YUVAN
Ring Ring!
RING RING!!
The shrill sound drilled straight into my head, cutting through the half-formed dream I was clinging to. I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow, hoping—praying—that the sound would magically stop on its own.
It didn’t.
“Ughhh…” I muttered, voice thick with sleep, as I sluggishly stretched my arm toward the bedside table. My fingers fumbled blindly until they finally brushed against my phone. I squinted my eyes open just enough to see the screen.
8:00 AM.
My brain took exactly one second to process it.
“Oh my God!” I practically gasped, jolting upright on the bed. “I am late!”
Sleep evaporated instantly as panic rushed through my veins. I threw the blanket aside and practically stumbled off the bed, my heart already racing.
College starts at nine, my mind screamed.
It takes at least twenty minutes to reach campus.
And that professor—
I shuddered at the thought.
She didn’t tolerate latecomers. Not even by a minute. Her number one rule was practically engraved in stone—never be late in my class. And today, of all days, I had her lecture first.
“Great, just great,” I muttered to myself as I rushed into the bathroom.
I turned the shower on full blast, not even bothering to check the temperature. Cold water hit my skin, making me hiss, but it did its job—waking me up completely. I hurriedly washed up, shampooing my hair in record time, my thoughts constantly jumping back to the ticking clock.
After a rushed shower, I wrapped a towel around myself and stepped out, droplets of water trailing behind me as I walked toward my closet. I opened it, staring blankly for a second.
Focus, Yuv. Just pick something.
I grabbed a light blue shirt, pairing it with dark blue jeans, and finished it off with white sneakers—simple, neat, and presentable enough to not attract unnecessary attention from professors.
After dressing up, I ran a hand through my slightly damp hair and checked myself in the mirror.
You look… tired, I noted. Dark circles faintly framed my eyes, proof of last night’s endless assignment.
I reached for my phone again.
8:20 AM.
My eyes widened.
“Oh no, no, no…”
I snatched my bag, shoved my notebook inside, slipped my phone into my pocket, and rushed out of my room. My footsteps echoed as I hurried down the stairs, nearly missing a step in my rush.
Downstairs, the familiar warmth of home greeted me.
Mama was setting the breakfast table, humming softly to herself. Papa sat in his usual chair, newspaper spread open in front of him, glasses resting low on his nose. And bhai—of course—was already on a call, his calm yet authoritative voice filling the room as he spoke to his assistant.
“Good morning, baby,” Mama said instantly when she noticed me, her face lighting up.
“Good morning, mama… papa… bhai,” I greeted, slightly breathless, as I took a seat across from my brother, beside Papa.
Bhai glanced up from his phone and smiled briefly, giving me a small nod. Papa folded his newspaper just enough to pat my back affectionately.
Mama leaned down, pressing a kiss to my cheek like she did every single morning, before placing a plate of toast and a glass of milk in front of me.
“Eat properly,” she reminded gently.
Bhai finally ended his call and turned his full attention toward me, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“So,” he said, smirking, “my baby brother finally decided to wake up.”
I rolled my eyes, taking a bite of toast. “I was tired because I was doing an assignment till late at night. It’s not my fault,” I defended myself, slightly offended—but it was true.
That assignment was torture. And the professor who gave it? I despised her with a passion.
Bhai chuckled softly, spreading butter on his toast. “I know, I know. My baby brother is very hardworking,” he said indulgently. Then his expression softened as he studied my face. “But you should take care of yourself. You’re looking pale.”
I gave him a quick thumbs-up while chewing. “I’m fine, bhai.”
Papa put the newspaper aside completely now, focusing on me. “So, when are your vacations starting, Yuv?”
“From next Monday,” I replied instantly, a smile breaking through my tiredness. “I can’t wait. I’ll spend all day lying on my bed. I’m exhausted with all these assignments.”
Mama shook her head fondly. “You and your bed.”
I let out a dramatic sigh, just as I checked my phone again.
8:35 AM.
My breath hitched.
“Oh God—I am late!” I exclaimed, jumping up from my seat. “I’ll see you all soon!”
I grabbed my bag properly this time, waving hurriedly at everyone as I rushed toward the main door.
“Take care of yourself,” Mama called after me, worry lacing her voice as always.
“I will!” I replied over my shoulder.
Stepping outside, the cool morning air brushed against my skin. The mansion stood quiet and grand behind me, while the driver waited patiently beside the car.
