Back to Amira:
Amira sighed as she shut the wardrobe door, her suitcase finally unpacked, and her bunk at the lodge starting to feel a little more like her own. It had been a tiring day—moving in, unpacking, and adjusting to the new place. Dinner in the dining area had been quiet, the unfamiliar faces reminding her that she was still an outsider.
But now, with the evening stretching ahead of her, she felt restless. Glancing at the clock on her bedside table, she decided she wasn’t ready to settle in for the night. She stepped out of her bunk and walked down the narrow hallway to the door just next to hers. Raising a hand, she knocked softly.
The door opened almost immediately. Alana’s face lit up when she saw Amira. “Amira! Hi! Come in!”
Amira couldn’t help but smile at Alana’s warm welcome. “I hope I’m not bothering you.”
“Of course not! I was just about to make some coffee. Come in,” Alana said, stepping aside.
Amira entered the small room, a mirror image of hers but already bursting with personality. A cozy blanket was draped over the bed, books were stacked haphazardly on the desk, and a string of fairy lights twinkled above the window.
“Your bunk looks so... alive,” Amira commented, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Alana chuckled as she moved to the coffee machine on her dresser. “I like to settle in quickly. It helps me feel at home. Coffee?”
“Yes, please,” Amira said gratefully.
Within minutes, they were both seated on the bed, steaming mugs of coffee in hand.
“So,” Alana began, tucking a leg under herself, “how are you feeling? Overwhelmed yet?”
Amira laughed softly. “A little. Everything is so... new. The town, the lodge, even the air feels different here.”
“Darjeeling grows on you,” Alana said, her tone fond. “It’s small, but it has its charm. And the school? It’s a whole other world. Loreto Convent is full of rules, traditions, and some of the most competitive girls you’ll ever meet. But you’ll love it—eventually.”
“Sounds... intense,” Amira replied, raising an eyebrow.
“It is,” Alana admitted. “But once classes start, you’ll find your rhythm. Trust me. And don’t worry, you’ve got me.”
Amira smiled, relaxing a little. “Thanks, Alana. I mean it.”
Alana waved a hand dismissively. “What are friends for?” She paused, her eyes lighting up. “Speaking of distractions, have you heard about the party this Saturday night?”
“Party?” Amira asked, tilting her head.
“Yes! St. Joseph’s is hosting their annual New Year’s party. All the prestigious schools in Darjeeling are invited, including ours. It’s a big deal—like the event of the season.”
“Interesting,” Amira said, though she wasn’t entirely convinced. “I don’t know if I’ll go. I’m still settling in. Big crowds aren’t exactly my thing.”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Alana said, shaking her head emphatically. “You have to come. This is your chance to see what Darjeeling is all about. You’ll meet people, get a feel for the city, and who knows—you might even have fun.”
Amira laughed. “I don’t know. I’m not much of a party person.”
“Trust me, this isn’t just any party,” Alana insisted, leaning closer. “It’s glamorous, open-minded, and... okay, I’ll say it. St. Joseph’s boys will be there.”
Amira raised an eyebrow. “Should that mean something to me?”
“Um, yes!” Alana exclaimed. “They’re the talk of every schoolgirl in Darjeeling. And at the top of the list is Aarnav Rawat.”
“Aarnav Rawat?” Amira repeated, unfamiliar with the name.
Alana sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. “How do I even begin to describe him? He’s the son of Rishi Rawat, North India’s biggest business tycoon. The Rawats own half the city—or at least it feels like they do. Aarnav... he’s something else. Tall, lean, and built like he spends half his life at the gym. Dark brown, slightly curly hair that always looks like he’s just run his fingers through it. Sharp jawline, piercing brown eyes that could probably see right through you. And the way he carries himself—it’s like confidence and power personified.”
Amira chuckled, shaking her head. “Sounds like a movie character.”
“He might as well be,” Alana said, grinning. “But don’t get your hopes up. He’s... cold. Like, really cold. He rarely talks to anyone outside his circle, and people say he doesn’t smile. Ever. But that doesn’t stop girls from falling all over him. Honestly, it’s kind of ridiculous.”
Amira took a sip of her coffee, her expression amused. “And you? Are you one of those girls?”
“Absolutely not,” Alana said firmly. “He’s gorgeous, sure, but I have no interest in guys who can’t even crack a joke. Still, you’ve got to admit, he’s fascinating. And you’re bound to see him at the party.”
“I don’t know...” Amira hesitated, though a small smile played on her lips.
“Come on, Amira,” Alana urged, her voice light but insistent. “This is your chance to experience something new. The city, the people, the culture—you’ll get all of it in one night. And you’ll be with me. We’ll have fun, I promise.”
Amira sighed, giving in. “Alright, fine. I’ll go.”
Alana squealed, clapping her hands together. “Yes! I knew you’d come around. This is going to be amazing.”
Amira laughed softly at her enthusiasm. “Let’s hope so. But don’t expect me to swoon over any ‘St. Joseph’s bachelors.’”
“We’ll see,” Alana said mischievously. “Who knows? You might even end up in a game with them.”
Amira chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
Alana grinned, leaning back against her pillows. “And you’re going to love it here. Trust me.”
YOU ARE READING
Shadows Of Darjeeling
Teen FictionAmira Khan is the perfect daughter-or at least, that's what her father demands. A life of high expectations, academic pressure, and the constant weight of her family's reputation leaves Amira feeling lost and isolated. Struggling to keep up, she is...
