Author's pov:

The morning had already arrived, spreading golden sunlight gently through the curtains of a cozy bedroom, but inside that room, time seemed to have paused.

Nestled in her soft bed like a cocooned butterfly, a girl lay fast asleep, her face calm, her breath soft and steady.

The world outside may have already begun its day, but for her—Anaya Verma—her world was still woven in dreams.

She slept with the innocence of a child and the stubbornness of someone who loved sleep just a little too much.

The sunlight tiptoed inside, dancing on her delicate features, trying its best to wake her up.

Irritated, she pulled the duvet over her face with a small frown and a sleepy groan, shielding herself from the brightness that dared to disturb her slumber.

Yes, she was none other than Anaya Verma—the youngest in her family, a little spoiled, a little stubborn, and someone who found joy in the smallest things… like five extra minutes of sleep.

Moments later, the door of her room opened slowly, and in came a familiar presence—one that carried warmth and care in every step.

Her mother. With a loving yet slightly annoyed tone, she said,

“Uth ja Anu… aur kitna soyegi? Aaj college ka first day hai, fir bhi soyi padi hai.”

But Anaya didn’t move.

It was as if her dreams were far more important than the reality awaiting her.

Her mother sighed, came closer, and swiftly pulled the duvet off her face.

“Uth ja Anu! Jaldi kar, warna first day pe hi late ho jayegi,” she said with a fake scold in her voice.

Half-asleep and half-irritated, Anaya turned to the other side, muttering, “Kya mummy… sone do na yaar.”

Her mother folded her arms. “Kya sone doon? Tere bhaiyon ko dekh, kaise subeh jaldi uth jaate hain. Gym jaate hain, office jaate hain. Aur ek tu hai… alsi ladki.”

That was it. Anaya growled dramatically, “Kyaaa mummy! Meri bhaiyon ki baat alag hai. Vo log insan hi nahi hain!”

With a huff and a pout, she finally sat up and stretched lazily.

Then, looking at her mother with a sleepy smile, she said,

“Achha, ab uth gayi na. Ab chalo, aap mere liye kuch accha sa nashta banao, main ready hoke neeche aati hoon, thik hai?”

And without waiting for a reply, she hugged her mother tightly—like a small child clinging to her comfort.

Her mother smiled, kissed her forehead, and walked out of the room, mumbling to herself with affection as always.

Suddenly, a gentle knock pulled her back. “Come in,” she called softly.

The door creaked open. There stood her elder brother—Aaryan Verma—one of the two most annoying and most precious people in her life.

His voice called out lovingly,

“Sunshine, kahaan ho?”

She peeked out from inside the closet and smiled. “Kya hua Bhai? Aaj itni subeh-subeh?”

But he ignored her question with a smirk. “Tu closet mein kya kar rahi thi?”

Rolling her eyes, she replied, “Kuch nhi bhai uniform nikal rahi hu mai."

Aaryan shook his head.

He smiled wide but said nothing.

He hugged her with the warmth only an elder brother could carry. Then, pulling away, he said,

“Chal, ab fresh hoke neeche aa ja. Main tujhe drop karne jaaunga.”

Anaya nodded happily. He kissed her forehead before leaving for his room.

As the door closed behind him, Anaya walked into her bathroom, the warmth of family love still lingering in her heart.

She brushed her teeth, stepped into a hot shower, letting the water wash away her sleep and freshen her senses.

After half an hour, she emerged with glowing skin and excitement in her eyes.

She wore the uniform as she stood before the mirror, she smiled.

With light steps, she made her way downstairs.

As she entered the dining room, her father looked up from his newspaper and smiled.

“Good morning, baccha. Aaj toh bahut hi acchi lag rahi ho.”

Anaya beamed. “Good morning Papa… Thank you!”

Her younger brother Arnav chimed in teasingly, “Good morning, angel. Haan, aaj he acchi lag rahi ho.”

She rolled her eyes. “Good morning Bhai. And for your information, main hamesha se hi acchi lagti hoon.”

She then turned dramatically toward Aaryan and their father. “Dekha Papa aur Bhai… Arnav Bhai firse mujhe chidhane lage.”

Aaryan and their father both glared at Arnav playfully. Arnav raised his hands in surrender. “Okay okay, sorry meri princess.”

Anaya’s wide smile returned. Her family had that effect on her—loving, teasing, and absolutely priceless.

Just then, her mother walked out from the kitchen carrying breakfast. She looked at all of them and shook her head,

“Aap sab ne is ladki ko bigaad ke rakh diya hai.”

