Chapter 1: A New Beginning
As I stood outside the college gates, my heart racing with anticipation and anxiety, I couldn't help but think about how I ended up here. I'm Rohan, the introverted second child of my parents, and meeting new people has always been a daunting task for me. The thought of navigating a new environment, making friends, and interacting with strangers fills me with dread. But, thanks to my best friend Simmi, who's been pestering me to join her at this college for years, I've finally mustered the courage to take the plunge.
Simmi is more than just a friend to me; she's like a sister. We've known each other for years, and she's always been there for me, providing a sense of comfort and security. When she told me about this college, I was hesitant at first, but she convinced me to give it a shot. I spoke to my dad, and he agreed to let me join the same college as Simmi. The thought of having her by my side made the prospect of college life slightly more bearable.
As I took a deep breath and stepped into the college premises, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. Excitement and nervousness wrestled for dominance, making my stomach twist into knots. I had no idea what lay ahead, but I knew I had to face it head-on. The unfamiliar surroundings, the sea of new faces, and the cacophony of sounds overwhelmed me. I felt like a small fish in a vast ocean, struggling to find my bearings.
Simmi's reassuring presence would be a lifeline in this chaotic world. I hoped that her friendship would help me navigate the challenges of college life and make this new chapter in my life a success. With a sense of determination, I took my first steps into this unknown world, ready to face whatever came my way.
The first day of college was always going to be a blur of new experiences, and I was both thrilled and terrified to see what the future held. As I walked towards my classroom, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd find my place in this new world. Would I make friends? Would I fit in? Only time would tell, but for now, I took a deep breath and stepped into the unknown, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
A New Environment
As I stepped into my classroom, my breath caught in my throat. A group of senior girls stood at the front, directing the students with an air of authority. I turned to Simmi, my voice barely above a whisper, and asked, "Simmi, who are these girls? Why is everyone listening to them?" Simmi's expression turned serious, and she replied, "Sorry, Rohan, I forgot to tell you. You'll have to face situations like this often. They're our seniors, and we'll have to do what they say, whether we like it or not."
I felt a surge of anxiety and asked, "Simmi, why didn't you tell me this before?" Simmi's eyes darted around the room before she responded, "If I had told you, you might not have agreed to come to this college." Her words sent a shiver down my spine. I wasn't sure if I was ready to face this kind of environment.
I tried to push aside my doubts and asked, "What if they ask me to do something I don't want to do?" Simmi's expression turned grave, and she advised, "Just do what they say. It's better not to mess with our seniors here. If you don't comply...," she trailed off, her eyes warning me of the consequences.
Before she could finish, one of the senior girls' eyes landed on us. Her gaze was piercing, and I felt a sense of unease wash over me. I wondered who she was and what she was capable of. Simmi's grip on my arm tightened, and she whispered, "Let's just go along with it for now, okay?" I nodded, trying to appear calm, but my heart was racing with anticipation and fear.
The senior girl's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt like I was being sized up. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I had to be careful. Simmi's warning echoed in my mind: "Don't mess with our seniors." I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the unknown, hoping that I could navigate this complex web of relationships and expectations.
The senior, with a harsh tone, asks, "Hey you, what's your name? I haven't seen you in this class before, are you new?" Simmi, flustered, replies, "Ms. Ruchika, his name is Rohan, and he has just joined today." The senior glares at Simmi and, with a cruel smirk, pinches her cheek hard, causing her to wince in pain. She snaps, "Did I ask you? Why did you answer? Can't he speak? But I think he can because this isn't a school for the disabled." Suddenly, a boy from outside calls out, "Ruchika, this isn't a school for the disabled, you're right, because it's a school for witches like you." Ruchika, rolling her eyes, exclaims, "Nikhil, oh my God, you're here again! Do I go there when you bully someone to give you advice?" Then, the boy, with a mischievous grin, says, "Ruchika, I don't bother innocent kids like you; I bother the backbenchers. Now, hurry up and come; there's a senior's meeting in the garden."
Ruchika and her team, who had come here to rag, now all follow that boy. I also tried to see that boy, but I failed, my heart sinking a little because he had already turned away. Now I asked Simmi, my voice filled with concern, "Simmi, are you okay? Didn't your cheek hurt?" Simmi, her voice flat, replied, "Don't worry, Rohan, this happens every day." Her eyes reflected a weariness that broke my heart. "Ruchika and her team come here every day to bully us." Then, a friend of Simmi's came running, her face a mask of fury. She touched Simmi's cheek, her voice trembling with rage, "Simmi, it's completely red! I won't spare that Ruchika today. Naina saved her today, otherwise I would have gotten up from my seat!" Simmi, her voice laced with a plea, said, "Ruhi, please don't get so hyper." Then another girl approached, her expression a mixture of worry and exasperation. She said to Simmi, "Simmi, please explain to your Ruhi. Last time she was beaten by Ruchika's team, and today again the same thing. She is very angry."
