Aditi's POV:

I inhaled a deep breath as I looked up at the off-white building in front of me. Students miled about, varying in ages, laughing with their friends. This was it. It was my first day of college after spending twelve years in the same school. I fished around in my bag for my ID card and flashed it to the watchmen out front. Entering the gates, I scanned it on the scanner and pressed my thumb onto the biometric scanner. It was a little excessive for a college, but it was pretty cool too.
I looked around, taking in the details I had first missed on my trip here to confirm my admission. Back then, I had barely had any time to look around, having been informed that I had gotten in quite late.
I felt a bit self conscious, being the only one who didn't know other kids while everyone else seemed to be in their own worlds, chattering about their classes. Seems like I was the only one who didn't know anyone here, but that was fine. I'll make friends soon enough, right? As I eyed the crowd gathered near the elevators, a girl tapped me on the shoulder. I smiled at her, instantly recognizing her from our interaction on the day of the admission. I quickly took in her appearance to check whether I was remembering correctly. Shoulder level black hair, braces, almond shaped black eyes.... yup , it was definitely her. She was wearing a simple cropped top and jeans, unlike the other kids. I distinctly remembered her telling me that her name was Aisha.
"Hey! How are you? Aditi, right? " she asked with a bright smile.
"Yes! I'm good what about you? Aisha, right?" I asked with a polite smile.
"Yes! You remember me. I'm great! Which class are you in?"
"402-"
"Oh my god! Me too! I'm so glad we're in the same class. I was afraid I was going to have to sit alone on the first day." She looped her arm in mine and dragged me towards the closest elevator.
I felt instant relief at the thought of not being alone and welcomed her company. We quickly began talking about our summer break and life after tenth grade. Turns out, we thought a lot alike, and our energy matched on another level. We giggled as we took a seat on the second last bench while she recounted her mother's reaction to her grades.
It was definitely a relatable story, as I thought back to my own mother's reaction. In India, 10th boards were a very huge thing. The grades you scored sometimes defined everything from your career to your place in the family. I had been panicking at the thought of getting anything below a 90% since all the good colleges required grades above that. My fears had gotten to the point that had I scored below 90.... I shook my head, clearing those thoughts away. I had scored a whopping 94%, so it didn't matter, right? My parents were satisfied and my relatives were also proud. My mother had also shed tears while my dad had gifted me a gold necklace. Trust an Indian family to spoil their daughters with gold. It was practically every household's story.
I had gotten into a good college, Mithibai, and was happy as could be.
Aisha nudged me with her elbow with a frown, breaking my train of thoughts.
"Hey, you okay?" Blinking, I nodded yes and asked her to repeat the question she had asked.
She perked up and whispered."So... do you have a boyfriend?" I smiled as I thought about my boyfriend.
Her eyes widened as she took in my smile. "You do! I have to see a picture. Spill everything!" She gushed. I took out my phone to show her a picture of us at the mall.
"Oh my god! You guys are so cute." I locked my phone and put it away.
"His name is Sahil, and we met in 10th grade." I offered her this much information.

The teacher entered, and a hush fell over the class. He introduced himself as our maths teacher and proceeded to start with the first lesson of the semester. Everyone groaned as they pulled their books out, a few kids putting their head down, taking a nap.
Aisha slapped my arm, drawing my attention to her as I winced in pain. "You can't just leave me hanging! Tell me everything there is about your love story."
I rolled my eyes as the teacher started rambling about composite numbers and whole numbers as everyone started whispering again.
My mind went back to the conversation I had just had with Aisha. Ripping a piece of paper, I scribbled down.

What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?

I passed it to her and read over her shoulder as she wrote.

Not yet.

I quickly snatched it away and wrote.

So there is someone you like?!

She tucked away a strand with a shy smile and nodded.
"I'll tell you about him later." She whispered. I nodded and tried to focus on what the teacher was trying to teach, emphasis on the trying. Everyone looked lost as they tried to understand what he was saying, a clear blank look on their faces. I could not understand anything at all as he talked about in circles, trying to make a point I was not sure existed.
My first class in college and I was already considering tution classes. I made a mental note to check out the best classes since the college professors were definitely not going to cut it.
In India, it was very common to go to tution classes to ensure we got the best possible marks, but I had hoped I wouldn't have to rely on those once 10th grade was over. Clearly, that was not going to be the case.
After 40 minutes of being tortured by the maths teacher, the economics teacher made an entry.
She made a quick introduction and turned towards the digital board, tapping on a document and opened a presentation.
"So, we'll be starting with the first topic of the semester. Please pay attention."
At her statement, even more people put their heads down and dozed off. The ones awake whispered and paid no attention to her. Regardless, she continued in her monotone voice. I sighed, realizing that at this rate, I would have to go classes for all the subjects. I turned towards Aisha and whispered.
"Do you know any good classes for 11th and 12th grade?" She nodded yes as I waited for her to elaborate.
"Try L.k. classes. They're pretty famous since they've been teaching commerce students for nearly 70 years."
"Wow! That's pretty cool."

~~
The next two periods also passed in a similar manner, and I was sure I would've passed out from sheer boredom had I not had Aisha's company. We had similar taste in music and bonded over our love for bollywood.
"K3G or kuch kuch hota he?" She asked as we made our way to the canteen.
"K3G, for sure. Poo's character is a complete icon." I replied without much hesitation.
"Us! Man , I just know that we're going to get along amazingly well." She said.
And get along, we did. Over the course of two weeks, we had become practically inseparable. We always sat on the same bench, shared our lunches, and updated each other about every minor and major detail in our life.

