The last days of November were passing by, the heat was slowly bidding farewell, and the cold was making its way in. A faint mist had started to settle.
Sirin woke up reluctantly to the sound of the alarm and glanced outside the window. Down on the street, people had already begun their morning routines—some warming their hands at a tea stall, others hurriedly looking for an auto.
Seeing all this, Sirin felt even less inclined to go to college, but then he reminded himself that he had come all the way from Rajasthan for his studies. This solitude, away from his large family, was for the sake of his education.
Sirin was in his third year at a college in Delhi University, pursuing his favorite subject, English literature. The library was his favorite place, and because of his "bookworm" nickname, he had few friends.
However, for the past few days, he hadn't been able to focus on any of it. This morning felt no different, but he had to go. He quickly grabbed his book and set off for college. As soon as he stepped outside, he realized that winter had fully arrived, and he wrapped his scarf tightly around him.
Reaching the metro station, he swiftly entered and boarded the train as soon as it arrived.
As soon as he reached college, his friends, who had been waiting by the gate, approached him.
"I'll catch up with you later," he said, walking straight towards his class. Sitting in his usual corner seat, he pulled out his books and immersed himself in them.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the class, and he realized it was someone's first day—a newcomer. He buried his head back into the book.