Author's POV

"Your room no. is 207 2nd floor...take the stairs on the right side" The warden informed Siya about her room no. after checking her name on the register.

Siya nodded and was about to turn when she bumped with another girl, probably the same age as her.

"Hi, I am Kriti 1st year...EC branch" the girl with whom Siya collided introduced herself, chirping happily like a kid.

Siya was relieved that she didn't bump with any senior...she was well aware of ragging incidents in hostels and college...and as per her knowledge, this hostel was no different.

" Hi, I am Siya 1st year...EC branch". Siya introduced herself.

"Wow we are from the same branch" Kriti grinned. "Well, you'll live in the same room too. You both are roommates" the warden informed them, with an emotionless face.

Little did they know...they"ll end up being inseparable friends...knowing each other's secrets like friends and protecting each other like family.

Both of them nodded and headed towards their room.

Siya's parents followed them and got their daughter settled in her new room.

While Kriti was arranging her luggage in the cupboard, Siya's mother, Jyoti asked her " Where are your parents...who came to drop you?"

Kriti felt uncomfortable nevertheless she answered politely " actually aunty my brother came to drop me but since he had urgent work, he had to go. My parents couldn't come to drop me here because they are traveling due to our family business."

Jyoti then said, " What business could be more important than settling their daughter in a new environment".

Kriti didn't like the tone that she used but ignored it anyway because her parents always taught her to respect elders even if she doesn't feel like doing it.

Siya knew how her mother was...she was used to being restricted and the following everything blindly that her parents told her but she did notice the hurt in Kriti's eyes when Jyoti said mean things to her.

She made a mental note to apologize to Kriti when they would be alone...after all this is nothing new. She has been doing it for years now... apologizing to others on her mother's behalf.

After a few hours, a caretaker came to their room and asked for Kriti to come into the lobby as her brother had come into the hostel to meet her.

Siya's parents also thought of leaving the hostel as they had to go back to their hometown and had to catch a flight.

When they all moved to the lobby, Jyoti was shocked to see a very handsome man waiting in the lobby.

To her surprise Kriti ran to him and hugged him, clinging to him.

"Aunty meets Mohit my brother and Bhai meets Siya, my roommate, and her parents" Kriti introduced them.

Jyoti saw how Mohit was staring at Siya and shook hands with him formally.

To make herself clear Jyoti turned to Siya and said" study well and keep your distance from boys and unwanted attention." 

Siya's father didn't like the tone that she used for Mohit but didn't say anything. How could he when he knew arguing with his wife would only create problems with Siya? He didn't want Siya to feel embarrassed because of her mother because somewhere he knew, his wife only creates problems and loves to argue.

His daughter was about to start a new life, away from them and he wanted her to start it with great enthusiasm, not by arguing with her mother. 

With this Siya's parents walked away but not before her mother gave a last glare to Mohit.

Mohit and Kriti couldn't understand why Jyoti behaved this way with her but shrugged it off anyway.

Taking a deep breath, Siya came to them and said "I apologize to you both if my mother's words hurt you, please don't mind her...she's a bit Ummm" Siya was contemplating which word to use to describe her when Kriti completed her "orthodox". Siya nodded and looked down feeling embarrassed.

Kriti sensed that Siya was not bad by heart. If she is apologizing on someone else's behalf it meant that she had a kind heart.

"Oh come on don't be formal we are roommates and we didn't mind your mother's words at all, right Bhai," Kriti asked looking at Mohit.

Mohit who was a silent spectator till now spoke for the first time "of course we didn't mind at all. So since all my meetings for today are done...would you like to roam around your neighborhood with me princess?" He asked looking at Kriti.

"Of course that I would love to and I am sure even Siya would like to roam around. Can we take her as well please Bhai" she asked Mohit giving him her best puppy eyes.

He shook his head at her cute antics and said "have I ever said no to you for anything? But I think we should first ask Siya if she is comfortable to go with us or not."

Siya was a little hesitant at first as she was feeling that for the first time in her life her opinion mattered, even if it was just for roaming in the neighborhood.

She was already embarrassed in front of them because of her mother's behavior and couldn't deny Kriti's puppy eyes.

At that time the last thing she wanted to do was make them more embarrassed by denying when they both had been nothing but good to her.

She nodded and all three of them went to explore their neighborhood.

Mohit's POV

I just visited this city because I wanted to spend more time with my cute little sister who is all set now to begin her college life.

I still remember when she was selected for this college she was on cloud nine. After all, she worked so hard to get into one of the best engineering institutes in the country, and finally, her wish was going to be fulfilled.

In the morning, when I dropped her at the hostel, my dad called me and asked me to visit the branch which we've in this city to attend an important meeting.

I didn't want to leave my sister here alone but she convinced me to attend it. I am so proud of her. Even being from a well-off and rich family, she's not at all a spoilt brat. She has always understanding and caring.

When I came back from the meeting to her hostel, she just threw herself on me like a small child who was happy to see me but when I saw past her, my breath hitched in my throat.

I saw a beautiful girl walking towards us with two elderly people.

I was awestruck after seeing her. She was looking so innocent and cute. I didn't realize I was staring at her until Kriti introduced her as her roommate.

Her mother's words didn't go down well with me but when she apologized for her mother's rude words, I found myself getting attracted to her.

Not because of her beauty or how innocent she looked while apologizing to us but because of her nature. 

Since I am in the business world, I know very well that there are very few genuine people in this world who care about what others feel or if they're hurt and I feel like, she's one of them.

When we all went out for exploring the nearby places, we got to know that there is a mall nearby.

