Bound by Destiny

Unexpected Visitors

The break between semesters at NLS was short but much-needed. The campus, usually bustling with activity, had grown quieter as many students took the opportunity to go home and recharge before the next academic whirlwind began. Amaan and Tanvi, however, had chosen to stay back. They had fallen into a comfortable routine—exploring the city, catching up on reading, and enjoying the rare moments of peace.

It was during one of these quiet afternoons that the unexpected happened.

Amaan was in his room, sprawled on his bed with a book in hand. The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the pages as he lost himself in the narrative. He was halfway through the chapter when his phone buzzed with a message. It was from Tanvi.

**Tanvi:** *Hey, can you come to the common room?*

Amaan frowned slightly at the suddenness of the request but didn’t think much of it. He bookmarked his page and slid off the bed, grabbing his phone as he made his way to the common room. The halls were mostly empty, the quiet punctuated by the occasional sound of distant conversation or a door closing.

When Amaan reached the common room, he found Tanvi standing by the window, her back to the door. She seemed tense, her shoulders slightly hunched as she stared out at the campus. Amaan’s frown deepened as he approached her.

“Tanvi?” he called out softly.

She turned at the sound of his voice, and Amaan immediately noticed the worry in her eyes. “Amaan…my parents are here.”

The words hit him like a sudden gust of wind. “Your parents?” he echoed, his mind racing. “Here? At the campus?”

Tanvi nodded, looking uneasy. “Yes. They called me a few minutes ago. They said they’re in the city and want to meet me.”

Amaan’s thoughts whirled. He knew that Tanvi’s parents had always been overprotective, especially when it came to her being away from home. But for them to show up unannounced at the campus was something else entirely. “Did they say why they’re here?”

Tanvi shook her head, her brow furrowed in confusion. “No, but they didn’t sound angry or anything. Just…insistent.”

Amaan’s mind quickly switched to problem-solving mode. “Okay, first things first—where are they now?”

“They’re waiting outside the main gate,” Tanvi replied, her voice steady despite her clear discomfort. “I didn’t know what to do, so I called you.”

Amaan appreciated the trust she placed in him. “Alright. We’ll go meet them together. Just remember, whatever happens, you’re not alone in this.”

Tanvi gave him a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Amaan. I’m just nervous about what they might say.”

“We’ll handle it,” he reassured her. “Let’s go.”

They made their way to the main gate, the tension between them palpable. Amaan couldn’t help but feel a mixture of concern and protectiveness. He knew how much Tanvi valued her independence and how her parents’ unexpected visit might make her feel cornered.

As they approached the gate, Amaan spotted Tanvi’s parents standing near their car, looking around as if trying to get a sense of the place. Tanvi’s father, Mr. Sharma, was a tall man with a commanding presence, his face set in an unreadable expression. Mrs. Sharma stood beside him, her eyes scanning the area until they landed on Tanvi.

“Tanvi!” Mrs. Sharma called out, her voice filled with relief as she waved at her daughter.

Tanvi took a deep breath and stepped forward, Amaan following closely behind. “Mom, Dad—what are you doing here?”