Chapter 1:- The First Day
The first day at XIMS had transformed the campus into a sea of unfamiliar faces.
Students walked across the sprawling grounds, some nervously checking their schedules while others excitedly explored the college.
Then, three students stepped through the entrance together.
Two girls.
One boy.
The moment they entered the campus, they became the center of attention.
Heads turned.
Whispers spread.
Not because they were trying to attract attention—but because they naturally did.
The boy walked between the two girls with the calm confidence of someone who was used to being noticed, while the girls carried themselves with effortless elegance.
One of the girls, her face partially hidden behind a black mask, was engrossed in a video call.
“Yeah, Itachi. We’ve reached.”
“Good. Did you guys eat?” came the deep voice from the phone.
“How was the hostel food?”
“If it isn’t, move out immediately. The three of you can stay in a PG. Cook your own food. If needed, I’ll even hire a good house help.”
“Huh? No—no way, Itachi!” she blurted out.
“Don’t even think about spending that much money.”
“It was actually really good. We liked it, right, Ann? Vid?”
“Yeah,” they answered together.
“It was delicious.”
“Yeah.”
“So don’t worry, Itachi.”
“We’ll be fine.”
There was a brief pause before the man sighed.
“Alright. Then hang up. You’re getting late for your classes.”
“Yeah.”
“But call me the moment your classes end.”
“I will.”
“Have a—”
“You... you’re really beautiful.”
“Can I... have your number?”
The sudden voice from behind made all three of them turn around.
Standing a few steps away was a boy.
He looked visibly nervous, fidgeting with his fingers as he avoided making direct eye contact.
A faint blush crept across his face.
Vid looked at him for a moment before asking , “Whose number do you want?”
The boy hesitated.
Then, gathering what little courage he had left, he pointed toward the girl holding the phone.
“T-The girl who’s holding the phone.”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Instinctively, she adjusted her mask before a thought crossed her mind.
He’s calling me beautiful... even though I’m still wearing a mask?
No... this isn’t right. I don’t want to attract any attention.
Just as she was about to say something, a voice suddenly came from the phone.
“Hey, Vid.”
“Give him the phone.”
“I want to see who’s asking for my sister’s number.”
Vid chuckled before flipping the phone toward the boy.
The stranger froze.
The man on the screen was unbelievably handsome, but the sharpness in his eyes made him intimidating.
“So...”
He smiled.
“You want my sister’s number.”
“May I ask why?”
The boy swallowed nervously.
“W-We study in the same college...”
“I just wanted us to know each other.”
The smile disappeared from the man’s face.
“If you genuinely wanted to know someone...”
“The first thing you’d ask is their name.”
“Not their number.”
His voice turned ice cold.
“And as for this girl...”
“Don’t even think about asking her name.”
“Forget her number.”
“Stay away from her.”
“And also...”
“Stay away from the other girl standing beside her as well.”
“Now leave.”
The boy’s face turned pale.
It wasn’t just the voice on the phone.
Vid was glaring at him with eyes that looked ready to end his existence.
Without another word, the boy hurried toward a group of boys.
Vid handed the phone back to her and noticed the faint tension lingering on her face.
For a fleeting moment, an unpleasant memory threatened to resurface.
Her fingers tightened around her phone.
Before she could say anything, Itachi noticed the change in her expression.
“Hey... it’s okay,” he said gently. “He was just asking for your number.”
“He was such a timid, nervous-looking boy.”
“He was more scared than you are.”
“Nothing bad is going to happen.”
A moment later, Ann stepped beside her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“I’m here.”
She smiled softly.
“Vid and I are both with you, so don’t worry.”
She looked at Ann... then at Vid.
The tension in her shoulders eased little by little.
A quiet sense of relief appeared in her eyes.
“...Thank you,” she said softly.
Itachi grinned.
“Hey... don’t cry, okay?”
She let out a small huff and lightly rolled her eyes.
“Hey, I don’t cry.”
Then she looked past him toward the group of boys standing nearby.
“Wait...”
She narrowed her eyes thoughtfully.
“Look over there.”
“I think those boys are ragging him.”
Itachi said.
“It’s fine,” he said casually. “It’s probably just the seniors messing with him.”
She frowned.
“Exactly.”
“So you shouldn’t have scared him like that either.”
“Oh?”
A teasing grin appeared on his face.
“Alright, alright.”
“Next time I won’t threaten him.”
“I’ll just come there myself...”
“...and break his bones if anyone tries to ask for your number...”
“...or bothers you even a little.”
She sighed.
“Shut up, Itachi.”
He laughed.
“Alright.”
Then his tone turned serious again.
“Hey, Vid...”
“Yes, Itachi.”
“The responsibility of keeping these parasites away from them is yours.”
“I’ll take care of them.”
“Don’t worry.”
“Good.”
