Anaya Oberoi, a final-year student at a prestigious college in India, was thrilled to be selected for a student exchange at King's College London. But there was a catch-she had to live with foster parents. To her surprise, one of her housemates turn...
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I woke up from my incomplete sleep, feeling the discomfort of a blocked nose. Sitting up straight on the bed, I started taking deep breaths, trying to clear my airways. Noah's hand was still resting on my waist, and he was deep in sleep. I gently moved his hand and got up from the bed, pacing the room until my nose began to clear. I drank some water and sat back on the bed, my mind drifting to the events of the previous day. It felt surreal, like I was living a dream—attending the best college, having perfect grades, and a dreamy English boyfriend with whom I could explore the world.
Life had been treating me so well for the first time in two decades. The only thing I wasn't prepared for was a downfall. Since yesterday, a nagging feeling had been creeping in, like something was about to go wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was.
"Why are you up so early in the morning?" Noah's sleepy voice caught my attention.
"My nose got blocked," I said, sniffing through my almost clear nose.
"You really looked like a kitten doing that," he said, giggling.
I threw a pillow at his face, my irritation evident. "Idhar meri yeh kambakhat naak band ho rakhi hai aur isse mazak suj raha hai." (My bloody nose is blocked, and here he is making fun of it.)
"Easy, love," he said, throwing the pillow back to its place. He pulled me close to his chest, ensuring I was laying down comfortably on him. "Is it fine now?" he asked, kissing my forehead.
I nodded, feeling the warmth of his embrace easing my frustration. "It's getting better," I whispered.
We lay there for a while, his heartbeat a soothing rhythm against my ear. "You know, I've been thinking about yesterday," I began. "It felt like a dream. Everything was so perfect."
"It was perfect," Noah agreed, his voice a gentle murmur. "And it's just the beginning, Anaya. We have so many more adventures ahead of us."
"I hope so," I said softly. "But I can't shake this feeling that something might go wrong. Everything is just too perfect."
Noah lifted my chin, making me look into his eyes. "Hey, we'll face whatever comes our way together. Life is unpredictable, but we have each other. That's what matters."
I smiled, reassured by his words. "You're right. I just need to focus on the present and not worry about what might happen."
"Exactly," he said, giving me a comforting squeeze. "Now, how about we try to get a bit more sleep before the day begins?"
I nodded, feeling the weight of my earlier anxiety lifting. Nestling closer to him, I closed my eyes, letting his warmth and the steady rise and fall of his chest lull me back to sleep. The world outside could wait a little longer. For now, all that mattered was this moment, wrapped in his arms, feeling safe and loved.
As I drifted back to sleep, my mind wandered to the adventures that awaited us, the dreams we had yet to chase, and the love that bound us together. No matter what the future held, I knew we would face it side by side, ready to conquer the world.
