8th July 2020.
It was the most awaited day for the entire university, "the Freshers day" where professors look for new and promising students and seniors, especially the boys keep their eyes on new potential girlfriends.
When everyone was having the time of their lives, Niel was sitting in an empty classroom sulking about his loss yesterday. The criminology department every year conducts an online "catch the thief" game to test the student's intelligence level. This game is conducted in classrooms among the new students and the seniors. Last year when Neil himself was a freshee, he won the game in the least possible time creating a record. But this year, someone just beat him by answering faster than him and took his spot. He didn't know who it was, but he was upset enough to hold a grudge against that person. He kept on thinking about that unknown rival he has now.
"Are you done being a baby?" a voice from behind interrupted his thoughts. When he turned, he saw Latika standing near the door. She wore a green saree and put tons of makeup which made him cringe. He didn't especially like her but she was good enough to care for him. He knows about her crush on him, so that makes him uncomfortable enough to stay near her.
Neil sighed and turned away from her and continued fidgeting with his Rubik's cube. A habit of his when he is upset or angry.
"Come on dude. You've been like sitting there for hours now" she steps closer to him and holds his arms. He jerks away.
"piss off Latika! I'm in no mood to listen to your blabbering." He continues to fidget with his toy. She takes a deep breath "okay. Suit yourself, while the new comer steals your spotlight." A smirk fills her face.
Niel glares at her. He knows she is trying to mess with him but given his curious nature, he couldn't help but ask "what do you mean?"
Latika brushes her hair and tucks the strands behind her ears. "the Orientation ceremony will begin now. And the one who beat you will also be there. You don't want to know who it is?"
That stupid smirk on her face was getting on Neil's nerves. But now that she mentioned that his rival will be there in the ceremony, he couldn't hide his urge to know who it is. After a few seconds of messing with the cube, he threw it on the ground and rushed towards the ceremony hall.