Veil of Obsession

Agrim's POV:

The lecture hall buzzed with the energy of a new semester, students chattering and shuffling into their seats. Agrim sat at the back, as he always did, his gaze fixed on the textbook open in front of him. He tried to focus on the words on the page, but his mind kept wandering, his thoughts consumed by memories of a past he could never escape.

He had always been a solitary figure, content to fade into the background, unnoticed and unremarkable. It was safer that way, he told himself-a way to keep his secrets hidden, to avoid drawing attention to the darkness that lurked within him.

But today was different. Today, there was a new student in class-a girl with a warmth and vibrancy that seemed to shine like a beacon in the dimly lit room. Agrim couldn't help but notice her, couldn't help but feel drawn to her infectious energy.

As the lecture began, Agrim stole glances at the girl whenever he thought she wasn't looking. She was unlike anyone he had ever met-confident, outgoing, unafraid to speak her mind. He admired her from afar, marveling at the ease with which she navigated the unfamiliar terrain of the lecture hall.

When the class ended, Agrim watched as the girl approached him, her smile bright and inviting. He felt a flutter of nervousness in his chest, unsure of how to respond to her friendly overtures. He had spent so long hiding behind a mask of indifference that he had forgotten how to interact with others.

"Hi there," the girl said, her voice warm and welcoming. "Mind if I sit?"

Agrim hesitated, his pulse quickening. He wasn't used to people wanting to be around him, wasn't used to anyone taking an interest in the quiet, unassuming boy at the back of the class. But there was something about the girl's sincerity that disarmed him, that made him want to open up, if only a little.

"I'm Sanika," she introduced herself, sliding into the seat beside him.

"Agrim," he replied softly, his voice barely audible over the din of the departing students.

As they talked, Agrim found himself drawn to Sanika in a way he hadn't with anyone else. There was a connection between them, a spark of something he couldn't quite define. And as they parted ways, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a journey that would change his life in ways he could never have imagined.

Meanwhile, in the rest of the class, whispers circulated about Agrim's sudden interest in Sanika. The other students were surprised, even shocked, by how quickly he was bonding with her. After all, Agrim was known for his aloofness, for keeping to himself and rarely speaking to anyone, especially girls.

The few girls who harbored secret crushes on Agrim watched with a mix of envy and apprehension. They had always admired him from afar, but they were too scared to approach him, too intimidated by the aura of mystery that surrounded him. And now, seeing him engage so openly with Sanika, they couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

But deep down, they knew better than to interfere. Agrim had a reputation for being cold and distant, and they didn't want to risk getting on his bad side. So they watched from a distance, silently lamenting the missed opportunity to capture his attention.