Chapter 1
Boston, U.S.AAuthor’s POV
Aira was starting her college today. At the University of Boston.
First day nerves had her closet looking like a battlefield. Half her clothes were scattered across the bed, the other half on the floor, and she was standing in the middle of it all, chewing her lip as if the perfect outfit would magically appear if she stared long enough.
From the living room downstairs came her brother’s impatient yell.
“You are going to college, not some wedding! What’s taking you this long?” Aarav’s voice carried easily through the house.
She rolled her eyes, smoothing down her hair in the mirror. Typical Aarav-always dramatic, always rushing her. He had waltzed through his own first day of college two years ago without a care in the world, already making friends before his bags had even touched the floor. But Aira... she was different. She wanted today to be perfect.
Finally, she slipped into a soft lilac blouse and tucked it into a pair of jeans. Simple, safe. She took a deep breath and grabbed her bag before Aarav came storming up the stairs to drag her down himself.
When she reached the living room, Aarav was sprawled on the couch like he owned the place, scrolling through his phone.
“Let’s go, bhai,” Aira said, adjusting the strap of her bag.
He grunted in reply, finally dragging himself up.
By the time they reached the campus gates, the morning sun was spilling over the wide lawns, and students were buzzing everywhere-new faces, nervous laughter, the chaos of a hundred first days. Ranveer, Aarav’s friend, was already there, leaning casually against his car, scanning the crowd with the easy calmness that seemed built into him.
The moment he spotted Aarav, he strode forward. “What’s wrong, bro? Itna late?”
Aira trailed behind her brother, half-hidden, out of Ranveer’s line of sight. Aarav groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Arey, I got late because of her. She took so much time that a wedding would’ve been over.”
“Who?” Ranveer asked, brows lifting.
Aarav with a deadpan face, turned back. “Aira! Come here.” Then, facing Ranveer again, he added, “My sister. She’s starting college today.”
Ranveer’s gaze shifted, finally landing on her. Aira was making her way toward them, clutching her bag but smiling all the same-bright, easy, unfiltered. The contrast between her nervous steps and that bubbly grin was almost disarming.
Ranveer didn’t smile much, just a simple, polite one, as he extended his hand. “Oh. Hi, I’m Ranveer.”
Aira slipped her hand into his, her voice light, almost musical. “Hi. Heard a lot about you. Nice to finally meet you.”
Her grip was warm, her eyes unguarded in a way most people weren’t. For the briefest second, Ranveer found himself holding on a fraction longer than necessary before letting go.
“Good that Aarav reached college today. I thought he might never come,” Ranveer deadpanned.
Aira’s lips twitched. She really wanted to roll her eyes, but it was just their first meeting-better to keep some composure. Still, how dare her brother’s friend think he could tease her already?
“Yeah! Girls take too much time to get ready. Let’s go, otherwise we might miss the orientation snacks,” Aarav chimed in, clearly enjoying himself as he motioned for them to walk ahead.
Ranveer started walking, his hands tucked casually in his pockets, and Aira fell into step beside him. For a beat, neither spoke. She could sense his calm confidence, the exact opposite of her own nervous-bubbly energy.
Ranveer looked at her, “You were in Boston in your childhood too right?“, he asked normally.
“Hmm, yeah. I was just five. Dad was working here for about 7-8 years. Then we moved back to India”, Aira did not smile this time.
Ranveer did not notice that. He joined Aarav again, “Karan is already inside with Natasha”.
“Oh my... we have to face Natasha again. I am not ready for this. She is such a...urgh”, Aarav replied.
Ranveer knitted his brows, “What will happen if you ever have a girlfriend?”
“Listen bruh! If I date someone I will make sure not to be controlled by them.“, Aarav said.
“Who is Natasha?“, Aira asked.
“Bro, you didn’t tell her about Natasha?“, Ranveer asked raising his eyebrows.
“He always talks about you. Not anyone else. And sometimes about Karan bhaiya”, Aira answered.
Ranveer was surprised. “Bhaiya? You call Karan that?”
“Of course. He’s older, no?” Aira said matter-of-factly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
Aarav snorted. “See, this is what happens when you grow up with only one sibling. You start handing out bhaiya-tags like free candy.”
Ranveer hummed, nodding slightly “Good to know. I’ll keep that in mind before you decide what title you want to stick on me.”
