Bad Bitches

Acceptance

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

How far should we look when planning our future? Most of us set our sights on achieving basic dreams. But what if we don't meet them? Should we think in short-term bursts or plan for the long haul? They say everything is already written in the stars, and we just need to play our part. Was meeting people, creating memories, and cherishing those unforgettable moments my destiny, or just fate? Standing here now, at a crossroads with an unknown path ahead, I can't help but feel the pain of love that lingers, even when all I want is to forget. To begin anew.

Tears welled up in my eyes, glistening as they spilled over, leaving my cheeks damp. I wiped at them, but it was no use. I stared at the photo on my phone, a snapshot of happier times. My friends—my "bad bitches"—their faces lit up with joy, their smiles beaming through the screen. A tear slid down my cheek and fell onto the photo, smudging the image on the screen. Was this where my story ended? Or was it just beginning?

Two Years Earlier

My hands were clammy, rubbing them nervously against my jeans. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to calm the storm of nerves raging inside me. The air felt heavy, and I could almost hear my heartbeat echoing in the silence of my room. Anxiety bubbled up with every breath, each second stretching out painfully slow, as if I were trapped in a slow-motion scene from a movie.

Eyes open, I stared at my laptop screen. The cursor blinked at me, impatient, and my fingers hesitated on the keyboard. Finally, I started typing.

Name: Amaya Rajput.
Password: ********

I whispered a silent prayer and clicked "Login." This moment was everything. I knew it would change my life, and I could barely breathe as I waited. The page loaded slowly, adding to the suspense. I clicked on the application status, heart pounding in my chest. The word "Accepted" popped up on the screen, and I blinked in disbelief. I stared at it for a second longer, then let out a scream of joy, jumping onto my bed.

"Yes!" I shouted, throwing my arms in the air, the springs in the mattress bouncing beneath me. I laughed, overwhelmed with happiness, my voice echoing through the house.

"Amaya, why are you screaming so loudly? Get down this instant! Stop jumping like a monkey!" My mom's voice cut through the air. She stood at the door, arms crossed, her face a mix of anger and concern, as if she'd just caught me in the middle of committing a crime.

But I was far too overjoyed to care. I jumped off the bed and ran to her, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. "Mom, I got selected! They accepted my application! Can you believe it? I got in! Yay!"

She pulled back slightly, her expression softening as she looked at me. "I told you, didn't I? This is all because of Kanha Ji (Lord Krishna). Let me light a diya and offer some sweets in thanks," she said, her fingers pinching my cheeks with a familiar tenderness. She always did that—pulling my cheeks was her way of showing affection, a habit that made me feel safe.

"Ouch, Maa," I protested, pouting playfully, but I couldn't wipe the grin off my face.

"Amu, this is such wonderful news! Wait, let me call your father and tell him," she said, her eyes sparkling with pride.

"Yeah, call him and tell him everything," I replied, my voice still buzzing with excitement.

Mom went out of the room, phone in hand, and I could hear her animated voice from the hallway. Meanwhile, I sat back down on my bed, my mind racing. You're probably wondering what I got accepted into. Well, let me fill you in: St. JVM's College, one of the most prestigious institutions for the past 25 years. It's known for its modern facilities, diverse academic streams, and, of course, its exclusivity. Only the best students get in—most of them from wealthy backgrounds. But there are also 50 scholarships available each year, and of those, only 10 students are chosen as elite students, given special authority and opportunities. My dad was one of those elite students—one of the best. That's why I was so determined to get in, and now, my dream is finally coming true. A new chapter of my life is about to start.