And Then It Started

“Sometimes, the most beautiful chapters begin with the smallest step into the unknown.”

It was a dark morning, around 5:30 a.m.

A thin layer of mist covered the roads as my parents and I loaded all my belongings into a large suitcase and carefully placed it inside the car. The sound of the suitcase wheels, the quiet morning breeze, and the sleepy roads around us made everything feel strangely different.

Today was not just another day.

It was the beginning of a completely new chapter of my life.

College.

Before we started our journey, Benny Uncle had already called us.

“Where are you? Make sure you reach the college by sharp 11 a.m.”

His words kept replaying in my mind as we started travelling.

The journey felt longer than usual. With every passing mile, my excitement grew, but so did my nervousness. I kept looking outside the car window, watching unfamiliar places pass by, wondering how my life was about to change.

As the clock slowly moved closer to 11 a.m., we finally reached the college.

The huge gates slowly opened as our car entered the campus.

The moment I stepped inside, everything felt unfamiliar.

The corridors were filled with students walking around, laughing, talking, and rushing to different places. Their voices echoed through the buildings. Everyone seemed to know where they were going, while I stood there trying to understand this completely new world.

Benny Uncle was already waiting for us.

After completing the admission process, we headed towards the hostel.

The hostel warden welcomed me with an expression that was a strange mixture of strictness and kindness. She handed me the required forms and showed me my room.

“Room 203,” she said.

I walked towards my room with my parents.

When I opened the door, I saw a bunk bed and a few belongings already placed inside. The room was simple, but at that moment, it felt like the beginning of my new life.

I started unpacking my things and arranging everything neatly. My mom helped me organize my clothes and belongings while I tried to make the unfamiliar room feel a little more like home.

By the time everything was settled, it was already around 4:00 p.m.

The college day had already ended.

I looked around the room quietly, still trying to accept the fact that I was actually going to live here.

Suddenly, the door opened.

A cheerful girl entered with a bright smile on her face.

“Hi, I’m Jeyra,” she introduced herself.

Behind her stood another girl.

She had a serious expression, but there was something different about her smile—almost a little scary.

“I’m Aleria,” she said.

I smiled nervously.

“Hi... I’m Sylira.”

While my mom continued helping me arrange my things, Jeyra happily joined us. She kept talking continuously, asking me questions and making me feel comfortable within minutes.

Aleria, on the other hand, quietly arranged her things and stayed mostly silent.

She seemed like someone who preferred observing rather than speaking.

After everything was finally arranged, the moment I had been avoiding arrived.

Goodbye.

My mom, dad, and Benny Uncle hugged me one last time before leaving the hostel.

I stood there watching them walk away.

A strange feeling filled my heart.

I was excited.

I was scared.

But most importantly...

For the first time, I was truly on my own.

A little later, Jeyra suggested going to the hostel canteen.

The three of us—Jeyra, Aleria, and I—sat together and had a cup of milk tea before returning to our room.

As we settled down, Jeyra started asking about my course and department.

The moment I told her, her eyes widened.

“Seriously? That’s my department too!” she exclaimed.

Then she looked at Aleria and smiled.

“Looks like all three of us belong to the same department.”

Hearing that instantly made me feel relieved.

At least I wouldn’t have to enter my first day of college completely alone.

After returning to our room, my phone suddenly rang.

It was my cousin brother, Muffin.

He was already living in the same city where I had joined college.

The moment I answered, his voice was filled with concern.

“Did you reach safely? How is the hostel? Everything okay?”

I smiled hearing his questions.

He gave me plenty of advice—enjoy college life, study well, make good friends, and don’t worry about joining late.

His words slowly calmed my mind.

By the time the call ended, I felt much lighter.

As evening approached, the three of us got ready and went to the hostel mess for dinner.

On the way, we met a few girls from different departments. We had small conversations with them, exchanged smiles, and slowly started recognizing new faces.

It felt strange.

Just a few hours ago, everyone was a stranger.

Now, little by little, this unfamiliar place was starting to feel less scary.

After dinner, we returned to our room.

Jeyra was shorter than me, with short hair, bright round eyes, a wide smile, and a slightly chubby face that always made her look cheerful. She had the kind of personality that could make anyone comfortable within minutes.

