Page 33 of Reckless Hate

She nodded. Although she hadn’t mentioned anything about her father or her past, Rishab Mathur was perceptive to know it was from someone close. Feeling embarrassed at having lost control over her feelings, she blinked rapidly to get rid of the unshed tears. She went to the car, ripped away the satin ribbon and unlocked the car door.

The smell of a new car still lingered inside. Rishi sat next to her in the passenger seat.

“I hope you are a good driver, darling,” he said in an amused tone.

Securing her floral scarf around her hair to keep it from flying into her eyes, she turned to him. “I’m a damn good driver.”

Starting the car, she drove it out of the garage smoothly and then on to the road. She had learned how to drive and got her license at the age of fifteen. She had to get that because of her forgetful mother and to take her baby brother to his doctor appointments.

The drive was breathtakingly beautiful. The sun was yet to set completely. The green slopes of the mountains and the blue ocean made it postcard-worthy.

When they arrived at the party, it was in full swing with music. Smoke rose from the firepits placed around the party area. Most students were swimming in the ocean and a few were near the food and drinks area.

She wasn’t planning to swim, so she and Rishi went towards one of the fire pits.

“Hmm… not bad,” Rishi said, taking in the surroundings. “But still not even half as good as the parties the Simhas throw.”

The Simhas literally owned most of the island on which the university was built. She was sure they had unlimited resources to blow overelaborate parties.

“The last party that the Simha’s threw was the welcome back party. I don’t recall seeing you there.”

Samantha shrugged. “I wasn’t invited.”

Even if she was, the last thing she would do was go to a party hosted by Ved Simha.

“Hmm… did you and Ved meet after that party?”

“No. He saw me on the first day of classes.”

She recalled the shock and anger followed by hatred in her enemy’s eyes. It had taken every bit of control not to show anything on her face. Seeing her best friend turned enemy after a long time had shaken her up.

“Hmm.”

Samantha knew Rishi was curious about her and Ved.

“Let’s get something to drink,” she said.

She got a ginger soda while Rishi grabbed a beer. She didn’t drink alcohol. She had nothing against others having it, but she just preferred not to because she didn’t like losing control of her senses. And seeing her mother constantly get drunk, also put her off alcohol.

“You better not get too drunk,” she warned Rishi. “Or I’ll have to leave your ass here on the beach and will get you tomorrow.”

Rishi grinned. “You are so mean, darling. And even if you leave without me, I’m sure one of these girls will be kind enough to offer my pretty face a ride.”

She let out a small smile, knowing it was true. They stood sipping their drinks and watching the people at the party. Some of them looked vaguely familiar since they belonged to the Eagles house team. She only recognized a few.

A couple of hours into the party, Rishi was into his third beer, and she was sipping her second ginger soda. Rishi was chatting with a group of girls who were eager to listen to him about fashion trends. Samantha half-listened to the conversation while looking at the rest of the ongoing party. She saw a familiar face with the birthday host. It was Avantika Patel, the girl she had met during the commencement speech.

Something about the way Neeraj Batra was looking at Avantika felt off. Avantika saw her and smiled. Samantha returned it with a nod.

Neeraj Batra gave her the creeps. And Avantika Patel looked like an innocent lamb led to slaughter. She didn’t like interfering in things that didn’t involve her, but she couldn’t let an innocent be taken advantage of.

Avantika and Neeraj disappeared into the trees. Samantha kept her eyes in that direction and decided to check on Avantika if the other girl didn’t return in a few minutes.

Ten minutes later, she was about to walk towards the tress when a loud sound of motorbikes distracted everyone.

“Oh my God! It’s the Simhas!” a girl shouted.

Samantha’s heart raced.

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