Aisha Sharma had imagined this moment countless times stepping into a prestigious medical college, surrounded by students who shared her passion for healing. But nothing could have prepared her for the overwhelming reality of Royal City Medical College.
The campus was massive, unlike anything she had ever seen. Tall buildings, lush green gardens, and well-dressed students rushing between lectures made her feel like an outsider. She clutched the strap of her simple jute bag tightly, trying to suppress the fear creeping up her spine.
"Mujhe yahan adjust karna hi hoga," she whispered to herself.
("I have to adjust here, no matter what.")
She had fought too hard to let her insecurities win now.
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The moment she entered her hostel, she realized how different her life was from the other students. While most of them were from wealthy, well-educated families, Aisha had come from a world where even stepping out of the house without permission was a battle.
Her roommate, Priya Mehta, was the exact opposite of her bubbly, confident, and completely at ease in this new environment.
"Hi! You must be Aisha," Priya said with a bright smile. "Maine suna hai tumne bina coaching ke itna accha rank nikala? That's amazing!"
("I heard you cleared the exam with such a great rank without coaching? That's amazing!")
Aisha nodded shyly. "Haan, bas mehnat ki thi."
("Yes, I just worked hard.")
Priya flopped onto her bed. "By the way, this is your first time in the city, right? How does it feel?"
Aisha hesitated before answering. "Uh... It is... different," she said slowly, carefully choosing her words. "Sab kuch... new hai."
("Everything is... new.")
Priya tilted her head. "Tum comfortable ho English mein?"
("Are you comfortable in English?")
Aisha bit her lip. "Samajh aata hai, par bolna thoda mushkil lagta hai," she admitted.
("I understand it, but speaking is a little difficult.")
Priya gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, yahan sab improve ho jaata hai."
("Don't worry, you'll improve here.")
Aisha felt a small wave of relief. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.
But the relief didn't last long.
The next morning, Aisha woke up early, dressed in a simple salwar kameez, tied her hair into a neat braid, and adjusted her old, thick-framed glasses. She had never been concerned about fashion her world had revolved around books and studies.
As she entered the college campus, a group of senior students stood near the entrance, their eyes immediately catching sight of her.
"Arre dekh, ek aur bechari aunty type ladki aa gayi!" one of them whispered loudly.
("Look, another poor, aunty-type girl has arrived!")
Another girl laughed, nudging her friend. "Yeh doctor banne aayi hai ya kisi shaadi ka catering sambhalne?"
("Is she here to become a doctor or manage wedding catering?")
Aisha's heart pounded, but she kept walking, pretending not to hear them.
As she reached the corridor leading to her classroom, a tall boy blocked her way. He smirked, pointing at her glasses. "Yeh kya hai? Yeh specs kitne kilos ke hain, madam? Lagta hai pura medical syllabus likha hai inke lenses pe!"
("What is this? How many kilos do your glasses weigh, madam? Looks like the entire medical syllabus is written on these lenses!")
Laughter erupted around her.
Aisha's face burned with humiliation, but she didn't react. She had learned long ago that silence was often the best response to people who wanted to see her break.
Then, one of the girls, Sonal, suddenly said, "Madam, English bolo na! Tell... about... yourself!" she mocked, speaking in a broken accent to make fun of her.
Aisha clenched her fists. She knew English, but speaking it fluently in front of so many people made her nervous. She took a deep breath. "My... My name Aisha Sharma... I am... from..." She hesitated, struggling to find the right words.
Sonal smirked. "Awww, kitni cute English hai!" she teased, making the group laugh louder.
("Awww, such cute English!")
Aisha wished she could disappear.
Priya was standing nearby, watching everything. But she neither interfered nor joined in just quietly observed.
Aisha quickly stepped past them, ignoring their taunts. She didn't have time for these childish games. She had a goal, and she wasn't going to let a few spoiled, privileged kids distract her from it.
As she entered the lecture hall, Priya followed her inside and sat beside her.
"Sorry," Priya said hesitantly. "Mujhe pata tha woh mazaak udaayenge, par main kuch bol nahi sakti thi."
("I knew they would make fun of you, but I couldn't say anything.")
Aisha shook her head. "Koi baat nahi. Mujhe aadat hai."
("It's okay. I'm used to it.")
Priya didn't respond. Instead, she simply pulled out her notebook and focused on the class.
Meanwhile, in a Different World...
At Royal City Hospital, Dr. Aryan Rajput stood in his office, staring at the medical reports in front of him.
His assistant, Raghav, hesitated before speaking. "Sir, I also wanted to remind you... about the seminar at Royal City Medical College tomorrow."
Aryan sighed. He had completely forgotten about it. "Uff, yeh bhi ek kaam reh gaya..."
("Ugh, one more task left...")
"Sir, agar aap mana karna chahte hain toh abhi bhi time hai," Raghav suggested.
("Sir, if you want to decline, there's still time.")
Aryan leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "Nahi, Maa ka kehna hai toh jaana hi padega."
("No, if Maa insists, I have to go.")
His mother, Dr. Meera Rajput, had made it clear that he couldn't keep avoiding the world outside the hospital.
With a resigned sigh, he nodded. "Fine. Confirm it. I'll go."
That night, Aisha sat on her bed, exhausted but determined.
As she flipped through her books, Priya finally spoke. "Waise, kal ek special guest aa raha hai college mein," she said casually.
("By the way, a special guest is coming to the college tomorrow.")
Aisha looked up. "Kaun?"
("Who?")
"Dr. Aryan Rajput!" Priya said excitedly. "Tum jaanti ho na unko?"
("You know him, right?")
Aisha frowned. "Naam suna hai..."
("I've heard his name...")
Priya rolled her eyes. "He's one of the best surgeons in the country. Smart, young, aur thoda arrogant bhi."
("Smart, young, and a little arrogant too.")
Aisha simply nodded. She didn't care much for fame. Her focus was only on one thing becoming a doctor.
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