Page 5 of Reckless Hate

Soon, the commencement speech began. A petite woman entered the mainstage. There was an air of dignity around her. Samantha knew she was Neelima Raj, the dean of the university.

“Good morning, everyone,” the dean spoke in a firm, authoritative voice. “I’m going to keep this speech brief since I know all of you are excited to be back at Simha, and you can’t wait to catch up with your friends and plan parties for the rest of the year.”

There was good-natured laughter from the audience.

Neelima Raj smiled. “I would like to reiterate what Simha University stands for. We not only put value on quality education, we also put focus on quality character. Most of your parents might be millionaires or billionaires, but at Simha University, you will be taught humility and modesty. The years spent at Simha will mentor you to be empathetic leaders in the future. Success comes in various measures. By graduating from any elite university, you are ensured monetary success. But at Simha, along with achieving monetary success, we teach you to make a positive impact on a group of people and add value to society. That is considered a true success. Always keep that in mind.”

There were claps.

Neelima Raj nodded regally in acknowledgment. “The student council has arranged a mid-year commencement event. Since we have a few new students, it will be a welcome event too. I wish you all the best. Make Simha proud.”

There were cheers.

Despite herself, Samantha was quite impressed by the dean. In her mid-forties, Neelima Raj was listed as one of the most powerful and influential people in the academia world.

Samantha wasn’t sure if she would ever interact with the dean, but she knew the dean would be among the small list of people she would truly admire.

The next part of the event began. Samantha got up and followed the students while they headed to the welcome event where, the university’s assigned cell phones were being given along with the house team jersey. She picked up her cell phone and checked the time. It was early in the morning in France, which meant Sohan would have just woken up. She knew he must have asked for her.

With her heart beating anxiously, she hurried to her house team area to pick up her sports jersey.

“Hello, Samantha.”

She turned and noticed the girl who sat next to her during the commencement speech. The girl was pretty and had a friendly smile. Samantha recalled that her name was Avantika Patel and she was from second-year medicine.

“Hi.”

The girl’s smile widened, and she looked excited. “Looks like we are both on the Eagles team!”

“I guess so.”

As soon as she said those words, the girl’s face fell, and looked disappointed.

Ignoring the disappointment on the girl’s face, she picked up her sports jersey and left the welcome event to head back to her housing unit.

Sohan was the only person who mattered.

No friendships. No commitments. Nothing is ever going to distract me from my goal.

***

It was morning time in Paris when she started a video call with Maria.

“Miss Samantha! Good you called.MonsieurSohan has been asking for you. Your mother and stepfather are still asleep.”

Samantha didn’t care about them. “Please give the phone to Sohan, Maria.”

“Sure, Miss Samantha.”

She braced herself as Maria went to the bedroom’s play area. Sohan was seated on the carpet playing with his toys.

“MonsieurSohan. It’s Miss Samantha.”

As soon as the toddler heard her name, he turned. Samantha’s heart twisted seeing her baby brother.

“Sammy!” he shouted excitedly.

Samantha spread her lips into a smile. “Hi, big guy. What are you playing with?”

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