••||••||••

"Nothing can happen. We are sorry, no more rooms are available."

I sigh listening to this same line, for the 5th time in these past 20 minutes.

Well, how will you feel when after your whole soul hard work you got into your dream University but then when you went there you got to know you don't have any mini tiny minuscle space to live there.

Looking at the ceiling as if it's a sky I asked this question again, Why  me?

Once happiness comes with all it's glory and honor but then life slaps back the reality, making me realise happiness couldn't last longer. Ever.

Being pessimistic I try thinking good as  happiness couldn't be last so thus  sadness also wouldn't be.

I exhales, tiredly. Come on Anika.

"Please mam, try something. I would live on some floor too, till you find a room. But please help me, I would accept whatever type of room you will offer in the campus. But please mam it's really important, I have reached here after facing many difficulties but now where will I find the place outside the campus?" I pleaded her for the nth number of time and warden just took a sigh.

"Anika Dear, I can't..." She started than looked at me before  she sigh tiredly and continued, "Okay Fine, I will see what I can do but then also you have to wait for a day or two."

Warden said that and I gave my biggest, face breaking smile to her. Atleast she will try now and I know I will get through this.

Let's just hope. Finger crossed.

"Thankyou so much mam. Thankyou.  I will patiently wait for your call." I beamed with happiness at her and the old lady shook her head in disbelief.

I took my luggage, two bags, one on my shoulder and another one in left hand, and walked outside of the office, letting myself take a breath of relief. 

Stephen University

Name was enough to remind me that all these struggles would be worth it. This University is a dream to one and for me like a middle class girl, it's heaven that can't be attained. Lakhs of students applies here but only three are selected through scholarship exam and to be one of them it was a natural feeling to feel luckiest of this world.

It's noon and I am alone in this corridor of ground floor.  All rooms are locked to my right while on my left sunlight bloomed over flower and grass making it appear greener than they are. Comforting wind passed through me, I inhaled deeply and a smile appears on my face. It still feel dreamy. It's a beautiful day. First day in my dream University, walking in this historic building, could it be real? This University is more charming than in newspaper and magazines. It's hard to believe. Seriously.  Seems like someone needs to pinch me to get me back in reality.

I walked towards the guest room of the University. Well, there are some perks for the students who came here after clearing scholarship exams. Although there are many places to offer outside the university where I could live but then scholarship provides me all things here for free and outside is too expensive for me to even think about it.

So, I am very much dependent to warden's call.

"Could you please move aside?"

A voice came from behind me, breaking my thoughts. I turned over to see an elderly lady cleaning the guest room, basically she was mopping the floor and right now as I am a hurdle in her work, she eyed me.

I  sheepishly smiled and then locking my stuff in almira there,  I decided to have a walk outside.

As I look around, taking in all the serenity, my jaw dropped down the floor and eyebrows expectantly touched the sky. Well well well, if the administration unit was so beautiful, now this main part of University is so much serene view to admire.

Damn!

This place is.... breathtaking.

This is worth all the hard work, patience and difficulties.

The campus is so huge, my god!

I am standing beside the administration unit and behind it was the whole University. On my both side have these huge garden and infront is like a British styled building like whole of campus is in modern yet classy architecture style. My heartbeat is literally going heavy and crazy.

I think my one week will spend here for exploring each and every place only.

Every wall, every pillar, every part screams the royalty and heritage of this University.

Stephen University is known for its students here, as in 'majority' works here and students are those majority whose rules to be followed.

Well, here it's no less than any American or European University as here everything is so liberal, democratic and modern than now I could see the reason.

Holy moly

My eyes got spoiled through that image of couple sucking each other face in between of corridor.

Seriously, no less than western University!

Like in real they were sucking each other off. Not even caring about their surrounding.

I looked around me and saw everyone is just normal with that and didn't even care about what all happening. They passed by as if it's a daily thing.

Is this all too normal here?

Never, in my mind, NEVER I thought that in any of Indian Universities these all intimacy thing could be treated casually.

Once I saw them I was too embarrassed of going that corridor, so I turned around and went away from there. You don't see anyone daily kissing and that too if you are living in India so that was...a bit shocking for me. I walked in a daze thinking of my upcoming days that don't know what all else I have to witness here. I walked but then my phone started vibrating catching my attention.

