CRAZY LOVE FOR YOU

CHAPTER 7: MEETING MY FAMILY

Sunday morning at Imperial smelled different.

Like samosas and perfume and excitement.

*"VISITING DAY!"* Zara yelled at 6:30am and jumped on my bed.

*"Get off!"* I *said*, laughing and pushing her.

Tasha was already braiding her hair. *"Are your parents bringing food? Because 12B is hungry."*

*"They better,"* I *said*, pulling on my clean white tee and black shorts. *"And warning you now. My brothers are the worst."*

Nia smiled from her book. *"Troublesome brothers make the best stories."*

*"You’ll see,"* I *said*.

By 9:45am the whole visitor’s area was full.

Balloon vendors. Parents taking photos. Little kids with ice cream.

My heart was doing flips.

And then I heard it.

*"POORVI!!"*

Shaurya came sprinting and picked me up in a bear hug.

*"Put me down, gorilla!"* I *said*, hitting his back but grinning so hard.

Dad came next and hugged me tight. *"My princess. You look healthy."*

Mum pinched both my cheeks. *"You’re tanned. Playing too much football."*

Akshay walked up slow, hands in pockets. *"Cap again? Some things never change."*

*"And you’re still annoying,"* I *said*, shoving him.

Siddharth ruffled my hair. *"That’s why she loves us, bro."*

Rumi waved from behind them. *"Hi Poorvi! Hi everyone!"*

We found a spot under the big neem tree. Mum spread out a sheet and started unpacking.

Fanta. Samosas. Chips. And a whole dabba of Mum’s ladoos.

*"Okay who wants to tell me everything first?"* Dad *said*.

*"I do,"* I *said*. *"I’m captain of the sports display for Annual Day."*

Silence.

Then all 3 brothers at once: *"WHAT?!"*

*"Captain?!"* Akshay *said*.

*"You?!"* Siddharth *said*.

*"No way,"* Shaurya *said*.

*"Way,"* I *said*, crossing my arms. *"I also scored the winning goal in inter-house finals."*

Shaurya gasped dramatically and put a hand on his chest. *"Our baby sister. A star."*

*"I’m not a baby,"* I *said*, throwing a chip at him.

*"You’re my baby,"* he *said*, catching it and eating it.

Then the chaos began.

*"Race,"* Akshay *said*, pointing to the bench 20 meters away.

*"You’re on,"* I *said*.

*"50 rupees,"* Siddharth *said*.

*"Deal,"* I *said*.

On *"go"* we took off. I won by half a step.

*"Cheater!"* Akshay *said*, panting.

*"Loser pays up,"* I *said*, holding out my hand.

He groaned and gave me the money.

*"Arm wrestle,"* Shaurya *said* next.

*"Please,"* I *said*. *"I’ll destroy you."*

We locked hands on the bench.

*"1...2...3...go!"* Siddharth *said*.

I slammed his hand down in 3 seconds.

*"Ouch,"* Shaurya *said*, shaking his hand. *"She’s been training."*

*"Obviously,"* I *said*.

Mum *said*, *"Eat before you kill each other."*

*"We’re bonding,"* Akshay *said*, mouth full of samosa.

*"This is not bonding,"* Dad *said*, laughing. *"This is war."*

*"Same thing in our family,"* I *said*.

12B came over to say hi.

*"Hi uncle, aunty,"* Tasha *said*, all polite.

*"Hi beta,"* Mum *said*. *"You’re Poorvi’s roommates?"*

*"Yes aunty,"* Nia *said*. *"We take good care of her."*

*"I believe you,"* Dad *said*.

Zara looked at Rumi. *"And you’re her cousin?"*

*"Yeah,"* Rumi *said*. *"I go to a different school. I’m just visiting today."*

*"Cool,"* Zara *said*. *"You should join us for Annual Day."*

*"I wish,"* Rumi *said*.

We spent the next hour eating, laughing, and embarrassing each other.

*"Remember when Poorvi tried to climb the gate in class 4?"* Akshay *said*.

*"And fell in the mud?"* Siddharth *said*.

*"Shut up,"* I *said*, but I was laughing.

