The time had finally come for the much-awaited Fresher's Party. After all the madness, excitement, and tasks of the day, it was now time to celebrate. The seniors gathered everyone—boys and girls—and escorted us to the beautifully decorated party hall. Fairy lights sparkled above us, casting a soft glow across the room. Music played in the background, lively chatter filled the air, and the scent of food and perfume mixed into a dizzying cocktail of youth and anticipation.
As I stepped into the hall, still a little lost in thought, Simmi appeared by my side, flashing her usual curious smile.
"Brother," she said, nudging me slightly, "so… which senior gave you protection?"
I looked at her, hesitating for just a second before replying softly, "Nikhil."
Her eyes widened in surprise. Before she could say anything, Ruhi, who had been standing close by, turned her head sharply toward us and asked, "Wait—what? Are you serious?"
I gave a small nod. "Yeah… it's true."
Simmi's lips curved into a delighted grin as she playfully nudged my arm again. "Wow, that's amazing! That means no one in this college will dare to mess with you now. Nikhil is like… top-level untouchable. He's the guy."
I forced a smile, nodding again. "Yeah... I guess that's good."
But inside?
Inside I felt like I was falling into a whirlpool of emotions I didn't understand. My smile was fake—just a mask to hide the storm building inside me.
Yes, I was safe now. Yes, Nikhil had protected me. Yes, no one would dare bully me anymore.
But why didn't I feel at peace?
Why did it feel like my heart was caught in something bigger than protection or popularity?
Was it because of that kiss?
Was it the way he looked at me?
Was it because, in a single day, Nikhil had become the person my thoughts kept circling back to—again and again?
Simmi and Ruhi were now busy chatting about outfits and dances, completely unaware of the conflict raging inside me. Around me, everyone laughed, danced, clicked pictures, made memories.
And I stood there… feeling like I was living someone else's life.
People were congratulating me. Some juniors even looked at me with envy. A few seniors gave me respectful nods. It was like overnight, my status had shifted from invisible to "important."
But none of that mattered to me.
Because somewhere in that glittering crowd… was Nikhil.
And I didn't know whether I wanted to run away from him…
Or run straight to him.
I was lost in my thoughts—completely consumed by the whirlpool of emotions that had taken over my mind since the moment Nikhil had kissed me. My heart still hadn't calmed down, and my brain was trying to make sense of everything when suddenly, I heard Nikhil's voice echo across the party hall.
He was standing in front of everyone with a confident smile, speaking into the mic.
"Tonight," he said loudly, "there are no juniors… and no seniors. Tonight, we are all just students—here to party, dance, and celebrate together. And to kick off this beautiful evening, I'll be opening the dance floor… with Shaleeni."
A wave of cheers erupted in the hall, claps and whistles filling the air as people looked toward him, excited. But my heart suddenly… dropped.
Shaleeni?
That name sounded unfamiliar… strange.
I turned to Simmi, my throat tight, trying not to sound too anxious.
"Simmi… who's Shaleeni?"
She looked surprised. "You don't know?"
I shook my head.
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice, as if she was about to tell me something important.
"Shaleeni is Nikhil's girlfriend," she said simply. "They've been in a relationship for two years now. Everyone in college knows."
For a moment, I couldn't hear anything. It was like the music around me faded into a dull hum. The lights, the laughter, the joy… everything just blurred into the background.
All I could feel was the sound of something shattering inside me.
My heart.
It didn't just break—it shattered into a thousand tiny pieces. And none of them could be put back together again. Not easily.
I turned my head slowly toward the dance floor, and there they were—Nikhil and Shaleeni—standing together under the glowing lights. The perfect couple. He held her like she belonged to him, like she'd always been his. They moved with rhythm, grace, and a comfort that only long-time lovers shared. His smile was genuine, his focus entirely on her. And why wouldn't it be? She was beautiful. Confident. Clearly someone who had been a part of his world long before I ever stepped into it.
And me?
I stood at the corner of the hall, in the shadows—just watching.
My fists clenched at my sides as my chest tightened painfully. My eyes burned, but I refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of anyone.
