The morning light in Jaipur had a warmth of its own—rose-gold and tender, like the city refused to wake up harshly.
Anvitha adjusted the strap of her satchel as she crossed the courtyard of the architecture department, her sketchbook tucked under one arm. Her fingers still smelled faintly of sandalwood from her morning prayers, and a few strands of hair had slipped loose from her braid, brushing against her cheek in the breeze.
Jaipur was loud, colorful, alive—but she moved through it with quiet grace. She had learned long ago that peace wasn’t something handed to her. It was something she carved for herself, like a temple built stone by stone.
Her best friend, Meera, appeared beside her, all chaos and chatter, juggling a half-eaten samosa and a pile of blueprints.
“Anvi, you look like you just walked out of a meditation retreat. How do you stay so calm before submissions?”
Anvitha smiled faintly. “Maybe because panic doesn’t make the drawing straighter.”
Meera groaned dramatically. “Remind me to hate you in silence.”
They walked together, weaving through students. On the surface, Anvitha seemed untouched by the noise—her soft smile, her gentle tone. But beneath that stillness lived a girl who had seen too much.
It had been six years since the car crash that took her parents. Six years since she’d stood in a hospital corridor, staring at two white sheets and realizing no amount of prayer could change fate.
Her ex-boyfriend had taught her a different kind of loss—the kind that stripped trust instead of life. His obsession had started as affection, then turned into something darker, crueler. Even now, crowded hallways made her flinch sometimes, memories whispering in corners.
But Anvitha was rebuilding—brick by careful brick. Architecture wasn’t just her dream; it was her rebellion. Creating structure in a world that had once collapsed around her
When she left campus that evening, the streets were dusky and warm, filled with the hum of life. Somewhere, sirens wailed distantly—a sound she tried not to notice.
She didn’t know that miles away, another world was burning under Rudra Devangan’s command. That the gunfire she’d once prayed against would one day echo through her own quiet life.
For now, she simply tucked her sketchbook close, whispered a soft “Hare Krishna” under her breath, and walked toward a sunset that glowed too red to be peaceful.
A While Later...
By the time the evening sun dipped behind Jaipur’s pink walls, the college had begun to empty. The echo of footsteps faded down the corridor, replaced by the whir of ceiling fans and the distant murmur of traffic.
Anvitha sat alone in the design studio, her pencil gliding across tracing paper. The skeletal lines of a temple dome took shape beneath her touch—curves drawn from memory, from the ones she had visited as a child with her parents before everything ended in broken glass and sirens.
Her professor often said her designs “breathed.”
She wondered if that was just his way of saying they carried ghosts.
A sudden ping from her phone broke her thoughts.
Meera: Dinner at my place tonight. Don’t argue.
Anvitha: I have to finish this submission.
Meera: You’ve been finishing submissions since 2003. Come.
Anvitha smiled faintly, giving in. Meera was the kind of friend who could drag light into the darkest corners, and tonight, Anvitha needed that more than she admitted.
When she reached Meera’s apartment, the smell of frying chillies and laughter hit her before she even stepped in. Bollywood music hummed low from the speaker, and Meera danced barefoot between the kitchen and the couch.
“You’re late,” Meera said, tossing her a cushion.
“You’re loud,” Anvitha countered, setting down her bag.
They ate on the floor, the city lights spilling in through the window. Meera talked endlessly—about classes, crushes, professors who thought they were gods. Anvitha listened, nodding, smiling when she could.
But when Meera’s laughter softened into concern, she didn’t meet her eyes.
“You’ve been zoning out a lot lately,” Meera said carefully. “Nightmares again?”
Anvitha’s hand tightened around her glass. “Sometimes.”
“You should tell someone—”
“I’m fine,” Anvitha interrupted gently. “Really, Meera. I’m fine.”
The lie slipped out easily
The door bell rang . Meera panicked . Shit shit shit it's dad I ate all these dishes specifically when he told not to eat spicy foods . he'll definitely scold me . I coughed to tell her that I'm here . Meera glanced at me and she gleamed while looking at me . Giving me a pleading look to help her . Alright I'll help you . First open the door. meera opened the door there comes uncle : Manoj singh Rajput . What takes so long to open the door he asked meera . Before she could answer . I quickly greeted him Good evening uncle Uncle's eyes turned towards me and his eyes softened at me and said good evening. How are you doing uncle? I asked him . I'm fine beta . He said . You look a little pale . I'm fine uncle. You worry too much uncle. I'm fine. Meera dramatically coughed to say that she's here . Done drama ? . Uncle asked meera . I chuckled while watching the father-daughter bickering. Deep down when I see them . Memories started to come of me and appa . Tears started forming in my eyes But controlled it by smiling. I said good byes to uncle and meera and went to the dorm and slept after roaming around hostel as I can't sleep properly.
Howdy guys !! I took so long to write this chapter I'm pretty sure that you guys will like this book . If not do tell me what to change . How you'll like this book .
- nyxevernight97
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