Episode 2

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?

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