A knock between secrets
At the Raichand house on a peaceful afternoon.
After spending the morning helping everyone with the wedding preparations, Radhika finally slips into her room to get a little time for herself. Just as she places her phone on the table, it begins to ring.
The caller ID flashes—
Sai ❤️
Radhika smiles and answers immediately.
"Finally! Madam decided to remember her college?" Sai says dramatically from the other side.
Radhika laughs softly.
"Don't start. I already know what you're going to say."
"Oh really? Then tell me... why didn't you come to college today? And don't even think of saying you weren't feeling well."
Radhika sighs playfully.
"Guests are at home. Mom practically handed me half the responsibility for the preparations."
"Hmm..." Sai hums suspiciously. "Fine, I'll let that excuse pass."
She pauses for a second before adding with a teasing tone,
"But someone else wasn't as understanding."
Radhika instantly straightens.
"Wait... Professor said something?"
Sai bursts into laughter.
"When does he not say something about you?"
"Seriously, Sai!"
"I'm serious! He asked where you were. Then he looked around the classroom with that same expression he always wears whenever you're missing."
Radhika presses a hand against her forehead dramatically.
"Oh no..."
"Was he sounding... very serious?"
Sai laughs even harder.
"Babe, he always sounds serious."
"I've never seen that man smile."
"I genuinely think smiling is against his personal rules."
Both girls laugh together.
After a moment, Sai continues,
"Honestly, I think you've become his favourite student."
Radhika widens her eyes.
"Favourite?"
"Yes."
"The one he gives punishment to almost every other day."
"That's not being a favourite. That's being his personal target."
Sai chuckles.
"Come on, Radhika."
"You don't exactly behave like the most obedient student either."
"You always have something going on."
"Either you're late..."
"...or you're distracted..."
"...or you're whispering during class..."
"...or you're asking questions that completely change the topic."
Radhika folds her arms dramatically.
"I call that curiosity."
"I call it survival."
Sai giggles.
"No..."
"I call it mischief."
The two friends laugh so loudly that even Meera, passing outside the room, smiles hearing her daughter's carefree voice.
After the laughter settles, Radhika sighs.
"Fine."
"I'll come tomorrow."
"Let's see what new punishment Professor has prepared for me."
Sai immediately replies,
"Knowing him, probably another lecture on discipline."
"And knowing you..."
"...you'll accidentally create another reason before the lecture even ends."
"Hey!"
"I don't do it intentionally."
"I know."
"That's what makes it even funnier."
Their conversation drifts naturally from college gossip to classmates, assignments, and the small incidents that happened throughout the day.
Sai tells her about a funny argument in class.
Radhika complains about the endless wedding preparations at home.
Time slips by without either of them noticing.
Finally, Sai checks the time.
"I should let you go."
"You probably have another list of responsibilities waiting downstairs."
Radhika smiles warmly.
"Unfortunately..."
"You're right."
"See you tomorrow?"
Sai replies cheerfully,
"Tomorrow."
"And don't disappear again."
"I'll try my best."
After exchanging one last laugh, the call ends.
For a few moments, Radhika simply sits quietly, looking at the dark screen of her phone.
The peaceful conversation had lifted her mood.
She places the phone aside and instinctively opens her laptop.
Her fingers begin moving across the keyboard.
The screen reflects softly in her eyes as she reviews a few project files.
Minutes pass unnoticed.
Then—
Knock... knock...
Radhika quickly minimizes the files on the screen before looking toward the door.
"Coming!"
She walks over and opens it after a brief delay.
Standing outside is Shristi, wearing a curious smile.
The moment Radhika opens the door, Shristi raises an eyebrow playfully.
"That took longer than I expected."
"Were you busy?"
Radhika smiles naturally.
"Not really."
"I was just checking something on my laptop."
Shristi tilts her head slightly, studying her cousin's face.
"Hmm..."
"Are you sure I didn't disturb you?"
"No."
"Not at all."
For a brief second, Shristi's eyes wander past Radhika toward the laptop that is still open on the study table.
Then she looks back at Radhika.
A playful smile slowly appears on her face.
"I don't know..."
"...why do I suddenly feel like you're hiding something from everyone?"
Radhika's heartbeat skips ever so slightly.
But her expression remains perfectly calm.
She simply smiles.
"What could I possibly be hiding?"
Shristi folds her arms with an amused grin.
"I don't know yet..."
"...but I have a feeling I'll find out sooner or later."
To be continued...