Love's perfect timing

Chapter 2: A New Focus

As the vibrant energy of orientation week faded into memory, Urvi found herself transitioning from the whirlwind of introductions and society showcases to the structured, methodical pace of actual college classes.

The campus, once alive with the buzz of fresh starts and the thrill of the unknown, settled into a more subdued rhythm. The energy that had filled the air during orientation week now transformed into a quieter hum, as students adjusted to their new schedules, navigating between lecture halls and study sessions.

For Urvi, this shift in pace was both a relief and a challenge. The past week had been exciting, filled with the novelty of new friendships, new surroundings, and glimpse of opportunities to come.

Yet, amidst all the excitement, something else had lingered in her mind—something she tried desperately to push aside: the memory of Samarth's dance performance.

It wasn't just that he was a good dancer. There was something about the way he moved, the way he commanded the stage, that had struck a chord deep within her. She couldn't quite place the feeling—whether it was admiration, a budding crush, or something else entirely. But whatever it was, it made her heart race in a way that was both thrilling and terrifying.

Urvi had never been one to shy away from her emotions, but this time was different. This time, the stakes felt higher. She hadn't been in any relationship for over a year and a half, and for good reason. Her last experience had left her scarred in ways that were still too painful to confront. Anxiety, panic attacks, and a deep-seated fear of abandonment had plagued her in the aftermath, and it had taken everything she had to claw her way back to some semblance of normalcy.

The idea of opening herself up to someone new is risking those old wounds being torn open again—was something she wasn't ready to face. So, she did what she had learned to do so well: she buried her feelings, telling herself that they didn't matter. She convinced herself that Samarth was just another guy on campus, that his performance had meant nothing more than a fleeting moment of admiration.

As she walked into her first psychology class, Urvi resolved to focus entirely on her studies. This was, after all, the reason she was here.

Psychology had always fascinated her—
the complexities of the human mind, the intricacies of behavior, the layers of consciousness that shaped who we are.

It was a subject that promised endless discovery, and Urvi was determined to dive in headfirst.

To her delight, Srishti, the friend she had made during orientation, was also in her psychology class. The two of them had clicked almost instantly, bonding over shared interests , and a similar sense of humour even same surname. Their friendship had blossomed quickly, even sometimes teacher got confused between them and referred them as sisters and by the time classes started, they were already inseparable.

Srishti was a breath of fresh air for Urvi. She was easygoing, supportive, and had a knack for making Urvi laugh, even on the toughest days. They spent long hours together, whether in the library studying or hanging out in the campus café, discussing everything from their coursework to their favorite movies.

Despite their growing closeness, there was one thing Urvi never brought up—Samarth's performance. It wasn't that she didn't trust Srishti; on the contrary, she trusted her more than anyone else on campus. But there was something about those lingering feelings that made Urvi hesitant to share. Discussing Samarth, acknowledging that she might be crushing on him, would force her to confront emotions she wasn't ready to deal with. It would mean opening a door she had firmly shut after her last relationship, and Urvi wasn't sure she was ready—or even willing—to do that.

Their psychology classes were intense, filled with dense material that demanded full attention. Urvi found solace in the complexity of the subject matter. She could lose herself in the intricacies of human behavior, the theories that explained why people acted the way they did, the endless possibilities of understanding the mind. It was a subject that captivated her, and she threw herself into it with everything she had.

As she and Srishti spent more time together, their friendship deepened. They vibed well, and understanding that made their bond feel natural and unforced. Srishti never pushed Urvi to talk about things she wasn't comfortable discussing, and for that, Urvi was grateful. It allowed her to maintain a sense of control over her emotions, to keep her guard up where it needed to be.

But despite her best efforts, the memory of Samarth's performance refused to fade. It lingered in the back of her mind, resurfacing at the most unexpected moments. Sometimes, in the middle of a lecture, she would find her thoughts drifting back to the way he moved on stage, the way the music seemed to flow through him as if he and the rhythm were one.

Urvi would quickly shake her head, forcing herself to focus on the lecture, on taking notes, on anything other than Samarth. She couldn't afford to get distracted—not now, not when she had finally found some stability in her life. The thought of losing that stability, of letting her emotions get the better of her, was too much to bear.

She had worked so hard to get to this point. After her last relationship ended, Urvi had been a mess. The anxiety had been overwhelming, creeping into every aspect of her life until it felt like she was drowning in it. The panic attacks had come out of nowhere, striking when she least expected them, leaving her shaken and terrified.

But the worst part had been the fear of abandonment. It had taken root deep within her, poisoning her thoughts and making her question everything. She had doubted herself, doubted her worth, doubted whether she was even capable of being loved. It had been a long, painful journey to rebuild her confidence, to learn how to trust herself again.

Urvi had made a promise to herself after that experience: she wouldn't let anyone else have that kind of power over her. She wouldn't let herself be vulnerable again, not like that. So, she had stayed away from relationships, focusing instead on healing, on finding her own strength, on building a life that was hers alone.

And now, here she was, at the start of her college journey, determined to make the most of it. She had a plan, a clear path she intended to follow, and she wasn't about to let anything—or anyone—derail her from it. Samarth, with his captivating dance and his easy smile, was just a small bump in the road, something to be acknowledged and then moved past.

Urvi knew that if she allowed herself to dwell on her feelings for Samarth, even if they were just the beginnings of a crush, she would be opening herself up to the possibility of getting hurt again. And that was something she simply couldn't afford. Not now, when she was finally in a good place, when she was finally moving forward.

So, she made a conscious decision: she would let go of the thoughts of Samarth, bury them deep where they couldn't affect her. She would focus on her studies, on her friendship with Srishti, on making her first year of college everything she wanted it to be. There was so much ahead of her, so much to learn and experience, and she wasn't going to let a fleeting crush distract her from that.

As the weeks passed, Urvi found herself settling into the routine of college life. Classes kept her busy, and her friendship with Srishti provided the emotional support she needed. Together, they navigated the ups and downs of their first semester, helping each other through late-night study sessions, difficult assignments, and the occasional bout of homesickness.

Urvi thrived in the academic environment, finding joy in the challenges of her psychology classes. She felt a sense of accomplishment with every exam she aced. It was a reminder that she was capable, that she was strong, that she could succeed on her own terms.

The memory of Samarth's dance still flickered at the edges of her consciousness, but it no longer held the same power over her. She had made her choice, and she was determined to stick to it.

Urvi knew that there would be time in the future to explore relationships, to open her heart again. But for now, she was content to focus on herself, on building a life that was stable, fulfilling, and entirely her own.