Dare Trilogy | Book 3 Editing | ✓

1.1 | The Cousin + Towel Girl

Dedicated to @penbegungor1<3 You know, for ALL your help with this one! :*

| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 1.1 - T H E C O U S I N . . . |

My annoying flat-mate exclaimed early in the morning, "Come on, Khushi. Wake up!!"

I groaned and pulled a pillow over my ears, "Go away, Kripa." It had only been a month since university started. At first, I had no intentions of making new friends. I had decided Riddhima and I would be enough. Then, it was impossible to not be friends with Kripa. She was just so friendly and outgoing. She reminded me of myself before everything.

"Now what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't wake you up knowing you have an exam to give in fifteen minutes?"

Once the time registered in my head, I sprung up in bed. Shit. Had I slept past my alarm that long? I pushed the covers aside at once and ran off to the bathroom only to walk back on realizing I hadn't grabbed my towel. She was standing there already holding it out for me with a smug look on her face.

I scowled, "I hate you," instead of thanking her. Why? Because! She knew that once I turned off my alarm and went back to sleep, I didn't remember to wake back up. I'm in the habit of having Armaan wake me up always for this sole reason. Today, Kripa purposely didn't wake me up and let me sleep in this late.

She yelled back, "You know you love me!"

Ignoring her, I jumped into the shower. Ugh. I hate cold baths. I had no time to waste waiting for the water to warm up a little. The building where my class is was already a ten minute walking distance. There was no way I was going to make it on time. It was a good thing that professor followed a rule whereby he allowed stray students like me to enter as long as another student hadn't already turned in their exam.

I didn't even realize that I hadn't tied my hair up in all the rush. I'm off to a wonderful start of the day. Now... my clothes. Good job, Khushi. I had forgotten that as well. This is why I don't like to be rushed. I forget absolutely everything and then I am running around frantically looking like a mad woman. Wrapped in a towel, I stepped out to walk to my room.

Only to see a guy I did not know.

Shock.

Fear.

Terror.

Without my permission, my body decided to react with a yelp causing him to turn around and face me. Why did I do that? I should have just slipped back in the bathroom since his back was facing me and he hadn't known I was standing behind him.

My own voice sounded strange to me as I ordered, "What the hell are you doing here? Get out."

I didn't even know him but something about him was just off. I was simply getting that vibe off him, especially the way he looked amused and his lips tugged up in a playful smirk. Instantly, I hate him. A college boy sees a college girl in only a towel. Ofcourse!

But... his eyes. There was something about those deep brown eyes that wouldn't let me blink away. Even though they were amused at the second, there was a distant look. A haunted look that I should recognize.

Once he cleared his throat, eyes still locked with mines, he said with his voice barely a whisper. I could still hear it loud and clear with him standing only two feet away. "Uh... I'm looking for Kripa."

And I'm looking for my clothes.

"I see that."

My eyes widened as I opened my mouth to ask but shut it instantly. I had said my thought out loud. God, where can I hide? Oh yes, bathroom. Only, it was too late. If only I had kept my mouth shut earlier.