July 30, 2022, midnight. The train sped through the quiet countryside as Avni sat near the window, clutching her backpack tightly. Her father sat beside her, silently gazing out.
"Just a couple of hours to go," she whispered, reminding herself as the train pushed her toward a new city, a new life.
By the early hours of August 1, Avni reached the bustling city. Her father helped her freshen up at a nearby rest stop. The exhaustion of the overnight journey didn't deter her excitement—or her nervousness. After a quick breakfast, she waved down a rickshaw and gave the office address.
"Straight to work," she said with a mix of determination and uncertainty.
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Avni's First Day
The towering office building loomed ahead as Avni stepped out of the rickshaw. She took a deep breath, gripping her bag. Outside the entrance, she spotted a girl about her age, equally anxious.
"Hi, first day?" Avni asked hesitantly.
"Yeah," the girl replied with a smile. "I'm Priya."
"Avni," she introduced herself, feeling slightly at ease.
The two entered the office together. The next few hours were a whirlwind of documentation, introductions, and exploring the new workspace. Initially, Avni felt out of place, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment.
But soon, the friendly nature of her colleagues helped her relax. By lunchtime, she had bonded with a group of freshers. They chatted, laughed, and even suggested taking a group picture.
"Let's take one for Instagram," someone said.
"Why not?" Avni joined in, her earlier nervousness fading away.
Later, she uploaded the pictures on Instagram and Snapchat with the caption, First day at work! New beginnings.
She smiled to herself. The morning had started with hesitation, but by the afternoon, she felt a sense of belonging.
After the day ended, she came downstairs to find her father talking to a man.
"Papa?" she called, approaching him.
"Avni, this is Rahul's father," her father introduced. "Rahul joined today too."
"Nice to meet you," Avni said politely.
"I was just telling your father about a nearby place she could stay," Rahul's father added.
Grateful for the suggestion, Avni and her father followed the directions to check the place.
When they arrived, Avni immediately felt uneasy. The building looked shady, and the atmosphere felt off. Inside, a receptionist greeted them with an overly eager smile, and the manager began discussing room options.
"Papa," Avni said softly, her voice cautious. "Come outside with me for a moment."
Her father gave her a puzzled look but followed her out.
"Papa, this place feels wrong," she whispered. "I've heard about places like this being used for illegal activities. I'm not comfortable here."
Her father frowned, looking back at the building. "Are you sure, beta?"
"Yes, Papa. Let's go," she urged.
Understanding her discomfort and prioritizing her safety, her father nodded. Together, they left the place.
As they stood at a nearby shop, waiting for the rain that had suddenly started pouring, Avni's phone buzzed.
"Niharika?" she answered, surprised.
"Avni! I heard you're in the city! Where are you staying?"
"Nowhere yet. We're still searching," Avni admitted.
"Forget searching! Come stay with me—I've already rented a place," Niharika said excitedly.
Relieved, Avni shared the news with her father, and they made their way to Niharika's home once the rain subsided. That night, as Avni settled into Niharika's cozy apartment, she finally felt safe and happy.
---
Sid's First Day
Two days earlier, Sid had arrived in the city with his brother, Raj. The bustling streets and unfamiliar language overwhelmed him. An introvert by nature, Sid struggled to adjust to the noisy, fast-paced environment.
"Don't overthink," Raj advised as they entered their small apartment. "The first step is always the hardest."
Sid nodded, but the thought of navigating this new world alone filled him with anxiety.
On August 1, as he stood outside the office building, Sid took a deep breath. "Just focus on work," he told himself.
Inside the office, Sid's quiet demeanor stood in contrast to the lively buzz around him. He introduced himself when necessary but kept mostly to himself. During lunch, he overheard a group of colleagues speaking in his native language.
"Hey, you're from our place, aren't you?" one of them asked.
Sid nodded. "Yeah. Just moved here a couple of days ago."
The group immediately welcomed him, chatting about their shared hometown and experiences. By the end of lunch, they were already sharing jokes and laughing.
"Stick with us," one of them said. "We'll make this city feel like home."
By the end of the day, Sid had formed a close bond with the group. They decided to explore the city together, trying local street food and walking through its vibrant streets. For the first time since arriving, Sid felt a sense of belonging.
---
As the sun set on their first day, Avni and Sid were beginning to find their footing in the new city. Though their paths hadn't crossed yet, the city had already started weaving their stories together.