*"Remember when Shaurya cried because he lost his cricket bat?"* I *said*.

*"I did NOT cry,"* Shaurya *said*.

*"You did,"* I *said*.

*"Kids,"* Mum *said*, shaking her head but smiling.

Dad looked around. *"This school is good for you, Poorvi. You look happy."*

*"I am,"* I *said* honestly. *"The girls are nice. The teachers are nice. I play every day."*

*"Good,"* Dad *said*. *"That’s all we want."*

Too soon, the bell rang. *"Visitors, 10 more minutes."*

My stomach dropped.

*"Already?"* I *said*.

*"Time flies,"* Mum *said*, packing things up.

We did group photos.

*"Smile!"* Akshay *said*.

*"Don’t make that face,"* Siddharth *said*.

*"I’m making my face,"* I *said*.

Hugs. So many hugs.

*"Study hard,"* Dad *said*.

*"Play hard,"* Shaurya *said*.

*"Call us every week,"* Mum *said*.

*"Don’t fight too much,"* Akshay *said*.

*"No promises,"* I *said*, hugging him last.

I watched them walk out the gate until I couldn’t see them anymore.

*"You okay?"* Nia asked, handing me water.

*"Yeah,"* I *said*, wiping my eyes fast. *"Just... used to them."*

Back in 12B we ate the leftover ladoos and talked till curfew.

*"My brothers are idiots,"* I *said*.

*"Lucky idiots,"* Tasha *said*.

*"True,"* I *said*.

Night. 9:30pm. I couldn’t sleep.

The room felt too quiet without their noise.

*"I’m going to the roof,"* I *said*.

*"Don’t stay late,"* Zara *said*.

The rooftop was cool. Stars everywhere. Quiet except for crickets.

I sat on the ledge, hugging my knees.

The door creaked.

Footsteps.

It was him. The senior boy. Hoodie. Hands in pockets.

*"Can’t sleep?"* he *said*.

*"Family left,"* I *said*. *"House feels empty now."*

*"Yeah,"* he *said*, sitting down a few feet away. *"Visiting days do that."*

We sat in silence for a bit. It wasn’t awkward. Just quiet.

Then my phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: _Saw you with your brothers. You fight dirty.*_

I frowned and looked at my phone.

*"What?"* I muttered.

*"Problem?"* the boy asked.

*"No,"* I *said*.

Another buzz.

*Unknown Number: _The tall one almost beat you at arm wrestling. Almost.*_

My blood went cold.

I looked up at the boy.

He was looking down at his own phone.

He looked up. I looked at my phone.

Back at him.

*"Was that you?"* I *said*.

*"Was what me?"* he *said*.

*"The texts. Today. Before."*

He didn’t say anything for 3 seconds.

*"Maybe,"* he *said* finally.

*"Why?"* I *said*, standing up. *"Why are you watching me?"*

*"I’m not watching,"* he *said*. *"I just notice stuff. You’re... noticeable."*

*"That’s creepy,"* I *said*.

*"I know,"* he *said*, standing too. *"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that."*

My heart was pounding.

*"Don’t text me again,"* I *said*.

*"Okay,"* he *said*. *"If that’s what you want."*

He took a step toward the door then stopped.

*"Poorvi,"* he *said*.

*"What?"* I *said*.

*"I’m not a bad guy. I just suck at saying hi normally."*

He left.

My phone buzzed one more time.

*Unknown Number: _Sorry. Night.*_

I stared at it. My hands were shaking.

I ran downstairs.

*"What happened?"* Tasha *said* the second I opened the door.

*"He was there,"* I *said*. *"The guy who’s been texting me. He was on the roof."*

*"Did he touch you?"* Nia *said*, sitting up.

*"No,"* I *said*. *"But he knew about my brothers. About the arm wrestling. He was watching."*

Zara frowned. *"That’s not okay. We should tell Mrs Kapoor."*

*"Not yet,"* I *said*. *"He said sorry. Said he won’t text again."*

*"If he does, we tell,"* Tasha *said*. *"Deal?"*

*"Deal,"* I *said*.

