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“There’s no point talking about something that happened so long ago.” He tried to maintain a casual tone, but she knew there was more than what he was portraying.
She decided not to prolong the topic seeing how uncomfortable he looked. “Oh, I forgot to tell you about the lighthouses.”
Nami spoke to her dad for a bit longer and decided not to mention her encounter with his estranged friend’s son. It would only make him worry more, and it has to be something she’d have to deal with herself.
Chapter 8
Nami knew she had to be extra careful with Rana. What happened in the past was making everything she did to be considered hostile or scheming by the guy she should have known was the Simha she had to stay away from. The one guy she had to avoid, and she ends up going on a date with him the very first week she was on campus.
Even as she worked on the proposals for her architecture project, she kept wondering about ways to minimize her interaction with Rana. The ten hours a week she had to spend at the boxing arena as part of her internship was the challenge.
Maybe a different shift or ask to be moved to work with another boxer? Would that result in her internship being cancelled?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a message from Vasavi.
Vasavi: Running a bit late.
Nami replied, telling Vasavi to take her time. She smiled thinking of how quickly their roommate had become a good friend to her as well. She enjoyed the few discussions she had with her so far and looked forward to more talks on her ideas around modern lighthouse architecture—an inspiration she got from her date with Rana. Should she drop the idea because it stemmed from what he had shown her that evening?
“I’m so sorry to keep you waiting.” Vasavi rushed in, breaking her out of her loopy thoughts.
Nami was taken aback that she was starting to lose track of time, thinking about what to do and not do for her not to add more fuel to the burning situation. She needed to stop overthinking it, stay focused on her work, and hope things settled down between her and Rana. She knew it would be weeks before she is assigned to work on a boxing match, and she counted on the time lapse to soften any hard feelings.
A girl can only hope.
“No worries, Vasavi.” Nami moved her chair to one side so she could make room for Vasavi at her desk in her assigned space.
“I lost track of time checking out Varun’s brand-new car.” She let out a gasp. “It’s just awesome.”
“Nice!” The boy Vasavi was dating, his family owned a few car dealerships throughout the country, and the guy had changed two cars in the one week she had been there, making some excuse or another with the campus security. Simha had a strict policy about personal transportation and was only approved if there was a strong reason to have a car. He still managed to change cars, though.
She didn’t have a marketing degree, but she knew it had to be for advertisement at Simha, knowing there were students whose parents could afford to buy such a luxurious car.
“I must say that of all his cars, this one is the best… top of the line, and the color is to die for.” Nami could tell Vasavi was mesmerized by the car.
“What does he do with his old cars?” Nami’s curiosity got out of hand.
“I don’t know,” she said and thought for a moment. “I think one of the cars got sold to one of the Simha students, and I don’t know what happened to the other one.
Nami smiled, happy to get validation of her thought. “That’s actually a smart way to do business.”
Vasavi leaned closer. “He is flirting with rules as he changes cars, but hopefully, he will figure it out. Varun is super cool and smart too.” Vasavi beamed, and Nami could tell the girl liked him. “He is planning to start a car racing club just like how there are bike races here.”
Nami was intrigued. “Bike races? Are they still on?”
Vasavi nodded vigorously. “Yes. They are part of the Simha tradition, although they are off- campus.”
Nami was ecstatic. “I have to tell my dad about the races. He told me he and his friends were the first ones to start these races in the hilly areas around the university.”
“Wow, that’s amazing! Next, my Varun will start the car racing, and I’ll ride with him on the kick-off race.” Vasavi was all dreamy-eyed.
“You two make a hot couple.” Nami’s words made Vasavi blush.
“Thank you, dear. Now, let’s get started with our work.” Vasavi winked.
“Whenever you are ready?” Nami pulled up the draft of the document and the sketches she had prepared. She spent a few minutes walking through the high-level plan for a modern lighthouse with solar power. Even as she walked Vasavi through her thoughts on the new structural design and alternate power sources, she could not forget the beautiful evening she spent with Rana at the lighthouse.
Why did things have to be this way?
