Elemental International college

Setting: Morning. The sun glows soft and golden over the gates of the prestigious —

Elemental International College for Arts and Commerce

— where only the best of the best are accepted. Students fill the courtyard, whispering, checking their phones, fixing their looks.

But today wasn't just any day.

Today… the daughter of billionaire Aarifah Shaikh was joining.

And everyone — literally everyone — knew.

Cars had started to slow outside the gate.

A few students were already filming discreetly, others pretending not to care — but stealing glances.

> "She's really coming here?"

"No way… the Aahi Shaikh?"

"Isn't her mom like… on Forbes cover every year?"

The gate guard straightened his collar.

The principal checked his watch twice.

Even some professors stood near the main doors.

And then… it happened.

> A deep grey luxury car pulled up.

Quiet. Elegant. No unnecessary noise. Just presence.

The door opened.

And stepping out was not a girl draped in designer labels or ego —

But a soft, simple beauty dressed in a pastel kurta, a tan sling bag over her shoulder, and hair gently flowing — dark brown with whispers of red under the sun.

Aahi Shaikh.

Next to her, stepping out with a proud smile and glowing eyes, was her grandmother — in a crisp cotton saree, silver streaks in her tied-back hair, and the kind of grace that made heads bow in respect.

> "Nani," Aahi whispered, her voice calm but nervous,

"They're all staring…"

Her grandmother touched her cheek and smiled.

> "Let them. You are not here to impress. You are here to learn, and shine."

Aahi nodded, holding back a breath.

> "And remember," her nani added,

"you are Aahi — not your mother's shadow."

The moment she stepped through the main gate, phones clicked. Whispers rose again.

But Aahi? She didn't flinch.

She just walked — eyes focused, expression gentle, the spirit charm in her bag faintly glowing without her knowledge.

Up in the classroom wing… Aarif watched from a window.

He wasn't sure what he had expected.

But it definitely wasn't this.

> She looked like silence in a world that screamed.

And somehow… that unsettled him more than anything.

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