The big day had finally arrived. The entire Commerce Department buzzed with energy. Today was the Business Presentation event for the first-year students. The classroom had been decorated for the occasion, and everyone was instructed to come dressed in formal attire. The boys wore shirts, trousers, and blazers, while the girls looked like they were part of a festive celebration in their colorful sarees.
Aarav wore a light blue shirt, navy blue trousers, and a matching tie. His hair was neatly set, his face glowed with quiet confidence, and there was a spark in his eyes. He looked nothing short of a film hero. Compared to him, the other boys faded into the background.
Bhavya wore a pink saree that perfectly matched her delicate smile. Meera chose a blue silk saree that highlighted her sharp and intelligent personality. Megha, in a soft yellow saree, looked like the perfect blend of grace and simplicity. The three of them stood near the stage, occasionally glancing at Aarav and exchanging shy smiles.
The other boys in the class couldn't help but feel envious. One muttered under his breath, "Why is he always with them?" Another joked, "This guy's luck is clearly on another level." But Aarav's face was calm, focused. For him, this wasn't about showing off—it was an opportunity to prove himself.
Meanwhile, Priya had chosen a soft green saree. She looked absolutely stunning. But when her eyes landed on Aarav standing with the three girls, something inside her twisted uncomfortably. Still, she was mature enough to mask her feelings behind a gentle smile. She wasn't one to let her emotions show easily.
HOD Sanjana Mishra entered the room, looking elegant in a traditional saree. Her presence brought a quiet respect to the room. She had no idea just how many girls in the class admired Aarav. For her, today was only about evaluating the students' performances.
Priya's group went first. She presented confidently and clearly. Her group performed well, but her focus kept drifting toward Aarav. Though everything seemed smooth on the outside, her heart felt unsettled. That strange pull toward him was hard to ignore.
Then it was Aarav's group's turn.
As Aarav, Bhavya, Meera, and Megha walked onto the stage, the room fell into a hush. The four of them looked absolutely professional. Bhavya presented the marketing section, Meera covered the legal and financial aspects, Megha explained the accounting and taxation model, and finally, Aarav wrapped it all up. He spoke about their business model, its impact, and how scalable it could be in such clear and powerful language that the audience was left speechless.
The entire class burst into applause. Even HOD Sanjana Mishra smiled and said, "Excellent work! This is what I expect from commerce minds."
Priya smiled too, clapping with everyone else. But inside her, that faint sting of jealousy hadn't faded—it might've just grown stronger. As the three girls stepped down from the stage, each of them exchanged a quick smile with Aarav. He nodded back politely with a humble "Thank you."
In the eyes of his classmates, Aarav was no longer just a student. He had become a charismatic, talented, and presentable figure.
And this... was just the beginning.