Chapter 1: A New Beginning, and an Unexpected Encounter
I stood at the edge of the college road, my fist raised to the sky in a defiant, almost theatrical gesture, channeling the bold protagonists of the light novels I'd devoured in my teenage years. The morning breeze tugged at my hair, carrying the faint scent of dew-kissed grass and blooming jasmine.
"This is it," I whispered, my voice soft, trembling just slightly. "I'm done being a background character."
The breeze swept through the trees lining the quiet street, tousling my hair and tugging at the edges of my blazer like a gentle cheerleader urging me on. My heart thumped wildly—half out of nerves, half out of hope.
Today wasn't just any day. Today, I leave behind every cringeworthy moment of my awkward junior college days. This is my fresh start. It was the beginning of something new. The prologue of my own story.
No more glasses fogging up during group presentations. No more being the shy girl people forgot existed. I, Nisha Bedage, After months of late-night study sessions and caffeine-fueled meltdowns, I'd made it. I had officially entered Raikar Government College, the crown jewel of institutions in my hometown. This institution, with its ivy-clad buildings and reputation for molding brilliant minds, was my hard-won prize. I'd clawed my way here, not just to prove myself academically, but to rewrite my story. No longer would I be the shy, bespectacled girl who faded into the background. Today, I was stepping into the spotlight, ready to claim my place as the heroine of my own life.
And my goal?
Simple, yet daring:
To find a boyfriend.
Not just any boyfriend, mind you, but a breathtakingly handsome one. I'd wasted enough years waiting for my own love story to begin. This time, I was writing it myself.
I wanted my life to feel like a romantic movie, complete with heart-fluttering moments and serendipitous encounters.
There would be blushes, accidental hand touches, maybe even stolen kisses under the rain. I didn't want to just pass through college. I wanted to feel everything. I wanted to fall in love.
I stood at the edge of the main road, my shoes crunching softly on gravel, as early sunlight filtered through a row of tall gulmohar trees. A few students passed by, chatting sleepily, their laughter blending with the chirping of birds and the distant chime of bicycle bells. The massive gates of the college campus loomed ahead, sleek and modern, framed by manicured hedges and stern security guards.
I inhaled slowly, letting the crisp morning air calm the flurry in my chest.
But then, a voice shattered the tranquility.
"Excuse me, sir… Excuse me…"
A boy's voice, hesitant but polite, drifted toward me.
I turned, eyes scanning for the source.
There he was—his back to me, dressed in the same uniform as mine. His grey blazer hung lazily over one shoulder, and his white shirt was slightly wrinkled, as though he'd been rushing. His black hair was just the right amount of messy, catching the morning light in soft glints.
Something about him made my breath hitch. A strange twist of familiarity curled in my stomach.
Do I know him?
The thought flickered through my mind, but I brushed it aside. No, that couldn't be right. I was the only one from my junior college who'd made it into this elite institution—or so I'd believed. I'd poured everything into earning my spot here. There was no way someone from my past—
My eyes lingered on him. His shoulders were slumped, his posture heavy with an almost palpable gloom. It was as if an invisible weight pressed down on him, dimming the light he seemed to carry. My heart gave a reluctant twinge.
Is he lost? I bit my lip, torn between walking away and stepping in. This was supposed to be my grand new beginning—did I really want to start it by getting tangled up with a stranger?
But then, a spark of resolve flared within me.
No. I couldn't launch my college life by ignoring someone who might need help. Not if I wanted to be the heroine I'd promised myself I'd become.
Taking a deep breath, I started toward him, my sneakers scuffing softly against the pavement.
"Hey," I called gently, my voice barely carrying over the rustling leaves. He didn't turn, so I tried again, a nervous edge creeping into my tone.
"You seem like you might be in a bit of trouble. Can I help you with something? Maybe you're lost or—"
He turned, and the world stopped.
My breath hitched, my feet rooting to the ground. His face—pale, almost ethereal skin, deep brown eyes that seemed to hold a galaxy of unspoken stories, and sharp, sculpted features that belonged on a movie poster—was achingly familiar. His black hair, slightly tousled, fell across his forehead in a way that was infuriatingly perfect. He was tall, lean, and devastatingly handsome, like a character ripped from the pages of a romance novel. But it wasn't just his looks that hit me like a tidal wave—it was the recognition, sharp and searing, of a past I'd tried to bury.
"Nisha?" His voice, smooth and warm like honeyed tea, sent a shiver racing down my spine.
"Dev?!" My voice came out sharper than I intended, his name a near-shout, laced with disbelief and a spark of frustration.
