The Sky's Tear

Episode I: First Day Jitter

It's a story, but not quite a biography. It's a chapter in the life of a boy named Aryan, chronicling just one year of his experiences. This single year holds enough material for a whole book or even a movie. The story brushes against the line between fairytale and reality, ultimately leading Aryan to face his biggest nightmare. Even modern-day daily soaps can't compete with the sheer number of ups and downs packed into this year.
The story begins with Aryan's admission to the first year of B.Sc. at a local college. Due to various reasons, including the pandemic, he dropped two years of his studies and also failed once during his second year of junior college. Aryan has (or had) a friend named Kunal who also took a break from academics for three years, failing three times in 12th grade. After finally passing, they both decided to enroll in the same college. However, Kunal opted to pursue a B.Com degree instead.

Aryan's First day at college

(The bustling college corridor echoed with the chatter of excited freshmen. Aryan finds he's way to his classroom.)

Aryan scanned the classroom, his heart sinking a little. Most of the faces were younger, brimming with a wide-eyed enthusiasm he couldn't quite muster. The air was thick with anticipation, a palpable excitement that felt foreign to him. He opted for a seat at the back, hoping to blend into the woodwork and avoid any unwanted attention.
Four boys occupied a bench near the window, their animated conversation hinting at a pre-existing bond. Aryan strained to hear their words, a flicker of hope igniting when he caught a mention of someone repeating a year. Bingo! Perhaps he wasn't alone in feeling out of place.
Taking a deep breath, Aryan approached them.
"Hey guys, mind if I join?" he asked, his voice slightly higher than usual.
He wasn't sure why, but he felt a sudden surge of nervousness.
The boys turned, their initial surprise replaced by friendly smiles. One of them, a lanky boy with bright eyes, grinned. "No problem, man. Come, sit." That simple invitation opened the floodgates.
Aryan, usually an introvert, found himself drawn into their conversation. He learned their names - Vikas, Raqib, Firoz, and Ayan. There was an instant camaraderie, a shared understanding of being slightly older and perhaps a touch behind the curve. As they talked, Aryan realized that he wasn't the only one feeling a bit out of place.

As the bell was about to ring, the classroom door creaked open. A hush fell over the room as a group of girls, their laughter and chatter filling the air, entered the classroom. The sunlight streaming through the windows illuminated their faces, casting a warm glow upon them. Aryan, however, only had eyes for one. She moved with a quiet grace, her dark hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering in the light. Her eyes, a deep, mysterious shade of brown, seemed to hold a universe of secrets. As she took her seat a few rows ahead, Aryan felt a peculiar sensation bloom in his chest. It was a feeling he'd never experienced before, a warmth that spread through him like wildfire.
Like a moth drawn to a flame, Aryan was captivated. His heart raced, his breath quickened. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Her every movement, every gesture, seemed to radiate a beauty that was both ethereal and tangible. Love at first sight, as cliché as it sounded, seemed to be the only explanation. As the girl settled into her seat, Aryan found himself lost in a daydream, imagining a future with her by his side. He couldn't shake the feeling that she was the missing piece of his life, the one person he'd been searching for, without even knowing it.

The professor, a stern-looking woman named Ms. Iyer, began the roll call. As each student stood to introduce themselves, Aryan's attention remained glued to the girl. His heart raced with anticipation, his mind filled with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. He had never felt this way before, a strange mixture of excitement and nervousness. When her turn came, her voice, melodic and soft, sent shivers down his spine.
"Hi everyone, I'm Asma," she said, a hint of shyness in her smile.
Her words were a delightful melody to Aryan's ears, each syllable a precious gem. As she spoke briefly about her previous college, Aryan found himself lost in her world, her words painting vivid pictures in his mind. He couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to her, a magnetic pull that drew him closer and closer. It was as if she had cast a spell on him, a spell that he was powerless to resist. A warmth spread through him, a feeling he had never experienced before. It was a feeling of hope, of possibility, of something truly special.
For the rest of the class, Aryan existed in a daze. Asma's presence filled the room, pushing everything else to the periphery. The world around him blurred, his senses focused solely on her. He knew, with a certainty that surprised him, that he had to get to know her. But how? His mind raced, searching for the perfect opportunity. He couldn't let this moment pass him by.

Even after the final bell had rung at college, her image remained etched in his mind. He went home, Aryan tossed and turned in his bed, his mind racing with thoughts of her. It was a day like any other, except that today, she had consumed his entire being.
He had tried to focus on his studies, to immerse himself in his textbooks, but her presence was too overwhelming. Every glance, every word she had spoken, replayed on a loop in his head. He wondered if he was losing his mind, or if this was simply a phase, a crush that would fade with time.
As he lay there, staring at the ceiling, a wave of doubt washed over him. Could he ever have her? Or was she destined to remain just a dream, a fantasy that would never become reality?