The freshmen were ready for a brand-new beginning. Boston University was the kind of place students across the world dreamed of.

Ranveer Raisingh was one of them.

He excelled at almost everything—academics, sports, music. Whatever he touched seemed to turn into gold.

Everything except one thing.

His mother's heart.

No matter how hard he tried, he could never earn the affection he longed for. And over the years, that quiet disappointment had changed him in ways no one noticed.

He had become stoic. Reserved. Quiet.

Yet beneath that unyielding exterior lived a remarkably gentle heart—one that loved his people with unwavering devotion.

He stood tall amidst the crowd gathered for orientation.

The introductions had begun.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Aarav Malhotra from Mumbai, India," a boy announced.

He looked cheerful, effortlessly confident, and full of life—the complete opposite of Ranveer.

Ranveer observed him quietly.

"As you can all see, my name starts with 'A,' so I'm the unfortunate scapegoat who has to introduce himself first," Aarav joked.

A ripple of laughter spread through the hall.

His confidence was admirable.

For the briefest moment, the corners of Ranveer's lips softened into the faintest hint of a smile.

Aarav finished his introduction and stepped aside.

One by one, the freshmen walked up to the podium, introducing themselves to the hall.

Ranveer waited patiently for his turn.

Then came the ninth letter of the alphabet.

I.

Not many names begin with this letter, he thought.

"Hello, everyone... I'm Idhika Mitra."

The girl hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Umm... I'm from Kolkata, India. I've chosen Accounting as my major here. It has always been my dream to study at a foreign university."

She offered a small, nervous smile.

"Thank you."

Her voice faded as she stepped back.

She looks so awkward, Ranveer thought, watching her return to her seat.

After a few more introductions, it was finally Ranveer's turn.

He walked up to the podium with effortless composure.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm Ranveer Raisingh from Mumbai, India. I've chosen Accounting as my major, and I'm looking forward to spending the next few years here in Boston. Thank you."

With that, he stepped away from the microphone and returned to his seat.

"Ranveer?" the blonde-haired girl sitting beside him said with an easy smile. "That's a nice name."

Ranveer turned to her and offered a polite half-smile.

"Thanks."

The orientation was soon over.

Ranveer was waiting at the lawn area for nothing. He was just staring at the building he always wanted to study in.

"Excuse me-", some one said.

Ranveer turned, it was an Indian guy, "Are you too a freshman?"

"Yes, why?", Ranveer asked.
"I missed orientation. Now I need to attend the lecture. I am lost. By the way, I am Karan Dutta.", he said, looking very nervous.

"Oh, yes I am a freshman. I am Ranveer, you are from which major?", he asked.
"Economics.", Karan said.
"I am from Accounting. I don't know if the classes will be the same.", Ranveer said, in his usual voice.

"Do you know where your classes will be? In that case it might be on the same floor.", Karan asked.

"Hmm..might be you are right. Yeah I know my class. Come with me.", Ranveer said, and Karan followed him.

They reached the classroom where the Accounting major's batch was sitting.

Ranveer could spot Aarav, laughing with another guy on the first day itself.

He made quite an impression on Ranveer's mind.

"This looks like your batch, dude.", Karan said.

Ranveer nodded, "Yes it does. How about you check out the next room? My lecture is about to start. I don't wanna miss it.", Ranveer said, politely.

"Yeah dude. Sure, and by the way thanks for the help.", Karan smiled and left the classroom.

Ranveer took a random seat, not in the back but not in the front too.

"Oh God I am late.", A girl muttered and took the desk beside him, as there were no other empty seat in the classroom.

She quietly sat down, clasping her hands on the table.

She always looks nervous...Ranveer thought looking at her direction.

The professor entered the class, and first lecture of Accounting started.

Ranveer diligently took the notes, focusing all into the class.

But as the class got over, the professor asked all of them to submit their notebooks.

Apparently it was his style to filter out on the very first day who all are diligent students.

"You-", Professor pointed towards Idhika.

