Scene 1 — Morning Madness
The blaring alarm cut through Room 201 like a war siren. Shiva groaned and pulled his blanket over his head.
"Wake up, boys!" Rohan yelled, jumping from his bed like he'd had three cups of coffee already. "Our first real class! History will remember this day!"
"History will also remember who dies first," Aarav muttered from his bed, throwing a pillow at Rohan.
Shiva peeked out from under his blanket, watching his roommates bicker. "What time is it?"
"Seven-thirty," Rohan announced proudly, already dressed in jeans and a casual t-shirt.
Aarav sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "Lecture starts at nine, idiot. Why are you up so early?"
"Because legends don't snooze alarms," Rohan grinned. "Plus, I need at least an hour to style my hair. Imagine the tragedy if the whole campus didn't see me in my full glory."
"Campus will survive," Aarav deadpanned.
Shiva chuckled quietly, pulling himself up. Compared to his quiet mornings at home, this chaotic start already felt different—but in a strangely warm way.
---
Scene 2 — The Rush to Class
By eight-forty, the trio was finally ready. Aarav carried his neat stack of books, Rohan had a single notebook shoved into his pocket, and Shiva just went with his pen and a plain ruled copy.
On the way to the lecture hall, Rohan kept pointing at random things. "Mess food smells like my grandmother's kitchen after an apocalypse."
"You've only had it once," Aarav replied.
"Once was enough."
Shiva smirked, staying quiet, watching his two roommates banter like they'd known each other for years.
When they entered the hall, the seats were filling fast. Shiva slid into the middle row, Aarav on one side, Rohan on the other.
That's when Shiva noticed her again.
The girl from yesterday—already in her seat, notebook open, pen poised. Hair tied back neatly, a calm focus in her eyes. She was the kind of student who looked like she belonged in the front row of every class.
"Who's that?" Rohan leaned closer, following Shiva's gaze.
"No idea," Shiva said quickly, looking down at his notes.
"She looks like the topper type," Aarav muttered.
"Which means…" Rohan grinned, "…we should definitely make friends. I need someone to save me from academic extinction."
The professor walked in, and conversation scattered. But Shiva found his eyes wandering back, even if just for a second.
---
Scene 3 — The Library Encounter
Classes ended by noon, and the campus buzzed with students heading to clubs, canteens, or the library.
Shiva had promised his father he'd take studies seriously, so he decided to check out the library. Aarav tagged along, while Rohan disappeared—most likely chasing food or girls.
The library was huge, air-conditioned, and quiet enough to hear pages turning. Rows of shelves stretched endlessly, the scent of paper thick in the air.
Shiva scanned for the right section. His course syllabus mentioned a history reference book. After a few minutes of wandering, he spotted it—top shelf, slightly out of reach.
He stretched, fingers brushing the spine but not quite grabbing it. He was just about to tiptoe when another hand reached up smoothly and pulled it out.
He turned—and found himself face-to-face with her.
Leonor.
She adjusted her glasses, glanced at the book, and then at him. "You were reaching for this?"
"Uh… yeah," Shiva said, slightly awkward.
Without a word, she handed it to him.
"Thanks," he managed.
She gave a small nod, then turned and walked toward a desk near the window, already flipping open another notebook.
Shiva stood frozen for a moment, book in hand. Aarav appeared behind him. "So… that was interesting."
"It was just a book," Shiva muttered.
"Sure," Aarav smirked. "Just a book."
---
Scene 4 — The Canteen Lunch
By lunchtime, all three roommates reunited in the canteen. Rohan had already bought samosas and was loudly complaining about the chutney.
"This is a crime against humanity," he declared. "How can chutney taste this bland?"
"Maybe because not everything in life is supposed to entertain you," Aarav replied dryly, stirring his dal.
Shiva half-listened, flipping open the history book.
"Wait, wait," Rohan leaned in, eyes wide. "Did I just see you studying during lunch? Who are you, and what have you done with our quiet friend Shiva?"
"It's just reference reading," Shiva said calmly.
"And let me guess," Rohan smirked. "This sudden burst of motivation has nothing to do with a certain studious girl we saw in class?"
Shiva didn't answer, which made Rohan laugh even harder. Aarav, of course, kept a neutral face but the tiniest smirk betrayed him.
For the first time, Shiva felt heat rise to his ears.
---
Scene 5 — Group Assignment
That afternoon, the professor announced a surprise group assignment. "You'll work in groups of four," he said. "Random roll numbers will decide."
Shiva's roll number was called—and fate, perhaps mischievous, placed him in a group with Aarav… and Leonor.
For a moment, he blinked, unsure if he heard correctly.
Leonor simply noted the instructions and adjusted her pen.
After class, Aarav leaned toward Shiva. "Well, looks like the universe is playing matchmaker."
"Shut up," Shiva muttered.
---
Scene 6 — Evening Hostel Vibe
Back in the hostel, Room 201 was alive again. Rohan was sprawled on his bed, phone in hand. Aarav was reading, and Shiva was quietly jotting notes.
"So," Rohan began suddenly, "how was your day with the mystery girl?"
"Her name's Leonor," Aarav replied before Shiva could say anything.
Rohan's grin widened. "Oho. You're already on first-name basis?"
"It's just an assignment group," Shiva said, trying not to sound defensive.
"Bro," Rohan declared dramatically, "this is how all epic romances start. Shakespeare is smiling from the heavens right now."
Shiva rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop the faint smile tugging at his lips.
---
Scene 7 — Night Reflection
That night, as the hostel slowly dimmed into silence, Shiva lay in bed staring at the ceiling fan.
The day replayed in fragments—the morning chaos, the first proper word exchanged with Leonor, Rohan's endless jokes, Aarav's calm presence.
It wasn't dramatic, it wasn't cinematic. But it was real.
And for the first time in a long while, Shiva felt like his days were beginning to weave into something larger.
He closed his eyes with a small smile. Somewhere, among the noise of laughter and the quiet of the library, the first spark of an eternal story had begun.
To be continued....