Thoughts spiraled in my head faster than I could control them.
Was this… was this the end before anything had even begun?
Was it good that whatever I was feeling had been broken now—before it had a chance to grow deeper?
Or… was there still a hope?
Did Nikhil kiss me just for fun… or did it mean something?
Did he feel anything at all?
Or was I just another moment in his day, while she was his forever?
I didn't know what to think.
All I knew was that something inside me didn't want to give up. As much as I tried to tell myself to let go, to move on, to accept that he belonged to someone else—my heart just wouldn't listen.
It wasn't ready.
Not yet.
I kept staring at Nikhil from afar, and a painful question echoed in my mind over and over again:
Was I just a mistake… or a moment he'd come back to?
And at that moment, I truly didn't know the answer.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
I couldn't hold them back anymore.
Watching Nikhil dance so effortlessly with Shaleeni, laughing with her, looking at her the way I had always hoped he'd look at me… it was too much. Something inside me collapsed. My chest felt heavy, as if someone had placed a stone right on top of my heart. I couldn't breathe properly. The music, the lights, the people—it all became a blur.
All I wanted in that moment… was to get away.
Far away.
My emotions had spiraled so far out of control that I began to feel physically sick. My stomach churned violently. My vision blurred. I knew I was about to throw up.
Without saying a word, I turned and ran—pushing through the crowd, ignoring the curious glances, the laughter, the loud music. I darted toward the nearest washroom, hand clamped over my mouth. As soon as I reached the sink, I bent over and threw up everything inside me—not just food, but pain, heartbreak, helplessness.
When it was over, I clung to the sink, gasping. A pounding headache took over next, like my body was retaliating against the emotional storm I had bottled up for too long.
I was trembling.
Weak.
Broken.
Barely able to stand.
Somehow, I dragged myself out and stumbled toward Simmi. She saw me coming—my pale face, my watery eyes, the way I could hardly walk—and rushed to my side.
"Brother?! What happened?!" she asked, panic rising in her voice.
"I… I need to go home," I whispered, my voice almost gone. "Call Dad… please…"
Simmi's face turned serious immediately. She looked around for help, then saw one of the kind seniors, Aaswin, standing nearby. She ran to him and asked if she could borrow his phone. Aaswin handed it over without hesitation, and Simmi quickly dialed our father's number.
"Uncle," she said urgently into the phone, "please come quickly. He's not well. He's really sick."
Hearing that, my dad didn't waste a second. He left home immediately, racing against time to reach the college.
Meanwhile, my breathing became more labored. My chest felt tight. Every inhale burned. My legs gave up. I couldn't take a step further. I was about to collapse when Aaswin came to support me, but before he could even touch me—
Nikhil stepped in.
With a sudden firmness in his voice, he said, "Aaswin, go to Raja. I'll take care of him."
There was no hesitation, no confusion. It was a command, and Aaswin obeyed.
The next thing I knew, Nikhil's arms were around me—strong, steady, careful. He lifted me as if I weighed nothing and held me close to his chest. I was too weak to protest, too sick to question it. I could barely keep my eyes open, but I could feel the warmth of his hold, the security in his steps.
He didn't speak.
He didn't ask what happened.
He just… carried me.
Through the college grounds, past the sea of dancing students, straight to the waiting car where my father had just arrived.
Gently, Nikhil placed me in the backseat and made sure I was comfortable. Then he turned to Simmi.
"Keep me updated," he said softly but seriously. "Every moment. I want to know how he's doing. Don't hide anything."
Simmi was surprised by his concern, her brows slightly raised. It seemed unusual—unexpected even—but she didn't question it. She nodded silently.
By now, my dad was already at the driver's seat, looking back in concern. He quickly started the car, his hands shaking slightly on the steering wheel.
And just like that—we drove away.
Away from the lights. Away from the music. Away from Nikhil.
But not away from the ache in my chest.
Even though my body was now resting, my mind was a storm.
Why did he care?
Why did he carry me like that?
Why did he want updates about me?
And the biggest question of all…
Did any of it… mean something?
I didn't know.
But I knew one thing for sure—
That night had changed everything.
To be continue....