Hello, Mr. Major General (1)

Chapter 31: Let Me Woo You

Shehnaaz smiled awkwardly.

Parth Patel was her class
representative; he was always nice to everyone in her class.

The law students at their university were given the opportunity to intern at prominent law firms, starting from
their junior year. At the time, she had only just transferred to the university; she therefore had not realized that Parth had deliberately let her have the first pick. She had always assumed that it was customary for the student with the best grades to choose first – and that had been her, of course. How was she to know?

It was also true that Parth had walked her back to the dormitories more than a few times, when it was dark out
because she had lost track of time while buried in her books. But she had assumed this was only because Class
Rep was just as passionate about his studies as she was.

And Parth always knew exactly what to say. Everyone felt comfortable around him. He was a real people person, all right.

He had brought her milk and honey cakes between classes, yes, many times, in fact – but he had made sure everyone else in class got them, too!
And now he was saying all that had actually been just for her?

Class Rep, you’re just way too subtle. If you hadn’t told me, I would never have guessed you were trying to win my affections…

Shehnaaz was so moved by this she thought she would cry.

So he had been nice to her because he liked her, and not because that was just the way he was…

Then again, Class Rep had always been a loyal friend to everyone in class.

Shehnaaz’s feelings were complicated.

Her first reaction was to ask the person she trusted most – her guardian, Sidharth – what to do.
But the thought of Sidharth
immediately brought to mind the incident with her fingerprint. She took a couple of deep breaths, smiled, and said, “…Class Rep, um, please delete
my fingerprint from your phone. My… my family isn’t happy about it…”

“Oh.” Parth glanced at her; he, too, felt that he had been too hot-headed the day before, and had perhaps scared her with his rashness. “All right, I’ll delete it. But you have to promise me you’ll let me woo you, okay?” As he
said that, Parth unlocked his phone with a swipe, and navigated his way to the fingerprint storage folder – only to find that Shehnaaz’s fingerprint wasn’t even there.

Had he forgotten to save it?

Parth showed his phone to Shehnaaz. “Here, have a look. I didn’t even save it, so there’s nothing to delete.”

Shehnaaz glanced at the phone, then put a hand over her chest in relief. She said, laughing, “Thanks, Class Rep.”

“Then you agree?” asked Parth. It was yet another bold confession from him.

Shehnaaz felt a strange feeling bubble from deep inside her. It made her heart race and tumble. She did not know how to respond.

She lowered her eyes. After a moment, she looked up and stole a peek at Parth.

Parth had turned back to the road, but he was looking sideways at her, a smile on his lips.

Shehnaaz’s heart gave another leap. She quickly turned her head and looked out the window, at the scenery that was flying past her.

Her heart was in complete turmoil…
Should she call Sidharth and ask him?
He was her guardian, after all – but was this even something she ought to ask him about?

Shehnaaz’s heart lurched up and down like a rollercoaster.

Parth’s confession had sparked her curiosity; she wanted to know what it was like to date someone. But in the
very next moment she thought of  Sidharth’s serious, solemn face, and was afraid that he would scold her…
Still, it was only natural for a girl who was almost 18 to want to be in love.