She said it every day, but everyone knew—behind those complaints was a heart full of love.

A mother who adored her children just as fiercely as they adored each other.

Anaya sat down, looked around her at the happy chaos of her family, and for a moment, her heart whispered—

Today will be a good day.

The morning was wrapped in golden hues of warmth and laughter, and inside the cozy dining space of the Verma household, there was a symphony of teasing, giggles, and love playing like a well-rehearsed orchestra.

The clinking of spoons, the aroma of fresh parathas, and the soft chirping of birds from outside the window created a perfect backdrop for a family bound with love that was both playful and grounding.

Anaya sat between her two worlds — her mischievous little brother Arnav and her ever-protective elder brother Aaryan.

Arnav, with that devil-may-care smile, was teasing her endlessly about something silly — maybe her choice of hairstyle or how she had managed to wake up late again, but it didn’t matter, because that’s how mornings usually began for them.

Aaryan, being the peacemaker and Anaya’s forever shield, immediately jumped to her rescue, and so did their father, who always took her side, even when she was wrong — especially when she was wrong.

It was an unspoken rule in the house that Anaya was everyone’s jaan, their little princess, no matter how grown up she pretended to be.

Their mother, however, observed the chaos calmly from the other end of the table.

Her eyes held softness, but her words were sharp enough to cut through any pretension.

Her gaze landed on Anaya’s outfit — a dress she definitely hadn’t seen before. “Anu, jaldi kar, tum dono late ho jaoge." her mother asked, already knowing the answer but still waiting for her daughter to speak.

There was a subtle twinkle in her eyes — the kind mothers have when they catch you doing something sweet and you try to act innocent.

“Maa...khane do yaar,” Anaya said softly, her voice coated with affection, trying her best to redirect her mother’s attention toward Aaryan with an exaggerated pleading look in her eyes.

A silent please maa ka lecture mat hone dena, kuch bol do bhai passed between her and Aaryan.

Aaryan, cool as always, caught the cue and instantly snapped out of his casual munching. “Haan mummy, kuch kaha aapne?” he asked with wide innocent eyes, like he hadn’t heard a thing.

Their mother sighed dramatically, as if she was dealing with three oversized children, and muttered, “Tum logo se baat karna hi bekaar hai.”

The whole table burst into laughter, including her.

It was these moments — these loud, chaotic, perfectly imperfect mornings — that stitched the Verma family together like the tightest of fabrics.

As the laughter simmered down, Arnav checked his phone and looked at Anaya. “Angel, ready hai na? Hum college ke liye late ho rahe hain,” he said with a little urgency, calling her by that nickname only he used — angel — with a kind of proud ownership that annoyed her sometimes, but she never really corrected him.

Anaya nodded, wiping the corner of her lips and getting up from the chair.

She picked up her bag as Arnav slung his over one shoulder.

They were just about to leave when Aaryan, still chewing, got up and announced, “Chalo, aaj main drop karunga.”

That one sentence brought an immediate reaction from Arnav — his brows furrowed, his lips twisted in confusion. “Kyu bhai? Aaj aap drop kyun karenge?” he asked, his voice laced with a little defensiveness.

Maybe a little too possessive, maybe just brotherly concern. But it was there.

Aaryan chuckled lightly and replied with that calm, big-brother tone, “Kyuki aaj meri sunshine ka pehla din hai... isiliye.” As he said that, he side-hugged Anaya, pulling her close with that protective warmth only Aaryan could offer.

The word sunshine — that was his name for her. It wasn’t just a nickname; it was a reflection of what Anaya was to him — a ray of light that lit up his world no matter how cloudy the day was.

Arnav, never one to miss a chance to be dramatic, faked a teary expression and said, “Bhai, aapne toh kabhi mujhe drop nahi kiya.” He even pretended to wipe imaginary tears, earning a loud laugh from everyone standing there.

Aaryan smacked him gently on the head. “Tu sunshine hai kya? Nahi na? Chal ab, late ho raha hai. Mujhe bhi office jaana hai,” he said, trying not to smile but failing.

They all bid goodbye to their parents, warm hugs exchanged, blessings murmured, and with cheerful voices echoing in the air, they stepped out of the house.

The sky was clear, the morning sun not too harsh, and the breeze still carried traces of dawn.

They walked toward Aaryan’s car — a sleek, dark blue SUV — and Aaryan, being the gentleman he always was to his sister, walked ahead, opened the passenger door, and was just about to gesture Anaya to sit inside when — of course — Arnav jumped in and said with a smug grin, “Thanks bhai, mere liye door open karne ke liye.”

