Limits: love & Hate

✓DEAN'S OFFICE

*MAIRA'S P.O.V*

The main administrative building, distinguished by its prominent clock tower, is where the Dean's office is located, according to both the campus map and Shreya’s guidance.

The entrance of the clock tower building appears to be the focal point of the campus, housing all the important offices. Once inside, I proceeded through the grand entrance.

As I navigated the interior, I came across a reception desk near the entrance that seemed equipped to provide directions. Approaching the receptionist, I asked, "Excuse me, I would like to meet the Dean."

She smiled warmly and replied, "He’s in a meeting but should be here any minute now. May I have your name?"

"Yes, it’s Maira—Maira Sharma," I responded, using the name everyone here knows me by, except in my official documents.

"Okay, Maira," she said, still smiling. "You can wait in the seating area outside the office on the second floor. You can take the elevator if you prefer."

"Thank you," I replied and headed toward the elevator.

Upon reaching the second floor, I entered a lobby. Despite being on the right floor, there was still no sign indicating the Dean’s office. I found a seating area in front of an office that I assumed to be his.

Feeling uncertain, I decided to ask someone for confirmation, but there was no one around. As my eyes wandered, I noticed a guy approaching me. He was dressed in a white shirt paired with blue jeans, wore glasses, and had neatly styled hair. Definitely a nerd, I thought (how stereotypical!). Still, he looked handsome. I decided to ask him, "Excuse me, is this the Dean's office?" but he walked past me as if he hadn’t heard. After a few steps, I heard silence, followed by a deep voice from behind, "Yes," and then the sound of his footsteps continued. I was about to turn around when I heard another voice.

"Maira, right?" Standing in front of me was a man in his 50's, who looked vaguely familiar.

"Ashutosh Uncle... Namaste," I greeted him. He smiled, returned the greeting, and gestured for me to follow him into his office.

I’m now heading toward my department building, where my first class is on the third floor, according to Ashutosh Uncle (Mr. Dean). Realizing I was running late, I ran to the stairs. As I reached the second floor and continued to the third, my eyes landed on a literal living Barbie descending the stairs.

She had blue eyes and wore a stylish, predominantly pink outfit: a pink jacket with a casually trendy look adorned with subtle patterns, a light pink crop top underneath, and matching pink pants, creating a cohesive monochromatic style. She was accessorized with jewelry, including hoop earrings, a necklace, and a bracelet, adding a touch of elegance. The only contrast was her long, wavy brown hair, left open.

She looked stunningly beautiful, though slightly overdressed for college. But who cares when you look that gorgeous? As she was descending, a girl who must have been late for class rushed past me and collided with her, making her stumble. Fortunately, two girls on either side of Barbie caught her, preventing her from falling, though her purse—a Versace, no less—tumbled down the stairs, causing a mix of anger and frustration to cross her face. Everyone, including me, froze.

"How dare you!"
"You idiot!"

The two girls shouted in unison, moving toward the clumsy girl with gritted teeth.

"I’m so sorry," the girl who had collided with Barbie apologized, acknowledging her mistake. She picked up the pink handbag and tried to hand it back.

Barbie’s expression shifted from frustration to a smile, though it didn’t seem genuine. Signaling the other two girls to stop, she said, "Oh, please, don’t worry about it."

"And about this..." she gestured toward her purse, "you can keep it," leaving everyone confused.

"But Veronica..." both girls began in unison, only to be silenced by Barbie’s glare. She turned back to the poor girl and said, "You’re going to pay for this anyway," her expression changing to something I couldn’t quite decipher. Then she walked away, with her friends following, smirking. (Whatever they’re planning, it doesn’t bode well for the girl.)

In the midst of this drama, I had forgotten I was late for class too, so I ran off, leaving the girl still standing there, staring at the handbag in confusion.

After finishing my two classes, which were amazing, I headed to the canteen and dialed Shreya’s number. "Where are you?"

"Canteen. Where are you?" came the reply.

"I’m on my way," I said, hanging up.

It was easier to find the canteen using the map than it had been to find the Dean’s office. When I arrived, I spotted Shreya waving at me from a side table where she was sitting with two other girls, presumably her friends. I made my way to them and took a seat next to Shreya, with her friends sitting across from us.

"This is my childhood bestie, Maira," Shreya introduced me. "Hi!" they both greeted me.

"You look cool. Shreya has told us a lot about you," one of them said. She was dressed in a yellow kurti and blue jeans, with beautiful earrings and glasses.

"I’m Megha," she said, extending her hand. I smiled back and shook it.

"And I’m Barkha," the other one introduced herself, doing the same. She wore a yellow crop top paired with blue jeans and white sneakers. Looking closely at them, they seemed quite similar—big doe eyes, curly hair, and even the colors of their outfits matched.

I looked at Shreya with a questioning expression. "Are they—"

"Twins," they both said in unison.

"I’m the elder one," Megha stated.

"And I’m the younger one," Barkha added.

They exchanged glances and then looked at me. "Two minutes apart," they said together.

"I was making Maggi at the time, so..." Barkha shrugged.

That made us burst out laughing, while Megha playfully slapped Barkha on the head.

Although they’re twins, their personalities are polar opposites. Megha is the serious one, while Barkha is the clown.

I quickly mingled with them as we had lunch together. It seems making friends isn’t so hard, or perhaps it’s because they’re Shreya’s friends, and they love her. I like people who love my close ones—they automatically get on my good side.

Maira is quite closed off personality it's not because she wants to be, she is made that way because of the environment she grew up in. She is loving, caring and protective but for only people who are close to her heart.

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