“Bye.”
The call finally ended.
The girl slipped her phone into her pocket before looking at the other two.
“Your Hotel Management classes are upstairs, right?”
Vid nodded.
“And your Culinary Arts class is on this floor.”
“Yeah.”
She smiled.
“Then I’ll see you both later.”
“Bye.”
“Have a nice day.”
Ann immediately hugged her.
“If anything happens...”
“Call either me or Vid.”
“We’ll come immediately.”
“Until then...”
“Take care of yourself.”
She smiled softly.
“I will.”
She turned toward her classroom.
And just as she was about to step inside her classroom, someone gently caught her wrist.
She looked down.
Noticing her gaze, Vid immediately let go.
“Sorry.”
“No....It’s fine.”
He hesitated before asking,
“Are you... really okay?”
She tilted her head.
“What do you mean?”
“You’ll be on your own now.”
“Our departments are different.”
She let out a small laugh.
“What?”
“Do you want to attend Culinary Arts with me?”
He didn’t smile.
“I’m serious.”
“It’s been eight months.”
“After everything that happened...”
“And after what we talked about on Diwali...”
“You never went anywhere alone.”
“The only time you even stepped out of your room was for your exams.”
“And even then...”
“Either Ann or I was always with you.”
His eyes searched hers.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
She nodded.
“I am.”
“I can’t stay locked inside my room forever.”
He remained silent.
“And...”
She smiled gently.
“You don’t have to protect me all the time.”
He let out a quiet sigh.
“Fine.”
“But don’t talk to strangers.”
“Especially boys.”
“And if possible, only talk to girls when it’s absolutely necessary.”
“And if anything feels wrong...”
“Call me immediately.”
She laughed softly.
“Don’t worry about me.”
“Even if Itachi told you to protect me...”
“You have your own studies.”
“And your own life.”
She glanced at Ann with a teasing expression.
“You should try dating someone.”
“Maybe get yourself a girlfriend.”
“How long are you planning to spend your life protecting me?”
Vid met her gaze.
His eyes were unwavering.
“You already know who I like.”
His voice was calm.
“And I’d do anything to protect her.”
“Whether she likes me back...”
“Or not.”
Silence settled between them.
“And don’t ever tell me to find another girl again.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned around and walked away.
She quietly watched his retreating figure.
I’m sorry, Vid...
But I can’t return your feelings.
I’m still not ready for emotions like these.
As Vid and Ann disappeared up the staircase, she drew a slow, shaky breath. Adjusting her mask once again, she finally forced herself to step into the classroom.
The moment she crossed the doorway, her steps came to an abrupt halt.
So many people.
The room buzzed with conversations, laughter, and the scraping of chairs. Everywhere she looked, unfamiliar faces filled the classroom.
Strangers.
Her fingers instinctively tightened around the strap of her bag.
Too many people...
For a brief moment, the urge to turn around and walk out nearly won.
Then her gaze found an empty seat by the window in the very first row.
No one was sitting there.
Relief spread through her chest.
She quickly walked over before anyone else could take it, placed her bag on the desk, lowered her mask just enough to slip a piece of chewing gum into her mouth, then pulled the mask back into place.
Okay... calm down.
Just don’t look at anyone.
Hopefully, nobody will talk to you.
Just attend your classes... then go straight back to your hostel room.
Thank God Itachi managed to get Ann and me assigned to the same room.
I won’t have to talk to anyone there.
Three years...
Just survive these three years.
She was still trying to steady her breathing when her gaze drifted toward the window beside her.
Since the classroom was on the ground floor, the view opened directly onto the sprawling sports ground.
Golden morning sunlight bathed the green field, making the dew-covered grass shimmer.
Students crossed the pathways in small groups, laughing and chatting without a care in the world.
A cool breeze slipped through the half-open window, carrying the fresh scent of grass and rustling the leaves of the trees lining the ground.
She quietly watched the peaceful scene, feeling the tightness in her chest ease ever so slightly.
...Seriously.
It feels so much better being outside that room.
The room started to feel suffocating.
The world is so beautiful...
But the people in it...
Her fingers unconsciously curled around the edge of the desk.
I can’t bring myself to trust anyone anymore.
Sometimes... I just want everything to end.
I wish I could live alone on some quiet island.
No people.
No one wanting anything from me.
Just me... and the beauty of nature.
Her lips parted before she even realized she was speaking.
“I hate my life...”
A brief pause.
“...and myself.”
A deep male voice interrupted her thoughts.
“What—?!”
She flinched, her eyes widening in surprise.
That voice... I know that voice.
Her head snapped toward the person standing beside her desk.
The moment she saw him, disbelief flickered across her face.
“You...?” she blurted out, unable to hide her shock.
Her brows knitted together.
“What are you doing here?”
To be continued🌛✨❤️....
