Chapter 1
The night was unusually quiet.
A cold wind swept through the deserted road as distant thunder rumbled across the sky.
Streetlights flickered weakly, casting long shadows over the empty pavement.
For a moment, everything seemed normal.
Then came the sound of hurried footsteps.
A young girl emerged from the darkness, her movements frantic, her breathing uneven.
She kept looking over her shoulder as if expecting someone—or something—to appear.
Fear was written all over her face.
The road ahead was empty.
The road behind her wasn’t.
Headlights suddenly cut through the darkness.
A black van.
The girl’s steps faltered.
The vehicle slowed.
A door slid open.
And her terrified scream disappeared into the night.
By morning, there was no sign she had ever been there.
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The sound of rain lightly tapping against the window blended with the fresh aroma of chai spreading through the cozy apartment.
It was peaceful. Warm.
The kind of morning Avantika wished could last forever.
“Avu, if you don’t wake up now, you’ll be late for your first day at university!”
Her mother’s voice echoed through the apartment, making Avantika groan dramatically into her favorite pillow.
“Maa…” she whined. “Five more minutes…”
“Three years of hard work for a scholarship and this girl still sleeps like a buffalo,” her mother scolded from the kitchen.
Avantika smiled faintly.
Home.
The colorful walls, the constant chaos, her mother’s scolding, her father humming old songs while reading the newspaper—
this was her home.
And today, she was leaving it behind.
For Astraeus International University.
One of the most prestigious universities in the country.
A place where children of politicians, celebrities, and billionaires studied.
A place where she didn’t belong.
Or at least, that’s what her jealous relatives loved reminding her.
Avantika stared at the acceptance letter resting on her study table, her fingers brushing over the university emblem.
AIU.
People called it a dream.
But dreams were expensive.
And she had learned long ago that dreams came with consequences far greater than money.
“Avantika!”
“I’m coming!”
She quickly got ready in a simple kurti, picked up her bags, and headed downstairs.
The dining table was filled with all her favorite dishes.
Of course they were trying to make the day special.
After breakfast, her mother packed food for the journey while Avantika stood near the door, trying not to think too much about goodbye.
Her father patted her shoulder proudly while her mother smiled a little too much—
the kind of smile people gave when they were trying not to cry.
The teasing smile on Avantika’s face slowly faded.
“Why are you both acting like I’m leaving for another planet?” she muttered.
“Because our daughter worked hard enough to reach a place others can only dream of,” her mother said softly.
That single sentence shattered her composure.
Before emotions could completely take over, the sound of the cab honking echoed from outside.
It was time to go.
Avantika hugged both of them tightly before walking toward the car.
“I wish I could come with you,” her mother whispered. “But you know how things are at home…”
“Don’t worry, Maa,” Avantika said gently. “Papa’s dropping me there, and I’ll be staying at the hostel. Everything will be fine.”
“Take care, beta.”
Her mother kissed her forehead before she and her father finally got into the cab.
