Karan’s POV

I limped out of the school building, each step a painful reminder of my recent decision. This situation wasn’t on the list of anticipated outcomes I had come up with in my head. Should I just be happy that the worst-case scenarios I imagined didn’t happen? Trust me, they were far worse than this. I felt like I was entering a battlefield.

I looked up at the sky, sighing as I thought about how life was about to change. I never expected to leave the neighborhood I’d lived in since birth like this. Things were going to be different—no more familiar routines, no more hanging out on the same streets, no more predictable days, no more familiar smiling faces. College was a new challenge, a new life for me.

But as much as I tried to focus on the future, the dull ache in my left leg kept pulling me back to the present. Just as I was about to limp away, I heard footsteps approaching.

“Karan…”

“Hey, congrats, boy! You retained your title!” My friend’s voice was full of enthusiasm, but I could only manage a small smile in return.

“Thanks,” I replied, trying to keep the conversation light.

He glanced down at my leg, the concern in his eyes obvious. "Are you okay now? Is it bearable?"

I nodded, though the truth. It wasn't just about my leg. "Yeah, I’m fine. But I’ve decided—I’m done with sports."

His reaction was immediate. "Come on, man, you just played once!"

I couldn’t help but deadpan. "And I ended up like this."

He laughed, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "If you had even 20% of the confidence in sports that you have in academics, you would’ve played better. But you were a nervous wreck out there. The whole university got to witness the infamous poker-face guy losing his cool."

I couldn’t argue with that. My reputation for keeping my emotions in check had been shattered during that match. I was never more exposed, more vulnerable, and everyone had seen it.

I nodded, accepting the truth of his words. "Life taught me a lesson through you, never trust a little scamp like you."

"I don't like the adrenaline rush," I muttered as we walked, the memory of that fateful game still fresh in my mind. "That’s exactly how I felt while playing—like I was on the edge of a cliff, and any wrong move would send me tumbling down."

My friend glanced at me, his usual teasing smirk softened by concern. "You really hate that feeling, huh?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of calm wash over me now that the decision was made. "Yeah. I guess I like my life a bit bland. Predictable, you know? I’m used to it. It’s comfortable."

He snorted, giving me a light shove. "Bland? Man, you’re way too young to be talking like an old man. College is gonna shake you up whether you like it or not. Life’s gonna get harder, my friend"

I shrugged, "Maybe. But I’m not looking for any more thrills. Not like that. I’m fine with sticking to what I know."

There was silence for a moment, just the sound of our footsteps on the pavement. Finally, he spoke, his tone more serious than before. "You know, Karan, it’s okay to step out of your comfort zone once in a while. You don’t have to love the rush, but maybe don’t close yourself off from new experiences entirely."

I’ve heard this a hundred times, and I’m well aware of it. My friends and family whoever knows me well said the same thing, but it’s not easy to change who you are.

"Yeah, maybe. But right now, I think I’ll stick to what I’m good at. Academics, a quiet routine... It might be bland, but it’s my kind of safe."

He gave me a long look but didn’t press further. Instead, he just patted me on the back. “Alright, man. Good luck with whatever you want to do. And remember, life doesn’t always go as planned.” His eyes fell on my injured leg.

I just nodded without words.

As we continued walking, I felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement.

But deep down, I knew that this wasn’t just about sports. It was about the expectations I had placed on myself, the pressure to excel at everything, and the reality that not every battle was meant to be fought.

As we continued walking, I felt a strange mix of relief and regret. Relief that I wouldn’t have to face that kind of public humiliation again, and regret that I had let fear win. But maybe that was okay. Not every lesson had to be learned the hard way, and not every challenge had to be overcome.

I might not be ready for adrenaline-fueled chaos, I wasn’t completely closed off to the idea of change. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a balance between the safety of the known and the unpredictability of what was to come.

Karan's POV

Finally

I stood before the college and it felt like walking into a storm. The last time I felt this kind of emotion was when I entered the field with my ball, becoming the center of attention for thousands of students. But I had braced myself for it. Every nerve was on edge, yet I had prepared for this.

I adjusted my backpack over one shoulder, glancing at my timetable, my mind focused on navigating the crowded corridors. I had mapped out every turn the day before. Being new to the city, I was relieved that I hadn’t gotten lost in the maze of look-alike streets. I didn’t want to be late on the first day. Things had gone pretty much according to plan so far. Predictability—that’s what kept me grounded.

As I made my way toward the lecture hall, I scanned the timetable once more, double-checking the room number. Everything was going according to plan—until it wasn’t.

Out of nowhere, I felt a jolt—a sharp impact that nearly knocked me off balance. "Whoa!" I stumbled back, my grip on the timetable loosening as papers flew everywhere.

Regaining my footing, I looked down to find a girl kneeling on the ground, hurriedly gathering her scattered papers.

I’ll be late.

I knelt to help her, my eyes scanning the scattered papers for my timetable.

