Ivana’s College

The classroom buzzed with conversations as students slowly settled into their seats.

Ivana walked inside with confidence radiating from every step.

The first thing she did was scan the room.

Searching.

Looking.

Trying to find one particular person.

A few seconds later, her gaze landed on him.

Sanidhya.

He was sitting near the window, completely absorbed in a book.

The morning sunlight streamed through the glass, falling across his face.

His slightly curly hair framed his forehead perfectly.

The thin-rimmed glasses resting on his nose gave him an intelligent appearance.

His sharp jawline, calm expression, and effortless focus made it seem as though the noise around him simply didn’t exist.

For a brief moment, Ivana found herself staring.

A dangerous amount of staring.

She blinked.

“He is actually handsome.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

A second later, she remembered her mission.

The Mission Save My Spotlight.

Her eyes narrowed.

Right.

This wasn’t the time to admire the enemy.

Taking a deep breath, she marched straight toward him.

The classroom gradually grew quieter.

Students noticed.

After all, the two most talked-about people in college were about to interact for the first time.

Ivana stopped beside his desk.

Sanidhya didn’t notice.

Or perhaps he simply didn’t care.

Without warning, Ivana placed her hand over his book and shut it.

Snap.

The sound echoed through the classroom.

Instant silence.

Every head turned.

Sanidhya finally looked up.

His expression remained calm.

Unreadable.

No surprise.

No annoyance.

Nothing.

Just a quiet gaze fixed on her.

Ivana folded her arms.

“That’s my seat.”

Her voice was cold.

“Get up.”

The entire class collectively stopped breathing.

A few students exchanged curious looks.

Nobody was surprised by Ivana’s behavior.

They knew her.

Bossy.

Fearless.

Dramatic.

If she believed something belonged to her, she would claim it without hesitation.

That wasn’t unusual.

What truly shocked everyone was the person standing in front of her.

Sanidhya.

Ever since he had joined the college, nobody had dared to even talk to him openly.

And now, for the first time, someone had.

The entire classroom watched in anticipation.

Not because of Ivana.

But because nobody knew what Sanidhya would do next.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then Sanidhya calmly picked his book.

He stood up.

His eyes never left hers.

Slowly, he adjusted his glasses.

Then—

Without saying a single word—

He moved to the next desk.

Sat down.

Opened his book.

And continued reading.

As if nothing had happened.

As if Ivana didn’t exist.

As if the entire confrontation had been completely irrelevant.

The classroom fell into stunned silence.

Then came the collective reaction.

What?!

Several students looked at each other in disbelief.

That was it?

No argument?

No attitude?

No confrontation?

Nothing?

Even Ivana stood frozen.

Her jaw slowly dropped.

She had prepared herself for a battle.

An argument.

A sarcastic comeback.

At the very least, a single sentence.

But this…

This was worse.

Much worse.

Because Sanidhya hadn’t defeated her.

He hadn’t challenged her.

He hadn’t even acknowledged her as a worthy opponent.

He had simply moved away and continued reading.

As though she were nothing more than a minor interruption.

A page he didn’t need to read.

An advertisement he could skip.

Ivana stared at him.

He didn’t look up.

Didn’t react.

Didn’t care.

A dangerous feeling rose inside her.

Indignation.

The nerve of this man.

For the first time in a very long while—

Ivana Maurya felt ignored.

And that, in her opinion, was the greatest insult possible.

Kiaan’s Apartment

A strange silence filled the living room.

Kiaan, Miransh, Palki, and Nayab sat together.

Three pairs of eyes were fixed on one person.

Miransh.

Meanwhile, Miransh sat with his eyes closed, pressing his fingers against his temples as though trying to cure a headache.

Or perhaps trying to cure the people sitting in front of him.

Several seconds passed.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody looked away.

Finally, Miransh opened one eye.

Then the other.

Only to find all three of them staring at him expectantly.

He immediately rolled his eyes.

Of course.

A deep sigh escaped him.

“Fine.”

The word alone made Palki sit straighter.

Miransh pointed toward Palki and Nayab.

“You two are officially part of this mission.”

The moment the words left his mouth, a victorious smile spread across Palki’s face.

Nayab looked equally excited.

Before either of them could celebrate.

Miransh raised a finger.

A warning.

“But.”

The smile on Palki’s face immediately weakened.

“You will follow my orders.”

His gaze landed directly on her.

Specifically her.

Palki placed a hand over her chest.

Looking deeply offended.

“Of course, Ansh.”

“Have I ever disobeyed you?”

She blinked twice innocently.

The room fell silent.

Miransh slowly raised an eyebrow.

Because if there was one thing Palki excelled at.

It was ignoring his instructions.

Kiaan looked away to hide his laughter.

Nayab failed completely and giggled.

Palki glared at both of them.

“What?”

Nobody answered.

Because everyone already knew the answer.

Finally, Nayab leaned forward.

“Now what’s the plan, Boss?”

The amusement disappeared from the room.

Everyone turned serious.

Miransh looked at her.

Then calmly said, “We’re going with Eyelid’s plan.”

