Chapter1: TheFirst Day of College and the Stranger
It was the first day of college. Ananya couldn’t contain her excitement; she was practically floating on air. Her small, trendy backpack was slung over her shoulder, her unique, custom-designed water bottle peeked out from the side pocket, and her long, manicured nails caught the morning sunlight. Overwhelmed with joy, she sprinted toward the college gate, spreading her arms wide as if she wanted to embrace the entire world and the fresh morning breeze.
At that exact moment, Vansh Singh was walking briskly from behind, deep in a heated business call, his face a mask of cold anger. Just as Ananya swung her arms back in pure exuberance, her fingers accidentally poked straight into Vansh’s eyes!
Ananya panicked. She immediately pulled her hand back and said with innocent concern, "Oh my god! I am so sorry! I didn't think anyone was behind me." She was genuinely worried, leaning in to check his eyes and gently blowing air over them. She pleaded again, "Please, don't be mad! I am truly sorry!"
Vansh froze. His temper was at its peak, but the moment he saw Ananya right before his eyes, his cold anger melted like ice. He just stared at her. There was an innocence in her eyes he had perhaps never felt before. He looked at her with a lingering, intense gaze, said nothing, and simply walked away. Ananya stood there, watching him leave, feeling an strange unease—as if she knew that stranger from somewhere.
Shaking off the bizarre encounter, Ananya headed inside to complete her registration. There, she met Megha and Varsha. They clicked instantly. Ananya introduced herself with a bright smile, and the trio headed to the canteen, laughing and chatting. But this joy was short-lived. When they reached their class, they were a little late. The professor started scolding them in front of the entire class, "College has just started, and you are late on the very first day! Do you have any idea about college timings? You aren't little kids anymore, what will you do for the whole year?"
The professor’s sharp words made Ananya and her friends feel insulted. Burning with a desire for revenge, they decided they wouldn't let this slide. After class, the three crept into the parking area and let the air out of the professor's car tires. Ananya left a note on the wiper: "Check your tires before leaving, Miss!"—and they ran away. A while later, when the professor reached her car, her face was red with rage, but there was no one around to account for their mischief.
Vansh’s Secret:
Meanwhile, sitting in his sleek black luxury car, Vansh Singh had watched everything from behind tinted windows. A rare, faint smile touched his lips—a sight no one had ever seen before. He looked at his assistant and said in a cold, authoritative voice, "Don't let the professor be troubled; get her a new car. But... ensure no one bothers that girl—Ananya."
The assistant was stunned, "Sir, but you don't even know her?"
Vansh watched Ananya walking away and whispered to himself, "It’s better that she doesn't know me. Because the day she discovers who I am, she will be lost in the darkness that consumes my world. I want to keep her in the light, where there is only laughter." Vansh picked up his phone and told his driver, "Start the car. I want the complete schedule of her classes."
What lies ahead?
Vansh has already begun pulling strings in the shadows to protect Ananya, but for how long can he keep his dark reality hidden from her? As Ananya starts her new life, will she ever discover the true identity of the "stranger" whose eyes she once poked, or will Vansh’s obsession lead them down a path they never expected?