Another playful smack on the head. “Tere liye nahi, sunshine ke liye hai,” Aaryan clarified with an eye-roll.

He then gently took Anaya’s hand, helped her into the car like she was royalty, and closed the door softly — with the kind of care that spoke of years of loving someone deeply.

He circled the car and got into the driver’s seat while Arnav hopped into the backseat, still muttering something under his breath, probably about being the third wheel.

As the engine purred to life and the car slowly pulled out of the driveway, there was a warmth in the air — one that wasn’t just from the sun but from bonds shared, from memories made, and from the silent promise that no matter what the world brought to their doorstep, they would always have mornings like these.

And so began a new day.

A new beginning.

A soft one.

But filled with love that ran deep.

There was a soft stillness inside the car, like the calm before a storm.

The hum of the engine was the only sound between the three of them, filling the air like an unsaid word that none of them could speak.

Anaya sat by the window, her head gently leaning against the glass, eyes fixated on the passing world outside.

Trees blurred by in streaks of green, buildings rose and vanished like whispers of another life.

Her eyes sparkled with something pure—hope, excitement, the untold thrill of stepping into something new—but beneath that glow, there was something else too.

A restlessness.

A quiet storm churning within her.

Her fingers were clenched tightly around the strap of her school bag resting on her lap, as if holding onto it would somehow anchor her in the wave of thoughts that flooded her.

She knew it was just the beginning.

Her first day of college.

A new chapter.

And no matter how much anyone tried to convince her it was just another school with new uniforms and bigger buildings, it wasn’t.

It was more.

It was the start of everything she never knew she wanted, and everything she feared she wouldn’t be able to handle.

Sab log nervous hote hai apne pehle din pe.

But Anaya’s nervousness was different. It wasn’t loud. It didn’t come with shaky hands or teary eyes.

It came with silence.

With stiff shoulders and a million thoughts crashing inside her skull.

She didn’t say a word, but Aaryan knew. He could feel it. A big brother always does.

Aaryan's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, hands steady on the steering wheel, posture straight like he was driving through more than just traffic—like he was driving his little sister into her future.

But even as he watched the red lights blink and the honks echoed, his heart was somewhere else. With her.

He could see her reflection in the mirror.

The way her jaw clenched softly, the way her lips were pressed together in an invisible war against her own doubts.

His eyes dropped for a second to her hands—knuckles slightly pale from the tight grip on her bag.

He didn't say anything.

He didn’t want to crowd her thoughts more than they already were.

But then he shifted his gaze for a moment, looking at the rearview mirror, and in that little rectangle of glass, he found Arnav.

Sitting quietly in the backseat, his usual playful self replaced with a quiet calm today.

Arnav was watching Anaya too—maybe not directly, but the weight of his presence felt thoughtful. Mature.

Their eyes met. Aaryan and Arnav.

No words needed to be spoken.

No dramatic dialogue.

Just a look.

And in that look, Aaryan told him everything he needed to know.

“Take care of her.”

He didn’t say it aloud, but Arnav understood.

He always did.

Even though he was just one year older, in 12th grade, he was still close enough to be around, to notice if she ever seemed lost or overwhelmed in that enormous building where the floors themselves separated them.

Anaya would be in 11th, starting from scratch. He would already know the teachers, the hallways, the shortcuts to the canteen. She wouldn’t. That difference mattered.

Arnav gave a small nod.

Just once.

But it was firm, certain. It held the promise of protection.

Of silent friendship. Of being the one to watch over her when Aaryan couldn't.

Because college wasn't just about studies—it was about growing up, about changes, about people you meet, and the moments that change you.

Aaryan could only drop her to the gates. Arnav could be there on the inside.

The silence lingered a while longer, but it wasn't heavy anymore. It had shifted.

It had turned into something sacred.

A moment shared between three hearts, unspoken but deeply understood.

The car gradually slowed down, the loud world outside merging into the silence that still wrapped the inside of the vehicle.

The towering gate of the college loomed ahead like the threshold to a brand-new world—one filled with firsts, unknown faces, unfamiliar corridors, and memories yet to be made.

Anaya remained seated, her gaze frozen on the college building. Her eyes reflected a storm of thoughts—an anxious glimmer swimming beneath hope.

There was a tightness in her chest, the kind that wraps itself around your breath when you’re standing at the edge of something important.

Her hands were still clutching the strap of her bag tightly, knuckles slightly white, as though letting go might let her fears fall loose too.

Her heart was thudding like it wanted to burst out and run back home. But then… a voice broke through her daze.

