whispers of a lost love

The gates of Royal Crest College opened to a new academic year, welcoming students into a world of endless possibilities. The once-quiet campus now buzzed with excitement, as freshers walked in with nervous smiles, eyes filled with curiosity and dreams. Groups of seniors stood under the shade of large banyan trees, watching them with a mix of amusement and silent judgment. Laughter, conversations, and the occasional hoots of teasing echoed through the air. Freshers' Day was always the same—new faces, new friendships, and a hierarchy that silently established itself within the first few hours. Among the many students stepping in, two girls walked side by side, their pace unhurried, their voices blending into the lively atmosphere. One of them adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag while talking animatedly. The other, dressed in a soft pink salwar, nodded along, occasionally tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They were completely unaware of the eyes that followed them. Unseen, Yet Noticed Leaning against one of the pillars near the main block, a group of seniors stood watching the freshers pass by. Conversations flowed between them, but one pair of eyes remained fixed on a single person. Daksh Maheswar barely heard his friends’ voices as he watched her walk past. He hadn’t expected to see her today. He hadn’t even been looking for her. But now that she was here, his world seemed to slow down for a moment. The way she moved, unaware of the attention she attracted, held something unexplainable. The soft breeze played with the edges of her dupatta, and her expression remained calm—serene, almost distant. “She’s here,” Varun Vishwas muttered, nudging Daksh with a smirk. Daksh didn’t reply. He didn’t need to. His silence spoke louder than words. “She doesn’t even know he exists right now,” Rithika Sathya teased, crossing her arms. And she was right. She walked past without sparing a single glance in his direction. Daksh's usual smirk faltered for just a second, but he masked it quickly. His friends exchanged glances, knowing all too well what that meant. As the two girls disappeared into the hallway, Nivetha Chandy chuckled. “Wow. Not even a glance. That must sting.” But Daksh only shoved his hands into his pockets and leaned back against the pillar, his gaze lingering on the direction they had gone. “She will,” he said, his voice calm, confident. “Sooner or later, she will.” Inside the college corridors, the two girls continued walking, unaware of the silent storm they had left behind. The chatter of students surrounded them, excitement filling the air as they searched for their classroom. “This place is bigger than I thought,” one of them said, glancing around. The other hummed in agreement. “It’s just the first day. We’ll get used to it.” Neither of them knew that, from that moment onward, destiny had already begun playing its game.