While Aradhya was traveling toward Mumbai...

Somewhere inside KK University...

A girl stood in front of the admission notice board, excitement visible on her face.

Siya Malhotra.

Bubbly.

Talkative.

And someone who had never forgotten her childhood best friend.

Her eyes moved through the list of selected students until suddenly they froze.

A familiar name.

Aradhya Sharma.

For a moment, Siya blinked.

Then blinked again.

As if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Aradhya?"

A huge smile appeared on her face.

"Oh my God!"

Several students turned to look at her.

But Siya didn't care.

Her childhood best friend was coming to KK University.

The same Aradhya who used to share lunch with her.

The same Aradhya who would save the last chocolate for her.

The same Aradhya who cried the day Siya's family got transferred

.

Siya immediately reached for her phone.

Then stopped.

Her smile slowly faded.

She remembered Aradhya's parents.

Even as children, they had never treated her kindly.

Siya had witnessed enough to understand that something was terribly wrong in that house.

What if her number had changed?

What if calling created problems for her?

After a moment of thought, a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

"No."

She shook her head.

"I'll surprise her."

After all...

They would be studying in the same course.

Sooner or later, they were bound to meet.

And Siya couldn't wait to see her best friend again.

Meanwhile...

Inside a taxi heading toward the railway station...

Aradhya sat quietly near the window.

Her suitcase rested beside her.

Outside, familiar roads disappeared one by one.

For nineteen years, this city had been her entire world.

She had never traveled alone.

Never visited another city.

Never made any major decision by herself.

The only places she had ever gone were grocery stores, school, and occasional family functions.

Yet today...

She was leaving everything behind.

The moment she had received the scholarship from KK University, she had decided she wanted to go.

Not because she was brave.

Not because she wasn't scared.

But because she couldn't continue living the same life.

When she told her parents about her selection, a tiny part of her had hoped they would be proud.

Maybe her mother would smile.

Maybe her father would congratulate her.

Maybe...

For once...

They would see her.

Instead, they barely reacted.

Convincing them wasn't difficult.

They wanted her gone.

"Jaana hai toh jao."

That was all.

They never asked if she needed a phone.

Never asked where she would stay.

Never asked how she would survive alone in Mumbai.

They didn't even give her money.

They simply arranged a taxi and sent her away.

Thinking about it, Aradhya didn't realize she had already reached the station.

The driver informed her, bringing her back to reality.

She paid him and hurried inside.

The station was crowded.

Far more crowded than anything she had ever seen before.

People rushed in every direction.

Announcements echoed continuously.

Children cried.

Vendors shouted.

For a moment, she felt overwhelmed.

But she gathered her courage and boarded the train.

Thankfully, her seat was near the window.

Once seated, she exhaled softly.

Her savings were very limited.

Most of the money she had came from relatives during festivals and family occasions.

Sometimes Kairav would hand her a little money as a formality.

That was all.

She clutched the thin gold chain around her neck.

Her most valuable possession.

A sad smile appeared on her face.

She had no accommodation.

No phone.

No idea where to go.

No one waiting for her.

Perhaps she could sell the chain after reaching Mumbai.

The money would help her buy necessities and find a small rented room.

Until then...

She would manage somehow.

Maybe even sleep on a footpath if necessary.

The thought frightened her.

But she had learned to survive.

Her biggest concern right now was orientation.

Where would she keep her luggage?

The bag wasn't large.

Just some clothes and books.

Yet carrying it around the entire university would be embarrassing.

What if students laughed at her?

What if they mocked her?

She had spent most of her school life being bullied.

She didn't want to relive those memories.

Looking outside the window, she whispered softly,

"Hey Kanha ji, please madad kijiye."

The rhythmic movement of the train gradually made her sleepy.

And soon...

She drifted off.

The loud horn of the train woke her up.

Mumbai.

She had arrived.

The city seemed enormous.

Alive.

