New beginning

Anjali clutched her suitcase tightly as she stood at the entrance of the girls' hostel. The tall, modern building loomed before her, bustling with students speaking in a language she barely understood. She felt both excited and nervous—this was her first time away from home, in a foreign country, chasing her dream of higher education.

"Room 307," Anjali murmured to herself, glancing at the slip of paper with her room number. She adjusted her duffel bag on her shoulder and took a deep breath before stepping inside.

The corridors were filled with laughter, chatter, and the faint sound of music playing from someone's room. It was all so different from the quiet lanes of her hometown in India. As she climbed the stairs, her mind raced with thoughts of what awaited her here—friends, challenges, maybe even new opportunities.

Finally, she found Room 307. The door was ajar, and inside stood a cheerful girl unpacking her belongings.

“Hello!” the girl greeted brightly. “You must be my roommate. I’m Mei Ling.”

Anjali smiled shyly. “Hi, I’m Anjali.”

Mei Ling’s warm smile immediately put Anjali at ease. They began chatting as Anjali unpacked, and Mei Ling shared stories about campus life

After a few more exchanges, Mei Ling smiled brightly at Anjali.

"Hey, how about we grab a bite at the campus café? I know a great spot with some delicious snacks. It's a perfect place to relax after the move-in madness," Mei Ling suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Anjali, though a little hesitant at first, nodded. "Sure, I’d love to."

They left the room together, Anjali adjusting the strap of her bag and glancing around the hostel one last time. The air was thick with the energy of the other students settling in, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being a little out of place. Mei Ling, on the other hand, seemed right at home.

The campus was vast, with elegant walkways lined with trees, and the distant chatter of students mingling in groups added to the lively atmosphere. They passed through the main courtyard, and Anjali marveled at the blend of old and modern architecture, her nerves slowly fading away in the presence of her new friend.

As they entered the café, the smell of fresh coffee and pastries enveloped Anjali. She felt a sense of comfort from the familiar scent. Mei Ling led her to a table by the window where a few other students were already hanging out.

“Here we are,” Mei Ling said with a grin, taking a seat. “The food here is great. You’ll love it.”

Anjali sat across from her, still feeling a bit shy in the bustling environment but grateful for Mei Ling’s company. They ordered their food, and soon, they were chatting away.

At the café, Mei Ling excitedly scanned the menu while Anjali quietly looked at the options. The wide variety of dishes, most of which she had never tried before, made her feel slightly overwhelmed.

“What are you getting, Anjali?” Mei Ling asked, glancing up.

“I’m vegetarian,” Anjali said softly, looking at the menu again. “I think I’ll go with a veggie burger and maybe some pizza. They seem safe.”

“Good choice!” Mei Ling smiled. “You’ll love the pizza here. It’s one of their specialties.”

When their food arrived, Anjali hesitated for a moment, taking in the unfamiliar appearance of the dishes. The burger looked fresh, with crisp lettuce and a perfectly toasted bun, while the pizza had colorful toppings and melted cheese that smelled heavenly.

“Dig in!” Mei Ling encouraged, already halfway through her own order.

Anjali took a cautious bite of the burger, and her face lit up. “This is really good,” she admitted, her shyness momentarily fading.

Mei Ling grinned. “I told you! The food here never disappoints. Next time, we’ll try some noodles or dumplings—you’ll love those too.”

After finishing their meal, the two girls walked back to the hostel, chatting lightly about their home countries and their plans for the semester. Mei Ling talked about her family, her love for travel, and her favorite spots on campus, while Anjali listened, occasionally sharing small details about her life back in India.

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