I lay in bed but I couldn’t sleep.

My head was full of Mum’s ladoos and Akshay losing the race and Shaurya’s dumb jokes.

And then that guy. His voice. *"I suck at saying hi normally."*

Monday morning came fast.

At assembly, the principal *said*, *"Congratulations to Red House for winning. And special mention to Poorvi Mehra for sportsmanship."*

The whole school clapped.

Zara whispered, *"See? Famous."*

*"Shut up,"* I *said*, but I was smiling.

First period. Math.

Mrs Mehta *said*, *"Poorvi, can you solve this on the board?"*

I did it.

*"Perfect,"* she *said*. *"10/10."*

*"Thank you ma’am,"* I *said*.

Break time. I was getting water when someone bumped into me.

*"Sorry,"* a girl *said*.

*"It’s fine,"* I *said*.

Phone buzzed.

I froze.

I pulled it out.

No new messages.

Just the old *"Sorry. Night."*

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

After school, sports display practice.

Kavya *said*, *"Okay team, Annual Day is 6 weeks away. We need to be perfect."*

*"Yes captain,"* everyone *said*.

*"I’m not captain yet,"* I *said*.

*"You are to us,"* Kavya *said*.

We practiced for 2 hours. Jumps, formations, football tricks.

I was sweaty and tired and happy.

Walking back to hostel, Zara *said*, *"So... about the guy."*

*"What about him,"* I *said*.

*"Do you think he’s dangerous?"*

*"I don’t know,"* I *said*. *"He didn’t do anything. Just talked."*

Nia *said*, *"Still. Be careful, okay?"*

*"I will,"* I *said*.

Night.

I checked my phone before sleeping.

No new texts.

I stared at the ceiling.

Visiting day was the best day.

But the end of it was weird.

Who was he?

Why me?

And why did I feel a little disappointed that he actually didn’t text again?

I rolled over and whispered to the dark, *"Don’t be stupid, Poorvi."*

Somewhere in Imperial, my phone stayed silent.

*End of Chapter 7*

---

Word count: ∼1520 🔥

Want *Chapter 8: "Sports Display Trials + The First Time He Talks to My Face"* next? One Text"*

Sunday morning at Imperial smelled different.

Like samosas and perfume and excitement.

*"VISITING DAY!"* Zara yelled at 6:30am and jumped on my bed.

*"Get off!"* I *said*, laughing and pushing her.

Tasha was already braiding her hair. *"Are your parents bringing food? Because 12B is hungry."*

*"They better,"* I *said*, pulling on my clean white tee and black shorts. *"And warning you now. My brothers are the worst."*

Nia smiled from her book. *"Troublesome brothers make the best stories."*

*"You’ll see,"* I *said*.

By 9:45am the whole visitor’s area was full.

Balloon vendors. Parents taking photos. Little kids with ice cream.

My heart was doing flips.

And then I heard it.

*"POORVI!!"*

Shaurya came sprinting and picked me up in a bear hug.

*"Put me down, gorilla!"* I *said*, hitting his back but grinning so hard.

Dad came next and hugged me tight. *"My princess. You look healthy."*

Mum pinched both my cheeks. *"You’re tanned. Playing too much football."*

Akshay walked up slow, hands in pockets. *"Cap again? Some things never change."*

*"And you’re still annoying,"* I *said*, shoving him.

Siddharth ruffled my hair. *"That’s why she loves us, bro."*

Rumi waved from behind them. *"Hi Poorvi! Hi everyone!"*

We found a spot under the big neem tree. Mum spread out a sheet and started unpacking.

Fanta. Samosas. Chips. And a whole dabba of Mum’s ladoos.

*"Okay who wants to tell me everything first?"* Dad *said*.

*"I do,"* I *said*. *"I’m captain of the sports display for Annual Day."*

Silence.

Then all 3 brothers at once: *"WHAT?!"*

*"Captain?!"* Akshay *said*.

*"You?!"* Siddharth *said*.

*"No way,"* Shaurya *said*.

