Ahana's POV

I've always felt like my role in life was to be the supporting character. Whether it was family or friends, I was the one helping others achieve their dreams while mine stayed locked away. My love life? Nonexistent. It's not that I wasn't interested, but no one ever seemed interested in me. I did have a crush in high school once, but he used me as his cupid to win over another girl. That's when I gave up on love.

When it came to family, I didn't grow up with my parents. My mother left me with her mother and brothers. They showered me with so much love that my expectations soared. I thought they'd always support me, and I respected them even more than my father. But life changes. They got married, and everything shifted. The love turned into taunts—for how much I ate, how I did the chores, and everything else. I was angry at my mother for leaving me there. I wanted a normal family like everyone else. When I confronted her, all she said was, "It was for your good." Later, I learned she left me because they couldn't even afford one meal a day back then.

I was alone. I cried in the dark and put on a smile for everyone, even those who didn't care about me. I began to talk less. I developed a fear of being ignored and suffered from nyctophobia. I wished my life would end so things could finally get better.

I couldn't wait to grow up and go to university. I imagined a fresh start, but reality was cruel. I couldn't afford further studies. I saved every penny and searched desperately for a part-time job. Things felt impossible, and I didn't know what to do.

Under the moonlight one night, I sat and wondered, What did I do to deserve this life? My father barely talked to me unless it was necessary. My mother always said, "Time flies fast. Bad days will be over soon." As the eldest, everyone pinned their hopes on me, but it was exhausting. Not everything in my life was bad, though. I was lucky enough to have a best friend who stood by me through thick and thin.

As a child, I believed I was a princess, thanks to the fairy tales. But as I grew older, I realized I was born to be a warrior. If I wanted my life to change, I had to fight for it. I couldn't wait for a prince to rescue me.

Determined, I started looking for scholarships to pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I loved painting and drawing. Filling a blank canvas with colors brought me joy and hope, as if I could paint my life into something beautiful. But my family didn't support my passion, and I had to put it aside.

The more I searched for light, the darker my world became. Still, I decided to face the darkness with kindness. My mother always said, "In this dark world, the only treasure you possess is a brave and kind heart. People will try to take it away and make you like them, but the more you cherish your heart, the closer you'll get to happiness." I didn't want to become like the people around me.

One morning, at 8 a.m., I lay in bed, reluctant to get up. My phone buzzed, and a notification popped up. It was an email. My hands shook as I opened it it was about the scholarship I had applied for in Korea. And I got it! I couldn't believe it. For the first time, it felt like things were going my way.

I told my family I was moving to Korea to study finance, but that wasn't true. I had enrolled in a university for fashion design. I was nervous they wouldn't let me go, but to my surprise, they agreed.

I used the money I had saved to buy some clothes and essentials. Before leaving, I wrote letters to the people I loved. My mom and my best friend came to see me off at the airport. My scholarship covered all expensestickets, tuition, and accommodation.

When I boarded the plane, I found my seat and sat down, excited yet nervous. After hours of travel, I finally landed in Korea. Everything was new and overwhelming. I grabbed a taxi, struggling to communicate with the driver, and reached my dormitory.

Inside, I met my roommates. "Hello, my name is Ahana Sah," I introduced myself.

One of them smiled. "Hi, I'm Ellisa Collins."

The second added, "Jo Yoo Jeong. You can call me Joe."

The third, Min Woo, didn't bother replying.

Later, feeling hungry, I decided to explore the area and found a convenience store. After much confusion, I picked up a peach drink, some chips, and a cup of ramen. While leaving the store, I got a call from Ellisa reminding me about the orientation. In my hurry, I bumped into someone hard.

"WTF," a deep voice growled.

I froze. My red thread bracelet had tangled in the stranger's watch an expensive one that looked more valuable than my entire life savings. I looked up and met his hazel eyes. For a moment, time seemed to stop.

