Maya's pov

I still can't believe it, I'm finally here, standing in the place I've dreamed about for years. My dream university.

All the late-night study sessions, the stress, the sacrifices, it all led to this moment. And now, as I walk through the campus, taking in the grand buildings and the fresh air, I feel a rush of pride. I made it.

The atmosphere is exactly how I imagined, calm, inviting, full of promise. There's a certain energy in the air, an unspoken excitement that lingers in every hallway, every classroom. The best part? I don't feel alone.

Even though it's my first time away from home, the homesickness I expected hasn't hit me yet. Maybe it's because of the friends I've made here. Liya and Sana are kind, fun, and so easy to be around that it feels like I've known them forever. They make this new journey feel less scary and more like an adventure.

The Freshers' Party Excitement

Tomorrow is the freshers' party, and I can barely contain my excitement.

Ever since I was in middle school, I've imagined this moment. College celebrations always fascinated me, the energy, the music, the way seniors and juniors mingled. And now, my first real college event is about to happen.

This evening, my friends and I went shopping for the party. The three of us wandered through store after store, trying on outfits, choosing accessories, and giggling over the most ridiculous fashion choices.

"We need to make a statement," Liya declared, holding up a dress with way too many sequins.

Sana cringed. "Yeah, but let's not blind people while doing it."

We all burst into laughter, the excitement bubbling up inside us.

By the time we returned to our dorm, we were exhausted but too thrilled to sleep. Our conversation drifted between outfit choices, possible dance performances, and the inevitable awkward encounters that were bound to happen.

I tossed and turned in bed, my heart still racing. Tomorrow was going to be unforgettable.

The Day of the Party

Morning arrived faster than I expected.

As soon as I opened my eyes, my mind screamed: It's today!

The hours dragged painfully slow. Lectures felt endless, my mind refusing to absorb anything. I caught myself doodling in my notebook instead of taking notes.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, classes were over.

Sana, Liya, and I practically ran back to our dorm, eager to get ready. After debating over outfits for way too long, we finally settled on traditional attire. The moment I put on my dress, I felt a surge of confidence.

"Okay, we look amazing," Sana said, checking herself in the mirror.

"If we don't turn heads at the party, I'll be disappointed," Liya smirked.

I laughed, but deep down, I knew she was right. Tonight was going to be special.

The Unexpected Encounter

We were all set. Dressed, excited, and waiting for the party to begin.

As we sat in our dorm, chatting, sharing jokes, and hyping each other up, I suddenly felt a strong push from behind.

Not a light tap. A real push.

My heart leaped into my throat as I gasped, spinning around in shock.

It was my cousin.

"Are you serious?!" I snapped, placing a hand over my chest, trying to slow my racing heartbeat. "That wasn't even a mild push!"

He smirked. "I know you'll be starlted, You're too easy to scare."

I shot him an annoyed glare before shaking my head. "You're impossible."

Still laughing, I invited him to join us, but he just waved his hand. "Nah, you girls carry on. I'll catch up with you later, just came to say hi."

And with that, he walked away, leaving me shaking my head at his usual antics.

As we were getting ready for the party, I noticed something off. Sana and Liya were acting strangely, as if something felt wrong. Even Liya mentioned it, expressing some uneasy vibes about Arun.

"he just don't seem right, Maya," Liya said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she glanced at him. "Be careful around him."

I was a little taken aback. To me, Arun had always been kind, warm and friendly since childhood. We used to play together all the time, and though we hadn't seen each other since high school, he was still the same person I remembered. He had always treated me with kindness, and I never saw anything to suggest otherwise.

Still, Liya's words lingered in my mind, and there was a part of me that couldn't shake off the nagging feeling. But, I pushed it aside. I knew Arun well, and I trusted him. He'd never given me a reason to doubt him.

As the night unfolded, the party began.

The atmosphere was electric filled with lights, music, and laughter. There were so many shows, theme parties, games, and entertainment, all happening at once. People were dancing, chatting, and enjoying themselves. It was everything I had imagined and more. There were food stalls and even a live music concert. The energy in the air was contagious.

Amidst all the excitement, I noticed Arun. He had arrived with his friends, and when he spotted me, he waved. I waved back, and before I knew it, he and his friends were making their way over to my group.

"Hey, Maya! It's been a while!" Arun greeted with a bright smile, his warm energy making me feel instantly comfortable.

He introduced me to his friends, who were just as kind and friendly as he was. They were genuinely soft-hearted, and I couldn't help but feel at ease in their presence. We spent some time together, and Arun and his friends showed us around the campus, taking us to different party spots.

After a while, they treated us to dinner. The meal was delicious, and their company made it even better. We talked, laughed, and shared stories, and before we knew it, the night had flown by.

After thanking Arun and his friends, we made our way back to the dorm. We were all exhausted but happy, our feet sore from dancing, our minds buzzing from the energy of the party.

In the dorm, we quickly removed our makeup, washed up, and slipped into our pajamas, ready to relax. We all gathered around, talking about how the night went.

"Arun and his friends were so kind to us," I said, still smiling at the memories. "I don't know why you two were so suspicious of him before. They were nothing like you imagined."

Sana and Liya exchanged looks, and after a moment of silence, they nodded.

"You're right," Liya admitted. "I guess we really misjudged him. He and his friends were great tonight."

Sana added, "Yeah, they were really sweet."

I smiled, relieved that they'd come around. Sometimes, it takes just one experience to change a perspective, and I was glad to see that Arun had shown them the kind side of him I always knew.

But deep down, something still nagged at me. I wasn't sure what it was, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this night than met the eye.