Ansh shrugged, folding his arms. “Nothing’s wrong—just a new college, so everything feels unfamiliar.”
Jay watched him closely, brow furrowed.
(Jay’s thoughts: “He’s acting distant—he was staring at the professor in class but seemed miles away. Still, his excuse holds up.”)
He cleared his throat. “Aarvi, ease up on him. He just needs time to settle in.”
Aarvi tossed her hair and grinned. “So what? He’s just a kid.”
Rohit raised his hands. “Okay, enough!”
Ansh’s face remained impassive, as if he’d heard it all before.
Aarvi softened, offering a sheepish smile. “Sorry… Mr. Cry Baby.”
Nehal, who’d been glancing at Ansh since they arrived, let out a small chuckle. Aarvi elbowed her playfully.
“Your turn—tell Mr. Cry Baby we’re all his friends now.”
Nehal cleared her throat, eyes bright. “Heard of Aarvi? She’s… intense, but she means well. You’re one of us.”
The bell rang, and laughter followed them back to class.
Ansh gave a slow nod. “Okay.”
---
That evening, the jitters of Day One had fizzled. Aarvi’s crew lounged on the college steps.
“I’m already bored,” Rohit complained, flopping back.
Jay smirked. “Since when do you ever find studying fun?”
Aarvi’s laughter rang out. “Let’s meet again tomorrow!”
Nehal stood and pocketed her phone. “Sure.”
They dispersed. But that night, Aarvi lay awake, restless—something about Ansh tugged at her curiosity.
____
The next morning, Aarvi woke early and hurried to college ahead of schedule. As she arrived, a group of classmates were teasing Ansh. Angry, she marched straight up to them.
Aarvi: “What’s going on here? Ronny, aren’t you ashamed to pick on a new student?”
Ronny (laughing): “Oh, Aarvi, we’re just having fun! Why so serious?”
(The others laughed—until Aarvi’s stern gaze fell on them.)
Ronny (defensive): “Okay, okay, we were just doing his intro. You know we mean no harm.”
Without a word, Aarvi looped her arm through Ansh’s and led him away. Ronny watched helplessly as his friends dispersed.
---
In the canteen, Aarvi sat Ansh down at a table.
Aarvi: “What am I supposed to do with you? You’ll be ‘Mr. Cry Baby’ forever!”
Ansh: “It’s not like that…”
Aarvi: “Then what is it? All you ever do is frown—don’t you know how to smile?”
Ansh: “But…”
Aarvi (cutting him off): “No buts! I’m done here.”
She stood and stormed off.
---
On her way, she ran into Nehal, Jay, and Rohit.
Rohit: “Aarvi? Here this early? And in a mood?”
Aarvi (irritated): “Just leave it.”
Jay: “What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?”
Aarvi: “What am I supposed to do with Mr. Cry Baby?”
(She recounted the teasing.)
Jay: “Happens to the shy ones. Give him time.”
Nehal: “We should pull him into our group. He needs to fit in.”
Aarvi (softening): “Okay.”
They went to class together.
---
Later, in the college garden, Aarvi scanned the benches.
Aarvi: “Where’s Mr. Cry Baby?”
Jay: “Probably in the library, by himself.”
Nehal: “He still hasn’t adjusted.”
Aarvi: “Then he’s coming with us—no excuses!”
(Cut to the library.)
Ansh sat tucked into a corner, reading. Aarvi burst in.
Aarvi: “Hello, Mr. Cry Baby! Time to leave the library and join society!”
Ansh (startled): “I’m… here on my own—”
Aarvi (mock exasperation): “Great, so you’d rather be alone?!”
Ansh: “No, it’s just—”
Aarvi: “Enough! You’re officially part of our friend gang.”
She yanked his bag, hauled him to his feet, and dragged him toward the canteen. Jay, Nehal, and Rohit watched, laughing.
Jay: “Wow… Aarvi really got him!”
Nehal: “She’s unstoppable when she sets her mind to it!”
Ansh looked confused—and then, for the first time, he cracked a small smile.
---
A week passed. Ansh was fitting in; Aarvi was enjoying her new friend’s company. Then, in class, the professor announced:
Professor: “Our college dance competition will be next week. Teams of two, with marks awarded.”
(Aarvi’s thoughts: “Perfect—dancing with Ansh will be amazing!”)
Back in the canteen, the group buzzed with excitement.
Jay: “Nehal, will you partner with me?”
Nehal (smiling): “Yes.”
Rohit (teasing): “Jay’s got himself a partner!”
Jay: “Aarvi, what about you? Rohit’s sitting this one out.”
Aarvi (eyes sparkling): “We’ll see…”
Suddenly, Ronny appeared.
Aarvi: “Ronny? What do you want?”
Ronny: “I wanted to apologize, Ansh. Sorry about the other day.”
Ansh: “It’s fine.”
Ronny: “And Aarvi… would you dance with me in the competition?”
Aarvi froze.
—To be continued!—