“Go, baccha,” Aaryan said gently, his tone laced with warmth. “If you want, I can come with you inside.”

Anaya blinked, coming back into the moment.

She turned her head slowly, first looking at Aaryan, then at Arnav in the backseat.

Her brothers. Her constants. Her protectors.

The sight of them gave her strength in a way no pep talk or motivational quote ever could.

She smiled softly—nervous, but more composed now.

“No, bhai,” she whispered, trying to sound braver than she felt. “Arnav bhai hai na… aap office jaav.”

Aaryan looked at her for a long moment, pride and love shimmering in his eyes.

Then his gaze shifted to Arnav. No words spoken, but a clear message passed. Take care of her.

Arnav responded with a quiet nod, already understanding the weight of responsibility handed over in that one glance.

All three of them stepped out of the car.

The sun was warm above, the college gate now just a few steps away. Students in uniforms walked past them, laughter echoing, energy buzzing in the air.

The day had already begun for others… and for Anaya, it was just starting.

She took a step forward with Arnav, but then a voice called behind them.

“Sunshine, mujhe do minute Arnav se baat karni hai. Tum andar jaav tab tak, okay?”

Anaya paused, looking between the two.

Something in Aaryan’s tone made her stomach flutter nervously again.

But she nodded, trusting them. “Okay, bhai.” With a soft smile and hesitant steps, she turned and walked inside the gates—alone.

Alone. The word echoed inside her head.

She could feel every inch of distance that grew between her and the world she already knew.

Aaryan watched her until she disappeared from view.

His chest rose and fell with the weight of emotion.

He wasn't ready for this either—not really.

“Bhai, kya hua?” Arnav asked softly.

Aaryan didn’t look at him immediately. His eyes were still locked on the place where she vanished.

“Arnav,” he said, voice low and serious, “dhyan rakhna. Kuch bhi ho, mujhe call karna. Okay?”

Arnav nodded firmly, shoulders squared. “Pakka, bhai.”

Inside the campus, Anaya’s heart thudded with every step.

The chatter around her grew louder, students bustling about, groups forming in corners, new friendships already budding.

She glanced around nervously, her eyes trying to find comfort in the chaos, but everything felt too big, too fast.

And then, like a collision of fate—literally—she bumped into someone.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she collided into a firm chest—broad, hard, tall.

Her bag slipped slightly down her arm. She murmured, “Sorry,” without even thinking, her voice barely audible.

She looked up.

And froze.

Her breath hitched in her throat as her eyes met his.

The world stood still for a second. Everything around her—voices, footsteps, laughter—blurred into the background.

That face… she had seen it before.

Many times. In pictures. In stories Arnav told. At home, during video calls, during random conversations.

Rihan Malhotra.

Her brother’s best friend.

And in that moment, she forgot to breathe.

On the other side, Rihan stood equally stunned.

He had been walking toward the building casually, not expecting anything out of the ordinary, when she crashed into him—and suddenly, his world tilted slightly.

She was… her.

The girl in those stories, in Arnav’s protectiveness.

The “baby sister.”

But standing in front of him, she looked anything but little.

He couldn’t look away.

Anaya immediately stepped back, lowering her eyes, biting her lower lip in embarrassment. “Sorry… I didn’t see you coming,” she said softly, almost in a whisper.

Before anything more could happen, Arnav arrived, sensing something odd. “Kya hua yaha pe?” he asked, looking between the two.

Rihan still hadn’t blinked.

Arnav frowned slightly and gently shook his shoulder. “Bol na… kya hua yaha pe?”

Then he turned to his sister, worry filling his eyes. “Tu thik hai, angel? Kya hua?”

Anaya nodded quickly, brushing her hair back nervously. “Nothing, bhai. We just… collided. Maine dekha nahi… aapke friend samne se aa rahe they.”

Arnav’s eyes softened. He placed a protective hand on her back. “Chal, main tujhe tere classroom tak chhod deta hu.”

He turned to his group of friends, “Main aata hu,” he said, and they nodded without a word.

Anaya walked with him, clutching her bag, still feeling the heat of that moment burn in her cheeks. Arnav walked beside her, unaware of the storm he was taking her away from.

But behind them… Rihan still stood there, unmoving.

His eyes were still on her.

Still on her.

Hello guyss here is the first chapter, hope you guys like it.

Chapter is not edited.

I know mai one hour late hu chapter upload karne me, maine 11 baje bola tha, kyuki mai apne assignment me busy thi.

Sorry for that, next chapter tomorrow evening. Rihan and Anaya pov.

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