*"Way,"* I *said*, crossing my arms. *"I also scored the winning goal in inter-house finals."*

Shaurya gasped dramatically and put a hand on his chest. *"Our baby sister. A star."*

*"I’m not a baby,"* I *said*, throwing a chip at him.

*"You’re my baby,"* he *said*, catching it and eating it.

Then the chaos began.

*"Race,"* Akshay *said*, pointing to the bench 20 meters away.

*"You’re on,"* I *said*.

*"50 rupees,"* Siddharth *said*.

*"Deal,"* I *said*.

On *"go"* we took off. I won by half a step.

*"Cheater!"* Akshay *said*, panting.

*"Loser pays up,"* I *said*, holding out my hand.

He groaned and gave me the money.

*"Arm wrestle,"* Shaurya *said* next.

*"Please,"* I *said*. *"I’ll destroy you."*

We locked hands on the bench.

*"1...2...3...go!"* Siddharth *said*.

I slammed his hand down in 3 seconds.

*"Ouch,"* Shaurya *said*, shaking his hand. *"She’s been training."*

*"Obviously,"* I *said*.

Mum *said*, *"Eat before you kill each other."*

*"We’re bonding,"* Akshay *said*, mouth full of samosa.

*"This is not bonding,"* Dad *said*, laughing. *"This is war."*

*"Same thing in our family,"* I *said*.

12B came over to say hi.

*"Hi uncle, aunty,"* Tasha *said*, all polite.

*"Hi beta,"* Mum *said*. *"You’re Poorvi’s roommates?"*

*"Yes aunty,"* Nia *said*. *"We take good care of her."*

*"I believe you,"* Dad *said*.

Zara looked at Rumi. *"And you’re her cousin?"*

*"Yeah,"* Rumi *said*. *"I go to a different school. I’m just visiting today."*

*"Cool,"* Zara *said*. *"You should join us for Annual Day."*

*"I wish,"* Rumi *said*.

We spent the next hour eating, laughing, and embarrassing each other.

*"Remember when Poorvi tried to climb the gate in class 4?"* Akshay *said*.

*"And fell in the mud?"* Siddharth *said*.

*"Shut up,"* I *said*, but I was laughing.

*"Remember when Shaurya cried because he lost his cricket bat?"* I *said*.

*"I did NOT cry,"* Shaurya *said*.

*"You did,"* I *said*.

*"Kids,"* Mum *said*, shaking her head but smiling.

Dad looked around. *"This school is good for you, Poorvi. You look happy."*

*"I am,"* I *said* honestly. *"The girls are nice. The teachers are nice. I play every day."*

*"Good,"* Dad *said*. *"That’s all we want."*

Too soon, the bell rang. *"Visitors, 10 more minutes."*

My stomach dropped.

*"Already?"* I *said*.

*"Time flies,"* Mum *said*, packing things up.

We did group photos.

*"Smile!"* Akshay *said*.

*"Don’t make that face,"* Siddharth *said*.

*"I’m making my face,"* I *said*.

Hugs. So many hugs.

*"Study hard,"* Dad *said*.

*"Play hard,"* Shaurya *said*.

*"Call us every week,"* Mum *said*.

*"Don’t fight too much,"* Akshay *said*.

*"No promises,"* I *said*, hugging him last.

I watched them walk out the gate until I couldn’t see them anymore.

*"You okay?"* Nia asked, handing me water.

*"Yeah,"* I *said*, wiping my eyes fast. *"Just... used to them."*

Back in 12B we ate the leftover ladoos and talked till curfew.

*"My brothers are idiots,"* I *said*.

*"Lucky idiots,"* Tasha *said*.

*"True,"* I *said*.

Night. 9:30pm. I couldn’t sleep.

The room felt too quiet without their noise.

*"I’m going to the roof,"* I *said*.

*"Don’t stay late,"* Zara *said*.

The rooftop was cool. Stars everywhere. Quiet except for crickets.

I sat on the ledge, hugging my knees.

The door creaked.

Footsteps.

It was him. The senior boy. Hoodie. Hands in pockets.

*"Can’t sleep?"* he *said*.

