Aaryan Verma entered **Bangalore Institute of Technology**. Early morning sunlight was low, casting a warm, golden glow on the bustling campus. He had no idea what to expect, but the atmosphere was. alive, unlike the stillness of his hometown. His heart pounded with excitement and nerves intertwined, like a mixture of feelings he hardly could keep in check.
The freshers were all around, some in groups, others by themselves, like him. Some were pulling suitcases, talking excitedly about their homes, the new adventure to come, and the expectations of college life. Aaryan, with a small, tattered backpack slung over his shoulder, couldn't help but feel a little misplaced. It wasn't that he didn't fit in; it was just the overwhelming feeling that everyone here was more… experienced. He was still finding his way.
He took the signs to the dorm.
The air was heavy with the scent of newly cut grass, and the buzz of voices resonated through the broad, sun-drenched walkways. His gaze darted to the imposing buildings — some ancient, some modern — standing tall like quiet witnesses to generations of students.
It didn't take him long to locate the dorm: **Block C**.
He hefted his bag and stomped up the stairs, two at a time. There was something about the broad stairs, the endless corridors, that was unfamiliar yet somehow hospitable.
Room 304 was vacant.
Aaryan entered and looked about the room. Two plain beds, two desks. A dusty old fan humming overhead. Not much, but it was his. There was a hint of disinfectant in the air, and something left behind that felt. empty? No, he shoved that aside at once.
No sense getting all maudlin over a room.
He was unpacking a bit, putting his items on the bed by the window. The view was not bad — not great, but it was his.
A wind whipped through the open window, and he sat on the sill, gazing out at the campus. He considered the road ahead — all that he'd read, all that he'd imagined when he'd applied here. College. The beginning of something grand. It was the first time in his life that he really felt free.
The door creaked open behind him.
Aaryan turned, noticing a gangly kid in glasses wrestling with an enormous duffel bag. "Oh, hey," Aaryan said, moving over to help in a hurry. "Roommate?"
"Yeah, I guess so," the dude said, swiping his hair out of his eyes. "Manish Patel. Nice to meet you."
"Same here. I'm Aaryan," he said, shaking his hand. There was something strangely comforting in the way Manish smiled, almost like they'd been friends for years. Maybe it was the shared nervousness of the first day.
Manish collapsed onto the bed opposite Aaryan's, clearly exhausted from the long journey. "Whew. This place is huge, right?"
"Yup, sure," Aaryan replied, a bit more relaxed now. At least he wasn't alone. "I thought I'd just take a quick walk around before unpacking completely."
"Good idea. I'm just gonna crash for a while, though," Manish replied, flopping back on the bed.
Aaryan grinned and exited the room, going back outside.
The campus seemed different when you walked alone.
He could see other freshers now, some appearing as lost as he was, others already slotting into their new existence, talking with their new friends or finding their way. He saw a group of seniors giving a tour to a group of first-years. They were joking, laughing, and making a big display of it, yet there was something in it that caused Aaryan to smile. He'd be there one day, giving the newbies a tour. That was. sort of crazy.
Aaryan walked to the main plaza, where some food stalls had appeared, selling snacks and beverages. His stomach rumbled at the aroma of hot samosas, tea, and sizzling kebabs. He thought about buying something, but then changed his mind. Perhaps after he'd met his roommate again.
As he walked back towards the dorm, a couple more students were showing up. Some lugging huge suitcases, others rolling them behind them like they had been doing it for a thousand years. It was like a rite of passage. Something different.
When he returned to Room 304, the door was open slightly.
Manish was nowhere to be seen. Aaryan shrugged, dumping his backpack on the bed, and started to unpack correctly this time. His clothes. Books. A few mementos that made it feel slightly less like a holding cell.
Manish came back a little later, panting slightly. "I lost my way trying to locate the restroom," he explained with a smile. "I'm certain they do it on purpose just to see how long we survive."
Aaryan chuckled.
"We'll figure it out, no problem." He glanced around at the plain room, a feeling of serene contentment settling over him. It wasn't much, but it was honest.
As the sun set below the horizon line, bathing the sky in hues of purple and pink, the dormitory gradually became alive. There was laughter in the corridors. There was music seeping through walls. They were finally settling into their new environment. Aaryan, however, remained by the windowpane, looking out onto the vibrant campus grounds below, his heart with great anticipation.
This was it.
The start of something significant.
And he was prepared for whatever lay ahead.