We all listen many legend’s stories in our childhood by our grandmother just like Alia also grow with this stories on other hands. Alia’s world revolved around the corners of her study table. 

Her childhood in Delhi felt like a long, quiet march toward an unseen finish line. When other kids played street cricket or enjoying  ice cream in the hot summer evenings, Alia sat under the bright light of a tube, surrounded by reference books, practice test booklets, and coloured highlighters. 

Her father followed a strict routine. He believed that discipline was the only way to face a tough world. His expectations were clear: a good college opens every door. He told alia that your these some years is very tough for you and if you able to do proper study so your future will be secured . Alia, a quiet and obedient daughter, made his father’s dream her own. She sacrificed  every late night parties with friends ,even they missed birthday parties, and trade her teenage life  for good percentiles. She developed a love for history and culture during the time of study, finding comfort in the stories of the past while her own future felt planned out. 

When the university acceptance letter finally came, it felt like every struggle every compromise and every dream finally came true. But when Alia stepped onto the large campus of Arunachal University, which was nestled in an ancient forest, she realized that breaking his daily life routine and accepting this new world is not easy. 

Her first days in the hostel were low-key. Alia mostly kept to herself as she got used to living independently. On the third day, things began to change, thanks to Yelina. 

They discovered they were both from Delhi. That shared detail opened up conversation, but their very different personalities made it interesting. Yelina was energetic, confidentgirl and she loved late-night walks, gossiping, hanging out, and  adventures. Alia had never experienced this type of  fun Yelina talked about, making her world seem endlessly exciting. Adding to her charm, Yelina spoke politely and used "aap" with a natural grace. 

Then there was Pranchi, their third roommate. Pranchi moved to her own soundtrack—literally. Her oversized wireless headphones were almost always on in which they always listen songs, And she often scrolled on her smartphone while wild curls framed her face behind a pair of glasses

Two days later, around five pm in the evening, the heavy gate of the university closed because classes ended for the day. Pranchi had taken a leave  that day, so it was just Alia and Yelina walking back to the hostel, talking about their classes. 

Yelina said "Honestly, I expected so much more from this university,"

 throwing her head back. "I thought the professors would give there hundred percent in studies, but half the time, the professors doesn’t take lectures" 

Alia sighed. "Tell me about it. I chose this college because i think the academic scene would be excellent. Instead, they cancel lectures, and everyone just wasting there time." 

Yelina laughed. "Oh, please! You call this messing around? I should tell you about my school days in Delhi—the parties I went to, the late nights, the crazy fun!" 

"Really?” Alia looked at her, surprised. “I spent all of 11th and 12th class in studying for entrance tests. I just wanted to get  a good college so I could relax, but now I feel like I really have to do more study in this university." 

"Wait, so you spent all your last time of school in just studying?" Yelina asked, shocked. 

"Yeah," Alia admitted. "My dad only wanted me in a good school, so I put all my last school time in preparation and give all the effort ." 

Yelina casually raised her shoulders."I never stressed like that. I thought whatever happens, happens. But... I did cram at the last minute. The night before the entrance exam, I solved about 70 or 80 questions, and guess what? Around 50 of them showed up on the paper! That’s how I got in." 

Alia stared at her in disbelief. "Are you serious? You’re so lucky! You studied for one night and got in, while I worked hard for two whole years!" 

"Hey, sometimes luck just works in your favor," Yelina grinned. 

As they chatted, they finally reached their room. Pranchi satting near the balcony window, she was hearing her headphones and lost in her own world , she was looking the dense, dark forest beyond their building. 

Suddenly, a cold wind swept  into the room. Then  the curtain flapped wildly,and hitting Pranchi in the face. She blinked, moved the curtain aside, and closed her eyes again, enjoying the music. She already unlocked the door of room, knowing her roommates would be back soon, but the loud music blocked out the sound of their footsteps when Alia and Yalina enters in the room. 

Alia called out as she dropped her bag. "Pranchi! Hey, Pranchi!" 

No answer. 

"Is she deaf?" Alia muttered, turning to Yelina. "She playing her music so loud" 

Yelina, was very tired that day, collapsed onto her bed and pulled out her phone. Alia shook her head and went into the bathroom to freshen up. 

Pranchi stayed by the window, looking out the the thick, greenery of the Jheelam forest.She Felt so excited . Man, look how dense that forest is, she thought. It’d be so cool to explore it. If there are deer or interesting plants, I could take photos. If there are wild fruits, we could pick them! 

Just then, she heard a voice call her name. 

"Pranchi... Pranchi... Pranchi..." 

It was clearly Alia’s voice. 

Pranchi pulled off one side of her headphones, expecting to see Alia behind her. But the room was silent. Yelina was lying on the bed, and Alia was nowhere in sight—still in the bathroom. Thinking it was just her imagination, Pranchi slipped her headphones back on. 

Moments later, she heard Alia’s real voice from behind the bathroom door. 

"Pranchi! Pranchi! Hey, Pranchi!" 

Alia needed a towel. But Pranchi, back in her music zone, was completely unaware again. 

Yelina rolled her eyes, got up from the bed, crept up behind Pranchi, and suddenly yelled, "BAA!" 

Pranchi jumped, startled. "Holy crap! What is wrong with you?!" 

"What's wrong with you?" Yelina teased. "Alia’s been calling your name from the bathroom! Couldn't you just hand her a towel?" 