*"Family left,"* I *said*. *"House feels empty now."*

*"Yeah,"* he *said*, sitting down a few feet away. *"Visiting days do that."*

We sat in silence for a bit. It wasn’t awkward. Just quiet.

Then my phone buzzed.

*Unknown Number: _Saw you with your brothers. You fight dirty.*_

I frowned and looked at my phone.

*"What?"* I muttered.

*"Problem?"* the boy asked.

*"No,"* I *said*.

Another buzz.

*Unknown Number: _The tall one almost beat you at arm wrestling. Almost.*_

My blood went cold.

I looked up at the boy.

He was looking down at his own phone.

He looked up. I looked at my phone.

Back at him.

*"Was that you?"* I *said*.

*"Was what me?"* he *said*.

*"The texts. Today. Before."*

He didn’t say anything for 3 seconds.

*"Maybe,"* he *said* finally.

*"Why?"* I *said*, standing up. *"Why are you watching me?"*

*"I’m not watching,"* he *said*. *"I just notice stuff. You’re... noticeable."*

*"That’s creepy,"* I *said*.

*"I know,"* he *said*, standing too. *"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that."*

My heart was pounding.

*"Don’t text me again,"* I *said*.

*"Okay,"* he *said*. *"If that’s what you want."*

He took a step toward the door then stopped.

*"Poorvi,"* he *said*.

*"What?"* I *said*.

*"I’m not a bad guy. I just suck at saying hi normally."*

He left.

My phone buzzed one more time.

*Unknown Number: _Sorry. Night.*_

I stared at it. My hands were shaking.

I ran downstairs.

*"What happened?"* Tasha *said* the second I opened the door.

*"He was there,"* I *said*. *"The guy who’s been texting me. He was on the roof."*

*"Did he touch you?"* Nia *said*, sitting up.

*"No,"* I *said*. *"But he knew about my brothers. About the arm wrestling. He was watching."*

Zara frowned. *"That’s not okay. We should tell Mrs Kapoor."*

*"Not yet,"* I *said*. *"He said sorry. Said he won’t text again."*

*"If he does, we tell,"* Tasha *said*. *"Deal?"*

*"Deal,"* I *said*.

I lay in bed but I couldn’t sleep.

My head was full of Mum’s ladoos and Akshay losing the race and Shaurya’s dumb jokes.

And then that guy. His voice. *"I suck at saying hi normally."*

Monday morning came fast.

At assembly, the principal *said*, *"Congratulations to Red House for winning. And special mention to Poorvi Mehra for sportsmanship."*

The whole school clapped.

Zara whispered, *"See? Famous."*

*"Shut up,"* I *said*, but I was smiling.

First period. Math.

Mrs Mehta *said*, *"Poorvi, can you solve this on the board?"*

I did it.

*"Perfect,"* she *said*. *"10/10."*

*"Thank you ma’am,"* I *said*.

Break time. I was getting water when someone bumped into me.

*"Sorry,"* a girl *said*.

*"It’s fine,"* I *said*.

Phone buzzed.

I froze.

I pulled it out.

No new messages.

Just the old *"Sorry. Night."*

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

After school, sports display practice.

Kavya *said*, *"Okay team, Annual Day is 6 weeks away. We need to be perfect."*

*"Yes captain,"* everyone *said*.

*"I’m not captain yet,"* I *said*.

*"You are to us,"* Kavya *said*.

We practiced for 2 hours. Jumps, formations, football tricks.

I was sweaty and tired and happy.

Walking back to hostel, Zara *said*, *"So... about the guy."*

*"What about him,"* I *said*.

*"Do you think he’s dangerous?"*

*"I don’t know,"* I *said*. *"He didn’t do anything. Just talked."*

Nia *said*, *"Still. Be careful, okay?"*

*"I will,"* I *said*.

Night.

I checked my phone before sleeping.

No new texts.

I stared at the ceiling.

Visiting day was the best day.

But the end of it was weird.

Who was he?

Why me?

And why did I feel a little disappointed that he actually didn’t text again?

I rolled over and whispered to the dark, *"Don’t be stupid, Poorvi."*

Somewhere in Imperial, my phone stayed silent.