"Meera, we're getting late. Hurry up!"
"Coming, Maa, just a minute!"
Radhika Rawal muttered under her breath, "By the time this girl arrives, the ceremony will be over."
Meera Rawal, the only child of Police Commissioner Vikram Rawal and District Judge Radhika Rawal, is graduating today. Unlike her parents, who had built careers in government service, Meera had chosen a different path, one that is driven by passion rather than expectation. Her family had hoped she would prepare for the civil services and become an IAS officer, but Meera's heart was set on something else. Following that dream had not been easy, especially with the weight of her parents' ambitions pressing against her.
"Where is Meera? Isn't she supposed to be ready already?"
Vikram asked, his tone edged with impatience. Though he had agreed to attend graduation ceremony at his wife's insistence but in reality he is looking forward to watch his daughter getting degree . He had wished for a son, but fate had given him a daughter and later, the news that his wife could not bear another child let his wish remain unfulfilled. Over the time, he accepted the reality and tried to teach Meera everything he would have taught a son. But his daughter had her own mind, her own vision, and that difference had drawn an invisible line between them.
"She's coming," Radhika said gently. "Please, be nice to her today."
Radhika knew her husband and she had witnessed countless arguments between the father and daughter, their opinions always clash like north and south poles. Today, however, is special.
"I'm ready, fam!" Meera's voice rang out.
"FAM... What are we? Farmers ?" Vikram asked his wife who smiled and muttered inaudibly "Frustrated Annoying Man"
Vikram's eyes softened as he caught sight of his daughter in a white saree. Radhika noticed and understood what he is thinking. How quickly time had passed. It felt like yesterday that they carried her home from the hospital, watched her run through the house, waiting for her father to play with her. And now, here she is, grown and radiant.
"I'M WAITINGGGGGG!" Meera shouted from outside, her voice stretching into a dramatic scream.
Radhika winced, covering her ears. Vikram shook his head. "Unbelievable. She was late herself, and now she's yelling at us. You've spoiled her, Radhika."
She raised her eyebrows, meeting his gaze with quiet defiance. "I know who really spoiled her. Just because she doesn't agree with you doesn't mean you don't care about her."
*********************
C.S.A College
"Welcome to the Graduation Ceremony of CSA College. Now, I would like to invite our chief guest, Mr. Rajendra Chauhan, to facilitate the students with their degrees."
Students were being called one by one to receive their degrees. Soon, Meera's turn came. She accepted the degree from the Chief Guest but, to everyone's surprise, she didn't move forward after taking it.
"Can I take a selfie with you, Sir?"
Rajendra Rathore, one of the city's richest industrialists, had been invited by the College Management, one of whom is his close friend. Though he had his own reasons for not wanting to come as chief guest, but he couldn't refuse his friend. Standing there now, he was taken aback when a student asked him for a selfie because until then, every student had quietly moved forward after receiving their degree.
"Sure, why not."
"Say Cheeseeeee!"
He laughed at the girl's enthusiasm and posed for the photo. The other dignitaries on the dais smiled, though the college principal shot dagger like looks at Meera. She simply waved at her and flashed a victory sign. For Rajendra, the event suddenly didn't feel so boring anymore.
"Meera, what was that? Couldn't you stop your antics for just one day?" her mother asked when she reached them.
Meera ignored her words, hugged her father, and whispered, "Thanks for coming, Papa."
"It's fine, Radhika. We should be habituated by now," Vikram said, patting Meera's head softly.
"Yes, Mom. It's the new normal now," Meera added cheekily.
"This girl..." Radhika shook her head in frustration and glared at her husband, who was clearly enjoying the situation. She watched Meera walk away to meet her friends, while she and Vikram exchanged casual chats with other parents.
On the other side of the hall, Aradhya, Meera's friend, called out, "Where are you going?"
"I'm hungry, will have something". This college already charged us exorbitant fees, I'll recover a tiny amount from them, Meera muttered, heading toward the snacks section. Suddenly, she collided with one of the parents but quickly held the woman's hand before she could fall.
"Thanks, Beta. Aapne humain bacha liya, warna aaj toh pakka moch aani wali thi."
"Haan, aur waise bhi iss umar main agar moch aati toh bahut dard hota," Meera smiled and whispered inaudibly.
"No problem, Aunty. Hope you are okay"
"I'm fine. Tum wahi ho na jo stage pe selfie li?"
Meera felt a wave of embarrassment at the reminder of her earlier act. "Ji Aunty... aapko mazaa aaya?"
"Haan, bahut mazaa aaya. Meri bhatiji (neice) bhi aaj graduate hui. Waise woh Business Administration stream mein hai. Aur tum konsi stream ho?"
"Main Architecture stream mein hoon."
"Tumhare parents bhi aaye honge idhar?"
"Yes, they came. They're standing there," Meera said, pointing toward her parents.
"Your father is Police Commissioner?"
"Yes, Aunty, he is. It was good talking to you."
"Same here, Beta."
Before the questions could turn into a full kundali session, Meera quickly excused herself and escaped toward the stall.
When she reached the stall, someone was already waiting.
"Hello Meera."
"Hi Rahul."
"Meera, I wanted to talk to you. I really like you, and I think we should rethink about our relationship."
"Wohhh, stop there! Relationship? What relationship? There was no relationship. We were just good friends. I agree I might have liked you at some point, but I don't think my feelings are strong enough to put a label on them. I just like you as a friend, Rahul nothing else."
"Meera, you can't reject me. I'm Rahul Sabharwal. All the girls in college would want to go on a date with me, and you're saying that I'm not........."
"Oh, stop it. Don't pretend as if I don't know how many girlfriends you've had since first year. Don't act as if you're irrevocably in love with me. You know what? I don't even like you as a friend anymore. You annoy me. Go away."
She said all this while calmly filling her plate with snacks. Once done, she walked back to her friends, ignoring the furious glare Rahul threw at her.
"I'll not spare you, Meera. You will pay for your arrogance and pride. I'll... I will make your life hell. This is Rahul Sabharwal's promise."
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