(Aratrika's POV)

The moment I stepped out of the car, a gust of warm air and freedom hit me all at once.

Vedanta University.

For months, I had imagined this place—the sprawling red-bricked buildings, tree-lined pathways, and the sky stretching endlessly beyond the lecture halls. But standing here now, something twisted in my chest.

Was it excitement? Or fear?

It didn't matter.

Because I was finally here.

Far away from the Adani mansion, my father's suffocating rules, and his ever-watchful eyes.

This was my escape.

This was my choice.

And yet, as I stood outside the gates, gripping my duffel bag tightly, my stomach coiled with an unfamiliar sensation—uncertainty.

Did I really belong here?

Had I made a mistake?

"Madam, finally padharne ka shauk jaaga?"
(madam, Finally you got interested in studying?)

I turned at the sound of Mihir Sharma's voice, just in time to see him swagger toward me, his curly black hair as unkempt as ever, his t-shirt wrinkled, and that signature smirk playing on his lips.

I rolled my eyes. "Mihir, shut up."

"Oh ho, attitude dekho," (oh ho.see the attitude) he clutched his chest dramatically, "Vedanta aate hi elite class ho gayi?"(As soon as Vedant came, you became an elite class?)

Before I could reply, I felt a sudden whoosh of fabric and wild curls, followed by arms wrapping tightly around me.

"Aratrika Adani, you bitch!"

A laugh bubbled out of me as Rhea Kapoor squeezed me in a bone-crushing hug, her bangles jingling, the faint scent of lavender and sandalwood filling my senses.

She pulled back, eyes gleaming. "You actually did it. You actually ran away."

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "It wasn't that dramatic."

Mihir snorted. "Haan haan, ek Adani beti ka ghar chodna, dramatic bilkul nahi hai."(Yes yes, an Adani daughter leaving the house is not dramatic at all.)

Rhea flicked my forehead. "Babe, your dad didn't even let you have a damn phone in peace!"

I bit my lip. She wasn't wrong.

For years, I had been stuck under the weight of my father's legacy. Adani Enterprises. Power. Status. Control. Every move calculated, every decision pre-approved.

But not anymore.

Mihir clapped a hand on my shoulder. "So, what's the plan? Gyaan lene aaye ho, ya ultimate college ki bad girl banne ka iraada hai?"(Are you here to gain knowledge, or do you intend to become the ultimate college bad girl?")

I smirked. "Why not both?"

Mihir and Rhea.

The only two people in my life who had ever felt like home.

We had met years ago, when I first managed to sneak out of the Adani mansion to attend an underground poetry event in Connaught Place. I had been terrified, expecting my father's security to drag me back at any moment.

But then, Mihir had found me.

He had shown up with two stolen glasses of whiskey, grinning like we were long-lost best friends.

"First time bhaag ke aayi ho na?" he had asked.(This is the first time you have run away, right?)

And Rhea? She had appeared halfway through the night, dragging me onto the dance floor like she had known me forever.

From that night on, we had been inseparable.

And now, we were finally here. Together.

"Out from your fantasy world babe" Rhea dragged me out of my imagination.

"Okay then ready for the day" Mihir said grinning dramtic enough.

Eyes rolling towards both of them I walked towards the main campus.

We walked through the main campus, weaving through groups of students lounging under the trees, laughing, debating philosophy, or just grumbling about assignments.

The air buzzed with something electric. Possibility.

Mihir nudged me. "Tu jaanti hai yha, literature department ka ek hi raja hai?"(You know this, there is only one king in the literature department)

"Kaun?"(who)

He wiggled his eyebrows. "Ruaan Malhotra."

The name was vaguely Strange, maybe a student from the Senior year, but I hadn't paid attention.

Rhea sighed dramatically. "Our professor from hell." oh so no student you dumbo thats a professor

Mihir smirked. "Correction: Professor from hell with a face sculpted by gods."

I snorted. "You two are so dramatic."

"Oh, just wait." Mihir pulled me aside, whispering, "Bhai ka attitude tujhe aise feel hoga jaise kisi ne Oxford ki dictionary teri shakal pe phek di ho."(Bro's attitude will make you feel as if someone has thrown the Oxford dictionary on your face.")

who is this person for whom someone will throw a freaking dictionary on my face 

Rhea nodded. "He doesn't smile, doesn't joke, doesn't believe in second chances. He's a literary genius and a complete a-hole."

I rolled my eyes. "Great. Can't wait."

And then they nudge me to see towards the staircase.

A man, no a freaking hottest man I am seeing right now.

Standing by the English department steps, flipping through a book, his expression unreadable.

He wasn't older—maybe late twenties—but there was something about him that made him seem untouchable.

Dark blue shirt. Rolled-up sleeves. A leather watch wrapped around his wrist.

There was a stillness in the way he stood. Like someone who knew exactly who he was and didn't need anyone else's validation.

His eyes flicked up, scanning the crowd lazily—until they landed on me.

I froze.

It lasted only a second. A brief, almost imperceptible flicker of interest before his expression shut down, turning into cold indifference.

And then, just like that, he looked away.

Like I wasn't even there.

Like I didn't matter.

Something about that should have irritated me.

Instead, for reasons I couldn't explain, my stomach twisted into an unfamiliar knot.

Mihir nudged me. "Tu saans le sakti hai ab."(You can breathe now.)

Rhea smirked. "You just got Ruaan Malhotra-ed." what what just I got huh

I scoffed. "What the hell does that even mean?"

Mihir grinned. "Trust me, you'll find out."

And for the first time since arriving at Vedanta, I had the unshakable feeling that I was about to step into something dangerous.

Something I wouldn't be able to walk away from. maybe or maybenot

𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒

Words:990 
So How was the first chapter? Did you like it?
if you do then like it and let me know your thoughts in comment sections.

Its the start of a unique love story and you will love Ruaan and Aratrika, I'm sure or not.
Do comment your opinion

Did you liked the names? And any thoughts for Mihir and Rhea?