Chapter 4
Rudransh Malhotra 's pov ~
Lunch break was almost over, and I was standing outside the canteen with Asvin.
Or, more accurately, I was standing there while he talked endlessly about some football match I couldn't care less about
“Bro, it’s only the first day, and you’re already famous among the juniors,” Asvin said jokingly.
I glanced at him. “What did I do?”
“That coffee girl,” he replied with a grin.
I shook my head slightly. “She bumped into me.”
Asvin laughed. “Still… she didn’t look scared of you at all.”
I didn’t reply.
We walked into the canteen and found a table. While Asvin continued talking about football, my eyes wandered around the room.
And then I noticed her.
Amaya Sharma.
She was sitting at a table with her friends, laughing at something one of them had said.
For a moment, I remembered the way she'd looked at me earlier—annoyed, irritated, and completely unimpressed by the fact that I was a senior.
Most juniors either avoided arguing with seniors or tried too hard to impress them.
But she wasn't like that.
“Is that her?” Asvin asked, following my gaze.
“Yeah,” I replied shortly.
He glanced at her before looking back at me.
“Attitude,” he muttered.
“Confidence,” I corrected calmly.
Asvin raised an eyebrow. “Since when did you start defending juniors?”
“I'm not defending anyone. I'm stating a fact.”
“Sure, bro. Whatever you say.”
I ignored him and focused on my food.
After finishing our lunch, we left the canteen and headed back toward the academic building.
There was still half a day left, and I had no intention of wasting it listening to Asvin's endless football commentary.
---
The final bell rang, and students began pouring out of their classrooms. The corridors quickly filled with voices, footsteps, and the excitement of finally being free to go home.
I walked down the corridor with Asvin, listening to him talk about the same football match he'd been discussing during lunch.
Honestly, I was beginning to regret having ears.
“Bro, are you even listening?” he asked.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Then what did I just say?”
“That you talk too much.”
“Shut up, man!”
I chuckled as we continued walking.
Just as we turned around the corner, someone came rushing toward us.
Before either of us could react, she bumped into my shoulder, and her notebook slipped from her hand. Papers scattered across the floor.
I looked down.
Amaya Sharma.
You've got to be kidding me.
Of all the people on this campus, why did it have to be her?
“Maybe you should look where you're going,” I said.
She immediately looked up at me, her eyes widening before narrowing in irritation.
“Are you actually kidding me? Do you have some kind of problem with me?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“First the coffee, then the unnecessary comments in class, and now this! Do you follow me everywhere?”
I almost laughed.
Follow her?
The girl genuinely thought I had nothing better to do than chase her around campus.
“Trust me, Amaya. If I wanted to follow you, you'd know.”
Her mouth fell open.
Asvin, standing beside me, let out a quiet laugh.
“OH, YOU—”
“Careful, junior. Your friends are watching,” I interrupted, noticing her friend standing nearby with an amused expression.
Amaya turned toward her friend, who looked like she was enjoying every second of this.
Interesting.
Amaya turned back to me, clearly trying to control her temper.
“Don't you have some important senior business to attend to?”
“Actually, I do.”
“Then go!”
I shook my head, fighting a smile.
God, this girl had an answer for everything.
I crouched down and picked up the last sheet of paper lying near my shoe. As I held it out to her, I caught sight of her name written neatly at the top.
Amaya Sharma.
“Nice handwriting,” I commented casually.
She snatched the paper from my hand.
“And you have terrible manners.”
I let out a short laugh.
“Yet you keep talking to me.”
“Because you keep irritating me!”
For a moment, I simply looked at her.
Most juniors either avoided arguing with seniors or tried too hard to impress them. Amaya did neither. She looked me straight in the eyes and said whatever came to her mind.
“See you tomorrow, Amaya,” I said before turning away.
“Hopefully not.”
I glanced back at her.
“That's what you said yesterday.”
Her expression was priceless.
I turned away before she could come up with another comeback and walked toward the staircase with Asvin.
We'd barely made it halfway down when he burst out laughing.
“Bro, what is wrong with you?”
I frowned. “What?”
“You're literally picking fights with a first-year girl just because you find her reactions funny.”
“I am not picking fights with her.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really.”
He gave me a look that clearly said he didn't believe a single word.
I ignored him and continued walking.
After a few steps, Asvin spoke again.
“So, Amaya Sharma, huh?”
I stopped and looked at him.
“What about her?”
“Nothing. Just interesting how you remembered her full name.”
I stared at him for a second before rolling my eyes.
“It's written on her notebook, idiot.”
“Sure, bro. Whatever you say.”
I shoved his shoulder lightly, and he burst out laughing again.
We headed toward the parking area.
I pulled out my bike keys and put on my helmet while Asvin got ready to leave.
“See you tomorrow, bro,” he called.
“Yeah. And try not to talk about football for once.”
He laughed. “Not happening.”
I shook my head as he rode away.
A moment later, I started my bike and drove out of the college gates, heading home.
Finally, the first day was over.
College was already exhausting, the professors seemed strict, and my best friend talked way too much.
Just another ordinary day.
At least, that's what I thought.
To be continued ~