Kriti, as usual, was very excited to see the place and insisted we go to the mall. I could see from the corner of my eyes that Siya was quiet the whole time.

I felt that she was feeling uncomfortable. To ease the situation, I initiated a conversation when she slipped on the back seat of my car "so Siya...would you like to go to the mall".

"I am comfortable going anywhere" she replied, looking down.

I felt she was a bit hesitant but then I thought to give her time as it isn't easy for some people to get comfortable around new people or adjust to a new environment, especially when they're away from family.

We all went to the mall where Kriti as usual was shopping like hell and Siya was mesmerized by seeing her cute antics.

"Why don't you buy something as well," I asked her.

"Well, actually my mother has already packed everything for me in my luggage. I don't need anything as of now" she replied.

"Your mother cares for you a lot, doesn't she," I asked her looking in the eyes.

She averted her gaze and replied, "yes she does care for me a lot and I respect her." 

There was a slight uncertainty in her voice which didn't go unnoticed by me but I didn't point it out to her.

She was already feeling embarrassed by her mother's behavior earlier, I didn't want to make her more uncomfortable than she already was.

Finally, Kriti's shopping was done and as it was late we decided to have something in the food court itself.

While we were having our food, Siya's phone went off and she picked up the call. I heard her mention to the other person on the call that she is in a mall with Kriti and me.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see that her expressions changed from happy to sad as soon as she mentioned about us, and then I felt like she was on the verge of crying.

Panicked, I snatched her phone from her hand and heard the other person saying "I asked you to stay away from boys and unwanted attention but you never listen to me. What have I ever done to get a daughter like you who is always hell-bent on defying me."

I was shocked to hear her words would be an understatement.

I gave the phone back to her and heard her saying that she would reach the hostel very soon.

She also asked her to calm down but I guess, she didn't as I could hear her loud screaming, even though I was sitting a few feet away from her.

Finally, when she disconnected the call, I saw tears were welled up in her eyes which she was trying to blink away but she didn't say anything to us, probably thinking that we would feel bad.

Understanding her inner turmoil, I said "Don't worry we"ll just leave for your hostel now."

"No, it's fine. You both enjoy it. You don't have to go hostel now because of me. Anyways you both should spend some time together. You don't have to cut short your plan because of me" she said.

"Are you nuts? We won't let you go alone when we are the ones who dragged you here." Kriti said to Siya.

She then turned to me and said " that I think we should for hostel now. "

Agreeing with her words, we reached their hostel and I saw Siya immediately going to her room. Probably because she wanted to talk to her mother.

With a final goodbye to Kriti and giving a lot of instructions to her to take care and call me whenever she wants, I went to my hotel as I have an early morning flight to catch tomorrow but not before kissing her forehead.

She's my baby sister and I love her.

I hope Siya and Kriti will be able to adjust to each other and there won't be any problems between them as they both are very new to this college environment.

Siya's POV

I felt so ashamed when Mohit snatched my phone and heard my mother's words.

I couldn't look into their eyes but understanding my situation they also agreed to come back to the hostel with me.

As soon as we reached our hostel I rushed to our room to call my mother and inform her that I'd reached the hostel and after listening to another set of instructions I disconnected the call.

After about half an hour I heard the door opening and saw Kriti coming in.

I was at a loss for words and was contemplating how to initiate a conversation with her when she said "did you talk to aunty".

I nodded my head.

"I am sorry Siya because of me you got scolded by aunty. Believe me, if I would've known that you would get scolded because of me, I would've never asked you to come with us" Kriti said looking at me.

I was shocked and was at a loss for words because I knew it wasn't her fault at all, then why was she apologizing to me?

"No please Kriti we both know that it wasn't your fault. Please don't embarrass me more than I already am. Can we forget this day and start afresh. I don't want to lose an opportunity to befriend a cool and nice person like you just because of today's events."

I saw her relaxing and a genuine smile coming on her lips.

Extending her hands towards me she said" Hi I am Kriti"

Taking her hands in mine I said " Hi I am Siya".

We then arranged our beds together and slept together and talked the whole night like we were long-lost friends.

I got to know a lot of things about her like her favorite movie, actors, sports, and I can conclude that she indeed is a very bubbly and genuine person.

I just hope that our friendship remains unaffected because of my mother's harsh words as only because of her I could never have a good friend all my life.

I was finally getting a new friend and she seems like a good girl. I don't want her to stop talking to me because of today's events, hence I asked her to start afresh.

But I don't think my mother is at fault. She always thinks about what is good for me and always acts accordingly. She can never think anything bad about me.

I know she's a little overprotective and harsh but she'll always think what's good for me and I shouldn't doubt her intentions, after all, any mother could never think bad about their child.

Tomorrow will be a new day for me. A new beginning.

With this thought, I closed my eyes, and sleep engulfed me.

A/N

Hi dear readers. I am a new writer and love reading a lot.

As you must've read in the description that this is a romantic story.

In this part, I've only introduced the female protagonist. The male protagonist is yet to be introduced which will probably be in the next chapter.

I've only shown a glimpse of Siya's insecurity and approach towards her life to give a character sketch of her personality.

As the story progresses, you all will come to know about her.

As for Akash, well you'll get to know about him in the next chapter.

Also please let me know if you want me to continue this story or not.

But before that can you please give me votes and comments and also suggestions to let me know if you feel any area where I need to improve.

All your suggestions are wholeheartedly welcome.

Also, please follow me on Wattpad and Instagram for sneak peeks and updates. Readers following me on insta already know that I post a sneak peek of my updates on it one day before my updating schedule.

To check it out, follow my insta ID-magnificent_shobhana.

Thank you for your time today.

Till next time

Tadas