She stood up, fidgeting with her fingers, "Yes sir."

"Carry the notebooks to my cabin.", Professor said.

Ranveer looked towards the notebooks kept on the teacher's table.

There was a pile of it.

"Ok sir.", Idhika said, timidly.

How will she carry all of them alone?

Ranveer thought.

The professor left the classroom.

Idhika walked upto the table trying to think about how could she carry all of the notebooks together.

Ranveer kept looking at her, not sure if he could help her. It was just the first day.

"Hey..let me help.", Aarav's voice floated into his ear.

"Oh it's ok, I will make two rounds if needed.", Idhika answered him with a polite smile.

"Arey why to come again. Lets take it.", Aarav took more than half of the pile, and Idhika took the rest.

Ranveer blinked into thin air as Aarav and Idhika left the classroom.

"I wonder why professor said to carry all this alone to you.", Aarav said, while walking.

"Well...thankfully I wrote everything he taught.", Idhika said.

"Ah we reached–", Aarav said walking into the professor's cabin.

Both of them kept the notebooks on his table and left as professor was absent from his cabin.

"So yeah...let me introduce myself— Aarav Malhotra, from Mumbai. My Dad is the chairman of Malhotra group of industries.", Aarav said offering a handshake.

Idhika shook his hand, "Hi..I am Idhika Mitra. My dad is also into business, but not group of industries. Just small business owner.", She said.

"Oh that doesn't matter. We all are batchmates after all.", Aarav said and both of them walked back into the classroom.

Aarav spotted Ranveer, "Hey...I wanted to speak to you since orientation.", Aarav said to Ranveer, who was sitting quietly on his desk.

Ranveer raised his eyebrows, "Me?"

Aarav nodded, "Yes..you. Raisingh, right?"

Ranveer stood up, while took her seat back, which was adjacent to his.

"Yes, Raisingh...the youngest one.", Ranveer said, with a faint smile.

"Right...my Dad knows your Dad. Nice to meet you, bro.", Aarav said, tapping his shoulder.

Ranveer flinched slightly, as he was touch sensitive, but Aarav's intention was good so he brushed it off, "Nice to meet you too."

"I think the Indian students are keeping Welcome party for Freshers. Come there, hm?", Aarav said.

Ranveer paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile.

Aarav went to Idhika, "Idhika...you too come, in the welcome party. We will have fun."

Idhika looked at him in confusion.

"Party?", She asked.

Ranveer's gaze shifted there.

"Haan party. Aap nahi karti?", Aarav her.

Idhika shook her head, "Nahi."

Ranveer wanted to chuckle, instead he just cleared his throat.

"Then start yaar. College mein party nahi karenge toh kab karenge?", Aarav said to Idhika.

"Will...people drink there?", Idhika asked, in a very low voice.
"Huh? Maybe who all are 21 years and above, here the legal age is 21. You don't?", Aarav asked.

"No..I don't like all that. I won't go.", Idhika said, furrowing her brows.

"Umm...that is your choice, we won't drink too. Don't worry.", Aarav said, in a friendly manner.

"Will you...Ranveer?", Aarav looked at him for an answer.

Ranveer clicked his tongue, "Tsk...no. Still eighteen.", He said.

Idhika didn't look at him, she looked at Aarav, "Ok, location?"
"Give me your number, I will ping you.", Aarav said.

Idhika blinked at him.

"You...have a phone, right?", Aarav asked her.
"Yes, I have. Give your number, I'll give a missed call.", Idhika said to Aarav.
"Yeah, write down, by the way, I will just ping you for the location. Don't worry.", Aarav reassured her.

Idhika smiled faintly, "Yeah it's ok. Check..I dialled your number."

Aarav got the ring, "Yeah, got it."
"Ranveer, bro, gimme yours too.", Aarav said.

Idhika still didn't look at Ranveer.

"Haan..", Ranveer gave Aarav his contact number.

"Great. Friend circle badi ho gayi. haha.", Aarav chuckled.

