glanced at Parvati, who took a quick peek at her reaction before looking away. No one had ever said no' to Laila before, so Rudra's answer was shocking. She couldn't understand why he would want to sit next to the behenji' when he could sit next to someone like her. The mere thought was frustrating. Laila was about to try to persuade him when Professor Sengupta walked in. Knowing that her grade was more important than socialization at the moment, she let out a small huff before heading to her seat.

"Alright everyone settle down," Professor Sengupta said. "We have important matters to discuss right now."

The class faded into silence as all eyes now turned to him.

"Okay, so the midterm examination for this class will be taking place exactly two weeks from today. It will be a multiple-choice and an essay portion, covering the first eight chapters of the course. If you miss the exam you will not be able to make it up. So I suggest you manage your schedules accordingly."

The sound of notes being taken filled the silence.

"Also, this exam is worth thirty percent of your grade. So if you miss this, there is no way you will decently pass this course."

The room rumbled with multiple groans of irritation from the students. Professor Sengupta pretended like he didn't hear it and began diving right into lecture. Rudra, however, felt nervous. He had just transferred into this class, and there was already an examination around the corner worth so much of his grade? That, too, covering eight chapters? Eight chapters in a book that he hadn't even opened yet? Rudra had always been a good student, but he still couldn't help wonder if he would be able to memorize the material in time. One thing was for sure, if he wanted to pass this upcoming exam, he was going to need some help.

As lecture droned on, Parvati found herself taking notes on the lecture and replaying Rudra's words in her head. He liked his seat? Did that mean he liked sitting next to her? She didn't really care, but Parvati knew that this was going to spread like wildfire throughout the university, and all because of Laila. The fact that he rejected sitting next to her for a seat next to someone like Parvati was going to be the cause of the various taunts and questioning glares given to her soon enough. She wished Rudra would have just moved away. Now she was going to have to deal with the consequences of this later.

When the session ended, Parvati grabbed her things as quickly as she could and headed out of class. She wanted to reach her next class without anyone stopping to question her about Rudra's behavior. Rudra, on the other hand, glanced in her direction before returning to his mission. As the class emptied out, he waited to talk to the professor. Professor Sengupta was a serious man, but he was always there to help his students. And right now, Rudra knew he needed all the help he could get.

"Professor," Rudra said. "I wanted to talk you about the upcoming exam."

"What about it?" Professor Sengupta inquired.

"I just transferred into the class, and there is so much material to cover. I was wondering if you could recommend someone to help me. Like a tutor."

"Hmm. I can see why you would be tense. Why don't you ask Parvati?"

"Who?"

"Parvati. The young lady you sit next to. She's topping the class at the moment. If there is anyone who can help you, it would be her. I suggest you ask Parvati to help you."

Rudra nodded and thanked the professor before walking out of class. So, the girl that he sat next to was the top of the class? What was her name? Parvati. Rudra scanned the halls for her, but couldn't find her. He knew, for the moment, he had lost her. But he would have to find her and ask her for her help. His grade depended on it. Hopefully, she was willing to agree and assist him. Hopefully.

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