'Warden' is calling.

I picked up immediately without giving any second thought and with my fingers crossed in hope to have that good news.

"Hello" I greeted to her hopefully, eager to hear some news for my room.

"---Anika dear, Are you free right now?" She asked me. Well, I am totally free mam, what could I do else than gawking this huge University.

"Y-yes mam" I honestly said keen to hear further.

"---Good, actually can you come here in the principal's office?" She asked in a no nonsensical tone.

"Principal office mam? Is there any problem?" I asked suddenly tensed.

"--- No dear, just come soon." She ordered me and I nodded.

Realising I am on phone and she couldn't see, I immediately said, "Okay mam"

I agreed but inside I am too much in tension that what would have happen that principal needs to meet me?

Are they cancelling my scholarship?

Shit

And that too because of unavailable room?My god! No. Please. Don't let this happen.

I was so much in tension that I didn't realise that when I walked into someone.

"Ouch"

My tailbone hit the floor and so that the other person groaned. Picking up my phone which was fortunately alright I looked above and stood up immediately ignoring all the eyes that are right now on us. I hate people's attention over me. I just avoid them as much as I can. 

Other person to whom I barged into was a preety girl in heels and oh dear, her papers fell down everywhere, all over near us. I rushed to  help her collecting the papers and repeatedly apologized to her.

"I am sorry, I didn't know when...but I didn't do it internationally." I apologise to her while giving her papers that I collected fastly before  she stood up straight.

She is looking pretty, light make-up on her face unlike all other girl here who walks like cake on their face stucking. Her clothes were decent, wearing jeans and a crop top, overall looking beautiful unlike me. She was as tall as me and yeah that's the commonality.

"I am sorry, I accidentally bumped into you. I was just worried about something and then i bumped----

"Hey hey, it's okay" She stopped me in between holding my both hands which was in air dancing with my every expressions and than  she chuckled loudly. Light heartedly.

She is nice, I concluded. I expected she would be having a lot of attitude like other bimbos.

I passed her my genuine smile and nodded thankfully.

"I think you are new here." She concluded after we both confirmed that we both are okay and not hurt.

I nodded again.

"That's why you are too much worried. Take a chill pill girl, these things are too common here." She said, chuckling and her hands moving in air with her cassual expressions.

"Ohh" I nodded, shrugging my shoulder off, "I didn't know, it's my first day here so."

"It's alright." She smiled. "You will eventually get used to this all."

I smiled and nodded again.

She forwarded her hand smilingly and introduced herself. "Hey, by the way I am Mallika Chaudhary"

I shook my hand with her returning her smile brightly. She seems to be happy too as her choco brown eyes shined with enthusiasm.

I am so happy, I am not so good with socialising people but then when they get to know me and I get to know them, slowly and gradually I get used to them.

"And I am Anika"

She smiled and then suddenly pulled me in a  hug.  I was way too awkward with it. But I did wrap my arm around her. Or atleast tried.

"It's nice meeting you Anika."

We talked for two minutes more and than she suggested to exchange our number and I happily did with her. As I remember about Principal Office I ask her the way and she gladly helped me.

She is really nice. I got a friend here!

First achievement, ticked off.

*****

"May I come in sir?"

I asked as I opened the principal's door. There I saw my warden and sir was talking something seriously. My voice did take their attention and warden warmly smiled at me and sir nodded giving me permission to go inside.

"Have a seat Ms Anika" Sir offered me politely indicating towards a seat infront of him besides warden.

"Thankyou sir"

"We welcome you here in the campus Anika, we are glad to have a brilliant student like you here and we apologise to you for the inconveniences caused." He seems to apologising truly so I nodded simply. Not sure, what else to say.

"It's okay sir." I added.

"We see that all the dorm rooms are occupied and one that we should have reserved for you in your preferable building now occupied. There was some internal problem that we didn't know but the list actually got mistaken. But--"

He stopped and looked at warden before apologetically smiling to me. He looked like something he is going to say won't be pleasurable for my ears to hear.

