"Vriti, aren't you getting late for college?" her mother shouted from downstairs.

"Coming, Mumma!" Vriti replied as she hurried to get ready.

Vriti's POV

It's my first day of college. I'm excited... but nervous too. I have no idea what the students will be like or how the environment will feel. But whatever happens, it's going to be a new experience a new chapter of my life.

A few minutes later, she came downstairs. Her mother was busy in the kitchen.

"Mumma, where's Papa?" she asked.

"He already left for the office. He waited for you for quite a while, but as always, you were running late," her mother said with a smile.

"Oh no... sorry, Mumma. I really tried my best." Vriti sighed. "Looks like I'll have to take the bus now. Anyway, I'm leaving. See you in the evening."

"Wait, Vriti! At least have your breakfast!" her mother called out.

But Vriti was already rushing toward the main door.

"I'm getting late, Mumma! I'll grab something on campus. Bye!"

With that, she hurried away.

After a twenty-minute bus ride, Vriti finally stood in front of her college.

Taking a deep breath, she smiled to herself.

"Let's go, V. Time to start a whole new phase of life."

The moment she stepped inside the campus, a wave of excitement mixed with nervousness rushed through her.

The campus was beautiful lush green gardens, basketball and volleyball courts, open spaces filled with students, and a massive academic building standing proudly at the center. Everything felt bigger and livelier than she had imagined.

For a moment, she stood there confused about where to go. Gathering some courage, she asked a student for directions to the academic block and followed them.

Since her first class was still thirty minutes away, she decided to visit the library and borrow a few books.

As she entered, she noticed groups of students chatting and wandering around. The library was surprisingly noisy and chaotic, but she paid little attention to it. She walked straight toward the shelves, searching for the books she needed.

Completely focused on her task, she didn't notice someone approaching from the opposite side.

Thud.

She accidentally bumped into him.

"Oh! Sorry... I'm so sorry. I didn't see you coming," she said quickly, her face turning red with embarrassment.

But the moment she looked up

She froze.

Standing before her was Abeer Diwan.

A boy whose presence alone seemed enough to turn heads. Tall, effortlessly handsome, with sharp features and captivating hazel eyes, he carried a quiet confidence that made him impossible to ignore.

For a brief second, his eyes met hers.

Then, without saying a word, he simply moved past her and continued on his way.

But Vriti remained standing there, completely still.

As if time itself had paused.

As if she had just caught a glimpse of a dream she never knew she was waiting for.

A prince charming, straight out of her imaginati

on... and gone in a heartbeat. ✨