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You'd be mine, would you mind if I took your hand tonight?

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Ishanvi's heart raced as the car pulled into the gates of Mount Carmel College, her new beginning framed by ivy-covered buildings and sprawling green lawns. Her parents, sitting in the front seat, wore matching expressions of expectation. They had spent the entire drive talking about her future—about the grades she needed to maintain, the internships she should aim for, and how this was her golden chance to make them proud.

"You know how important this is, Ishanvi," her father had said for the third time. "Your mother and I have worked hard to get you here. Don't waste it."

"I know, Papa," she had replied softly, clutching her bag tighter. The weight of their words pressed down on her, as it always did. They meant well, she knew, but the constant reminders of her responsibilities left little room for her to breathe.

As they helped her unload her luggage in front of her dorm, Ishanvi forced herself to smile. The excitement of starting college warred with the anxiety that always came with her parents' expectations. But today, she was determined to focus on the newness of it all—the unfamiliar faces, the promise of independence, and the chance to finally find her own rhythm.

Once her parents had left, she began unpacking in her shared dorm room. Her roommate, a cheerful girl named Meera, had already claimed the bed by the window. They exchanged pleasantries, and Ishanvi felt a flicker of relief—Meera seemed kind, someone who might make the transition to college life easier.

As they arranged their belongings, there was a knock at the door. Meera's face lit up. "That must be my brother!" she said, hurrying to open it.

Ishanvi glanced up, not expecting much. But the moment the door swung open, her breath caught.

It was him.

Nitish stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, his dark eyes sweeping the room before settling on her. His face registered mild surprise, then softened into recognition. "Oh, it's you," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Her heart skipped a beat. She managed a small nod, her voice stuck somewhere in her throat.

"You two know each other?" Meera asked, glancing between them.

"Not really," Ishanvi finally said, her voice steadier than she felt. "We've... crossed paths before."

Nitish chuckled. "Yeah, at the coffee shop. Small world, huh?" He stepped inside, carrying a bag of snacks. "I brought you some stuff, Meera."

As Meera rifled through the bag, Nitish turned to Ishanvi. "So, you're her roommate?"

Nitish turned to Ishanvi, his head tilting slightly as if to get a better sense of her. "So, you're her roommate? What's your name?"

"Ishanvi," she said, her voice steadier this time. She hoped he couldn't see how her heart was racing or how her fingers gripped the edge of her bed for support.

"That's a nice name," he said, his lips curling into an easy smile. "I'm Nitish, in case Meera didn't already say that."

"She didn't," Ishanvi replied, her lips twitching into a small smile of her own.

Meera, still unpacking the snacks Nitish had brought, looked up and waved a packet of chips in the air. "Nitish is my older brother and self-appointed guardian. He likes to show up unannounced and act like he runs my life. He's a 2nd year astrophysics student."

Nitish laughed, a warm, rich sound that filled the small room. "It's called being a responsible brother. You'd miss me if I didn't show up."

"Debatable," Meera shot back playfully.

Nitish turned back to Ishanvi, ignoring his sister's banter. "So, first day at Carmel? How's it going so far?"

"It's... overwhelming," Ishanvi admitted, surprised by her own honesty. There was something about Nitish that made her want to let her guard down, even if it was just for a moment. "Lots of new faces, and, well... my parents left me with a lot to think about."

He nodded, his expression shifting to something softer, more understanding. "Yeah, that first day can hit hard. But trust me, you'll find your footing. It's just about taking it one step at a time."

She nodded, her heart fluttering at the kindness in his tone. He didn't brush off her feelings or offer empty reassurances. Instead, he spoke with a calm confidence that felt grounding, even in the chaos of her emotions.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the noise of the dorm room fading into the background. Ishanvi couldn't help but notice the small things about him—the way his hair still fell slightly out of place, the ease with which he carried himself, the warmth in his eyes that made her chest tighten.

"Ishanvi, you'll love it here," he added, his voice breaking the silence. "Carmel has a way of surprising you in the best ways."

"I hope so," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

As Meera joined the conversation, playfully complaining about Nitish's overprotectiveness, Ishanvi stayed quiet, content to simply watch him. He wasn't flashy or overly dramatic, but there was something magnetic about the way he carried himself, something she couldn't look away from.

She realized then that she wasn't just falling for him—she was tumbling, head over heels, without any hope of stopping. Every small detail she learned about him—the way he laughed, the way he spoke, the way he looked at her like she was someone worth noticing—only pulled her deeper.

By the time Nitish said goodbye and left with a casual wave, Ishanvi felt as though the room had lost some of its light. She leaned against the edge of her bed, her mind racing. She couldn't deny it anymore: she was falling for him, completely and utterly.

The worst—or perhaps the best—part was that she didn't want to stop.