"But.. what, sir?" I asked worriedly while wishing hard, not to cancel my scholarship please. Please please please.  I will live on floor too but please don't cancel my scholarship.

"Ms Anika there is a room available."
He revealed finally.

Listening to him, I felt such a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and my lips turned into a biggest smile. "There is? Thankyou sir. Thankyou so much"

But he seems to be contemplating within himself like there is something more. Is room old or dirty? Is there some problem? But anyway I will manage with it.

"The room we have only available is not in your preferable building but next to it."
He said finally than looked at me for my response so I nodded confused that what could be the problem in that. It's okay It will be some more far only. I will manage. I am thankful for now that atlast I got the room.

"Thankyou so much sir and I will manage with room however it will be. I am thankful to you at least that I got the room."

Listening to me he smiled lightly but asked, "are you sure Ms Trivedi? You'll be okay in building C?"

I nodded hard, assured him completely. He took a sigh of relief, before  ordering warden to lead me the way.

Whole way, mt grin didn't waver.  I am so happy.

"Anika you will be going in building C just next to the one you have previously assigned." Warden told me, while searching for some documents. "And let me find  the keys."

She sat straight once she got the key and then pass it to me with my timetable and map of this campus.

"Take this, here this your schedule and this is your new dorm key."

I saw the schedule booklet and took the keys too. "Thankyou mam."

"It's okay dear"

"Mam, what's my room number?"
As I saw the key there wasn't written the number but my name tag was there sticked to it.

"Oh yeah, it's 27" She said, forwarding me the register to sign there in front of my name. I felt good, now all problems are solved and with that sign I made my way out of the administration office.

"All the best dear" she chimed before I could step out.

"Thankyou mam" I fake saluted, making her chuckle than moved out of there.

I hugged the key to myself and walked to the guest room to collect my luggage.

'room no. 27'

Once picking up the luggage I walked to  new building C. It isn't that far too but just next to mine one. Going through the corridor and then taking the lift I pressed the 3rd floor as per the instructions and way referred outside the building. I reached the floor and  walked tiredly to my room. I just hope that my new roommate would be good and I even thought her to be as like Mallika.

I promised myself that whatever will happen but once I got into this university I will try to socialize with peoples and firstly with my roommate I should start.

Tiredly I unlocked the door shuffling with my keys and entered the dorm room. My eyebrows went shoot to sky as I took a look around my new room. It was much bigger than any of my expectations.

Upon entering, infront was the large window beside the study table giving the nice view of greenery and the sky and at the right was bed having dull white bedsheet spread on it, at foot of bed was almira and that whole side was empty indicating it's to be mine. On contrary the left side was pretty much clean and then the bed has blue colour bedsheet plus there was things hanged around that side of bed.

All boyish kind. Maybe my roomate likes to be a tomboy.

As I entered further in my new room walked some steps I suddenly felt some presence behind this door.

I turned, my eyes went to that presence making me froze in my step. My eyes  widened and I gasped soundly.

A Boy

A shirtless Boy!

A shirtless boy, with loose pants hung on his waist showcasing his calvin band, standing infront of me shaving his light subtle beard with electric razor.

My luggage fell down and I immediately shouted. "Who are you??"

As he heard me out he turned his face to me, looking all perplexed at me, confusion was all over written on his face.

He took of his earphones out, keeping aside all his stuff on side rack he came to me with slow steps, once scanning me fully from head to toe and then my luggage he stood there infront of me.

I tried, I said i tried to not look at his muscles, his toned chest, his six packs and than his belly button and his v-line ending in his pants and then I immediately moved my gaze upwards to see the black tattoo on his arm.

Shut your eyes Anika.

I scolded myself but then what will you do to see a half naked man suddenly appearing, ok he hasn't but I have suddenly appeared here. Still!

He smirked leaning to the wall and crossing his arms against his toned chest.

Darn. 

I think he noticed you staring for those mini seconds too.

He then asked in his manly deep voice, all calm, "Who am I? Shouldn't I be the one asking you this question, Who are you?...And what are you doing in my room?"

His Room. I frowned.

Wait.

What?

"Your room?" I uttered in disbelief.

He raised his single eyebrow, giving me a obvious look.

His room? His? Like really.

