chapter 3 - A NEW DAY

Chapter 3 – A New Day

After studying for a while, Rail finally fell asleep.

Little did she know that this was only the beginning of her story with Archer Kingsley.

The Next Morning

Tivya: Rail, wake up! It's time for college. You'll be late. Hurry up!

Rail: Yes, Mom. I'm coming!

Rail walked into the living room.

Rail: Mom, who are you talking to?

Tivya smiled.

Tivya: It's your Nani from India.

Rail's face lit up.

Rail: Oh! Nani! Hello, Nani. How are you?

Nani: I'm fine, beta. How are you?

Tivya: She's asking how you are.

Rail laughed.

Rail: I'm doing great, Nani.

Nani: And how is everything in Canada?

Tivya translated again.

Tivya: She's asking how things are in Canada.

Rail: Everything is good, Nani.

Tivya: That's good, Maa.

Rail: Bye, Nani. I'll talk to you later.

Nani: Bye, beta. Take care.

After Some Time

Rail reached the bus stop and looked around.

Rail: What the hell? There's no bus for college today!

Just then, she heard a familiar voice.

Zara: Hi, Rail!

Rail turned around and smiled.

Rail: Zara!

Zara: Come on, let's go to college together.

Rail sighed with relief.

Rail: Oh, thank God you're here. Otherwise, I would've been late for college.

Zara smiled proudly.

Zara: Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm your savior.

Rail laughed.

Rail: Yes, you are.

A few minutes later, they arrived at AMC College.

As they walked through the campus, a boy waved at Zara.

Sam: Hey, Zara!

Zara: Hey, Sam. What's up?

Sam: Nothing much. Who's she?

Zara smiled.

Zara: Oh, she's the new student—Rail Mencher.

Rail smiled politely.

Rail: Hello.

Sam looked at Rail for a moment.

Sam: Wow... you're really beautiful.

Rail smiled shyly.

Rail: Thank you.

Zara stepped between them with a teasing smile.

Zara: Excuse me! Don't get any ideas. She isn't interested in you.

Sam chuckled.

Sam: Really? Is that true, Rail?

Rail simply smiled without answering.

The three of them laughed as they walked toward their classroom.

In the Classroom

The professor was teaching Business Management.

Rail was completely lost in her own thoughts.

How can someone be so handsome? I really like that guy. I hope I get to meet him again. Everything about him was so attractive...

Professor: Rail Mencher!

The professor shouted her name.

Rail: Y-Yes, sir!

Professor: Where were you? Traveling in your thoughts?

Rail: No... nowhere, sir.

Professor: Then tell me, what am I teaching?

Zara whispered softly,

Zara: Principles...

Rail: Principles...

Professor looked at Zara.

Professor: Zara!

Everyone in the college knew that Zara was Archer Kingsley's daughter. Because of her father's influence and power, everyone respected—and even feared—her.

Professor: Nothing.

He turned back to Rail.

Professor: Rail, go outside the classroom.

Zara: Sir, it's her first time. Please let her off with a warning.

Professor thought for a moment.

Professor: Hmm... I'm letting you go this time, Rail. But this is the first and last warning.

Rail: Yes, sir. I'm sorry.

The professor continued with the lecture.

Zara leaned toward Rail.

Zara: Where were you lost, sweetheart?

Rail smiled awkwardly.

Rail: Nowhere.

I can't tell Zara the truth. What will she think of me? Rail thought.

Four Months Later

College was over.

Zara: Rail, come with me. I'll drop you home.

Rail: No, Zara. You go ahead. I'll manage.

Deep inside, Rail was hoping to see Archer again.

But the days passed...

One week became one month.

One month became four months.

Rail never saw Archer Kingsley again.

While sitting on the bus on her way to college one morning, she looked out of the window.

Maybe that meeting was the last time I'll ever see him.

Summer Break Announcement

Inside the classroom, the professor made an announcement.

Professor: Students, your summer break begins next week. The college is organizing a trip to New York. Those who are interested can give me their names after class.

Zara jumped excitedly.

Zara: Yesss! Rail, let's go! We're going to have so much fun there!

Rail lowered her head.

Rail: Zara... I can't.

Zara: Sweetheart, don't worry about the money. My father earns more than enough.

Rail: Still, Zara... it doesn't feel right to keep taking your money.

Zara smiled warmly.

Zara: Ms. Rail, you're like my little sister. And big sisters always help their little sisters.

Rail smiled.

Rail: Thank you.

Zara: Now come on! We need to go shopping. The trip is almost here, and I need new clothes.

Rail laughed.

After College

Sam: Zara, where are you going?

Zara: Shut up, Sam, and come with us.

Sam laughed.

Sam: Fine.

As they walked through the mall, Rail stopped in front of a clothing store.

Rail: Zara, look! Those clothes are so beautiful.

Zara: You're right. Let's go inside.

After shopping, Zara dropped Rail a little distance away from her house, just like always.

At Home

Rail entered the house.

Rail: Oh... Aunty, you're here.

It was their neighbor, Suman.

Suman smiled sarcastically.

Suman: Oh, look who's here. Our princess has arrived! You're becoming such a big girl—coming home in expensive cars and wearing expensive clothes.

Rail lowered her head and stayed silent.

Tivya: Leave it, Suman. She's just enjoying college life. Besides, she's with her friend Zara. She's a good girl.

Suman: Hmm... I hope so.

Rail quietly went to her room.

That's exactly why I told Zara not to drop me near the house.

Dinner Time

Rail: Mom... our college is organizing a trip to New York. Can I go too?

Tivya: How much does it cost?

Rail: Zara already paid for me.

Tivya looked at her seriously.

Tivya: Rail, this isn't right. You can't keep using Zara's money all the time.

Rail: I refused, Mom... but she insisted.

Tivya sighed.

Tivya: Fine. But don't make it a habit.

Rail smiled.

Rail: I won't, Mom.

Tivya: When is the trip?

Rail: In two days.

Tivya: Alright. Be careful.

After dinner, Rail went back to her room.

Within a few minutes, she fell asleep, completely unaware that the upcoming trip to New York was about to change her life once again.

To Be Continued...

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