As Simmi's friends turned to me, their curious eyes locked onto mine, and they asked Simmi in unison, "Simmi, who is this?" I turned to Simmi, and she grasped Ruhi's hand, a smile spreading across her face as she said, "Brother, this is Ruhi. I told you about her, remember?" I nodded, a faint smile on my lips, "Oh, she's your Ruhi." Simmi's eyes sparkled with amusement as she replied, "Yes, she is." And then Simmi began introducing me to her friends, a mix of girls and boys, each face a blur as I nodded politely, my voice barely above a whisper as I greeted them.
As the introductions continued, I felt a sense of nervousness wash over me, my eyes darting around the room. Simmi's friends seemed friendly enough, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of being an outsider. After the introductions, I made my way to the empty bench behind Simmi, trying to blend in.
Just as I was starting to feel more at ease, the teacher walked into the classroom, a warm smile on her face. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on me, and beckoned me to come forward. "Please, introduce yourself to the class," she said, her voice gentle.
I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing with anticipation. But Simmi's encouraging smile gave me the courage to begin. "Hello everyone," I started, my voice a little shaky at first. "My name is Rohan, and I've just joined this college. I'm glad to have made some new friends already," I added, glancing at Simmi and Ruhi, feeling a sense of gratitude towards them.
As I spoke, I felt a sense of belonging slowly creeping in, and by the time I finished, I was smiling, feeling more confident about my new surroundings. The teacher nodded, a pleased smile on her face, and the class applauded, welcoming me to their fold.
Classes started again, and after 4 hours, break time finally arrived. A wave of relief washed over me as Simmi and her friend beckoned me to join them for a handwash. We walked towards the sinks, the anticipation of a break hanging in the air. As we finished and headed towards the canteen, a familiar voice echoed through the corridor, the same one that had summoned Ruchika and her team. My heart pounded in my chest. I yearned to catch a glimpse of the boy. With a mix of nervousness and excitement, I slowly turned my gaze, my breath catching in my throat.
There he was. A vision. He was breathtaking, a masterpiece sculpted from the finest materials. His skin seemed to glow, as if he was made by mixing red color in milk. His eyes, oh, his eyes! They were deeper than the ocean, pools of mystery that seemed to hold countless untold stories. His lips, like the softest rose petals, hinted at a smile I desperately wanted to see. And his hair, cascading down to his neck, shimmered like strands of silk, catching the light and drawing me in. A powerful feeling that I had never experienced before.
Simmi caught me staring at the boy and warned me to stay away from him. "His name is Nikhil, and he's our senior. He's the head of the seniors who rag juniors," she said, her voice low and serious. I looked at Simmi and nodded absently, my mind still reeling from the warning.
As we headed to the canteen for lunch, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The canteen was filled with seniors who seemed to take pleasure in harassing juniors. I felt a knot in my stomach, fearing that someone would approach me and start asking questions. Just then, Nikhil appeared out of nowhere and started beating up a junior. The sight was terrifying - he threw a plate of food at the boy's face and dragged him away by his hair. I was shocked and turned to Simmi, asking her what was going on.
Satish, Simmi's friend, leaned in and whispered, "This is a daily thing here. The seniors think they own the place, and Nikhil is the kingpin. We just try to avoid him as much as possible." Ritesh, who was sitting with us, added, "Rohan, in this college, you can do anything, but don't mess with the seniors. We're still in 10th standard, and we need to be extra careful." I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over me.
As I looked around the canteen, I saw the fear in the eyes of the juniors, and I realized that I needed to be careful if I wanted to survive in this college. The seniors seemed to rule the roost, and Nikhil was the most feared of them all. I made a mental note to steer clear of him and his gang, at least until I figured out the dynamics of the college.
The atmosphere in the canteen was tense, and I couldn't wait to finish my lunch and get out of there. As I ate, I couldn't help but wonder what had led to this kind of culture in the college. Was it the seniors' need for power, or was it something deeper? Whatever it was, I knew I had to navigate this complex web carefully if I wanted to make it through my time here.
To be continue....