STRINGS and STANDOFFS

2: Plot Twist - Same College, Same Chaos

"Have fun, kids, best of luck." Shalva waves at Kavya and Rishi, who wave back, smiling widely.

As she walked out, Kavya immediately started clapping. "Driver Rizzball, note the time. Miss 'I'm Always Ready' took only 20 minutes to step out."

"She's just sad she can't drive yet," Rishi teased, beaming. "Sweet sixteen in the group chat, but sweet seventeen and ten months in real life."

Radha raised an eyebrow. "Jealousy doesn't look good on either of you. Unlike me who looks flawless even with existential dread."

Kavya rolled her eyes. "God, I missed this attitude. Let's hope college can handle it."

Rishi held the phone out. "First day selfie before this chaos begins."

Radha squished in between them, arms over their shoulders, mid-eye roll. The selfie was perfect chaos: Kavya doing a peace sign, Rishi grinning like he just got free pani puri, and Radha smirking like she already had a comeback ready.

By the time they reached NCU, Kavya had already uploaded it to Instagram with the caption:

"First Day of University: featuring sass, sunshine, and sarcasm ✨ #NCUOrNothing #WeRunThisCampus"

The gates of NCU loomed ahead like the opening of a new season of a very messy TV show. Ivy curled up ancient stone arches, students buzzed around like ants at a sugar festival, and the distant sound of basketballs thudding echoed through the air.

Radha stepped out and took a deep breath. The air smelled like promise, ambition, and overpriced canteen samosas.

"I'm officially in," she said.

"You were never out," Rishi replied brightly.

"Okay, I'll admit, this place looks like a level-up from high school." Radha says,totally in awe.

"A level-up? Honey, this is like stepping into a whole new world. Welcome to the big leagues." Kavya laughs.

"There's the campus cafe! The best place to procrastinate... I mean, study." Rishi vibrates on place.

Radha glanced at the massive campus ahead of her.

Little did she know, the peace was temporary.

*

Radha stepped into the NCU courtyard like she owned the place, navy blue backpack slung over one shoulder, perfectly winged eyeliner sharp enough to murder someone emotionally. Preferably, Anirudh Shah. But thankfully, he was miles away. In UK, no less. Peaceful. Blessed. Anirudh-free.

The sun was shining. Her besties were with her. What could go wrong?

"GUYSSSS!"
Trisha's voice cracked through the noise like a dramatic soap opera cue. In two seconds flat, Radha was swallowed into a suffocating group hug with Trisha, Ashi and Rudra, and Shree, who nodded in acknowledgment. (Shree loathed affection.)

"Why are you glowing like an influencer?" Trisha narrowed her eyes, faking to inspect Radha's face. "Who gave you permission to look this good at 9 AM?"

"Me," Radha deadpanned. "It's called melanin and self-respect."

Rudra clutched his heart. "You're still scary. I missed this."

Shree stood beside him, silently sipping iced coffee with a calm expression that screamed I love you people, but also no one talks to me before 10 AM.

"You'll be fine, Shree," Trisha said, nudging him. "It's not war. It's college."

"Same thing," Shree replied.