Chapter 1 the first Glance
I was a Class 12 student preparing for one of the toughest engineering entrance exams in India—the JEE. To focus entirely on my preparation, I had taken a dummy admission in a college. Most JEE aspirants choose this option because the coaching itself demands long hours of study, leaving little time for regular college classes.
At that time, only three months were left before my board examinations.
I didn't have many friends at my coaching institute. Most of the people I talked to were girls, and I only spoke to a few boys who sat on the benches behind me.
As the months passed, I slowly realized that JEE wasn't going the way I had hoped. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep up with the pressure. Eventually, I stopped giving it my full attention and decided to focus more on my board exams.
Outside of studying, I had an iPad that I used mostly to watch anime. I was also addicted to a game called Genshin Impact. It was one of my favorite ways to escape reality. But as the board exams approached, I put everything aside and concentrated only on my studies.
One day, a message appeared in our college group chat.
"The Class 12 practical examinations are about to begin. All students must report to college."
Since I had a dummy admission, this would be my very first time attending college.
I went there with a few friends from coaching, especially my close friend, Ansh. He was the topper of our coaching institute—brilliant, hardworking, and well-known in college. He had even received an award for his academic performance, so almost every teacher recognized him.
Because of him, I started meeting new people. We became friends with a boy named Parth, who already had his own friend group. Before long, I had become part of that group too.
A few days before the practical exams, the college organized practice sessions.
That day changed everything.
As soon as I walked into the classroom, my eyes landed on a boy I had never seen before.
He wore a cross around his neck, had earrings in his ears, and his outfit stood out from everyone else's. There was something about him that instantly caught my attention.
For the first time in my life...
I fell for someone at first sight.
I wanted to talk to him, but I didn't even know his name.
A little later, I found out that he was also part of Parth's group. His name was Kanthak.
From that moment on, I couldn't stop thinking about him.
I wanted to become his friend somehow, but I had no idea how to start a conversation.
During the practice session, I was sitting on the second bench using my iPad while Parth sat behind me. Every few moments, I found myself secretly looking at Kanthak.
Then, unexpectedly, he walked toward me.
He looked at the iPad and asked, "Whose iPad is this?"
Before I could answer, the others replied, "It's his."
That was the first time he noticed me.
It wasn't much.
Just a simple question.
But without realizing it...
our story had already begun.
