Author Note - "Out of all the strangers in the world, fate chose this one to matter."

It was a fresh morning today, like the beginning of something new. At first, the stairs were making their own sounds, and everyone else was just going about their work. When a little calm settled all around, a girl's voice came from a room.

Her eyes were exactly like Radha Rani's. Her eyes are so lovely that anyone would fall in love with them. Even her nose is so small that who wouldn't love that angry little nose? Her hair-her hair is so thick, so black, that if someone saw her from behind, they would recognize who she is.

Seeing her pure and lovely emotions, anyone could fall for her without even realizing it. Her eyes, her lips, her nose, her soft rosy cheeks-everything about her felt perfect in its own way. Even her hair added to her charm, making her presence impossible to ignore.

Her personality was so captivating that if someone looked at her even once, they wouldn't be able to stop themselves from being drawn toward her.

And her voice... so soft, so sweet, like a gentle melody. It was the kind of voice that could calm a restless heart. How could anyone not be enchanted by her? She felt less like a person and more like a beautiful feeling-one that stayed with you long after she was gone.

When a voice came from her room, it felt as if the girl was scared of something-something that couldn't even be put into words. But there was definitely something within her, something in her voice that carried that fear, as if it was haunting her. She screamed loudly-so loudly that her entire family woke up.

When her parents rushed into the room to see why their daughter was screaming and what had scared her so much, her mother quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside. The moment she saw her daughter, it felt like something inside her broke.

She was sitting on the bed-terrified, shaken, completely lost. Her hands were trembling, her whole body quivering with fear. She looked so fragile, so scared, as if something had deeply disturbed her. All she kept saying, again and again, was, "Don't go... please don't leave me."

Seeing her in that state, her parents and her sister felt shattered from within. It wasn't the first time they had seen her like this... yet the pain never got easier. They were deeply concerned for her, helplessly wishing that their daughter wouldn't have to go through all of this-especially not at such a young age.

When her mother saw her in that condition, she immediately rushed to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, making her feel safe-as if nothing could harm her. She softly reassured her that she didn't need to be afraid of anything, that her parents and her family were right there with her.

After a while, when the girl slowly calmed down and returned to her normal state, her mother gently stroked her hair and asked in a soft, caring voice, "What happened, my child? Why are you so disturbed? Did you see a bad dream?"

She spoke softly, her voice trembling, "Mom... I saw him again. All those memories we shared since childhood... all the time we spent together-it all came back, right in front of my eyes. It felt so real, like he had returned. But I was wrong... it was just a dream. And ever since he left, I haven't been able to think clearly. I don't understand what to do... I don't know how I'm supposed to live without him... what am I supposed to do?"

As she said all this, her voice began to falter, breaking in between her words, slowly turning into soft sobs as tears filled her eyes.

Her mother hugged her once again and said softly, *"It's okay, my child... we are all here for you. If he has gone, then let him go. You still have us. We will take care of you, love you endlessly, and make sure you never feel his absence.

Sometimes, the one who leaves makes space for someone even better. Maybe someone will come into your life who will love you even more than he ever did."*

Hearing all this, she suddenly pulled away from her mother and spoke in a loud, shaken voice, "Mom, I can't love anyone else but him. If I don't have him, then I don't want anyone. I'd rather stay single my whole life, but I can never love another boy. He is my first love... my childhood love... someone I don't think I'll ever be able to forget."

Seeing all of this, her father came closer and stood beside her bed. In a gentle, loving voice, he said, "Shanaya, if you stay this stubborn, how will things work, tell me? And leave all this aside now... what's gone is gone. Today is your first day of twelth grade. Go, enjoy it properly, okay? Meet your friends and focus on your studies, beta."

Beside Shanaya's mother stood another girl-her younger sister. Her mother called out to her and said, "Riana, go help your sister get ready and pack her backpack. And both of you, make sure you're ready on time and come downstairs. I'll prepare breakfast for the three of you."

Riana slowly walked toward Shanaya, her steps soft and careful, as if she didn't want to disturb her fragile state any further. Standing beside her, she gently held her hand and said in a warm, comforting voice, "Di, come... I'll help you get ready. Let's go to school together today, hmm? And on the way, we'll have ice cream-your favorite. It's your first day and mine too, so we should make it a good one. After school, we'll enjoy a lot, okay?"

There was an innocence in her words, a quiet effort to bring even the smallest smile back to her sister's face. Without saying much, she slowly guided Shanaya toward getting ready. She helped her pick out her clothes, neatly arranged her hair, and packed her bag with care-making sure everything was in place, just the way she liked it.

After getting ready, both of them went downstairs where breakfast was already set. The atmosphere was calmer now, though a slight heaviness still lingered in the air. They quietly had their meal, exchanging a few soft words here and there.

Soon after, picking up their bags, the two sisters stepped out of the house together. The morning felt fresh, carrying a sense of a new beginning. And with small, hopeful steps, they left for school-ready to face the day ahead, together.

On the other side, in the quiet freshness of the same morning, a boy was getting ready for school-Shivansh Singh Rathore. He carried an aura that was impossible to ignore, a presence that spoke of strength, discipline, and quiet authority. Tall and well-built, his posture reflected confidence, while his sharp features held a natural intensity that made him stand out without any effort. His deep, observant eyes carried a certain depth, as if they had seen and understood more than what he ever chose to express.

After getting ready, he stepped out of the bathroom, dressed neatly in his school uniform, every detail perfectly in place. With his usual calm demeanor, he made his way downstairs for breakfast.

As he entered the dining hall, he noticed something unusual-no one was there. The space felt oddly quiet. Slightly confused, he called out for his mother, but there was no response. The silence lingered, making him wonder where everyone had gone.