I looked around. Leather jacket hanging was similar to his size, manly shoes, a guitar and shirts and pants?

That actually shocked me.

My whole mind felt like having some rolly polly disaster as realisation dawned upon me.

No this can't happen. Can it?

No. Not possible...he..?

No wait, Is it room no.27 right?

I checked on the opened door which clearly shows it is.

The building I am in is also the correct one. 'Building C.

Everything is correct as I was told. That means...

That means....No way! He is my roommate?

"You are my Roommate?" I said or more like asked in daze being too shocked to absorb new piece of information.

I didn't know how should I react or what should I firstly do- Murder that warden or burn this smirky man alive.

Why didn't they told me about it!?

I suddenly remember the form there were three options, one was girls hostel and next was boys and then last was of mixed. I gulped the stressful lump forming hard in my throat.

Oh my god!

I didn't.... can't even imagine to share my room with a  boy. This boy!

I felt him coming towards me with slow steps on his bare feet, making me come out of mini war going within me. I suddenly felt too cautioned, aware of his presence, more.

He is good-looking,  purely hot. His bare upper body giving a good look of his all the abs and toned parts. His skin is fair and he had a birds tattoo at his left hand arm.

He came near me, with one hand I felt he closed the door behind, making me shudder.  And with other he pinned me to that door. His nearness is creating havoc inside me, his blue green eyes bored into mine.

Coming near  my ear, I could feel his hot breath fanning over my skin, he just whispered, "yes darling...and welcome to your new room."

I pushed him back, pushed him with all my strength as he is way too strong for me.

And with all my strength too he didn't budge. Suddenly feeling his bare skin directly under my palm, I stepped back but hit the door.  My palm immediately went off him, as if he is a burning fire.

He laughed and I just glared him still thinking how could I live with this boy!

"Nice to meet you too Ms" He said once he stopped from his laughing.

Am I looking like it's pleasent to meet you mr? No. This was the worst surprise I could ever dreamt of.

I glared him and picking up my luggage I walked to my bed and firstly sat down calming myself from all this.

"Hey, Anika?"

I looked at him raising my brows wondering, how did he know my name?

"How do you know my name?" I  asked narrowing my eyes at him.
 
Rolling his eyes, instead he asked, "Where are your keys?"

"That's not the answer"

"Ow. Really? I think it is."
He said while smirking and then I became concious.

My keys are in my pocket... right? I checked my pocket, and my eyes wide...it wasn't there.  I checked my handbag and then I looked at him who was wearing his shirt.

"Where are my keys?" I asked as my mind now suddenly started working.

"I think I have heard that question few minutes ago" he said acting cluelessly.

"Where are they?" Control Ani, control.

"Here" He showed me innocently my keys which was in his first finger swinging on it.

I waited. Seconds passed.

He didn't say and I waited.

When it's been past my tolerance second, I impatiently said, "So, what are you waiting for, give me back?"

"Umm..let me think...by the way haven't you heard the word we say when we request?"

"Give. me .my .keys .back" I said each and every word clear but he just swing my keys on his finger and searched for his phone and wallet.

"I can't hear that 'please'." He said smirkingly.

"I didn't know we have to request for the things that other person stole." I taunted.

"Oh! Finding something before it can get lost and tried returning to its owner is stealing? I didn't know" He said sarcastically, mocking me.

I just realised I was too shocked to put those keys back in my pocket. Certainly he must have had those there from the door lock only.

I saw him going outside the door, his attire told me, he wouldn't be anytime  "Please!"

"What, you said something?" He turned but acted totally innocent like didn't hear anything.

Huh! Jerk.

"Please, give me my keys back....." I don't know the name but  I said smiling forcefully. Controlling from pulling his gelled hair.

He smiled smugly before suddenly throwing  the keys in my direction.

Being caught off-guarded, I ended up acting clumsy  trying catching the key.

His laughed filled the room, before he stepped out and about to close his door. He eyed me, mischievous smile playing on his lips as he said, "By that way, I'm Shivaay Singh Oberoi." Later added, "and  bice meeting you roomie."

Door shut behind him and here I huffed, kicking my luggage, questioning every intention of god!

Why, me?

Or more like, 'why him?''
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