The next morning came faster than Arjun wanted.
St. Mary's Elite College looked the same—rich, loud, untouchable.
But something inside Arjun had changed.
He didn't understand why…
but he kept remembering her.
Anaya Verma.
The girl who looked like she had everything… yet felt nothing.
🌧️ The First Collision
The corridor near the library was crowded.
Arjun was walking carefully, holding books against his chest, trying not to draw attention.
Then—
Someone rushed past him.
Fast. Careless.
And in a second—
THUD.
Books flew from his hands.
A sharp gasp echoed.
Arjun looked up.
And froze.
Anaya Verma stood in front of him.
Her designer bag slightly tilted. Her expression cold—but annoyed.
But Arjun wasn't looking at her anger.
He was looking at the situation.
She had bumped into him.
And now… her expensive files were scattered on the floor.
The crowd went silent.
Because everyone knew—
Anaya Verma did NOT get disrespected.
A boy whispered,
"He's dead."
Another laughed quietly,
"Scholarship boy messed with her."
Arjun quickly bent down.
"I'm sorry… I didn't see—"
"Don't touch it," Anaya said sharply.
Her voice was calm… but dangerous.
Arjun stopped instantly.
She knelt down herself, picking up her files.
Her movements were controlled, but her eyes were colder now.
"You should watch where you stand," she said without looking at him.
"I didn't push you," Arjun replied quietly.
That made her pause.
Finally, she looked at him properly.
For a second, the world slowed again.
Same eyes. Same silence.
But this time… closer.
"You think I don't know your type?" she asked.
Arjun frowned. "My type?"
"Scholarship students who think silence makes them important."
That hit harder than expected.
Arjun's jaw tightened.
"I don't think anything," he said. "I just study here."
Anaya stood up slowly.
"And people like you usually don't last here."
That sentence wasn't loud.
But it felt like humiliation wrapped in silk.
Before Arjun could reply—
A student accidentally rushed through the corridor.
He bumped into Anaya.
Her balance broke.
Her heel slipped on the scattered papers—
"Anaya!"
Too late.
She fell forward.
Arjun reacted without thinking.
He caught her wrist.
For a moment, everything froze again.
Her hand in his.
Her breath stopped.
His heart too.
But the impact pushed both of them off balance.
They fell together.
On the floor.
In front of everyone.
Silence exploded into whispers.
"Did he just touch her?"
"He held Anaya Verma?"
"He's finished."
Anaya quickly pulled her hand away.
Her eyes were shaken… but her voice was sharp.
"Don't ever touch me again."
But something inside her didn't match her words.
Because her hand… was still trembling.
Arjun stood up slowly.
His face was calm.
But inside… something cracked.
Not because he fell.
But because of how easily the world was ready to destroy him for it.
🌙 That Night – Anaya's Room
Anaya sat alone again.
But she couldn't forget it.
His hand.
Not forceful. Not disrespectful.
Just… instinctive.
He didn't try to hurt her.
He tried to save her.
And that confused her more than anything.
Because in her world—
People only touched her for status.
Not for instinct.
Not for humanity.
She stared at her reflection.
"Why did you react like that?" she whispered to herself.
But no answer came.
🌧️ Arjun's Room
Arjun sat on his bed.
His wrist still felt the moment.
Not pain.
But memory.
He should hate her.
She humiliated him.
She insulted him.
But instead…
He remembered her eyes.
Not arrogant.
Not powerful.
Just… lost for a second.
And that scared him more.
Because it felt like this story… had already started.