9:15 pm
Riya Kapoor, people call her Riu, had a beauty that was impossible to ignore. Her fair skin glowed with a natural warmth, the kind that made her look effortlessly radiant, as if she’d just stepped out into the sun. Her deep brown eyes were framed by thick, dark lashes, always alert and filled with curiosity, as though she saw the world in ways others missed. Her jet-black hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, contrasting beautifully with her fair complexion, making her stand out effortlessly.
Riu’s face had a delicate structure—high cheekbones, a soft jawline, and full, naturally pink lips that often curved into a smile, the kind that lit up her whole face. Her beauty wasn’t overwhelming or forced. It was in the way she carried herself: graceful yet grounded, confident without trying to draw attention. She moved with a quiet poise, as if every step she took had purpose, even in moments of stillness.
Riya Kapoor stared out of the airplane window, watching as the lights of Mumbai faded into the distance. The hum of the engine vibrated through her seat, but her mind was racing, lost in the whirlwind of emotions that came with leaving home.
Leaving India felt like shedding her old life-one filled with expectations, tradition, and the familiar comfort of family. Now, she was heading into the unknown. The US. Redwood University. It was everything she had dreamed of-freedom, independence, adventure-but it also terrified her. What if she didn't fit in? What if this new world was too different, too overwhelming?
Riu clutched the edge of her seat, taking a deep breath. She had left behind more than just her country. She had left behind the heartbreak of a failed relationship, the weight of her family's name, and the safe routine of a life she had outgrown.
As the plane touched down on American soil, her heart skipped a beat. This was it. Her fresh start. No more old ties, no more past weighing her down.
But as the cold wind hit her face the moment she stepped out of the airport, Riu couldn't help but wonder-was she ready for the chaos waiting for her on the other side?
YOU ARE READING
When Love Collides
FantasiaAt Redwood University, where shadows of the past and secrets of the present collide, life is anything but ordinary. Riya Kapoor came to the U.S. to escape the suffocating life she left behind in Mumbai-a life of broken promises and painful betrayals...
