AVA POV:

"What's your name?"

"Ava."

"Is your name or the nursing home where you were born?"

"My name."

"Interesting."

My heart is racing so fast. I feel like my heart is going to come out now. Today is my first day at Delhi Engineering College. As I waited for admission, the introduction ceremony began. I'm from a village, and this is my first time outside. I've always wanted to study at this college, and today my dream has come true. My mind is filled with thoughts!

As I stood in line, I looked at my papa, who was standing far away, smiling despite his struggles. He's a teacher and always puts others first.

I'm his only child, and my mother calls me 'Mimi.'

Can I really stay away from home? Why am I feeling this way? I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad today.

"Ava kapoor" I heard my name and was startled. I took the form and admission fees and went to the counter.

I looked back at my Papa, who was still standing in the same spot. I felt like I was moving away from my small world.

    As I completed the admission process, I also got a form for the hostel. I filled out the details and gave it to my Paps to sign.

A wave of sadness hit me, and I struggled to hold back tears. Why was I feeling this way? My face felt hot, and I was shaking. I tried to hurry through the necessary steps for the hostel.

        "Hey, do you need any help?" My pen fell from my hand. I was too scared to look up. The voice was so deep and smooth! I mustered the courage to look up. A cool breeze hit me, and my heart started racing even faster.

"I'm Rajveer, computer science, last year," he said.

I realized he was a senior in college.

     I felt like I was in a daze. "No, I don't need help," I said.

"I just wanted to help, damn it!" he exclaimed, making everyone turn around.

Why was he so angry? I didn't understand. Papa rushed to my side, and I was crying uncontrollably. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. Rajveer was still looking at me, his eyes blazing with anger. I was shaking and trying to hold back my tears.

..."Are you crazy, Raj? She's just a little girl. You could have spoken nicely," his friend said.

I was still crying and trying to wipe away my tears.

"Sorry, uncle," Rajveer said, apologizing to Papa, and then he left with his friend.

I was surprised by his sudden change in behavior. He went from being angry to being calm and apologetic. I didn't know what to make of him.

   I didn't think anymore. I wiped away my tears with the corner of my dupatta.

This time, Papa stayed by my side.

    After completing the admission procedure, we both came out to see the hostel.

"Don't be upset, princess, and does anyone cry over such small things? You're a big girl now, aren't you?"

      I know papa said these words to make me feel better. But how can I become a big girl in just one day?

...****************...

AVA POV:

As I walked with Papa, I got a good look at the Delhi Engineering College campus.

     Actually, there's something magical about this college.

At first, it's bound to feel a bit off-putting. The surroundings are eerily quiet. It feels like the buildings have witnessed countless stories. They're trying to convey something.

      Lost in thought, I didn't even realize when we arrived at Hostel. It's a massive three-story building. Even opening the gate felt a bit intimidating. We slowly stepped inside. I saw many girls standing on the veranda, and I could tell they were new admissions.

I approached one of them and asked what I needed to do.

"What's your name?" she asked gruffly, looking like a senior.

"Ava"

"Did you die?"

"Huh?!!"

"What's with the 'huh', you numbskull? Don't you have a full name?"

    My legs started shaking again with fear.

"Ava kapoor."

"Your name isn't on the list," she said, looking at the board.

I felt like crying again. What do you mean my name isn't there?

"Please check again," I managed to say in a shaky voice.

"Do you think I don't know how to read?"

"Sorry"

     I walked back to my father.

"They said my name isn't there," I told him.

Papa's face had also turned pale as he stood frozen. I opened the water bottle I had brought and handed it to him.

Today, Father had forgotten about his hunger and thirst.

With a somber expression, he asked, "Did you check properly?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Let's go back to the admission area and ask again," he suggested. "Okay," I agreed.

We turned around and headed back to the gate.

  I had barely taken two steps across the road when a bike came speeding towards me and screeched to a halt right next to me. I was startled and turned around. Rajveer!

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's happening," I said, trying to sound braver this time.

"I wasn't asking you, Uncle, is everything okay?"

"What can I say, Son? We didn't understand a thing, and they told us we got a hostel, but now they're saying our name isn't on the list? We don't even know who to ask," he explained, looking frazzled.

I stood there silently, frozen in place. I looked at him, and seeing Papa's distress made him feel a pang of sympathy for my father.

Rajveer asked his friend, who was sitting behind him, to get off the bike, and I felt a surge of fear again. What would happen if he asked me to get on the bike?

"Get on, Uncle, I'll take care of it," he said.

"No need," I said, my voice firm and slightly raised.

"Don't you have a brain? Can't you see how upset he is? And don't think you're the center of attention. I'm not doing this to impress you, got it?"

He scolded me again. I don't want to look at him again! I'll never talk to him again. He's my Papa, what concern is it of his?

"Princess, what are you thinking? It would be good if he helped,"

"Dev, you come with Ava, let's go, Uncle," Rajveer turned to his friend and said, and before I could understand what was happening, he took Papa away from my sight. How did he know my name? Is he following me?

...****************...

AVA POV:

"Rajveer is not like this at all, I don't know what's wrong today, don't take it to heart," Rajveer's friend said with affection, which made me feel a little better. At least there's someone who doesn't scold me.

"By the way, I'm Dev, Rajveer's best friend," he said with a smile, and I returned it in kind.

"You know, your friend is really bad, I don't want to look at him, he's a monster," I said, but suddenly I realized I was badmouthing Rajveer in front of him.

"What did I just say? He'll scold me in front of everyone again," I thought, mentally kicking myself.

"You think I'll tell him, huh? If you think that, you're right," he said, smirking and bursting into laughter.

    My eyes welled up with tears. I walked shakily to the college office. To my surprise, Papa was sitting on a chair, holding a water bottle and an apple. I approached him cautiously.

"What's wrong, Papa? Didn't the work go well?" I asked, concern etched on my face.

"I've been sitting here, Rajveer has gone inside. He left me here like a little boy, giving me water and an apple," Papa said with a smile on his face.

I felt a bit irritated. Why is he being so caring towards my Papa? I didn't have the courage to ask, and I didn't have the strength to take scolding right now.

         After a while, Rajveer emerged from the office.

"Come here," he called out to me.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Hostel is already full, so they've allotted you a room in the extension block," he explained. "Don't worry, it's fine," he added reassuringly.

I looked puzzled. "What do you mean by the extension block?" I asked.

Rajveer looked at me and said, "Come with me, I'll show you the extension block."

"No need, just tell me the way," I replied.

"You know what, miss? I don't care whether you want me to come or not. Rajveer decides what he does or doesn't do. So, just follow me," he said suddenly, his voice laced with anger.

"Let's go, uncle," he said to Papa and walked ahead.

I stood my ground in anger, refusing to follow. "I'm not going," I thought to myself. But then I realized I had no choice since I didn't know the way.

      This time, he didn't ride his bike; instead, he walked alongside Papa and me. Everyone around us seemed to be watching the scene unfold, yet no one attempted to approach me or strike up a conversation. It felt strangely surreal.

       He walked ahead with his friend and Papa, while I trailed behind like a lost child. He pointed out Extension 1, a small quarter-type building near the main hostel.

"Don't worry, uncle, everything's fine here. You two go inside and talk. We aren't allowed in, but if there's any issue, just call us. Let's exchange numbers."

"Princess, give him the number," Papa said.

"My phone's battery is low and it's switched off, Papa," I said, telling a blatant lie. Rajveer clearly caught on, and I could tell he was slightly annoyed.

"Alright, uncle, I'll head off," he said, walking away without even glancing back at me.

...****************...