University.

Today's the first day and it feels like a fresh breath of air. After graduating from 12th grade with flying colours, I decided to major in psychology.

Psychology has always interested me as I'm already so good at reading people.🥰

Stepping into the university campus for the first time, I felt a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

The thought of studying psychology, a field that had always fascinated me, filled me with purpose.

The unfamiliar faces and sprawling campus felt daunting, but a sense of belonging began to grow as I saw my friend enter the campus.

"Riya!" I screamed and lifted my hand to help her see me amongst the crowd.

"Aarzoo!" She came running and hugged me tight and I reciprocated.

"I finally feel better," I breathed out while taking the feeling in.

"Come let's go now," she broke the hug and looked at me.

"Offoo! All taiyaar and all?" She teased me while I rolled my eyes.

(Taiyaar- Ready)

"Aur kya? You want me to not get ready for the first day of uni? Mein seedha bed se utarke ajau?" Dumb girl.

(Then what? Do you want me to come straight out of the bed?)

"Haan Haan, theek hein," a chuckle left out of her mouth while sighed out loud.

(Yeah yeah, okay)

"What?" She asked after hearing my exhale.

(Nothing)

"Kuch nahi, I'm university and still didn't experience my teenage love," I pouted and looked down.

"Shut up," she laughed and dragged me for our classes.

First day, here I come.

"Bhai! Jaldi kariye na! The school gate will close," I heard my sisters whining from downstairs.

(Bhai! Come fast!)

"Itna jaldi hein tho go by yourself. Why did you ask me to drop you guys?" I descended down the stairs while fixing my T-shirt.

(If you're in such a hurry then go by yourself)

"No, you know na, papa won't let us drive around even though we're 17," Anjali sulked while stomping her feet.

"You're in India, Anjali. Not the US. 17 or 20, you can't drive till you know how to actually drive. Chup chaap apne bhai ke saath jao dono," Chachi stepped in to fix the girls' words.

(Shut up and go with your brother)

"Haan haan, mom. We know," Kriti sulked while dragging Anjali outside the house.

"Chachi, I'll just drop them. I won't be able to pick them up. My final semester exams are almost here, so I'll stay back in the uni till dinner."

I informed Chachi as she nodded her head and patted my hair.

"Where's maa?"

"Yaha hoon," she came out of her room and walked towards me.

(I'm here)

"Maa, I'm leaving and I'll be late so don't wait for me,"

"But-"

"Nope, I'm leaving. Bye," I bid her a goodbye before she could convince me to not stay back in the college.

I motioned Anjali and Kritika to sit inside the car and left the place as soon as they settled in.

"Bhai, my classmate has a crush on you," Krithika's words made me choke on my breath.

"Kya?"

(What?)

"Haan, she said that she has the fattest crush on you and she wants to talk to you," I could see a smug smile plastered on her face.

She teased while poking my biceps while Anjali raised her eyebrows.

Why does a 17-year-old like me?

"Shut up," I sternly said which made both of them shut their mouth.

"Why do you always have to be so mean," I could hear Anjali murmur to Kriti making me glare at them from the rear-view mirror.

They shifted in their place and cleared their throat while looking out of the window.

"Waise, when is Aarzoo didi coming home? Siddharth bhai always comes home but barely ever gets her home," Anjali broke the silence and asked me.

(By the way)

The sudden mention of Aarzoo made me stiffen in my place. Act normal, Aryan! I mentally scolded myself.

"Doesn't matter, get down now,"I stopped the car right in front of their school while they frowned because of my answer.

Thank god we reached their school at the right time or I would've stumbled upon my words.

"Bye bye!" They both waved while I waved back as I started the car again.

After driving for a while, I reached my university.

I parked my car outside the university parking lot and entered the college.

I looked around the food court, hoping to see Siddharth there but apparently he was not in the university yet according to the smoothie stall server.

I took my phone and swiftly dialled his number. After a few rings, I heard his voice.

"Hello,"

"Siddharth, where the hell are you man?"

"I'm on my way, Aryan. I'll be there in fifteen minutes,"

"Why are you late, dumbass?"

"Why? Do you miss me already, jaanu?" He said in a feminine voice which made my whole being cringe from top to bottom.

(Darling)

"Abey saale, shut up and tell me why you're late," I spoke with irritation evident in my voice.

(You idiot)

"Chill chill. It's Aarzoo's first day of uni so I had to drop her. I'm almost here,"

It's Aarzoo's first day?

"Why didn't you tell me?" I immediately questioned him.

"Why would I tell you that?" I could hear the suspicion in his voice.

Fuck. What's wrong with you Aryan?

I cleared my throat and tried to come up with an excuse to cover my curiosity.

"I mean...if you told me I would've, you know, I would've...come late too," my face showed confusion because of my illogical reason but my voice sounded confident, hopefully.

"Ohh okay. Sorry jaanu, it slipped out of my mind" he again teased me and laughed making me sigh in relief. 

(Darling)

I shook my head at his antics and sat on the chair of our usual table.

"Shut up and come fast," I immediately cut the call without waiting for his response and kept the phone back in my pocket.

"So it's her first day?" I murmured to myself and noted today's date on the notes app.

The whole page was filled with every small achievement and feat Aarzoo had reached.

From the first time she spoke to me after I realised my feelings to the first time she laughed at my joke and the first time she forgot to call me 'bhai'. The day she won a participation award for abacus or the day she ran a 5k run, everything was noted.

Every small milestone of hers is my milestone too.