Aira blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”
“Relax,” Ranveer said smoothly. “I’m just saying-better to set the record straight early. I don’t do honorary titles.”
She wanted to glare at him, but the easy confidence in his voice and that intense look in his eyes made her lips twitch despite herself.
“Oh orientation has started. Where is Karan?“, Aarav went searching for him, “Ranveer, stay with her here.”
Ranveer nodded, shifting to his quiet mode.He could feel the air was awkward.
Just then a warm voice came from behind Aira.“Cute bag. Little too pastel for my taste, but it suits you.”
Aira turned to see a girl with wavy chestnut-brown hair, brown eyes glinting with mischief, and an easy confidence in the way she stood. She was white, tall, and carried herself like she’d been running the campus for years-even though she was just a freshman too.
“I’m Denise,” she extended her hand casually, as if introductions were optional.
“Aira.”
Denise gave her a quick once-over, smirk tugging at her lips. “Let me guess-you’re the type who says‘hi, nice to meet you’with full sincerity, huh?”
Aira blinked. “...Is that bad?”
Denise laughed. “No, it’s adorable. Just... dangerous. Guys eat that up. You need filters, girl. Don’t flash your natural sweetness around everyone, or half the boys here will be lining up.”
Aira frowned in confusion, but Denise looped her arm around hers like they were already best friends.
“Don’t worry. Stick with me. By the end of this semester, you’ll know how to walk into a room and have every head turn-without even saying a word.”
“That’s... alluring, actually.” Aira didn’t know what else to say to such an offer.
“Are you here alone?” Denise tilted her head.
“No, I’m with my-” Aira began, but Ranveer’s voice cut cleanly across hers.
“She’s with me.”
Denise blinked, her lips parting in faint surprise. Her gaze bounced between them. “Oh... her boyfriend? You already found one on the first day?”
Aira nearly choked. “No! No, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s-he’s my brother’s friend. My brother is somewhere here...” Her eyes darted anxiously around the room in search of Aarav, as if his sudden appearance could rescue her from this ridiculous implication.
Ranveer didn’t bother correcting Denise further. He just slipped his hands back into his pockets, entirely unbothered, like the conversation hadn’t even nicked him.
“Oh,” Denise leaned closer to Aira, lowering her voice. “Your brother’s friend is kinda hot.” She added a wink for good measure.
Aira blinked at her, scandalized. “Umm... do you like him?” Her tone was almost disbelieving, as if the very idea was absurd. How could anyone possiblylikehim?He’s smug, he teases for no reason, and-
“Well,” Denise smirked, “you know... date-worthy.”
Aira’s jaw tightened. She didn’t even know why it bothered her.
Ranveer, meanwhile, was silently wondering how long Aarav planned to abandon him with his sister and her new friend.
“Well, leave that. Lets work on your interests. What is your major?“, Denise asked seeing how confused and anxious Aira was about her brother.
“Economics. Yours?“, Aira’s eyes glistened.
“Omg! Same. Economics. We are gonna be in the same lectures”, Denise put her arm around Aira again.
Aira smiled, “Wow. That’s great news actually.”
Aarav, Karan and Natasha finally came back to Aira and Ranveer.
Ranveer muttered under his breath, only for Aarav, “Took you so long-I thought I’d end up having dinner with Aira alone.”
“The crowd’s hilarious, bro,” Aarav murmured back, subtly signalling toward Natasha as the reason for the delay.
Then, out loud, he turned to his sister.“Aaru, meet Karan and his girlfriend, Natasha.”
“Oh hi, little sis. I’m Natasha Cooper.” Natasha leaned in to hug Aira.
“Hi, I’m Aira Malhotra.” Aira smiled politely, the picture of good manners.
“Aarav will give you my number. Keep it handy. If you need anything, just ring me up, babe,” Natasha said warmly.
Aira nodded. “Yeah, okay. Oh, meet my new friend, Denise.”
Ranveer bent slightly toward Aarav, muttering, “She already made a friend.”
“Thank god-we don’t have to babysit her anymore,” Aarav muttered back.
Ranveer’s lips twitched. “Oh, I doubt that. Denise might trade her in the market-she’s that naive.”
Aarav covered his chuckle with a fake cough, clearing his throat.
----------End of chapter 1
