The first rays of dawn painted the city in soft gold as Reena stood at the gates of her new college, her heart pounding against her chest.
This was the day she had been preparing for, but now, standing here, her confidence seemed to have evaporated.
Clutching her bag tightly, she took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The campus buzzed with energy—students laughing, chatting, and hurrying to their classes.
Reena felt like an outsider in the whirlwind of activity.
Keeping her head down, she made her way to her classroom, unnoticed by the crowd around her.
Inside the class, Reena chose a seat in the last row, avoiding any eye contact.
She scanned the room cautiously. Groups had already started forming, with students introducing themselves and exchanging pleasantries.
Reena’s hesitation kept her rooted to her seat, her notebook open in front of her as a shield.
The day progressed in a blur of lectures and introductions. Reena's silence and reluctance to engage didn’t go unnoticed, but no one approached her, mistaking her quiet demeanor for indifference.
During lunch, as Reena wandered through the bustling corridors, she collided with someone unexpectedly. Books and papers scattered across the floor.
“Hey, watch where you’re going!” a firm yet playful voice said. Reena looked up to see Raghu, a senior known for his charismatic, easygoing nature.
“I… I’m sorry,” Reena stammered, quickly gathering her things.
Raghu raised an eyebrow, observing her closely. There was something about her—her awkwardness, her reluctance to meet his gaze—that intrigued him.
“You’re a fresher, aren’t you?” Raghu asked, leaning slightly to match her height.
Reena nodded, still avoiding eye contact.
“I’m Raghu, by the way. And you are?”
“Reena,” she replied softly, hoping the conversation would end there.
“Well, Reena, welcome to college,” Raghu said with a grin. “You know, you don’t have to look so scared. It’s not a haunted house.”
Reena managed a weak smile but didn’t respond.
Raghu found her behavior odd, almost as if she was deliberately keeping people at bay. “Weird,” he muttered under his breath, watching her walk away quickly.
That evening, as Raghu sat in the canteen, he found his thoughts drifting back to Reena. “There’s something about her,” he said aloud, drawing curious looks from his others.
Meanwhile, Reena sat alone in her hostel room, replaying the brief interaction in her mind.
It was the first time someone had spoken to her that day, and though she had been nervous, a small part of her felt a glimmer of relief.
The first day of college ended with Reena still uncertain about where she fit in, and Raghu unexpectedly curious about the quiet, hesitant fresher who seemed to carry a world of mystery within her.
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