The First time they met

My master is a 19-year-old boy named Aditya Sharma, living as a tenant in a single room. He is brilliant in his studies, a true scholar, and harbors dreams of becoming a successful writer. However, he has one flaw—he's extremely shy, which makes it difficult for him to form friendships. Even after two years in this new city, he remains alone, without any friends.I should have introduced him earlier—Aditya is a person who has always led a solitary life. He wakes up early, follows his daily routine with quiet discipline, and ends each day in the same monotonous way. One particularly warm afternoon, as usual, I accompanied my master, nestled in his shirt pocket as we headed back to his room after his evening class. The streets were bustling with life, with vendors calling out their wares, children playing, and the hum of daily life in the background. Yet, Aditya walked through it all like a ghost, unnoticed and untouched by the world around him. As we approached the house, we noticed many cartons scattered on the veranda, but Aditya lost in his thoughts about a plot twist for his latest story, paid them no attention. Just as he was about to unlock his door, a gentle tap on his back startled him, pulling him abruptly from his thoughts. He turned around to see a girl standing there. She had brown hair that framed her face, a bright smile that lit up her eyes, and an overall demeanour that exuded warmth and kindness. The moment froze for a second as Aditya processed the situation—something he wasn't accustomed to."Hi, sorry to bother you," the girl said in a polite and slightly embarrassed tone. "I just moved in, and I could use some help with these boxes."Her voice was soft, but there was an underlying strength to it, something that caught Aditya off guard. For a moment, he stood there, unsure of how to respond. It had been so long since anyone had approached him like this. But before the awkwardness could stretch too long, he nodded, managing a small smile."Of course," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. They spent the next few minutes picking up the scattered items and carrying the boxes inside. As they worked, the girl occasionally made small talk, asking him about the neighbourhood, his studies, and how long he'd been living there. Aditya answered in short, clipped sentences, but there was something about her that made him feel at ease if only just a little. After they finished, she turned to him, extending her hand with a warm smile. "Thank you so much. I'm Ahana, by the way."Aditya hesitated for a brief moment before shaking her hand. "Aditya," he replied, his voice still soft but a bit steadier now.For a moment, they stood there, an odd silence settling between them, not uncomfortable, but filled with the potential of something new."You know," Ahana said, breaking the silence, "it's nice to meet someone who's also not from around here. I've been worried about making friends in this new place."Aditya looked at her, surprised by her candidness. There was a vulnerability in her words that mirrored his feelings, feelings he had long since buried under layers of routine and solitude."I've been here for two years, and I still don't know many people," he admitted, almost surprising himself with the honesty of his words. Ahana smiled, a smile that reached her eyes and made them sparkle. "Well, maybe we can start by knowing each other."Before he could respond, she added, "I was thinking of exploring the city a bit tomorrow. Would you like to join me? I could use a guide."Aditya felt a strange mix of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and a little bit of fear. He had spent so much time avoiding connections, yet an opportunity was handed to him. And for once, he felt like maybe, just maybe, he should take it."I... I'd like that," he said finally, the words feeling unfamiliar yet right. Ahana beamed at him, and for the first time in a long while, Aditya felt a flicker of something warm and hopeful within him."Great! I'll see you tomorrow then."As she turned to leave, Aditya stood there for a moment, watching her walk away, still processing what had just happened. It was a small interaction, but it felt significant, like the first step on a path he had long been afraid to take.Ahana was another tenant in the house, living just one floor below Aditya with her family, which included her mother, father, and 10-year-old brother. My master, Aditya, is a writer at heart. Crafting novels is his passion, though, unfortunately, he has yet to see his work published. Despite the setbacks, he remains hopeful that one day his stories will reach the world. However, after penning two or three novels without success, he began to write out of obligation rather than with genuine interest or emotion. His life is fraught with challenges—academic pressures, financial difficulties, a complete lack of friends, a dwindling passion for writing, and an overwhelming sense of loneliness. Aditya is a timid young man who treats everyone with respect, cares deeply for those around him, and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Yet, he never shares his burdens with anyone, preferring to keep his struggles hidden, bottled up inside. Ahana, in some ways, mirrors Aditya's quiet nature, but she possesses a natural ability to make friends. As a result, she has formed many connections in her new college. She spends most of her time studying on the terrace—a habit she shares with Aditya, though neither of them has yet realized this common thread. And so, this was how Aditya and Ahana met for the first time. But more importantly, it was the beginning of something new for Aditya—something that might just change the course of his solitary life.