Why him? Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be Dev Jaiswal? My heart sank, memories flooding back like a storm I couldn't outrun. We'd gone to the same junior college, where he'd been the infamous problem child—brilliant grades, a devil-may-care attitude, and a charm that could melt glaciers. And me? I'd been the fool who'd fallen for him. Hard. Only for him to reject me in the most humiliating way possible, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my pride and swear I'd erase him from my life forever.
Clearly, I'd been wrong.
"Um, could you maybe show me the way to the college building?" he asked, his tone light but tinged with a faux innocence that didn't quite reach his eyes. A faint smirk played at the corner of his lips, and I hated how it made my stomach flip.
"Huh?" I blinked, his words pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts.
"Can't you?" he pressed, tilting his head and widening his eyes into that infuriating puppy-dog look I remembered all too well.
Those eyes—deep and soulful, with lashes that had no right to be so long—had once been my weakness. Not anymore.
No. I am not falling for this again. I clenched my jaw, willing my heart to stay steady. But that hint of gloom I'd noticed earlier—the way his shoulders sagged, the quiet vulnerability in his posture—tugged at something deep inside me, despite my better judgment.
"I'm only helping because you look pathetic," I muttered under my breath, barely audible. Louder, I sighed,
"Fine. I'll show you the way."
His face lit up with a grin that was far too bright, far too disarming.
"Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver, Nisha!" he exclaimed, falling into step beside me as if we were old friends picking up where we'd left off.
This is not how my college life was supposed to start. I groaned inwardly, my shoulders slumping as I led the way down the tree-lined path. The breeze danced through the leaves overhead, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Sunlight filtered through the branches, painting the ground with golden patches that shifted with every gust. It was a beautiful morning, but Dev's presence was a storm cloud threatening to ruin it.
"What's with that sigh?" he asked, casting me a sidelong glance. His lips curved into a teasing smile, and I hated how it made my cheeks warm.
"It's nothing," I snapped, a little too quickly, crossing my arms as we walked.
"You're like an angel sent to rescue me," he said dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest like some swooning hero from a cheesy romance flick. "My knight in shining armor."
"Oh, please," I scoffed, rolling my eyes to hide the flush creeping up my neck. "Don't get carried away."
He laughed—a rich, melodic sound that was annoyingly pleasant, like a song I couldn't help but hum along to.
"I'm not mocking you… okay, maybe just a little," he admitted, his grin turning mischievous.
I shot him a glare, but it only made his smile widen.
We continued down the path, the college's grand architecture coming into view—sleek buildings of glass and stone, their modern lines softened by climbing vines and manicured lawns. The distant chatter of students grew louder, a reminder that I was stepping into a world far bigger than my past.
Dev kept talking, his voice a constant stream of commentary. He marveled at the campus's sprawling layout, grumbled about how confusing the map was, and tossed in random remarks about the weather and the students passing by. I responded with half-hearted murmurs—"yeah," "right," "really"—my mind too tangled in the surreal reality of walking beside him to fully engage.
Then, out of nowhere, he said something that made me stop in my tracks.
"I didn't know you got into the same college as me, Nisha."
His voice was softer now, almost thoughtful, drifting from just behind me as if he'd slowed to gauge my reaction.
My heart stuttered, a mix of irritation and something I refused to name swirling in my chest.
"Yeah… I guess so," I replied quietly, keeping my eyes fixed on the path ahead. My voice was steady, but inside, a storm raged—shock at his presence, frustration at our history, and a tiny, unwelcome flicker of curiosity about what he'd been up to since we last spoke.
He quickened his pace to catch up, a light hum escaping his lips as he fell back into step beside me.
"You know," he said, his tone light but laced with something deeper, "watch us end up in the same class too. Wouldn't that be something?"
I forced a tight smile, but internally, I was screaming. That would be a disaster. The last thing I needed was Dev Jaiswal haunting my every lecture, his stupidly charming grin threatening to unravel the new life I was trying to build.
As we neared the college gate—a sleek, modern archway flanked by security personnel—I slowed my pace.
"Let's walk separately from here," I said, my voice firm as I avoided his gaze.
"Oh… okay," he replied, a trace of disappointment flickering in his tone. His eyes lingered on me for a moment, but I didn't meet them.
Without another word, we parted ways. I veered onto the side lane leading to the entrance, my steps deliberate. Pausing before the gate, I took a deep breath, letting the moment settle over me. The structure loomed ahead like a portal to a new world—modern, prestigious, brimming with possibility.
My heart steadied, a quiet confidence blooming within me. I wasn't that girl from junior college anymore. This was my story, my chapter.
"Here I come, new life," I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips as I stepped forward, blissfully unaware of the tangled web of emotions, joys, heartbreaks, and surprises waiting just beyond the gate.