A car horn snapped me back to reality. The man deftly untangled the thread from his watch with one hand and looked at me with mild irritation. I muttered an apology and ran off, my heart racing like crazy.

Aksh's POV

"Dad, stop it! Just stop talking about marriage!" I snapped, my patience worn thin. My father had been obsessing over my marriage lately, all because of his ridiculous fixation on having grandchildren.

"But why?" he argued. "You're handsome, tall, young, rich—you're The Ryu Aksh! Your company is thriving. You just need to agree, and girls will line up for you."

I rolled my eyes and walked away, heading to my room. Switching on the lights, my gaze immediately fell on the picture of my mother. She was sitting on a swing, her blackish-brown hair flowing in the wind, and her hazel eyes shining brighter than the moon. She had passed away while giving birth to me. Sometimes I wondered how my Korean father fell in love with such a stunning Indian woman.

Shaking off the melancholy, I headed for a shower, put on some sweatpants, and lay down on my bed. But as soon as I closed my eyes, a different face appeared—her. The girl I bumped into. She looked so innocent, so confused. Her dark hair tucked neatly behind her ear, her face flustered and red, those big brown eyes…

What was wrong with me? Why was I thinking about her? Irritated, I pulled open my drawer and grabbed my sleeping pills. I needed them to forget, to dull the guilt that consumed me every night. That day still haunted me—if only I hadn't fallen asleep, my dad might still be able to walk.

The pills kicked in, dragging me into darkness.

Ahana's POV

I ran as fast as I could, finally reaching my room. People gave me strange looks as I hurriedly muttered an apology and turned on my laptop for the meeting. The lecture began, and though it was boring, I forced myself to pay attention.

An hour later, I gulped down water like I'd been stranded in a desert. "Slow down, Ahana, or you'll choke!" teased Ellisa. But I was too hungry to care. Afterward, I called my mom to tell her about my day, then went to bed, staring at the moon through the window.

And then…those hazel eyes popped into my mind again. Neatly combed hair, a sharp jawline, and an aura so striking it was almost intimidating. Who was he? I fell asleep pondering the question.

The next morning, I dressed in a simple yet elegant light-yellow frock, adding a sunflower clip to my hair for a touch of charm. A quick dab of lip gloss, and I was ready. Finding my classroom was a struggle, but I eventually sat by the window, unnoticed by everyone else, who were too busy minding their own business.

As the lecture began, I felt a surge of pride—I'd made it here. After classes, I joined Ellisa, Joe, and Min Woo in the cafeteria. They were buzzing about a guest speaker, someone who owned the leading fashion industry in Korea.

Curious, I headed back to class. Just as I settled into my seat, the professor walked in and asked us to stand. The guest had arrived.

When he entered, I froze. My books slipped from my hands as my gaze locked onto his hazel eyes. My heart raced as recognition hit me—it was him.

"Good afternoon, everyone," he began, his voice deep and commanding. "I'm Ryu Aksh. You're probably wondering about my name. My mom's Indian, my dad's Korean, and my mom named me before I was born."

He introduced himself with ease, exuding confidence and charm. His presence filled the room, making it hard for me to focus. My mind replayed our brief encounter, and I couldn't stop staring.

"Hey, are you listening?"

I jolted, realizing he was speaking to me. "Y-Yes, sir," I stammered.

"You seem distracted," he said with a slight smirk.

I shook my head. "Sorry, just a little tired. Please continue."

He carried on, sharing his journey and insights about the fashion industry. When the session ended, he thanked us and prepared to leave. But just as he reached the door, he paused and turned back.

His eyes found mine again. My breath hitched as our gazes locked, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world disappeared. Then he walked out, leaving me flustered and overwhelmed.

Why? Why did he look at me? Was it just a coincidence, or had he noticed something?

That night, I couldn't sleep. His gaze lingered in my mind, leaving me restless and confused. My roommates gave me puzzled looks as I tossed and turned, overthinking every detail. When morning came, I finally understood why those actresses in movies acted so ridiculously when they fell in love.