Which friend circle? Ranveer thought.

"Bro...the professor is here.", Ranveer said.

It was almost inaudible.

"Aarav-", Ranveer called him, "Professor.", he said.
Aarav raised his eyebrows, "Aah...", he responded then looked back at Idhika, "Ok, see you at the party.", he said and went back to his seat.

Ranveer and Idhika sat back on their desks.

Ranveer was fidgeting with his pain, while Idhika was perfectly arranging her books and notebooks on her desk.
"This desk is so small.", she muttered to herself.

Apparently it was small for her.

Ranveer just looked at her with the corner of his eyes, then focused back on the class.

The first day of college soon got over in the blink of an eye.

Ranveer looked towards Aarav, who was talking some American students outside the classroom.
"Aarav...ping me the location, ok?", Ranveer said.
"I will...but just in case, be ready near the college cafeteria at 5pm. Those whose numbers I don't have, they will gather there.", Aarav said.
"Ok, done. I will be there. Bye.", Ranveer said, and started walking in the hallway with his backpack on one shoulder.

Then he spotted her, again.
Standing in the hallway, beside the water purifier area, putting her hands inside her fitted denim pockets. Maybe she was waiting for someone.

Ranveer took out his water bottle, and went towards the purifier to fill the bottle.

Ranveer filled his bottle, drank some water, filled it again. But nobody came to meet Idhika.
Is she lost? Ranveer thought.

"Ugh...chali hi jaati hoon cafeteria, feeling hungry.", Idhika muttered to herself and started walking.

Ranveer put the bottle back into his bag.

She was just thinking? He thought.

Ranveer shook his head to brush it off. He did not smile, he did not want to chuckle.

He was just...amused.

He too entered the cafeteria to have his lunch. He did not know how to cook yet.

He stood in the line for a cheeseburger, and it really felt lonely at that moment.

He was all alone in the crowd.

He sat with the tray of burger and fries, "Ahh... I miss Rajjo kaki's food.", he sighed and took a bite of the burger.

Rajjo kaki was Ranveer's care taker since he was a kid.

But unfortunately, Ranveer now was far away from home, too far away from the culture.

And this cafeteria did not serve authentic Indian food yet, maybe one day it will.

He finished his food out of hunger, took his bag, and walked out of the cafeteria.

He has rented an apartment for himself close to college, and as he reached it he sprawled on the sofa.

His phone buzzed, "Dad? wow what a timing."
He picked it up, "Yes, Dad.", he said over the phone.
"Beta, how was college?", Ranjan Raisingh asked.
"Oh it was good. Aaj party hai shaam mein. I will go there.", Ranveer said, finally a smile appeared on his face.

"Arey wah enjoy beta. Khana khaya?", Ranjan asked.
"Haan Dad. And you know what, Malhotra group's heir is here. Aarav, such a cool guy.", Ranveer said, smiling.

"Manoj's son? Arey bohot achi baat hai. Don't tell your mom about him. She is a bit bitter about them.", Ranjan said.
"Aah I see. Yeah ok. I will call mom later.", Ranveer said.

"Haan, haan, abhi rest kar le beta. Party se aake call me.", Ranjan said.
"Ok dad, byee.", Ranveer hung up, and deeply exhaled.
In the evening
Ranveer's POV

Aarav sent me the location of the place we were supposed to meet at.
I got ready in my black leather bomber jacket with red and white stripes on the collar, it was my favourite one.

I always wanted to wear it in my freshman year.

I drove there and waited for Aarav to come, leaning on the car.

Someone stood there suddenly, a girl, I could only see her back.

"Hello, Aarav? Yeah I am here.", she said.

Ye Aarav toh bohot popular hai bhai.

She then turned, and looked and here and there.

Oh Idhika? I see.

"Yeah one guy is standing here with his car.", she said over the phone.
Huh? She doesn't know my name?
I stood there, holding my breath, and did not even realise it.