We were currently in line outside the auditorium. The line was easily as long as six footpaths. It was the launch of our college's annual fest Kshitij. It was one of the fastest growing college festivals in India and was well known for its pronites where famous Indian singers performed during the main days of the festival.
At this moment, everyone was eagerly waiting for the well-known actor Ranbir Kapoor. He was going to be promoting his recent movie and launching Kshitij.
Since we were at the very front of the line, we got seats just above the ones reserved for teachers. As we settled down, we looked around at the grand auditorium. It was not less than any professional drama theatre one might visit. Soon, the place was brimming with students, excitedly chattering about the celebrity. Some were even holding huge cards, which stated that they loved him.
"So, how are things with you and Sahil?" Aisha asked as the lights dimmed.
"Not so great. He doesn't like the fact that we're not studying together anymore, and I think he feels as if I might find someone else. He's already said that, and I quote,'You deserve someone better, so what's going to stop you from finding someone new there?' I've tried everything to remove his doubts, but he just won't listen." I sighed as I recounted our last conversation.
"Aditi, have you ever thought that he might be projecting his insecurities by saying stuff like this? I mean, if he's already dating you, isn't he supposed to say that he'll do his best to be the guy you deserve. You also don't look very happy, constantly texting him your whereabouts and worrying if he'll get upset with you over small matters." She said, worry evident in her eyes.
"I know, I've thought about that but I think he's just worried because we go to different colleges. Although I am starting to wonder whether he's still the same person I fell in love with or whether him constantly doubting me will take a toll on our relationship. I don't know what exactly I've done to have him doubt me so much." I buried my face in my hands on the verge of a breakdown.
"Hey...it's going to be alright. You will figure it out. I'll be there behind you no matter what." She comforted me, patting my back.
I nodded, unable to speak. The speakers then boomed as the host came onstage.
"Welcome, students and teachers! Today we'll be launching our colleges annual fest Kshitij."
I blocked out her voice as I thought back to the recent conversations I had had with my boyfriend. They all went about in the same way.

"Are you sure you love me?" He whined on call.
"Of course I do. What did I do to make you ever doubt that?" I asked, swallowing a yawn. I glanced at the clock, which indicated it was well past 2 at night. I had to wake up at 6 in the morning for my classes and definitely could not afford to be up so late, but I couldn't very well go to sleep now that he had asked that question again.
"Nothing.... it's just..... I don't know. I feel like you'll stop liking me once you see that there are other guys out there, and I know that you deserve better than me..... so I feel like you might leave me."
I bit back on my urge to snap at him. He was only concerned, right?
"Why do you insist on saying that all the time? I've told you and shown you countless times that I like being with you. Please... just tell me what I can do to make sure you believe me. You don't trust my words or my actions, and it hurts hearing you stuff like this all the time."
"You're right.... I'm sorry. I'll do better. You should go to bed now. I know you have to wake up early tomorrow. Goodnight. I love you."
"Wha-"
He cut the call before I could express my concern.

"WHOOOOHOOOOO" The loud cheering brought me back to the auditorium as Ranbir Kapoor walked up on stage
"WE LOVE YOU RANBIR!" A girl screamed at the top of her lungs . Everybody cheered as he waved and took a seat.
The whole event lasted for an hour before Ranbir bid us goodbye. After that, the chairperson of the fest announced that all students were free to volunteer and join any department of their liking. The first departmental meeting will be held today.
Aisha squealed in delight and grabbed my arm. "We have to join a department! It'll be so much fun!"
I nodded, excited at the thought. We made our way out and scanned the codes for the group chat of every department.
"Which one should we join?" Aisha pondered.
"I'm leaning more towards marketing or public relations. What about you?"
"I was thinking public relations too!"
We made our way to the room where the meeting for the first departmental meeting was going to be held. My phone started vibrating with an incoming call, so I looked down to see it when I bumped into someone.
" I am so sorry!" I looked up in panic at a guy who looked somewhat familiar. His hands landed on my shoulders, stabilizing me as he looked at me with a lopsided grin.
"No worries." He walked away while Aisha stared with wide eyes.
"Oh my god. He was such a cutie!" I rolled my eyes at her instant fangirling and dragged her into the room. Taking a seat on the floor, I accepted the incoming call.
"Hey Sahil!"
"What are you up to?" I smiled as he asked me this question. Looks like he was in a good mood.
"I'm going to attend a departmental meeting now. I'll explain everything in detail once I get home. What about you?"
"Oh... I'm not doing much.... I thought we could hang out once you came home."
" I would love that.... although I'm not sure how long this meeting will take. I think I'll reach home by 8 since the local trains have been a menace this week.
"Oh... nevermind. Enjoy your meeting. " His voice turned cold.
"But we could still meet..... We've met at such times before." I pleaded.
"I don't know if I'll be able to come at that time just for an hour or so."
"I'll come then..... I'll come to your neighborhood after dinner, okay?"
"Sure. I'll see you then. Love you."
"Bye. I love you."
I looked at Aisha as she gave me a disapproving look.
"What!" I nudged her with my shoulder.
"Why do you have to go to him after having such a long day? Can't he just come to you? He goes to college in Thane itself and is only busy from 9 to 3 during the day. Meanwhile, you travel from Thane to Vile parle, which takes like 3 hours every day and attend college and go to classes-"
"It's completely fine, Aisha..... I wanted to meet him anyways so it's fine." I cut her off mid rant.
"Hello guys! I'm Puneet, and this is Vansh. We are the heads of the PR (short for public relations) department this year."
We all clapped as they introduced themselves. There were only 7 to 8 of us at the moment, so it was a relatively short meeting where we only introduced ourselves and learned the segregations of PR.