chapter 1

Mumbai never slept.

The city breathed in luxury, power, and danger.

At the center of it all stood St. Orion International University, a college where politicians' children, business heirs, celebrities, and mafia families studied together.

And everyone knew one name.

Disha Roy.

A girl whose mere footsteps could silence an entire hallway.

She belonged to one of India's richest business families from Kolkata. Money wasn't her identity.

Power was.

She wore an oversized black blazer over a white shirt, the top buttons carelessly open, black trousers, expensive boots, and silver rings decorating her fingers.

Cold eyes.

Expressionless face.

An intimidating aura that screamed—

"Stay away."

No one dared to look at her for more than a few seconds.

Because everyone knew...

If Disha hated someone...

That person's college life was over.

But there were only three people she could never ignore.

Her family wasn't her home.

They were.

KTJ

Loud.

Overprotective.

Possessive.

Got angry faster than lightning.

A complete drama queen.

Always creating chaos.

If someone even looked at Disha the wrong way—

KTJ would be ready to start World War III.

Somi

The oldest among the four.

Calm.

Kind.

Patient.

Always buried in books.

The only one capable of calming KTJ and Disha during arguments.

The brain of the group.

Star

Quiet.

Cold.

Savage.

Her words could destroy someone's confidence in two sentences.

She rarely smiled.

But when it came to spoiling her three best friends...

Money didn't matter.

If Disha wanted something—

Star would already have bought it.

And among them...

Disha was the youngest.

The baby everyone secretly spoiled.

Though she'd rather die than admit it.

Morning.

A black Rolls-Royce stopped in front of the university.

Students immediately started whispering.

"She's here..."

"Disha..."

"Oh no..."

The bodyguards opened the car door.

Disha stepped out.

Behind her—

Another luxury SUV stopped.

KTJ jumped out dramatically.

"DISHAAAAAA!"

She literally ran across the parking lot before wrapping Disha in a crushing hug.

"I MISSED YOU!"

Disha looked annoyed.

"...We met yesterday."

"So?"

"I missed you."

Star walked over while drinking iced coffee.

"You saw her twelve hours ago."

KTJ gasped dramatically.

"Twelve hours is a lifetime."

Star deadpanned.

"Go see a doctor."

Somi arrived carrying three books and sighed.

"You two started already?"

"She bullied me!" KTJ complained instantly.

"I said one sentence."

"Exactly! Emotional damage!"

Even Disha's lips twitched for a second.

Only these three could bring that tiny reaction from her.

Meanwhile...

At Mumbai Airport...

A girl stepped outside with two suitcases.

Long black hair.

Warm brown eyes.

A gentle smile.

Simple white kurti with blue jeans.

No luxury brands.

No arrogance.

No guards.

Just simplicity.

Maya Nair.

Originally from South India.

After her father's business shifted to Mumbai...

She had transferred into St. Orion International University.

She looked around nervously.

"So... this is Mumbai."

A voice shouted from behind.

"MAYAAAAAA!"

She turned.

A whirlwind crashed into her.

KTJ.

"Cousin!"

"You've grown taller!"

"You still hug too tightly..."

KTJ laughed loudly.

"I missed you!"

Maya smiled softly.

"I missed you too."

Inside the car...

KTJ kept talking nonstop.

"You'll love my friends."

"They're weird."

"Especially Disha."

Maya tilted her head.

"Weird?"

KTJ grinned.

"She's scary."

"...Very scary."

"But she's my baby."

"If anyone hurts her..."

KTJ cracked her knuckles dramatically.

"I'll bury them."

Maya laughed.

"You've never changed."

Back at college...

Disha suddenly stopped walking.

Star noticed.

"What?"

"..."

Disha looked toward the entrance.

For a brief second...

Her eyes landed on a girl standing beside KTJ.

A stranger.

Simple.

Smiling.

Soft.

Completely opposite to everything Disha was.

Their eyes met for barely a second.

Then Disha looked away as if nothing had happened.

"...Who's that?"

KTJ smiled proudly.

"My cousin."

"Maya."

"She'll study here from today."

Disha gave one indifferent glance.

"Okay."

And walked away.

Maya watched Disha's disappearing figure.

"She... looks lonely."

KTJ blinked.

"Lonely?"

"You'll change your opinion after knowing her."

Star quietly looked at Disha's back.

For some reason...

She had a strange feeling.

Something was about to change.

Something dangerous.

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