Chapter 1 THE ASSIGNMENT
Anshu was just an average boy—average in studies, average in confidence, and invisible in sports and college activities. He had a small, loyal group of friends and spent most of his time between lectures, the canteen, and his hostel room. Life was simple, uneventful, and predictable.
That changed when he met Anchal.
She was confident, talkative, and full of energy. One afternoon, in the library, she approached Anshu and said with a smile, “Hey, can you help me with these assignments? I’m running out of time.”
That was the first time any girl had spoken to him in college. His heart skipped a beat.
“Yeah… sure,” he stammered, barely hiding his excitement.
That night, Anshu worked tirelessly. He finished all her assignments but forgot his own. At dawn, he texted her: “All done. Yours are complete.”
She replied quickly: “Wow! Thanks a lot, Anshu! You saved me!”
From that day, they began chatting regularly. Small conversations turned into long midnight talks. They shared stories, laughed at memes, and slowly started getting interested in each other.
Then suddenly, Anchal stopped coming to college.
Anshu grew worried. One evening, his phone rang. It was her.
“Where are you? I’ve been so worried,” he said.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” she replied softly.
“That’s my birthday. Come to my party, please,” he asked eagerly.
“I’ll try,” she promised.
The next day, the party was on. All his friends were there—but Anchal never came. Anshu kept checking the door, hoping, waiting. But she didn’t show up. His smile faded, and so did his mood.
The next morning, Anchal came to college. Anshu saw her, handed her a new assignment silently, and started to walk away.
“I’m sorry, Anshu,” she said, her voice trembling.
He didn’t stop.
“I really wanted to come. Please listen…”
She started crying. That stopped him.
He turned, looked at her, and saw tears rolling down her cheeks.
“What happened?” he asked, concerned.
Anchal sat down on a bench and told him everything.
“Some so-called friends dragged me to a club last night. They made me drink. I lost control… I don’t remember much. Everyone laughed at me. This morning, they didn’t even talk to me—they just left me at college like trash. I feel broken. Alone. Nobody really understands me.”
She looked at Anshu with teary eyes.
“You’re the only one who cares. Please… don’t leave me too.”
Without thinking, Anchal hugged him tightly, in front of everyone.
Anshu hesitated, then wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ll never leave you,” he whispered.
