In New Delhi.
The sun has risen in the sky, birds are singing and some are flying over the sky.
Hostel (Room no. 302).
The boy is sleeping on the bed. There was a table beside the bed where a phone, one book and an alarm clock were placed. At 6:15 am the alarm clock starts ringing.
After hearing the sound of alarm Aarav slowly opened his eyes and looked silently at the ceiling for a few seconds before he actually moved. Morning was always quiet — and he liked it this way. No noise in the room. No people are around. It's just him alone.
He sat up on the bed, with right hand he rubbed his face and he pushed his messy hair back with help of left hand and whispered to himself:
"Oh God, protect me from interaction with people."
He stood up and walked towards the bathroom, opening the door then went inside the bathroom.
He took a shower, wore a simple light grey shirt and jeans. No fancy clothes. No perfume. Just basic and simple clothes.
Someone is knocking on the door, he opens the door and the boy gives him breakfast.
After eating breakfast he started packing his bag for college, he checked everything twice as if anything was left or not — water bottle, notebook, pencil case, sketchbook hidden at the bottom. "This was my first day at the university." he says with serious looks but a little bit nervous show on his face.
He stepped out of his hostel room and began walking toward campus. He tried to calm himself by saying "Everything is alright, You can do this."
A few minutes later.
The university gate looked crowded, he was standing and looking at that crowd.
Students were excited to start their new life— new faces, new haircuts, new couples and old friends reuniting. Everyone was talking, making new friends and laughing everywhere. Group boys clicking photos to put on status. Someone was blasting music from a small speaker. It felt like the entire campus was boiling with new energy.
Aarav felt nervous but he kept walking silently through the crowd and searching for his lecture hall.
He didn't love crowds but he wasn't scared either. He was simply… disconnected from them or can't muster the courage to start a conversation. Like a quiet observer from another world.
As he entered the main building of University, he heard bits of random conversations:
"Bro! It's been a long time bro!"
"New juniors are so cute this year!"
"Which professor do we have first period?"
Students were so excited, they were loud and enjoying the moment of life.
Aarav just quietly listened to their conservation — but did not join them. He finally found his first lecture hall.
He stepped inside his first lecture hall of B.A. Psychology – Semester 1.
Some of the boys waved at him.
"Hey Aarav! Long time bro!"
"You didn't come to the 12th class farewell party, man, you missed everything!"
Aarav looked at them for exactly one second then he said nervously , "oh, you're also in the same class, sorry about last time I was really busy."
He wasn't rude. They're his school friends now they're at the same university as him.
He just didn't waste energy on useless talk.
Small talk felt like noise to him.
He walked towards the last row — his favorite place where less students were going to notice him— near the window. He sat down on the bench, then he took his bag from shoulders and placed it on the desk. He take out his notebook from his bag and opened it even though the class hadn't started yet.
From here, he could see everyone.
But nobody paid attention to him.
That's how he preferred it.
As groups kept laughing and talking loudly, Aarav just watched silently — his expression calm, unreadable. He also wants to talk with them but he is not able to do that.
People don't talk to you if you don't start a conversation first and in this he was weak, he didn't know how to start.
Many of the students were already chatting, gossiping, creating instant friend circles and exchanging instagram id.
He opened his notebook and kept his pen ready to pretend he was already busy.
Riya Sharma stepped in from the opposite side of the hall, she carrying a spark with her.
Her voice had a brightness and kindness that made people turn toward her and smile without even realizing why. It felt as if she never needed anyone's permission to exist or to enjoy life—she simply did. Effortlessly. And somehow, the world seemed a little better for it.
"Hi! I am also 1st year. Nice to meet you all!"
"I love your top, where did you buy it?"
"Ohh we're in the same course? It's amazing!"
Her laughter was like sunshine around her.
Aarav noticed her—not because she was loud, but because she was the exact opposite of him. She looked fearless and knew how to enjoy life. She sat in the first row, centre seat. No fear of attention if you give the wrong answer. No hesitation to be seen.
The professor entered the hall and every student went silently to their own places to sit. The professor put books on the table and he said in a soft voice but firmly, "Alright students, this is the first year of university for all of you so, all of you introduce yourselves one by one."
Aarav felt his throat tighten.
He feels hesitant and nervous — talking about himself in front of strangers.
One by one every student stands up to introduce themselves.
"I'm Anusha…"
"I'm Samar…"
"I'm Riya…"
When Riya stood, her voice filled the room like she owned it.
"I'm Riya Sharma. I love people, I love conversations, I want to understand human behaviour. And I talk a lot. But in a good way!"
Everyone laughed.
Aarav stared at his empty notebook.
Soon, his turn came to introduce himself in front of all classmates in a loud voice.
He stands slowly, like someone stepping onto thin ice. There are some thoughts going on inside his mind, 'if I say something wrong they will laugh at me.'
Everyone looks at him normally but from his perceptiveness they're going to laugh at him.
"I'm… Aarav," he said softly.
Silence.
Everyone waited and looked at him to speak more about himself.
Aarav's lips trembled. His stomach was twisted.
All he could say was that.
The professor gave a gentle sympathetic smile.
"That's alright, Aarav. You'll open up gradually in future," he said gently.
But Aarav already hated himself for being so small.
When class ended, everyone gathered in groups, exchanging numbers, planning tomorrow, deciding cafeteria seats.
Aarav quietly picked up his bag and was ready to disappear like smoke from the class.
As he reached the exit of class, he heard a voice behind him.
"Hey, Aarav!"
He froze.
Riya comes in front of him.
She was laughing innocently as if everything was normal for her but all this was not normal for him.
"You sit so far away," she said cheerfully. "I didn't even see you properly from there. Next time, sit a little closer okay?"
He didn't reply not since he didn't want to, but since he didn't know how to reply.
Riya raised her head, looking at him with interest, it's not like passing judgment, simply attempting to solve a puzzle.
she smiled softly, said, "See you tomorrow," then turned and walked away without looking back.
For a moment, her perfume scent remained in the air, a soft reminder of her presence even after she was gone.
Aarav stayed where he was, watching her go out of the lecture hall.
He didn't know why… but a strange feeling inside.
Maybe his first day wasn't as bad as he expected.