Palki immediately looked proud of herself.

Miransh continued.

“Kiaan will gather information about that secret mission.”

Kiaan frowned.

“Okay.”

He folded his arms.

“But what exactly am I supposed to do?”

His expression became skeptical.

“Those confidential files aren’t lying around waiting for me.”

He gestured dramatically.

“They’re stored under high security.”

A pause.

“How exactly am I supposed to bring them?”

Miransh looked completely unbothered.

“You don’t have to bring them.”

Kiaan blinked.

“You just need to find out where they’re kept.”

Silence.

“That’s all.”

Kiaan narrowed his eyes.

A dangerous feeling suddenly appeared inside him.

“Rest?”

Miransh smiled.

“I’ll handle the rest.”

Palki immediately frowned.

“What do you mean you’ll handle the rest?”

Miransh gave her one of his signature looks.

The one that usually ended conversations.

Unfortunately for him.

Palki had developed immunity.

She folded her arms.

“Stop giving me those looks.”

Miransh sighed.

“You wanted to join the mission.”

She pointed at herself.

“I joined.”

Then she pointed at him.

“So now I deserve complete information.”

Kiaan slowly turned toward Miransh.

A horrifying realization forming in his mind.

His eyes widened.

“Wait.”

He sat up straighter.

“Are you planning to steal those files?”

The room went silent.

Miransh said nothing.

He simply smiled.

That was enough.

All three froze.

Nayab’s eyes widened.

Palki’s mouth literally fell open.

Kiaan dramatically slapped a hand against his forehead.

“I knew it.”

Palki looked horrified.

“Ansh!”

She pointed at him.

“Are you seriously planning to steal classified files?”

Miransh shrugged.

“As a backup plan.”

“BACKUP PLAN?!”

Palki almost shouted.

“That’s not a backup plan!”

She looked genuinely stressed now.

“That’s a prison plan.”

Nayab nodded immediately.

Miransh remained completely calm.

“What if you get caught?” Palki demanded.

Miransh leaned back comfortably.

Then casually replied, “I have a lawyer friend.”

Silence.

A very dangerous silence.

Slowly—

Palki turned toward Kiaan.

Nayab turned toward Kiaan.

Even Miransh looked toward Kiaan.

Three people.

One lawyer.

Kiaan sighed.

“Ofcourse!”

Miransh smiled.

Just then, Palki’s phone began ringing.

The conversation in the room came to an abrupt halt.

Palki glanced at the screen.

Sira Calling.

“Oh no.”

She immediately answered.

“Hello?”

From the other side, Sira’s voice came instantly.

“Where are you, Palki?”

She sounded both confused and annoyed.

“Everyone is waiting for you.”

Palki’s eyes widened.

The music studio.

She had completely forgotten.

“Yeah, yeah!”

She quickly stood up.

“I’m on my way.”

Before Sira could continue, Palki disconnected the call.

Then slowly looked up.

Everyone was staring at her.

Awkward.

“Well…”

She grabbed her bag.

“I have to go now.”

Miransh nodded.

Palki hurried toward the door.

Nayab immediately got up and followed her.

Just as Palki reached the entrance.

“Eyelid.”

She stopped.

Then turned around.

Miransh was looking at her.

The playful atmosphere from earlier had disappeared.

His expression was serious again.

“This conversation.”

His voice was calm.

“It should remain between us.”

A brief silence followed.

Palki knew exactly what he meant.

Sira.

Her closest friend.

The one person she usually told everything to.

But this wasn’t something she could share.

Not yet.

Not until they understood what they were dealing with.

Palki nodded.

“Don’t worry, Ansh.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

“It’ll stay between us.”

Miransh held her gaze for a moment.

Then nodded.

Satisfied.

Palki smiled.

“Bye, everyone.”

“Don’t get kidnapped,” Kiaan added casually.

Palki glared at him.

Before the argument could continue, Nayab grabbed Palki’s arm.

“We are already late.”

The two girls quickly left the apartment.

Ivana’s College

The lecture was in full swing.

The professor stood at the front of the classroom, explaining a complex topic while students hurriedly took notes.

Ivana wasn’t listening at all.

She sat beside Sachi, staring at the board with an expression that suggested she was planning a murder.

A very specific murder.

Sachi glanced at her.

Then glanced again.

Yep.

Still angry.

Very angry.

Finally, she leaned closer and whispered, “Forget it, Ivana.”

Ivana didn’t even look at her.

“No.”

Sachi sighed.

“He doesn’t even deserve your rivalry.”

That got a reaction.

Ivana turned slowly.

“He ignored me.”

Her voice was filled with disbelief.

As if she still couldn’t process the tragedy.

Sachi nodded.

“Yes.”

“He completely ignored me.”

“Yes.”

“He treated me like I wasn’t even there.”

“Yes, because unlike you, normal people don’t start wars over seating arrangements.”

Ivana ignored that.

A dangerous look appeared in her eyes.

“No.”

She folded her arms.

“I won’t tolerate this insult.”

Sachi immediately became alert.