Fast.

Overwhelming.

After exiting the station, she hired an auto-rickshaw and climbed inside

Throughout the journey, she remained lost in thought.

The driver occasionally glanced at her through the mirror.

His observation didn't go unnoticed.

Immediately, Aradhya became nervous.

"Hey Kanha ji," she prayed silently, "ab kuch galat mat hone dena. Aur nahi sahen hoga, please."(Oh god ,please not now ,please no more bad things i won't be able to tolerate now)

As if sensing her fear, the elderly driver smiled warmly.

"Are daro nahi, beti. Meri bhi ek nanhi gudiya hai."

(Aree!don't be scared my child,even i have a daughter)

Aradhya looked at him cautiously.

"Koi pareshani hai toh bata sakti ho. Shayad main madad kar paun."

(I can help you if you are in problem child )

There was something fatherly in his voice.

Something she had never experienced before.

Slowly, she explained her situation.

The driver listened patiently.

Then smiled.

"Agar tumhe bura na lage toh apna samaan mere auto ke deck mein rakh do.

University se wapas aana, phir le jaana."

(If you don't feel bad then you can keep you luggage in deck and take from my home)

Aradhya blinked.

"Kya?"

(What?)

"Meri patni ghar par hai. Khana bhi khila degi."

(My wife would also feed you delicious food!)

For a moment, she was speechless.

A stranger was showing her more kindness than she had received from her own family.

Tears threatened to appear.

But she quickly controlled them.

"Thank you, Kaka."

The old man handed her his address.

Trusting him, she left her suitcase and bag in the auto.

After all, there was nothing valuable inside.

Except the gold chain she was already wearing.

A few minutes later-

KK University came into view.

Aradhya's eyes widened.

The campus looked breathtaking.

Massive buildings.

Beautiful gardens.

Students walking confidently everywhere.

It felt like another world.

A world she wasn't sure she belonged to.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Fear and excitement mixed together.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the gates.

And for some strange reason...

The wind suddenly felt different.

Her heart began beating faster.

As if fate itself had been waiting for this moment.

She looked around helplessly.

The campus was huge.

She had no idea where orientation was being conducted.

Scanning the area, she noticed a tall boy standing near the garden while talking on his phone.

Dressed in a black shirt.

Broad shoulders.

An intimidating aura.

Yet he seemed like the only person available to ask.

Gathering courage, she walked toward him.

Meanwhile...

Vihaan Singhania was discussing business matters with his PA during the free period.

Then he heard it.

A soft voice.

Gentle.

Melodious.

"Suniye..."

(Listen)

Something about that voice made him turn instantly.

And for a second...

Time stopped.

A girl stood before him.

She looked delicate.

Innocent.

Completely out of place amidst the glamorous university crowd.

The sunlight danced through her hair.

Her nervous fingers clutched her dupatta.

And somehow...

Vihaan found himself staring.

She barely reached his shoulder.

Yet his attention remained fixed on her.

He cleared his throat.

"Ji, kahiye."

(Yes?)

Even he was surprised by how soft his voice sounded.

He had never spoken like that before.

Not even with his own family.

Aradhya shifted nervously under his gaze

"Kya aap hame orientation kaha hai bata sakte hain?"

(Can you please say me the way to orientation lecture)

Vihaan pointed toward the main auditorium.

"Wahan. Seedha jaakar left."

(There,on straight and left)

"Oh."

Relief flooded her face.

"Thank you."

She smiled politely before turning away.

And just like that...

She left.

Vihaan stood there watching her retreating figure.

Something unfamiliar stirred inside him.

A feeling he couldn't name.

A feeling he didn't understand.

As her silhouette disappeared into the crowd, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Agli baar milte hain, bachhe."

(Will me again ,bachhe)

For the first time in years...

Vihaan Singhania found himself looking forward to meeting someone again.

And neither of them knew-

This was only the beginning.

_____________________________________