Aarav came walking towards us, "Oh Idhika...you are already here. So punctual huh?", he said smiling at her.
I just raised my hand at him.
"Oh, tu bhi aa gaya? Oh you texted. right. Come here bro.", Aarav called me.
I breathed again.

Idhika did not look at me, she was just...adjusting her dress.

"Idhika, you know him, right? Same batch.", Aarav said.

She looked at Aarav...blankly.

"Who?", she asked.

Aarav pointed towards me, "Him.", he said.

"Oh...umm...Hi.", she said, smiling very awkwardly.
"Ranveer Raisingh.", I said in a deep voice.

She blinked for a moment, "Idhika Mitra.", she said.

I kept looking at her, while she looked away.
"Now I know him.", Idhika said to Aarav.

Aarav finally went blank, as if he didn't know what to say.

"We...I mean I sit beside you..in class.", I spoke, finally spoke.

She looked at me, "Oh my...you sit beside me? I am so sorry.", she said, looking genuinely sorry.

"You didn't know that?", I asked.
"No, I mean I was hyper-focused on my day today. So sorry.", she said, but didn't smile.
I did...smile at her, "It's...alright. No worries.", I said.

"There is no girls...in the party?", she asked Aarav.

"Do we have another Indian girl in our batch?", Aarav asked her.

Isko kya puchh raha hai? nahi pata hoga.

"I don't think so, bro.", I said to Aarav.
"Arey...then I won't go. How awkward it would be.", Idhika said.
"Huh? Seniors will be there, and who know from other majors we get Indian girls.", Aarav said.
"Yeah, makes sense. But if nobody is there, I will leave early.", Idhika said.
Jaa kyun rahi hai?

Aarav nodded, "Yes, yes."
We walked till the cafe outside our college campus, no alcohol were served there.

"Guys, let me call the second year guy who invited me.", Aarav said, and dialled a number.

Idhika quietly stood between me and Aarav.

"Guys, they are inside already. Lets go.", Aarav said and walked ahead.
Idhika was in front of me.
And I let her go inside first.

As we settled there, finally another Indian girl walked into the group.

"Hi... I am Natasha.", she introduced herself, but her accent was American.

"Oh she looks Indian...but-", Idhika muttered, and I could hear it as I was sitting beside her.

I did not say anything to her.

"Hi pretty girl, what's your name?", Natasha asked Idhika.
"Hi, I am Idhika Mitra.", she said.
"Oohh...pretty name. What does that mean?", she asked.
"It's Maa Durga's name. Also means Talent.", Idhika said.

Wow, nice.

"Wow..sounds so cool. Nice to meet you, Idhi.", Natasha said.
"Likewise.", Idhika said, smiling.

"And you are?", Natasha asked me.
"Ranveer.", I said.
"Good to meet you, Ranveer.", Natasha said.
I nodded and smiled.

Soon the introductions were over, and food was served.

Idhika was just looking at the food.

While I took a slice of pizza on my plate.
I looked at her, she was still thinking.
"You...don't want it?", I asked, in a low voice.

"It's chicken?", she asked me.

"Yeah...", I nodded, and looked at the pizza.
She took a slice of the pizza onto her plate.
She was seeing others cutting the slices with fork and knife.

"Hath se khaalo.", I said.
She paused before looking at me, then turned.
"Really?"
I nodded, "I am also eating with hand.", I said, and took a bite of the pizza.

"I mean who eats pizza with fork, right?", Idhika asked with a sass.
"Right...", I said, and took another bite.
She finally took a bite too.

She ate, almost all of the dishes, as if was hungry.
And very soon, the party was over. Aarav made a whole lot of friends, but I was just standing outside the cafe.

Idhika too was talking to Natasha.

"Ok Natasha, I really liked meeting you.", Idhika said, bidding her good bye.

"Aarav?", Idhika asked me.
"There. He is making connections.", I said.
She adjusted her sling bag, "Ah I see.."
We stood, not looking at each other.

"Food was good, wasn't it?", she asked me.
I nodded, "It was.", I said.