Just then, after a few moments, his younger sister came downstairs, casually enjoying a piece of chocolate, completely unbothered by the quiet around her.

As soon as he noticed his sister walking in from behind, casually eating chocolate, he stepped closer to her with a slightly puzzled expression and asked, "Nayan, where is everyone? Where are Mom and Dad? Why does the house feel so empty? Has everyone gone somewhere... or is someone unwell?"

As he asked all this at once, his sister, Nayan, looked at him calmly and replied, "Shivansh bhaiya, Mom and Dad have gone to the temple. And the house staff are busy with their own work. If you need anything, you can tell me."

Saying this, she walked over to the dining table and sat down comfortably, continuing to enjoy her chocolate as if nothing unusual had happened.

Shivansh sat down on the chair in front of her, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her and said, "You're still not ready? Aren't you going to school? Isn't today your first day?"

Nayan shrugged slightly and replied, "Bhaiya, I'm not feeling too well today... I'll go tomorrow."

At this, Shivansh made a face, rolling his eyes a little before saying, "This is your everyday excuse. It's your first day of eleventh grade and you're already planning to miss it? What will your friends think about you-that you skipped school on the very first day? Seriously, Nayan..."

There was a hint of disbelief in his tone, but also a quiet understanding. He knew his sister well-better than anyone. This wasn't really about her health; it was just her usual reluctance. And deep down, he was only saying all this to push her, to make sure she didn't miss something important, because the Riyana he knew wasn't someone who gave up this easily.

Nayan frowned slightly and said, "Bhaiya, why are you making fun of me? So what if it's the first day? It's not like it's my first day of school ever. You're talking as if I'm missing the first day of my entire life. It's just eleventh grade, what's the big deal?"

Shivansh leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips before he spoke again, "Look, I know you've been going to school for years... but after tenth, this is different. It's a new phase, your first day after such a long break. You should go. You'll meet your friends again, there will be new classmates, new conversations... who knows, you might even make some really good friends."

He softened his tone a little, trying to persuade her gently, almost as if he was buttering her up, "Come on, Nayan... don't miss it like this. You'll actually enjoy it once you go."

Shivansh kept saying random things, trying every possible way to convince her, but Nayan didn't seem affected at all. She stayed stubborn, brushing off everything he said. However, he didn't give up so easily. He continued talking, switching between teasing and persuading, until finally-after a lot of effort-Nayan gave in and agreed to go to school.

Without wasting any time, she quickly rushed to her room. After a while, she came back downstairs, all ready for school. Soon, both brother and sister-Shivansh and Nayan-sat together and had their breakfast.

And then, picking up their bags, the two of them left for school together, stepping into the day that was about to bring

new beginnings for both of them.

Today was my first day of twelfth grade. As soon as I entered the school, a strange feeling settled inside me. It was all so new. I had completed my eleventh in a different school, and now I was here to finish my twelfth in an entirely new place. I didn't know much about this school-what it would be like, what would happen-and apart from my sister, I didn't know anyone here. She had been studying in this school since childhood, but for me, everything felt unfamiliar.

Walking inside with her, I couldn't shake off that uneasy feeling. It was a mix of nervousness and uncertainty. After a moment, I turned to her and asked where the twelfth commerce and science classes were. She calmly told me the way, as she already knew everything about the school.

Taking a quiet breath, I nodded and decided to go on my own. Leaving her behind, I slowly made my way toward my classroom. And as she headed off to her own class, I walked alone through the corridors, stepping into a place that felt completely new-carrying a heart full of hesitation and unspoken thoughts.

Just as I was about to step through the gate, out of nowhere, a boy suddenly collided with me. I lost my balance and was about to fall, but before I could hit the ground, he caught me by my waist, pulling me steady.

For a moment, everything froze. Our eyes met-and in those few seconds, something changed. All the pain I had been carrying since the morning, everything that had been weighing on my heart... it all faded away. Just like that.

There was something about his eyes-so deep, so strangely comforting-that I forgot every hurt, every heartbreak, every betrayal I had felt. In that one moment, I forgot everything... that I was new to this school, that I didn't know anyone here except my sister. I didn't even realize that I knew nothing about him-not his name, not his class, not who he was.

All I knew was that, for those few seconds, the world around me disappeared... and it was just him and me, lost in a silence that somehow said everything.

As soon as the boy realized that people around were staring at us, he quickly let go of me. Once I managed to stand properly, I was about to say something-maybe a simple thank you-but before I could even speak, he was gone. Just like that.

He didn't wait, didn't turn back, didn't even give me a chance to say a single word. I could only stand there, watching him walk away until he disappeared from my sight. I didn't know how I would ever thank him... or if I would even see him again.

All these thoughts kept running through my mind as I slowly made my way to my classroom. When I entered, everything felt unfamiliar. I didn't recognize anyone, didn't know where I truly belonged. So, quietly, I walked to the back and took a seat alone.

There was already a girl sitting there. She seemed quiet, reserved-hard to read. I wasn't sure what she was like, but gathering a little courage, I softly asked, "Can I sit here?"

She looked at me and replied in a calm, low voice, "Yeah... sure, why not."

Trying to start a conversation, I gathered a little courage and said, "Hey... I mean, I just got admitted here a few months ago, and today is my first day. I'm Shanaya. I came from another school, and I live nearby."

She looked at me with a soft expression and replied, "Hi, nice to meet you too, Sanaya. I'm Riva. I've been studying in this school since childhood. If you ever have any problem, you can share it with me."

There was something calm and comforting in her tone, and for the first time since I entered the school, I felt a little less alone.

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