Whenever Ivana said I won’t tolerate this, something terrible usually followed.

“What do you mean?”

Instead of answering, Ivana’s gaze drifted toward the classroom door.

Outside, a cleaner was mopping the corridor floor.

A large bucket of dirty water sat nearby.

A slow smile appeared on Ivana’s lips.

Sachi’s heart sank.

Oh no.

Not the smile.

She knew that smile.

It was the same smile Ivana wore before making questionable life decisions.

A few minutes later.

The bell rang.

The lecture ended.

The professor gathered his books and left the classroom.

Immediately, students began standing up.

Sanidhya closed his notebook.

Picked up his bag.

And walked out.

Without wasting a second, Ivana stood up too.

Sachi followed her.

Mostly because she wanted to prevent a disaster.

Unfortunately, she was too late.

Sanidhya walked down the corridor.

The cleaner was still working nearby.

The bucket remained exactly where it was.

Ivana sped up.

Then —

She gave Sanidhya a push.

It wasn’t hard.

Just enough.

Sanidhya lost his balance.

His foot slipped.

And the next second —

Splash!

The bucket overturned.

Dirty cleaning water spilled all over him.

The corridor fell silent.

Everyone froze.

Even the cleaner looked shocked.

Ivana smiled inwardly.

That’s called tit for tat.

You humiliated me.

Now we’re even.

Sanidhya slowly looked up.

His clothes were soaked.

Water dripped from his hair.

The corridor waited.

Everyone expected an explosion.

An argument.

Anger.

Something.

Anything.

Instead—

Ivana immediately put on her most innocent expression.

“Oh no!”

She covered her mouth dramatically.

“I’m so sorry.”

Her voice was sweet enough to cause diabetes.

“I lost my balance.”

She blinked innocently.

“I hope you’re okay.”

For the first time, Sanidhya started walking toward her.

Ivana’s smile vanished.

Her confidence vanished too.

Wait.

Why was he coming closer?

Too close.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Sachi looked nervous.

The surrounding students held their breath.

Was he angry?

Was he finally going to react?

Ivana instinctively took a step backward.

Then another.

She swallowed nervously as Sanidhya raised his hand.

Her eyes widened.

He’s going to hit me.

But instead of touching her.

Sanidhya reached past her.

And grabbed the nearby water pipe connected to the cooler.

Ivana blinked.

What?

Sanidhya turned the tap.

Water immediately rushed through the pipe.

Then he calmly directed it over himself.

The clean water washed away the dirt.

The mud.

The stains.

Everything.

Within seconds, he was completely soaked.

His shirt clung to him.

Several girls nearby suddenly forgot how breathing worked.

A few immediately pulled out their phones.

Others openly stared.

Because unfortunately for everyone’s peace of mind.

The man looked ridiculously good.

Water dripped from his hair.

His wet shirt outlined his athletic frame.

And somehow, instead of looking embarrassed.

He looked completely unbothered.

As though none of this mattered.

Ivana stared.

Confused.

Bewildered.

Defeated.

When he finished, Sanidhya turned off the tap.

Ran a hand through his wet hair.

Squeezed the water from it.

Then picked up his bag.

And walked away.

Without saying a single word.

Not one.

The corridor remained silent long after he disappeared.

Finally, Sachi walked over to Ivana.

Ivana was still staring in the direction he had gone.

Then she asked, “…Is he mute?”

Sachi blinked.

Then thought about it.

“Maybe.”

Ivana whipped her head toward her.

“What?!”

Sachi shrugged.

“I mean…”

Sachi folded her arms.

“Since yesterday, I haven’t heard him speak even once. There is a genuine possibility that he’s mute.”

The realization hit Ivana instantly.

Her expression changed.

The anger disappeared.

Then came guilt.

A lot of guilt.

Her shoulders slowly slumped.

Because if Sanidhya really couldn’t speak…

Then she had just spent the last three hours declaring war on a person who hadn’t even defended himself.

For the first time since meeting him.

Ivana felt bad.

And somewhere in the distance, fate quietly laughed.

Because this was only the beginning.

***

Sitara’s Note

Like mother, like daughter. 

Years ago, Jharna’s first meeting with Ivaan involved a bucket of dirty water and absolute chaos.

Now, history seems determined to repeat itself.

Only this time, the culprit is their daughter.

The Maurya women truly have a unique way of introducing themselves.

But what makes me smile isn’t the water, the prank, or even the rivalry.

It’s the irony.

Ivana wanted Sanidhya to notice her.

Instead, she ended up noticing him.

Sometimes the stories we try to control become the stories that change us.

And sometimes, the people we dislike at first become the people we can never forget.

Meanwhile, Palki has officially stepped into Miransh’s dangerous world.

A world filled with secrets, missing people, hidden files, and unanswered questions.

And for the first time, Miransh isn’t carrying that burden alone.

One story begins with rivalry.

Another begins with trust.

Both seem small right now.

But sometimes the biggest storms begin with the smallest moments.

And fate has already started moving its pieces.

— Sitara Chandria