The moment he saw me, he opened the back door. “Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning,” I replied quickly, sliding into the backseat.
As the door closed and the car started moving, I leaned back against the seat, exhaling softly.
Please… just let me reach on time, I prayed silently, staring out the window as the gates opened and the car pulled onto the road.
Soon, the familiar gates of my college came into view. The car slowed down, and before the driver could even open the door fully, I was already unbuckling my seatbelt.
“Thank you,” I said hurriedly, stepping out of the car.
The morning air buzzed with life—students rushing past, laughter echoing across the campus, the smell of coffee drifting from the canteen. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I walked briskly inside, my eyes automatically scanning the area.
And there they were.
Standing near the big neem tree, just where we always met.
The moment Shreya spotted me, she dramatically crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her foot against the ground. Ankush stood beside her, calm as always, but his nod confirmed he was equally unimpressed.
“Finally,” Shreya said, narrowing her eyes. “You are here. We’ve been waiting for you for at least fifteen minutes.”
She added an exaggerated angry pout for effect.
Ankush nodded seriously. “Minimum.”
I let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. “Okay, okay. I’m really sorry. I was very tired last night.”
Before I could say anything more, Shreya pulled me into a tight hug. Ankush followed immediately, wrapping his arms around both of us.
“Apology accepted,” Shreya said dramatically.
“Yeah,” Ankush added softly, releasing the hug. “But don’t make it a habit.”
We started walking toward our class, merging into the flow of students. As usual, Shreya took the lead—not just in walking but in talking.
“And then she had the audacity to say that,” Shreya ranted, waving her hands animatedly. “Can you believe her?”
Ankush hummed occasionally, nodding at the right moments. I mostly listened, smiling to myself.
They were my best friends. Had been since school.
Shreya—loud, fearless, fiercely loyal.
Ankush—quiet, observant, gentle.
They understood me without me having to explain myself. They supported me in ways words couldn’t describe. My family adored them, and honestly, they felt like family too.
Their parents weren’t as rich as mine, but they were warm—real. They treated me like their own child.
I still remembered the first time we met Ankush’s parents. His mother had stared at us in surprise, whispering to his father, “I didn’t know Ankush could make friends like this.”
Because Ankush had always been quiet. Reserved. But with us, he laughed more.
Meeting Shreya’s parents, though—that was unforgettable.
Her mother had welcomed us with open arms, feeding us endlessly. But her father?
A full one-hour lecture.
He sat right across from us, arms crossed, eyes sharp and protective.
“Why does my daughter have two male friends?” he had demanded.
And then came his favorite question.
“What do you want from my sweet, little, cute daughter?”
The irony had almost made me choke on my water.
Because the first time we met Shreya, she had punched a boy square in the face for bullying Ankush.
Sweet and cute, indeed.
“Hey,” Shreya suddenly said, elbowing my side. “Where did you disappear?”
“Huh?” I blinked, pulled out of my thoughts. “Uh… nowhere. Nothing.”
She eyed me suspiciously but then shrugged. “Weirdo.”
We entered the classroom just in time, sliding into our usual desk in the middle row.
Ankush leaned back slightly. “Hush. We aren’t late.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Thank God. I hate it when she scolds.”
“I think she enjoys it,” Shreya whispered as we pulled out our books.
“She definitely does,” Ankush muttered.
Right on cue, the professor walked in, heels clicking sharply against the floor. The chatter died instantly as she began teaching the new topic, her voice filling the room.
The hours passed slowly but steadily.
Finally, the bell rang.
Freedom.
We walked toward the main gate, laughing and joking about random things—Shreya complaining about assignments, Ankush teasing her back, me just enjoying the moment.
But then—
A strange sensation crawled up my spine.
It felt like… eyes on me.
I slowed down slightly, my laughter fading as a shiver ran through my body. Turning around, I scanned the area.
Nothing.
Just students chatting, some on their phones, some heading toward the parking lot.
You’re overthinking, I told myself.
I turned back, plastering a smile on my face.
Soon, we reached the gate.
“See you tomorrow,” Shreya said, pulling me into another hug.
“Don’t be late again,” Ankush added with a small smile.
“I won’t,” I promised.
As I walked toward my waiting car and got inside, I glanced once more at the college behind me.
That uneasy feeling lingered.
And for reasons I couldn’t explain…
I felt like this was only the beginning.
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