Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter 1: Arrival at University

Banhi, Shan, and Dhriti stepped off the bus, their eyes widening in awe as they took in the grandeur of the prestigious university. The campus was sprawling and pristine, with historic buildings and manicured lawns that exuded an air of sophistication and privilege. Excitement and nervousness swirled inside them as they walked toward the main building, their footsteps echoing on the cobblestone paths.

"Wow, this campus is huge," Dhriti whispered, her voice filled with amazement.

Their journey to this elite school was nothing short of remarkable. Their father, Nishant, had once saved the life of a billionaire, who, in gratitude, had offered to fund their education. It was an opportunity they never imagined possible, a leap from their humble beginnings to a world far beyond their reach. Banhi and Dhriti were determined to make the most of it.

As they navigated the bustling campus, they clutched their schedules, trying to locate their classes.

As Banhi and Dhriti walked through the university hallways, a strange feeling settled over them. It was subtle at first—the lingering stares, the barely hushed whispers. But soon, it became impossible to ignore.

"Banhi... do you feel like everyone's staring at us?" Dhriti murmured, glancing around uneasily.

Banhi nodded. "Yeah. I don't know why, but something feels off."

The students around them were dressed in designer outfits—polished, effortless, expensive. In contrast, Banhi and Dhriti's traditional Indian attire stood out.

"Look at their clothes. So outdated," one girl muttered to her friend.

"Yeah, like something out of another century," the friend replied with a quiet laugh.

A group of boys walked past, nudging each other and smirking. "Hey, nice costumes! Is there a festival today?" one of them called out mockingly.

Banhi clenched her fists but forced herself to stay calm. "Ignore them, Dhriti," she said quietly.

Dhriti nodded, though the weight of their stares made her stomach churn. "God help us," she mumbled under her breath.

Banhi gave her a small, reassuring smile.

As they continued through the halls, the whispers grew sharper, their words cutting through the air.

"They're here on scholarships. No idea how they'll even keep up," one student muttered loud enough for them to hear.

A pang of hurt shot through Banhi, but she refused to let it show.

They struggled to locate their classes, too hesitant to ask for help after everything they had already experienced. The discomfort of being treated like outsiders only made the vast campus feel even more intimidating. After what felt like ages, they finally found their way.

"This should be it," Banhi said, checking the room number on her phone.

They slipped into seats at the back of the auditorium just as the orientation began. The dean stood at the podium, delivering a speech about the university's legacy and the endless opportunities it offered.

But as Banhi and Dhriti looked around, they noticed something disheartening—most of the students weren't even paying attention. Their heads were down, eyes glued to their phones, utterly indifferent to the speech.

For them, this place was just another institution, another stepping stone.

For Banhi and Dhriti, it was everything.

"These people are so arrogant," Dhriti whispered. "No one takes us seriously."

"Let's just focus on our studies. We can't let any of this distract us," Banhi said firmly.