Chapter 1
Gia Verma
Aanya, wake up! You’ll be late!
The muffled voice of her roommate, Gia, barely registered in Aanya’s ears.
Her blanket was too warm, and the biting cold outside her dorm only made her want to curl up tighter.
But the persistent knocking on her door wasn’t about to let her enjoy a moment longer.
Gia Verma
I mean it, Aanya! If you’re late again, Professor Sharma will skin you alive!
Aanya groaned and peeked at the clock through one half-open eye. 8:47 a.m.
Aanya Joshi
Great. Another disaster this morning.
Dragging herself out of bed, she moved like a sloth. No time to think, no time to care.
She skipped breakfast, barely ran a hand through her hair, and threw on her oversized hoodie.
It was her go-to outfit—a baggy hoodie, sleeves used to keep herself hidden. Her hood draped over her shoulders, the cap of her hoodie, forcing every bit of her loneliness inside.
The college building was only a short walk away, but to Aanya, it felt like she was sprinting a marathon.
Her hoodie’s oversized cap obstructed her view as she turned a sharp corner—
She collided into someone. Hard. The impact sent her sprawling onto the pavement, her books and papers scattering everywhere.
Aanya Joshi
Oh no, sorry! I didn’t mean to—
She paused as the stranger, without a word, handed her a folded piece of paper.
Before she could say anything, he walked away briskly, disappearing into the crowd.
Dumbfounded, Aanya stared after him, clutching the note.
Before she could open it, the sound of mocking laughter made her freeze.
Two students stood nearby, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
The girl, Rhea Kapoor, was known for her striking red-streaked hair and bold attitude. With her trendy outfits and sharp wit, she loved teasing people—sometimes cruelly.
Beside her stood Aditya Sharma, her equally notorious sidekick. Aditya had a habit of finding humor in others’ embarrassment, his cocky grin a permanent fixture.
Rhea Kapoor
Wow, what a dramatic entrance! Are you planning on rolling all the way to class?
Aditya chuckled, leaning against a nearby bench.
Aditya Dash
Guess she skipped the part where humans are supposed to walk properly.
Heat crept up Aanya’s cheeks as she hurriedly picked up her books, avoiding their eyes.
Aanya Joshi
(whispers to herself) Keep quiet. Don’t react. Just leave.
Rhea Kapoor
(eyeing Aanya’s hoodie)
What’s with that giant hoodie? Hiding snacks or something?
Aditya sighed harder, looking in mock pity.
Aditya Dash
Or maybe a whole turtle? You know, just in case.
Aanya glanced toward them, keeping her expression blank.
Then, she noticed him—Vihaan Malhotra.
Standing a few steps away
His piercing gaze was focused on her.
Vihaan was the kind of person who wasn’t cruel, nor was he kind. His presence was a quiet force—unshaken, commanding, impossible to ignore. He didn’t need words; the weight of his gaze was enough to silence a room.
Aanya had heard his name in whispers around campus, but it was the first time she’d felt his gaze directly.
Unlike the others, Vihaan didn’t laugh. He didn’t join in the teasing.
She just stood there, unsure what unsettled her more—his unwavering gaze or the quiet dominance he exuded without a single word.
Rhea Kapoor
(grinning) Ugh, Vihaan! Say something. You’re too good to panic!
Vihaan gave Rhea a lazy glance, then looked back at Aanya.
For a moment, their eyes met, and Aanya felt her breath hitch.
Vihaan Malhotra
(calmly) We’re late.
With that, he turned and walked off toward the building, uninterested in dragging the moment any longer.
Aditya shrugged, throwing one last smirk at Aanya before following him.
Finally, as the silence returned, Aanya exhaled shakily. She unfolded the note in her hand.
That was all it said. Two simple words that sent her mind racing.
Aanya stared at the little note, the words ringing in her ears.
Aanya Joshi
(confused) Be careful??
Aanya Joshi
What did it mean? Who was he?
The encounter had been so sudden, so strange, that she couldn’t even piece together the boy’s face.
Her thoughts raced as she picked up her scattered books, the sting of mocking laughter still lingering in her ears.
Determined not to let the morning derail her day, she brushed the dust off her hands and squared her shoulders.
She wasn’t going to let this moment define her, but as she turned to head to class, a shiver of doubt crept into her chest.
Aanya couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something she didn’t yet understand.
From a distance, Vihaan’s gaze still lingers on her retreating figure. His head tilted slightly, a flicker of interest in his otherwise calm expression.
He stood there, watching.
Then, without another glance, he pushed off the wall and disappeared into the crowd.
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