Was I falling for him? But why? I didn't even know him. He was like the moon—distant, unreachable. And I was just a girl, sitting alone, watching it.

Ahana's POV

I sat on my dorm bed, counting my savings with a heavy heart. The realization hit me—I couldn't rely solely on my scholarship for pocket money. If I wanted to survive in this new country, I needed a part-time job, but being here for only a week, I had no idea where to start. With a sigh, I asked Ellisa and Joe to let me know if they heard of any cafes or stores hiring part-timers.

Minwoo, the dorm mate with a gaze sharp enough to pierce through steel, surprised me by asking if I had any problems. Her tone was cold, but the gesture made me oddly happy. I applied to a few places, fingers crossed for a response. Two days passed, and the only call I received was from my mom. Frustrated, I stared at my phone for an hour, willing it to ring. When it didn't, I gave up and went out for dinner, leaving my phone behind.

When I returned, there were two missed calls from an unknown number. My heart raced as I called back, tears streaming down my face when a warm voice invited me to meet her on Sunday for an interview. The relief was overwhelming.

Sunday arrived, and I dressed as neatly as I could, trying to look professional. Based on her voice, I imagined a woman in her 40s, but to my surprise, she was an elderly lady with a radiant smile. I greeted her with a deep bow, and she asked me one question:

"How much do you want me to pay for the hours you selected?"

Caught off guard, I replied, "You can decide after seeing my work."

She chuckled softly and said, "You're too naïve. Join from tomorrow."

The café was beautiful—its white-themed decor accented with soft gray and gold hues. Abstract paintings adorned the walls, and a bookshelf overflowed with novels, magazines, and encyclopedias. It wasn't big but had a calm, cozy vibe perfect for students and professionals.

My classes ran from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., so I decided to head to the café straight after. Customers came and went, some engrossed in books, others typing away on laptops, while a few simply enjoyed their meals. During the quieter moments, I worked on my portfolio for an internship.

Summer vacations were near, and students were gearing up to apply to top companies. I had set my sights on the three leading names in the fashion industry. The week was so hectic I barely found time to eat, surviving on instant noodles most days.

One evening, as closing time approached, I decided to grab a quick bite. While waiting impatiently for my noodles to cook, my mind wandered to my first day of college—and him. The hazel-eyed stranger who had been haunting my thoughts.

Just as I was about to take a bite, the door clicked open, and my heart froze. There he was—the face I tried so hard to push out of my mind. My chopsticks slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor.

I forced myself to snap out of my daze and noticed he was drenched, a fresh cut at the corner of his lips. Worry bubbled in my chest as questions raced through my mind. How did you get hurt? What happened? Is it painful? But I couldn't muster the courage to ask.

He broke the silence. "Did I interrupt something?" he asked, pointing at my cup of noodles.

I quickly shook my head. "No."

"Good," he said. "I know it's not the best time to ask, but is there anything hot to drink?"

Still stunned, I nodded and handed him the menu. "What would you like to have, sir?" I asked, my voice barely steady.

"Black coffee," he replied. "Make it as bitter as possible."

I was surprised but didn't question him. As I prepared his order, he suddenly said, "Aren't you the girl in the yellow frock from that day?"

My heart skipped a beat. He remembered me—and even my dress. Struggling to keep calm, I stammered, "Y-you remember me?"

He smirked. "You seem like the kind of person who lives inside her head rather than the real world."

Embarrassed, I wanted to disappear. He handed me a sleek, expensive credit card for payment. As he turned to leave, he paused at the door, glanced back, and locked eyes with me.

Then he left without saying a word.

I collapsed into my chair, my thoughts a whirlwind. Why do you always look back and leave without saying anything?

That night, as I lay in bed, his image wouldn't leave my mind. His disheveled state haunted me. What happened to you? How did you get hurt?

And most of all, Why do those hazel eyes affect me so much?