The Wrong Way to Love You
The Start
Riddhi walked through the massive gates of ISSc Bangalore, the cool morning breeze carrying the faint scent of wet earth.
Every step felt earned—months of written exams, interviews, and sleepless nights leading to this very ground.
Ashutosh Sharma (Riddhi's Father)
(Looking at the building with quiet pride)
You earned every inch of this ground, Riddhi. Don't forget that when you step inside.
Riddhi Sharma
I know I can do it, Papa. I’m ready.
Vedang Sharma (Riddhi's brother)
(Craning his neck, eyes wide with excitement)
Didi, look around! This place literally looks like the campus from 3 Idiots!
Riddhi Sharma
It was IMM Bangalore, Ved
Vedang Sharma (Riddhi's brother)
Oh! I read it wrong
Kajal Sharma (Riddhi's Mother)
(Adjusting Riddhi's hair, anxious)
Call me the moment you reach the hostel. And please don't skip lunch!
As they reached the Physics Department, Riddhi stopped.
She knew if she let them walk her inside, she would remain the protected child. It was time to stand on her own.
Riddhi Sharma
(Calm smile) Okay, stop here. I'll go inside alone.
Kajal Sharma (Riddhi's Mother)
Are you sure, beta? We can come with you, meet your guide—
Riddhi Sharma
No, Mumma I can do it.
Ashutosh Sharma (Riddhi's Father)
She's right. Go on, Riddhi. Make us proud.
The corridor was quiet and cool, lined with wooden notice boards covered in dense scientific papers.
Riddhi’s heart hammered against her ribs, but her head remained high.
She stopped a passing student carrying hardbound journals.
Riddhi Sharma
Excuse me, where is Prof. Reddy’s office?
Student
(Pointing down the hallway)
End of the hall, take a right. Room 204.
She stood before Room 204. Her hands trembled slightly—not from weakness, but from the sheer magnitude of the moment. She lifted her knuckles and knocked.
She turned the brass handle. Books and pre-prints were stacked high on every surface. Prof. Reddy sat behind a broad teak desk.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
(Looking up) Yes?
Riddhi Sharma
Good morning, sir. I’m Riddhi Sharma. The new PhD scholar joining today.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
Ah! Riddhi Sharma! Sit, sit.
Riddhi Sharma
(Sitting down across from him) Thank you, sir.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
(Tapping a printed file on his desk)
I went through your research proposal last night. Very clean logic. Ambitious scope. I like ambition, provided it comes with discipline.
Riddhi Sharma
Thank you, sir. I'm ready to put in the work.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
(Standing up) Good. Because today is our weekly lab meeting. Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone.
The seminar room smelled faintly of filter coffee. Four scholars sat around a long table. As Ramendra walked in, all four stood up instantly.
All Scholars
Good morning, sir!
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
Sit. Everyone, this is Riddhi Sharma. She’s joining our lab today from Delhi.
Riddhi Sharma
(Pleasant smile)
Hi everyone!
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
That's Pranjal, fourth year, Machine Learning.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Grinning widely, immediately friendly)
Welcome to the lab, Riddhi!
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
Saumya, third year.
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
Hi Riddhi! Don't worry, we’ll help you settle in.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
Siddharth, fifth year, senior-most.
Siddharth (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Smiles) Welcome
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
And Aarush, third year.
Riddhi’s eyes shifted to the corner of the table.
Aarush leaned back in his chair—sharp jawline, black glasses.
He was striking, the kind of face you involuntarily look at twice. But his posture was built entirely of stone.
Aarush Awasthi
(Flat) Hello
Aarush took in her appearance—the long skirt, the neat top, the relaxed composure.
Aarush Awasthi
💭All dolled up
He had seen bright students arrive like this before, treating the institute like a campus social, only to left when the work demanded obsession instead of ease.
Riddhi Sharma
(Smiles) Nice to meet you all.
Riddhi pulled out a chair at the far end of the table and sat down.
Introduction
Age: 24
Profession: PhD Scholar (ISSc Bangalore)
Height: 5'6"
Personality:
•Quietly brilliant
•Self-assured, and deeply disciplined. •Carries herself with an effortless, natural grace
•Possesses immense self-respect
Weakness: Pride and emotional detachment under stress.
Status: Single
Age: 26
Profession: 3rd Year PhD Scholar (ISSc Bangalore)
Height: 6'0"
Personality:
•Intense, hyper-focused, direct, and guarded.
•Relies on absolute discipline and self-reliance.
•Uncomfortable with softness or ease because he believes anything worthwhile must be suffered for.
Weakness: Insecurity disguised as cynicism.
Status: Single
Age: 54
Profession: Cardiothoracic Surgeon
Height: 5'10"
Personality: Calm, highly observant, and deeply respectful.
Weakness: Can sometimes come across as emotionally intimidating
Status: Married to Kajal
Age: 51
Height: 5'5"
Profession: University Professor (Literature)
Personality: Warm, sharp, articulate, and fiercely protective of her family.
Weakness: Over-anxious about her children's happiness.
Status: Married to Ashutosh
Age: 19
Profession: B.Tech Student
Height: 5'9"
Personality: Energetic, humorous, observant, and deeply affectionate toward his elder sister.
Weakness: Acts impulsively when he feels his family is being slighted or mistreated.
Status: Casual dating
Age: 50
Profession: Government School Principal
Height: 5'5"
Personality:
•Quiet, dignified, extremely resilient, and grounded.
•Raised Aarush alone without ever complaining.
•Possesses a quiet wisdom
Weakness: Tends to hide her own physical discomfort and worries to avoid placing any burden on her son.
Status: Widowed (Young age)
Warm tables
The air was thick with the hum of a projector fan and the quiet, intense atmosphere of people who lived for research.