"I thought I heard her call me earlier, but when I took my headphones off, no one was there! So I ignored it!" Pranchi protested. 

"Yeah, yeah, keep your head buried in those headphones forever," Yelina joked, get a towel and handing it through the door gap to Alia in bathroom. Pranchi finally took off her headphones and set them on her desk. 

Later that evening, the trio went down to the hostel mess hall. 

"They charge us so much, for what? This terrible food?" Yelina complained, poking her fork into her meal. "You call this dal? Come to my house; I’ll show you what real dal tastes like!" 

"Forget the dal," Alia groaned. "The rice isn’t even edible. Where do they even get this stuff?" 

Pranchi, meanwhile, had her phone propped up against a jug of water, unaware of the food disaster. She shoved food into her mouth while watching a web series. "Whatever it is, I’ll eat it. I just need to finish this episode." 

After dinner, they walked back to their block. Pranchi was still staring at her phone screen, while Yelina, buzzing with energy, walked ahead. "Forget the food, guys! Tonight, we chill and gossip!" 

As Yelina excitedly walked ahead without watching where she was going, she collided with another girl coming out of a room.and the girl holding books in his hands which flew everywhere, and both girls fell to the floor. 

"Can’t you watch where you’re going?!" the girl snapped in anger. 

Yelina rubbed her elbow and looked up. Standing over her was a well-dressed girl with a serious face, messy hair tied back, acne on her cheeks, wearing glasses, tight jeans, and a traditional kurti. 

It was Ruchika Sharma. 

Ruchika was a top student from Mumbai’s  St. Andrew , coming from a wealthy family. She was fiercely disciplined, arrogant, and extremely protective of her grades. 

Ruchika brushed off her clothes and glared at Yelina. "What’s so exciting? How can you be this hyper at a college like this?" 

Yelina stood up, frowning. "What do you mean, a college like this?" 

"I mean I worked so hard, studied endlessly, and ended up in a place with so many issues!" Ruchika snapped. 

"Whoa, calm down! What’s your problem?" Yelina shot back.

"My problem," Ruchika said, raising her voice, "is that we've had two days of classes, and out of twelve lectures scheduled, only four actually happened!" 

Yelina blinked. "You're upset because only four classes happened? Shouldn't you be glad you have free time?" 

"I didn't come here for free time! I came here to study!" 

Alia stepped in to calm things down. "Hey, just chill. Don't stress so much. Just because you're here to study doesn't mean you have to be working all the time." 

Ruchika shot a sharp look at Alia. "If you don't care about studying, you can leave. I'm here for my education, so don't lecture me." 

Yelina narrowed her eyes. "Hey! Watch your tone! Know your limits before you get too angry. You might be a big shot scholar, but the girl you're talking to," she pointed at Alia, "cleared the same entrance exam with high marks!" 

Ruchika sneered. "Oh really? You're a serious student? Where are you from?" 

"Delhi," Yelina snapped. "She's from Delhi." 

"Right. I know all about Delhi girls," Ruchika said dismissively. 

"Yeah? Well, look at her—she knows her stuff!" Yelina insisted. 

Alia placed a hand on Yelina's arm. "Wait, let her speak..." 

Ruchika smirked and crossed her arms. "So, what was your score? What was your percentile?" 

"85," Alia replied honestly. 

Ruchika let out a dramatic laugh. "Ha! I got 98! Oh, sorry... did I hurt your feelings? My score is just a little bit higher than yours, isn't it?" 

Yelina stepped forward, anger rising. "Are you trying to insult her?" 

Alia muttered, "Yeah, she definitely is." 

Yelina scoffed and looked Ruchika over. "98 percentile? Wow. So sad! You scored 98 and still ended up here? I thought someone like you would be at an IIT!" 

Ruchika's face turned red. "I could have gone to an IIT!" 

"Well, if you could, then why didn't you? What are you doing here?" Yelina shot back coldly. 

Struggling to respond, Ruchika angrily grabbed her fallen books off the floor, turned, and slammed into the room next to theirs. 

Inside that room was Lily, Ruchika’s roommate. Lily was a laid-back Christian girl from Goa whose family owned a big beach club. She was used to parties, beaches, and a relaxed lifestyle. Dressed in a stylish blue varsity jacket and black palazzos, tapping away on her iPad, Lily barely glanced up as Ruchika stormed in. 

"What happened?" Lily asked smoothly. "What’s got you so dramatic?" 

"Nothing. Just ran into some idiot girls outside," Ruchika grumbled, throwing her books on the desk. 

"More idiots than usual?" Lily murmured under her breath. 

"What did you say?" 

"Nothing, nothing, bro," Lily raised her hands. 

Lily didn't care about being the top student. She just wanted her degree so she could go back to Goa and relax. Ruchika, however, had literally drawn a line down the middle of their room—a boundary line. "Lily, don't cross to my side. My books will get messed up, and my focus will be ruined!" 

Lily had simply agreed. "Sure, bro. Give me my corner, and I'll sleep there." Lily claim into her bed and covered her face with her blanket and say “Are you still thinking about those girls ,chill bro its yours first meeting only

Then Ruchika says” Forget I handle it”

Now, as the clock struck 9:00 PM, Ruchika retreated to her side of the room, fuming.

Next CHAPTER 2: THE JHEELAM SECRETS