The city was new. The air was different. Even the sky felt unfamiliar.
As the cab pulled into campus, I stared out the window, taking it all in. Students walked by with headphones on, dragging their suitcases, eyes full of excitement, nerves, and maybe a little dread—just like mine.
College had felt so far away when everything was online. Now it was real. Loud. Busy. Alive.
I checked into the hostel with a little chaos and a lot of confusion. There were papers to sign, keys to collect, a warden who barely looked up from her register, and a roommate I hadn't even met yet. My room was small but clean. A narrow bed. A wooden desk. Whitewashed walls still empty of memories.
I set my bags down, took a deep breath, and flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Then I called him.
Maddy picked up in two rings. "Hey, you reached?"
"Yeah," I said, exhaling. "It's weird. Everything's so... different."
"New place. New vibes," he said, smiling. "How's the room?"
"Tiny. Basic. But it's okay."
There was a pause, then I added quietly, "I miss you."
His voice softened. "I miss you too."
"You're still starting next week, right?" I asked, already knowing the answer would make my heart ache.
"Well…" He trailed off, and I sat up.
"What?"
He chuckled. "I was supposed to. But I just talked to my faculty advisor—I'm starting in two days."
My eyes widened. "What? Seriously?"
"Yeah," he said. "I can't sit at home and pretend to focus. I miss you too much, Diya. And I kinda want to be where you are."
I smiled so hard it hurt. "You're insane."
"I know," he replied. "But so are you. That's why this works."
We stayed on the call for another hour—talking about nothing, everything. Me giving him a virtual tour of my plain hostel room, him promising to bring snacks when he came.
For the first time since arriving, I didn't feel so lost.
He wasn't here yet. But he was on his way.
And that made all the difference.