I lifted my head when her hair came into view—a mix of black and subtle brown, tied back in a messy bun. She had fair skin, and when she turned, her brown eyes locked with mine. Though a bit embarrassed, they were strikingly expressive.

"Sorry!" she blurted out, her voice shaky. "I wasn’t paying attention."

I didn’t really know how to respond. The whole thing felt more inconvenient than anything else. "It’s okay," I muttered, handing her some of the papers that had landed near my feet. "I wasn’t paying attention either."

She looked up and suddenly laughed, a sound that was oddly cheerful considering the situation. "Well, I guess we’re both guilty then," she said with a small smile.

I nodded, not sure what else to say as I handed her the last of her papers. "Yeah, I guess."

She stood up, brushing off her jeans, and offered a quick, "Have a good day," before walking away. Her voice faded like a distant echo. Before I could even process what had happened, she was gone, swallowed up by the sea of students.

First human interaction in college… was unusual.

I pocketed my timetable and was about to head to the lecture hall when another jolt hit my shoulder. I turned sharply to see a guy jogging past me, his face flushed.

"Sorry, bro!" he called out as he jogged past, barely breaking stride. He was hopping on one foot, struggling to keep his balance, but seemed in too much of a hurry to stop and check if I was okay.

I glanced after him, feeling a mix of irritation and confusion. First the girl, now this guy who seemed to be in his own world. What was with today? It felt like the universe was conspiring to throw me off my carefully planned course.

Taking a deep breath, I adjusted the strap of my backpack and resumed my walk. The lecture hall was just ahead, and I could already see students filtering in.

As I entered the lecture hall, the familiar hum of voices and the shuffling of feet created a backdrop of activity. They were all talking like they’d been friends for years, which I suppose many had, having met a while ago. I really envied how some people could make friends so quickly.

The front rows were already packed, so I instinctively headed toward the back, where there were fewer people.

Spotting an empty seat by the window, I slipped into it, grateful for the slight breeze that drifted in, carrying the scent of fresh air and warmth from the sun. The sunlight streaming through the dusty glass cast delicate patterns of light on the desks, creating a sense of calm.

If my cat were here, it would try to catch the rays—his must-do activity every morning. After moving to the new place, I miss him more. I hope he's in a better place.

New day, new life—let’s not start on a note of sadness.

Karan's POV

I placed my bag on the desk and pulled out my notebook, flipping it open to a fresh page. As I settled in, looking around bored, my eyes were drawn to something unusual—scribbled words etched into the wooden surface of the desk. They were faint, almost as if someone had hastily carved them out in a moment of boredom or frustration.

“Lost in a crowd, but still unseen…”

The words felt oddly fitting, resonating with the whirlwind of emotions that often came with starting something new. I traced the letters with my fingertips, wondering who had felt compelled to leave this small piece of themselves behind.

Just as I was contemplating the message, a soft, almost melodic voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Excuse me."

A faint smell of jasmine hit my nostrils. I turned my head, and a girl was standing there with a captivating presence. My eyes roamed over her face. Her fringe, slightly tousled by the wind from the window, framed her forehead perfectly. The sunlight caught in her hair, which barely grazed her shoulders, creating an almost halo-like effect around her.

Her eyes were striking—a deep, inky black that seemed to draw me in. They complemented her hair perfectly, adding to the mysterious aura she exuded.

Creepy me.

Trust me, I’ve never gawked at someone like this before.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and impatience—like she was challenging me without saying a word.

"Can I sit here?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation.

For a moment, I just stared at her, completely thrown off by her presence. "Huh?" I finally managed, snapping out of my daze when I realized she was waiting for an answer. I noticed the seat beside me, where someone had left a pen on the desk. Without really thinking, I grabbed the pen and stuffed it into my bag.

"Sure," I said, nodding quickly. My voice came out rougher than I intended, so I turned back to the window, trying to play it cool. I cleared my throat, the sound awkwardly loud in the quieting room, and felt the seat beside me shift as she sat down.

My heart started beating a little faster, and suddenly, I was hyper-aware of her presence next to me.

A strange flutter kicked up in my chest, as if my heart were trying to escape its confines. Every breath I took seemed too loud, too deliberate, and the air around me felt charged with a tension I couldn’t quite place.

I couldn’t resist sneaking a quick glance in her direction. She was arranging her things on the desk with quick, efficient movements, like she was here to get straight to work.

I forced myself to turn back to the front of the room where the professor was setting up, but my mind kept drifting back to her.

Stop behaving like a creep; you don’t want this on the first day, man… no, don’t steal glances.

But I found myself stealing glances at her from the corner of my eye, wondering if she was just as aware of me as I was of her. But she seemed completely absorbed in the lecture, her eyes fixed on the professor, her pen moving swiftly across her notebook.

I’m the fool here.

I took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on my own notes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Maybe this unusual start to my college life wasn’t so bad after all.