Aleria was almost my height, very lean, and always wore glasses. Unlike Jeyra, she was quiet and preferred staying in her own world.

The night slowly became silent.

The hostel lights dimmed, and through the window, I could see the stars shining around a beautiful half moon.

For a moment, I forgot everything.

The peaceful night sky made me feel calm.

But somewhere inside, I was still nervous.

Tomorrow was my first day of college.

I plugged in my earphones and played some music, hoping it would quiet the endless thoughts running through my mind.

A few minutes later, Jeyra walked towards my bed holding a packet of chips.

Without saying anything, she sat beside me, opened the packet, and offered me one.

“So...” she smiled.

“Ready for tomorrow?”

I smiled softly.

“Tomorrow...” I whispered.

Even though I tried hiding it, my nervousness was obvious.

Jeyra looked at me for a moment and immediately understood.

She smiled warmly and nudged my shoulder.

“Don’t worry. You’re just overthinking.”

Then she grabbed another chip.

“Okay, let me tell you about our classroom.”

I turned towards her and listened carefully.

“The first person you should know is Kiara Ma’am.”

“She teaches Mathematics,” Jeyra said. “She is one of the sweetest teachers you’ll ever meet. She always has a smile on her face and makes students comfortable. Even if someone doesn’t understand something, she patiently explains it again.”

I smiled.

“And next is our class tutor, Reena Ma’am.”

Jeyra laughed softly.

“She’s strict. Very strict. But she’s also responsible and cares about students. Just remember one thing—never be late and never forget assignments.”

As Jeyra continued explaining about teachers, classrooms, and college life, I realized something.

My fear was slowly disappearing.

For the first time since entering the hostel, tomorrow didn’t feel terrifying anymore.

“Now,” Jeyra said with a grin, “let me tell you about my friends.”

She held up three fingers.

“The first one is Aylin.”

Her face immediately brightened.

“She’s the topper of our class. Every teacher loves her. She’s hardworking, respectful, kind, and always helps others. If anyone asks about the best student in our class, everyone will mention Aylin.”

I became curious to meet her.

“The second is Sienna.”

Jeyra laughed.

“She’s the stylish one. Her outfits are always perfect, her hair always looks amazing, and somehow she knows every trend before anyone else.”

“And the third is Sarina.”

“She’s the calm one. Very sweet, soft-spoken, and peaceful. While the rest of us are busy talking, Sarina will just sit there smiling.”

Jeyra smiled.

“The three of them are my closest friends.”

I carefully remembered their names.

Just when I thought she had finished, Jeyra suddenly became quiet.

A small smile appeared on her face.

“And... there’s one more person.”

I looked at her curiously.

“Who?”

“Ani.”

The moment she said his name, her entire face changed.

Her cheeks turned pink, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide her smile.

I couldn’t stop myself from laughing.

“Oh...”

“So that’s the reason behind that smile.”

Jeyra covered her face with her hands.

“Don’t tease me!”

“I... I just think he’s really nice.”

I raised my eyebrow.

“Hmm... I haven’t even met him yet, but I already know he’s someone special.”

Jeyra laughed and threw a pillow at me.

“Just wait until you see him tomorrow!”

Talking, laughing, and sharing stories, I slowly drifted into sleep.

My mind was already imagining tomorrow.

My very first day of college.

Tring... Tring... Tring...

The alarm suddenly pulled me out of my sleep.

I grabbed my phone.

6:30 a.m.

“Already?” I whispered.

I quickly got up, took my bucket and toiletries, and stepped into the hostel corridor.

Then I froze.

A huge queue was already standing outside the restroom.

“Oh no...” I sighed.

After what felt like forever, my turn finally came.

I rushed through brushing my teeth and taking a bath before running back to the room.

After getting dressed, grabbing a quick cup of hot milk from the hostel mess, and picking up my bag, I checked the time.

8:15 a.m.

My eyes widened.

“We’re late!”

Jeyra immediately grabbed my wrist.

“Come on, Sylira!”

She pulled me down the hostel stairs.

“It’s already 8:15! If we’re late, Reena Ma’am will definitely scold us!”

Without wasting another second, we ran towards the college building.

My first day of college had finally begun.