Arcane Hearts

Chapter#4: Vistas of Discovery

Amyra made her way through the busy hallway of the university, weaving between students who were rushing to their next classes. The call from Professor Umar had left her feeling curious but slightly nervous. She wasn't used to being summoned to his office without knowing the reason. As she finally reached the office door, she paused for a moment, straightened her shoulders, and knocked softly before entering.

Professor Umar looked up from his papers with a welcoming smile. "Ah, Amyra, come in", he said. Standing beside his desk was a girl who seemed new to the environment, glancing around with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, and she had a warm yet hesitant smile on her face.
"Amyra", Professor Umar began, gesturing to the girl beside him, "I'd like you to meet Seerat. She's a transfer student who just joined our program. She's come in a bit late into the semester, and with the mock exams approaching, she has a lot of catching up to do. I want you to help her get up to speed."
Amyra's eyes met Seerat's, and she gave a reassuring smile, her natural friendliness kicking in. "No problem, Sir", she replied confidently. Then, turning to Seerat, she said, "Hey, I'm Amyra. Don't worry, we'll get you caught up in no time."
Seerat's face lit up with relief, and the corners of her mouth turned up into a genuine smile. "Thank you so much, Amyra. I was worried about how I'd manage, but I already feel a bit more relaxed now", she said, her voice soft but warm.

As they left the office, the awkwardness melted away quickly. Amyra led Seerat down the corridor toward their class, and they began to chat about their subjects, the professors, and campus life. The more they talked, the more Amyra realized how easy it was to get along with Seerat. There was something genuine and unpretentious about her that Amyra instantly liked.
"So, where did you transfer from?" Amyra asked as they walked.
"From Sahiwal", Seerat replied. "I had to move here because of my dad's job. It's been a whirlwind trying to adjust to everything new, but I'm managing."
"Well, you've got me now, so no worries!" Amyra said with a playful grin, trying to ease Seerat's nerves. "I'll make sure you're all set before the exams. Plus, you'll get to know our class crew soon enough."
They reached the classroom, and as they entered, Amyra led Seerat to a couple of empty seats near the middle. "This is where we usually sit", Amyra said, motioning to the spot next to her. "It's a good place to stay under the radar but still hear everything the professors say."
Seerat chuckled, taking the seat beside Amyra. "Perfect spot, then", she said, her eyes scanning the room filled with unfamiliar faces. Amyra could tell Seerat was a little overwhelmed, but the way she handled herself showed strength beneath that quiet demeanor.
The class soon filled up, and Amyra started introducing Seerat to the rest of her friends-Anaya, Zainab, and Attiqa. Each one greeted Seerat warmly, making her feel part of the group from the get-go. The girls exchanged casual jokes, making Seerat laugh and settle into the vibe that flowed naturally among them.
As the days went by, Amyra made sure to guide Seerat through everything she needed to catch up on-explaining the complex concepts, sharing her well-organized notes, and even sneaking in a few jokes to make the study sessions less daunting. It wasn't just about studies, though; they also talked about life, their favorite movies, music, and random things that connected them beyond the classroom.
Seerat fit into Amyra's world almost effortlessly. There was no awkwardness, no need to pretend. They shared an easy camaraderie, one that seemed like it had always been there. Amyra admired how quickly Seerat grasped the lessons, often staying late to review extra material to ensure she was fully up to speed.
One late afternoon, while they were wrapping up a study session in the university library, Seerat looked at Amyra with a grateful smile. "You know, I'm really lucky to have met you", she said. "It's rare to find someone who goes out of their way to help like you do."
Amyra shrugged it off, though she felt a warm sense of pride. "You'd do the same if the tables were turned", she replied. "Besides, it's nice to have a study buddy who doesn't bore me to death."
Seerat laughed, and the sound of it seemed to cement their growing friendship. In those moments, Amyra realized that Seerat wasn't just another student she was helping out; she was becoming a true friend, someone she could rely on, and someone who brought a different kind of energy into her life.
The two continued to grow closer, forming a bond that felt both easy and strong, as if they'd known each other for much longer. And Amyra knew that this was only the beginning of a friendship that would add a new dimension to her days at the university.