STRINGS and STANDOFFS

2: Plot Twist - Same College, Same Chaos

"Hi beta, how can I help you?"

Radha inhaled. "I would like to drop a major. Immediately. Urgently. Before I commit a minor crime."

The woman blinked. "Okay... which major?"

"Music." Radha leaned forward, as if whispering it would make her request sound more rational. "I no longer resonate with the...vibe. Or the...people. Or one very specific, infuriating person."

The woman chuckled kindly. "Oh dear. Boy trouble already?"

Radha gasped. "No! No-no-no. It's not a boy. He's not ugh. It's not like that. He's just... the worst."

"Right," the woman said, clearly not believing her. "Well, unfortunately, you cannot drop a major unless you fail it."

Radha stared. "I'm sorry. What."

"Yes. It's in the handbook," she said, flipping the pages like Radha had personally offended the policy. "Page eleven, bold letters. You can't drop until you fail your midterm."

"no!" Radha whisper-shrieked.

The woman gave her a sympathetic look. "Think of it as character development."

Radha walked out of the admin building five minutes later with a printed copy of her own failed rebellion in hand and a dramatic sigh echoing behind her.

Of course, the group chat was the first victim.

Radha98 %: I hate this college. I hate music. I hate HIM. And I hate the lady in admin with the sunflower pin who RUINED MY LIFE.

Rizzball:...You okay?

Radha98%:Do I LOOK okay?? Don't answer that.

No_shit_kavya:Was she wearing silver bangles and said "character development"?

Radha98%:YES.

No_shit_kavya:Ah. Usha ma'am. Queen of emotional damage. She told me that not getting into the dance showcase was "a lesson in rejection I'd need in life." I wanted a Xerox.

Rizzball:Should I bring you cake or call for backup?

Radha98%:Both. And maybe a lawyer.oh, wait, my parents ARE lawyers.

*

(Setting :Living Room)

Radha dropped her school bag onto the floor with a thud, dramatically collapsing onto the couch. The weight of the day was too much to bear, and she was going to make sure her parents knew it.

Her mother, Ruchi, looked up from the tea she was sipping, immediately noticing Radha's mood. "What happened?" she asked, concern mixing with curiosity.

Radha groaned, slouching deeper into the couch. "I'm going to lose my mind, Ma. This day has been a disaster." She paused, collecting her thoughts before launching into her rant. "So, get this I'm paired with him for the music project. Anirudh Shah,yes the guy who got me suspended from school for 7days. THREE songs. Music production. You know, stuff I actually care about and have been working for, only now I have to do it with him."

Ruchi raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in amusement. "Oh, no. Not him. Of all people."

Radha threw her hands up in frustration. "I can't believe this! How did we even end up in the same major, Ma? He is literally the last person I'd want to work with."

Her dad, Shalva, who was casually reading the newspaper, looked up with a chuckle. "It's just a project, Radha. You can handle it."

Radha's eyes widened. "No, you don't get it! I'll be stuck with him for months, Dad! I'll never hear the end of it. He's impossible!"

"Sounds like someone has a little... history with Anirudh," Ruchi teased, a playful grin forming.

"I don't like him! Why does everyone think that?!" Radha snapped back, her voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "He's the worst. He's arrogant, and annoying, and... he can't ever let me have the last word!"

Shalva chuckled. "Well, sounds like you two have a lot in common."

"I can't even," Radha groaned, sinking further into the couch. "I should just drop the music major. I'm not dealing with him for whole four years"

Ruchi smiled, leaning back in her chair. "Sweetie, I think you're being a little dramatic."

Radha shot her a glare, her expression softening just a fraction. "I'm not.."

There was a pause. Her parents exchanged amused looks before Ruchi spoke up again. "You're strong, Radha. You can handle him. Besides, you're way more talented than he is."

Radha gave a soft, reluctant laugh, the tension starting to fade. "Maybe. But he's still going to make it hell."

"Well, just make sure you don't kill each other," Shalva said with a wink.

Radha let out a small laugh, rolling her eyes. "I'll try, baba."

Her parents' light teasing helped calm her, even though she still couldn't shake the dread of what the year had in store for her.

*

(Setting:NCU campus,Next day.)

Radha was making her way to class, trying to tune out the thoughts of her disastrous music major situation. The last thing she wanted was to run into him. But of course, as she rounded a corner, she nearly collided with him. Anirudh Shah, leaning casually against a pillar, as though the entire world revolved around his timing.

"Fancy running into you here, Deshpande," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he eyed her. "Heard you were thinking of dropping your music major. Smart move, really."

Radha's footsteps faltered for a split second, but she quickly regained her composure, narrowing her eyes at him. "What do you want, Shah? To rub it in or just enjoy the view of my misery?"

Anirudh straightened, the smirk on his face growing wider as he examined her like some kind of puzzle. "You know, I was actually surprised you even considered it. I mean, sure, you're good at music... but only in the way a toddler's good at drawing, right?" He paused, looking her up and down with exaggerated thoughtfulness. "You know, with a little... polish you might not be too bad. But dropping it? Makes sense, really. Wouldn't want to stay in a major that actually challenges you."

Radha's heart skipped a beat. Was he actually insulting her? She clenched her jaw, but there was something in his tone, something that stung more than it should have.

"I'm sure," Radha snapped, "you know all about challenges. Must be tough being perfect at everything, huh?"

Anirudh's grin didn't fade. "Well, unlike you, I don't run from challenges. But hey, if you want to quit, it's your call. I mean, why waste time on something you're clearly mediocre at, right?"

Radha's chest tightened, but she didn't let him see the effect his words had. "You're really a piece of work, Shah," she muttered, her voice cool. "I'd rather be mediocre than ever be like you."

Anirudh's eyes gleamed with a hint of amusement. "Oh, don't worry, you'll figure it out eventually. Probably." He stepped back, the smirk never leaving his face. "But hey, if you really want to throw away something you're actually good at, who am I to stop you?"

He turned to walk away, his words lingering in the air like a challenge she couldn't ignore.

Radha stood there, staring after him, her mind spinning. Was that supposed to be a compliment? Or just another way for him to make her feel like she wasn't good enough? It didn't matter, she told herself. She wasn't going to let him get to her.

But deep down, something gnawed at her. Was he right? Could she really afford to quit?

#

(Ps:No hate to dev Patel)