Shadows Of Darjeeling

Chapter 6

Amira's POV

Despite the awe I felt in the lavish surroundings, I couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of alienation that clung to me. The place was beautiful—far more than I'd expected—but it still felt so foreign. I needed something familiar, something that could help ground me, but I wasn't sure where to begin. The silence around me seemed to intensify the fog that clouded my mind, and I found myself staring out the window, lost in thought, when I suddenly became aware of someone watching me.Turning, I found a tall figure standing a few feet away. His chocolate brown curls framed his face, and his hazel eyes held an easy, confident gaze. He wore casual sweatpants and a sweatshirt as though he were about to go on a morning run, yet his posture suggested a quiet assurance."Are you new here, in this city?" he asked, his voice calm, but with an underlying curiosity.I blinked, slightly taken aback, and nodded. "Yeah, I'm new.""That explains the look on your face as you stare out there. Darjeeling has always been this perfect," he said, his tone warm and easygoing. "By the way, I'm Mihir, Mihir Raichand."I smiled politely, though my mind was still preoccupied with everything else. "Nice to meet you, Mihir. I'm Amira, Amira Khan.""What a lovely name," he said with a grin. "Well, I'm running late to meet some friends. It was nice meeting you. I hope you get settled in here. Maybe I'll see you around." With that, he waved and quickly moved off, leaving me to process the brief encounter. Before I could fully absorb it, the hostel seemed even more massive and unfamiliar. I had no idea where to go or what to do, and the thought of navigating all of this alone felt more daunting than I cared to admit.Just as I was about to retreat further into my thoughts, I heard a cheerful voice behind me."Hi! You look a little lost. Do you need help? I haven't seen you around before. I'm Alana, Alana Kapoor. What's your name?"I turned around to find a girl around my age standing there. She had warm, dark brown eyes and her hair was a mix of black and brown, styled in soft curls that framed her face beautifully. She looked friendly, open, and at ease—everything I wasn't feeling in that moment. Despite my anxiety, there was something about her smile that made me feel a little less out of place."Oh, hello! I'm Amira Khan," I said, finally breaking out of my haze. "I'm sorry, it's just... everything here is so new to me, and I'm still trying to figure out how things work around here."Alana gave me a sympathetic smile. "I get it. Don't worry about it. When I first came here, I was just as lost. Come on, I'll show you around a bit so you're not stuck wandering on your own."Her kindness was a much-needed relief. I followed her as she led me through the grand hall, pointing out various rooms and explaining what each one was for. The hostel was undeniably stunning—its wide corridors lined with elegant furniture, a spacious dining area, and hallways that seemed to stretch on forever, all bathed in the soft light of early morning."So, how long have you been here?" I asked, my curiosity piqued as I tried to take in my surroundings."Not too long," she replied. "I've been here for a year now. I actually live in Darjeeling, just about twenty minutes away, so it's not too bad. I'm used to the weather, the fog, and everything else.""Oh, that's lucky," I said, feeling a bit envious. "I'm still getting used to the place. Everything seems so... different.""Yeah, it's a bit of an adjustment, but you'll get there," Alana assured me with a reassuring smile. "It's hard at first, but once you find your routine, it gets better. Trust me."As we walked, I couldn't help but notice the pride in Alana's voice when she spoke about the place. It was clear that she had found her place here, something I hadn't done yet."So, you study at the same school as me, right?" I asked, trying to make some sense of my new reality. "I mean, I know I'm supposed to be going to school here, but everything's been such a blur."Alana smiled knowingly. "Yeah, we're both in the same school. Loreto Convent. It's not too far from here. I actually really like it there—well, most of the time." She added with a small laugh. "My parents live nearby, but I spend most of my time here at the hostel during the week. I love it here, though, despite how overwhelming it can be."Loreto Convent. The name sounded familiar, but hearing it from someone who seemed comfortable in the place gave me a sense of reassurance. At least I wasn't entirely alone in this."I guess it'll be good to know someone already here," I said with a weak smile."Oh, for sure," Alana replied, her voice light and friendly. "You'll meet a lot of great people, and if you ever need someone to hang out with or show you around, I'm your girl. I can even show you the best spots to grab coffee around here. It's a small town, but there's always something to do if you know where to look."I smiled, feeling a little lighter than before. "Thanks, Alana. That sounds nice."We continued walking through the hostel, and Alana spoke more about her life here. As we passed through a lounge area, she paused for a moment, her expression turning more serious."You know, I think you'll like Mihir," she said thoughtfully. "He's a nice guy, but..." She hesitated for a moment. "He's kind of a flirt. He's sweet, really, but definitely not the kind of guy you want too close if you're not looking for unnecessary drama. He's got that charm that works on everyone, but it's better to keep a little distance if you can."I raised an eyebrow, a little surprised by her honesty. "Oh? I didn't get that vibe from him. But thanks for the warning. I'll definitely keep that in mind."Alana gave me an amused smile. "Yeah, trust me, you'll see what I mean. But don't let it bother you. You'll meet a lot of people, and there'll be plenty of time to figure out who you want to get close to."As we continued our walk, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Alana's straightforwardness was refreshing, and her willingness to show me around gave me a small spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, I wouldn't be completely lost here. At least not with people like her around.By the end of the tour, I felt a little more at ease. Alana had shared a lot about the school, the hostel, and the people who lived there. More importantly, she had made me feel less like an outsider and more like someone who could eventually find their way. "I'm glad we talked," I said as we reached the main hall once again. "Thanks for everything, Alana.""No problem at all," she said with a smile. "I'll check in with you later, okay? Don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything.""Definitely," I said, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks again."As Alana waved and walked off, I watched her go, a sense of calm settling over me. The fog outside still hadn't lifted, but with Alana's help, I had taken a small step towards finding my footing in this new world. This place might not feel like home yet, but it no longer felt quite as foreign.