Veil of Obsession

Chapter 1: The New Beginning

(Before I start with the story I would like to mention both leads ages so,
Agrim is 22
Sanika is 20)

Sanika stared at the ceiling, her mind replaying the events of the past few months. Her father's sudden death had turned her world upside down, forcing her to leave behind her old life and start anew. The decision to change colleges had not been easy, but staying in a place filled with memories was unbearable.

She sighed, rolling out of bed as the morning sun began to filter through the curtains of her new room. The move had been rushed, and she still felt like a stranger in this unfamiliar house. Her mother, devastated by the loss, had retreated into herself, leaving Sanika to manage most of the arrangements.

Her new university was only a short bus ride away, but today, she decided to walk. She needed the time to clear her head and brace herself for what lay ahead. She pulled on a pair of jeans and a bright, cheerful top-an effort to bolster her spirits-and headed downstairs.

The kitchen was quiet, the air heavy with an awkward silence that had become the norm. Her mother sat at the table, nursing a cup of tea, her eyes distant.

"Morning, Mom," Sanika greeted, trying to inject some warmth into her voice.

"Morning, dear," her mother replied softly, managing a weak smile. "Ready for your first day?"

Sanika nodded, grabbing an apple from the counter. "Yeah, I'm a little nervous, but I think it will be good to meet new people and get into a routine."

Her mother reached out, placing a hand over Sanika's. "I'm proud of you. Your father would be too."

Sanika felt a lump in her throat but forced a smile. "Thanks, Mom. I'll see you this evening."

She stepped outside, the fresh air filling her lungs. The walk to campus was pleasant, the morning sun casting a golden hue over everything. As she neared the university, the nerves kicked in, but she pushed them aside, determined to make the most of this new beginning.

The campus was bustling with activity, students moving between buildings, chatting, and laughing. Sanika felt a pang of loneliness but shook it off, reminding herself that she had always been good at making friends.

She found her way to the lecture hall, her first class of the day. Arriving early, she chose a seat near the center, wanting to immerse herself in the middle of things. As she settled in, she couldn't help but reflect on her father. He had always been her biggest supporter, encouraging her to pursue her dreams no matter the obstacles. His death had left a void, but she knew he would want her to keep moving forward.

The hall gradually filled with students, and Sanika watched them, a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbling inside her. Her eyes drifted to a figure sitting at the back, alone and seemingly disconnected from the rest. There was something about him that caught her attention-his isolation mirrored her own feelings of being out of place.

When the class began, Sanika focused on the lecture, taking notes and trying to absorb the material. Still, her thoughts kept returning to the quiet boy in the back. There was a mystery about him, a darkness that intrigued her.

As the lecture ended, she lingered, watching as the students filed out. Gathering her courage, she made her way to the back of the room, where the boy was packing up his things with deliberate slowness.

"Hi there," she said brightly, hoping to break through his solitude.

He looked up, clearly surprised. His eyes, a deep shade of green/blue, flickered with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

"Hello," he replied softly, his voice barely audible.

"I'm Sanika," she introduced herself, offering a friendly smile. "Mind if I sit?"

He hesitated but then nodded. "I'm Agrim."

As they talked, Sanika felt a spark of hope. Maybe this new beginning would be challenging, but it also held the promise of new connections and healing. Little did she know, her encounter with Agrim would be the start of a journey filled with unexpected twists, drawing her into a world where light and darkness intertwined in ways she could never have imagined.