"Yes mom, I just had breakfast and I'm heading out now. Please let me go—I don't want to be late on my first day" I said, tugging on my shoes with a mix of nerves and excitement.
"Okay, sweetie. Just take care of yourself and don't forget to tell me everything" she replied, her voice soft and familiar, the kind that wraps around you like a warm shawl.
"I will, mom. You take care too" I said, glancing once more at the mirror in my room.
It was the first day of college, and I wanted to look presentable—sharp enough to feel confident but not like I was trying too hard. I wore a green V-neck T-shirt layered under a black jacket, paired with black jeans and matching shoes. A watch completed the look. I stared at my reflection, my blue eyes meeting themselves in the glass. They looked... unsettled. Not sad exactly but carrying something unspoken.
I hadn't wanted to leave home—not after everything. I'd hoped to study in Mumbai, stay close to my family, to the comfort of routine and familiarity. But my grades had earned me a place at India's most prestigious university for business studies. It was an opportunity I couldn't ignore. After all, I'm expected to take over the family business someday. My father has built it with vision and grit, and I want to take it even further.
Still, I miss home. I miss the quiet strength of my parents, the teasing warmth of my sister. They've never pressured me or Vanya di to follow a path we didn't choose. I remember what Dad told her before she left for graduation:
"It's easy to chase perfection, to measure your worth by grades or achievements. But you are more than a score, more than your successes or failures. Take care of your mind, your body, and your emotions. Nothing is more valuable than your peace of mind. If you ever feel lost, come home. Your peace is more important to us. The world isn't asking you to have all the answers—it's asking you to explore."
I cried when Vanya di left. She was my best friend, my partner-in-crime, my human diary. She knew I didn't want to leave, but she insisted I needed to explore before stepping into the empire. She was right, I guess. Still, I just want to be someone my dad looks at with pride—not because I'm perfect, but because I tried.
"Hey dude, where are you lost?" Nihal's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Meet our neighbors—this guy's his roommate. That's Mudit Agarwal and Aryan Sharma."
Nihal Singh, my roommate, is from New Delhi. His father, Mr. Sumit Singh, owns Skyline Creators, one of India's top infrastructure firms. Nihal's got green eyes and stands six feet tall—same as me.
Mudit, from Gujarat, is the son of Mr. Rohit Agarwal, who owns Cyberpulse, a chain of electronic stores. He's got amber eyes and a calm demeanor. Aryan, from Rajasthan, is the son of Dr. Kabir Sharma, a renowned cardiologist. Gray eyes, dimples, and a quiet charm. Honestly, Nihal, Mudit, and Aryan look like they've stepped out of a fashion magazine. Heartthrobs in the making.
"Hi, I'm Vedant Kapoor. I'm from Mumbai" I said, shaking hands with both.
"Nice to meet you, Vedant. You look like a supermodel—girls are going to line up for you" Mudit teased, and the others nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, Mudit. You guys aren't exactly invisible either," I replied with a grin.
"Guys, we should head out. Sumit sir asked us to be in the common room by 8:30" Aryan said, checking his watch.
"Relax, it's only 8:25. First day—we're allowed to be fashionably late" Nihal joked, and we all laughed.
We grabbed our bags, did one last mirror check, locked the room, and headed downstairs. A teacher was waiting to escort us.
"Good morning, students. Let me take you to your classrooms" he said with a polite smile.
Our college is divided into three buildings—Business and Computer Sciences, Engineering and Pharma, and Law. As we walked toward ours, my thoughts drifted again.
My father, Mr. Rakesh Kapoor, has been running our perfume business for two decades. My mother, Mrs. Sunita Kapoor, owns a thriving healthy food brand. My grandfather, Mr. Samrat Kapoor, founded Majestic Aroma Ltd. My dad, instead of inheriting it directly, built his own hotel chain—Royal Paradise. It's now a nationwide success. My mom, an exceptional cook, runs Lustre Dining, a restaurant chain that's equally popular.
My sister, Vanya, is married to Mr. Ishan Singhania, head of the Singhania empire. They met here, at this very university. Fell in love, got married, and now run the business together. They're perfect for each other. But I know I won't experience love like that—not after what happened.
We reached our building, and I noticed girls staring at us. It's not new—I've always drawn attention. But after that incident, I hate it. Especially from girls. I know it's unfair to judge, but I can't help it.
We entered our classroom—four of us sharing the last bench near the window. The room was spacious, with 40 seats, a podium, projector, and screen. Top-tier, just like the college's reputation.
"Yaar, what is this? No girls in our class? Who's going to admire me now?" Nihal groaned.
"Don't worry, bro. We'll find someone from another department to admire you," Aryan laughed.
Just then, the door opened and a female teacher escorted the girls in. The room erupted in whistles and hoots.
Immature.
I ignored it, pulled out my phone, and checked Vanya di's messages:
Good morning, idiot. All the best for college.
Hey, wake up idiot.
Find me a sister-in-law, understood?
Hey you Mr. Invisible..
I smiled. Just then, Mudit smirked at me.
"It's my sister," I said, laughing. He raised his hands in mock surrender.
And then—I saw her.
She walked in like a whisper, like something out of a dream. My heart skipped a beat.
Angelic.
That's the only word that came to mind.