Pranjal was standing near the whiteboard, laser pointer in hand. His confidence was completely natural
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
...and as you can see from the loss curves—
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Pointing toward the data plot)
Which means our baseline hypothesis holds up even under—
Riddhi sat forward, her chin resting on her palm, eyes wide with genuine admiration.
Their clarity, precision, and lack of hesitation were inspiring. A quiet fire settled in her chest—
Riddhi Sharma
💭They're incredible. I have so much ground to cover... but I will.
Riddhi Sharma
💭I'll make sure I'm just as good.
Subconsciously, her eyes drifted past Saumya's slide to the far end of the table.
Aarush was leaning back in his chair, a pen resting between his fingers, tapping it rhythmically against the armrest.
His dark blue crisp shirt had its sleeves neatly rolled up to his forearms, exposing toned wrists.
Without warning, Aarush turned his head. Hiseyes caught hers directly.
Her heart did a violent flutter. She broke the contact instantaneously, dropping her gaze down to her blank notepad, her cheeks flushing with heat.
Riddhi Sharma
💭What on earth was that? Look at the board, Riddhi. Look at the board!
Aarush held her former gaze for half a second longer, then returned his attention to the projector screen.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
(Standing up)
Excellent work, both of you. Good progress this week.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
Thank you sir
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
Thank you sir
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
Meet at our usual spot for coffee!
The meeting broke instantly into the sound of dragging chair legs, zipping laptop sleeves, and rustling papers.
Ramendra exited first. Saumya packed her tablet and walked over to Riddhi’s desk.
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Smiling warmly) Hey, we’re all heading down to the canteen. You coming?
Riddhi Sharma
(Quickly closing her diary)
Oh, yeah! Absolutely.
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
Sir treats us to coffee and snacks after every weekly review. It’s an unwritten lab rule.
Riddhi Sharma
Well, that is definitely a nice tradition.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Sneaking up behind Saumya)
So, Saumya... you must be over the moon! A girl finally joined the lab after two whole years of suffering with us!
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Rolling her eyes)
Honestly, yes! I was losing my mind around all you crazy boys—especially you.
Pranjal grinned widely. He reached out and pulled both her cheeks firmly.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
Aww! Look at you, so cute when you praise me!
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Swatting his hands away forcefully, wincing)
Pranjal! Don't you dare irritate me right now! I will throw my mug at you!
Riddhi stood between them, looking back and forth in utter confusion, her lips parted as if watching a wrestling match.
Siddharth (Riddhi's Labmate)
Enough, both of you. Move outside. I need to lock the room.
The three turned toward the door. Siddharth and Aarush were standing in the hallway, both wearing same expressions of boredom.
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
Sorry, Sid! Coming!
The corridor echoed with their footsteps. Saumya and Riddhi walked a few paces ahead, while Siddharth, Pranjal, and Aarush lagged behind, far enough that their conversation remained private.
Saumya (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Pointing out the windows)
That path leads to the central library. It’s open till midnight, but during end-sems, good luck finding a chair!
Riddhi Sharma
(Laughing softly)
Good to know. I’ll start reserving my spot from now.
Behind them, Pranjal nudged Aarush’s elbow.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Low voice) You’re really not going to talk to her properly?
Aarush Awasthi
(Hands in pockets, eyes fixed straight ahead)
I said hello earlier.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Scoffing) Hmm... that 'hello' was so dry even Sir noticed it.
Siddharth (Riddhi's Labmate)
Aarush, try to go easy on her. Remember the summer intern last year? She literally cried on her third day because of you.
Aarush Awasthi
(Frowning slightly) She wasn't running the machine correctly and wasted three slots. I scolded her a little bit.
Siddharth (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Sighing) Still. Riddhi is young, and she's just starting out here. Try to guide her—don't be harsh.
Aarush paused, then gave a brief, quiet nod
The campus canteen was shaded by massive Banyan trees. A large wooden round table was spread with steel cups of steaming filter coffee, hot samosas, and banana chips.
The atmosphere was light, high-energy, and completely devoid of academic hierarchy.
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
(Sipping his coffee, looking at Riddhi)
So, Riddhi, settled into the city yet? Bangalore traffic hasn't broken your spirit?
Riddhi Sharma
(Smiling, sipping her tea)
Not yet, sir! Though the weather definitely makes up for the traffic.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
(Munching on a samosa)
Don't let the weather fool you, Riddhi.
Pranjal (Riddhi's Labmate)
Next week, Sir is going to dump five years of research papers on your desk. The weather won't save you then!
Prof. Ramendra Reddy (Riddhi's Guide)
(Chuckling)
Ignore him. He exaggerates because he spent his first month reading the wrong research papers.
The table burst into laughter. Even Siddharth offered a rare, genuine smile.
Across the table, Aarush sat, holding his coffee cup, his expression relaxed for the first time all day.
Riddhi looked around the table—the warmth was genuine, easy, and welcoming. The knot of anxiety in her stomach completely untangled.
Riddhi Sharma
💭I'm going to belong here. I really am.
Riddhi stood in the middle of her hostel room. The space was bright and spacious.
However, unpacked cardboard boxes, suit cases, bedsheets, and stacks of textbooks covered the floor.
Riddhi Sharma
💭Right. This is going to take all evening and half the night.
She pulled her phone out, popped her wireless headphones into her ears, and shuffled her playlist. Driven by the quiet excitement of a new beginning, she got to work.
Hours melted away to the rhythm of the music.
By 2:00 AM, the chaos was gone. A glowing desk lamp cast a warm, serene light over her organised room.
She sat on the edge of her freshly made bed, took off her headphones with a deep, satisfied sigh
Riddhi Sharma
💭Day one... complete.
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