02

CHAPTER 1

Hello my lovely readers! 💕

Chapter 1 of LOVE PROPOSAL is finally here!🥹

Please read, enjoy, and don’t forget to vote and leave your comments. Your feedback means the world to me and keeps me motivated to write more! 🫶✨

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Sunlight filtered softly through the half-open window, falling in thin, golden streams across the room. The gentle morning breeze swayed the curtains, making them dance lightly over the edges of the polished dressing table.

Heer Avasthi stood in front of it, completely absorbed in the rhythmic motion of blending sunscreen on her face. Earbuds snug in her ears, a soft hum escaped her lips, a tune she had hummed countless times before but which now felt unusually comforting.

It was a typical morning, yet different. Today marked the beginning of something new  her first day of college. And, despite the excitement bubbling in her chest, she felt a twinge of nervousness, fluttering like restless butterflies.

A sudden, loud knock on the door made her start slightly, the tune in her head cut short.

“Didi!”

“DIDIII!”

Tanya, her younger sister, barged in without waiting for a response, yanking the earbuds from Heer’s ears.

“What happened?” Heer asked, hands resting on her waist, a trace of annoyance flickering across her face.

“Mumma’s been calling you for breakfast!” Tanya said, swinging her school bag over her shoulder with dramatic flair. She was in the twelfth grade, alongside her twin brother, Kiaan, who, Heer knew, would follow her footsteps out of sheer curiosity soon enough.

“Yeah, I’m coming… just five minutes,” Heer replied quickly, applying a tinted lip balm and tucking it into her bag.

“Come quickly! Next time, Mumma’s flying slipper might arrive,” Tanya said, smirking, her tone teasing yet filled with love.

“I’m coming, baba! You go from here,” Heer said with a laugh, slipping into her shoes.

“I won’t. This is my room too,” Tanya retorted stubbornly.

“Then sleep here forever. I’m going,” Heer replied, tying her hair into a neat ponytail and walking out.

The one-storey Avasthi house was small but overflowing with warmth. Three bedrooms, one kitchen, one living room enough for Heer, her mother Mamta Avasthi, and the twins. Their father had passed away years ago, leaving Mamta to balance the roles of both parents with quiet resilience and endless patience.

Heer entered the kitchen to find her mother flipping parathas. The faint aroma of fresh aloo sabzi and warm flatbreads filled the room.

“Heer, betu, cut this fruit. Breakfast’s ready. Tanya and Kiaan’s tiffin is packed; give it to them, okay? I’m leaving for school,” Mamta said without looking up, already in motion like a well-oiled machine.

Heer stepped behind her mother, wrapping her arms around her from behind. “Mumma, why do you worry so much? Take a chill pill for once,” she whispered, inhaling the comforting scent of her mother’s shampoo.

Mamta chuckled softly. “If I relax, who will handle you three?”

“I guess… me,” Heer replied with a grin, pressing a quick peck to her mother’s cheek.

Tanya, ever dramatic, interjected. “I’m the adopted one, right? I knew it!”

Before Heer could respond, Kiaan smacked Tanya lightly on the head. “I always tell you Mumma picked you from the gutter, but you never believe me!”

“Mumma! He’s annoying me!” Tanya exclaimed, pulling at Kiaan’s tie.

“Don’t bother her!” Heer said, trying to mediate, though secretly amused.

Their mother shook her head with a fond smile. “Enough, you two. Eat quickly, go to school, and Heer, don’t forget your first day of college!”

A chorus of “Hanjii, Mumma!” followed, and laughter filled the room.

Breakfast over, the twins left, their laughter echoing down the street. Heer packed her bag, checked her reflection one last time, and stepped out. Her scooty hummed to life as the wind brushed her hair, tugging at the nervous excitement in her chest.

Her phone rang just as she adjusted her helmet.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Hello! Heeriyee, are you ready????” It was her best friend, Aditi Shah, brimming with energy through the phone.

“I’m almost there! First day of College. Can’t believe it,” Heer laughed, gripping the handlebar a little tighter.

“Yesss! Let’s gooo,” Aditi teased.

“Ha-ha. I’m on my way.”

Heer drove with steady focus, the familiar roads of her city slowly giving way to the sprawling campus gates of her college. She had seen the building in pictures countless times, yet the reality was different taller, wider, alive with movement, sunlight bouncing off glass windows, students streaming through the gates in clusters, laughter echoing.

Parking her scooty, she spotted Aditi waving frantically. The moment felt surreal. A mixture of nerves, excitement, and anticipation churned inside her chest.

“Brooo, we’re actually here!” Aditi squealed.

“Feels unreal” Heer replied, smiling.

Together, they stepped into the college, their footsteps echoing across the tiled corridors. The familiar scent of chalk, fresh paint, and polished floors enveloped Heer, making her heart beat faster. Each glance at a passing senior, each flicker of sunlight through a window, made her feel both small and infinitely hopeful.

They reached their classroom after asking directions twice. Students were chatting quietly, some nervously adjusting bags, others trying to make a good first impression. Heer felt a sudden rush of anticipation. This was new, intimidating, yet exhilarating.

The professor entered tall, sharp, yet approachable. “Good morning, everyone. Welcome to your first year of engineering. Today, we’ll begin with the basics of computer systems and logic design. Take notes, but also absorb the world around you. This year is not just about engineering; it’s about growth.”

Heer’s pen hovered over her notebook. She absorbed the lecture, but her mind wandered occasionally, noting the flickering sunlight, the scratch of pens, the nervous smiles of her classmates, and the soft hum of voices around her.

By noon, hunger gnawed at her. “Let’s head to the cafeteria,” Aditi said, stretching.

The cafeteria buzzed with life clattering trays, laughter, students chatting animatedly. Heer and Aditi claimed a table near the window.

“Finally, food,” Aditi sighed, grabbing her sandwich.

Heer smiled, taking a sip of juice. “It’s nothing like I imagined… but it feels… alive. Exciting.”

“Yes! And also terrifying,” Aditi laughed.

As they ate, a sudden commotion drew their attention. Near the entrance, a spilled tray had caused a minor scuffle. Voices rose, trays clattered, and students gathered.

Then, a tall, composed figure stepped forward. Calm. Confident. Nirvigh Mehra. He didn’t shout, didn’t push, didn’t panic. He merely assessed, moved with precision, and helped steady the situation. Within seconds, tension eased, and the group dispersed. His presence commanded attention without demanding it.

Heer and Aditi exchanged a glance.

“He handled that really well,” Aditi whispered.

“Yeah,” Heer replied simply, returning to her food. The incident faded as quickly as it had begun.

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The rest of the day passed in a blur of introductions, lectures, and campus exploration. Heer found herself settling into the rhythm of college life faster than she had expected. There was laughter, a bit of confusion, and that strange thrill of being somewhere completely new yet strangely familiar.

By late afternoon, classes ended. Students spilled out of the building, chatting and making plans for the next day. Heer and Aditi walked together, their voices blending with the hum of others around them.

“Today wasn’t as scary as I thought,” Heer said, smiling.

“Told you!” Aditi said proudly. “You’ll fit right in. Just wait next week we’ll start actual lab sessions.”

Heer groaned dramatically. “That sounds terrifying already.”

Both laughed, parting at the gate with promises to meet early the next morning. Heer made her way to the parking lot, her bag heavier but her heart lighter.

The evening sun cast long shadows on the ground as she approached her scooty. Rows of shiny vehicles lined the area, a few seniors still standing nearby talking and laughing. Heer inserted her key, carefully maneuvering her scooty out of the tight space.

Her heart skipped a beat as the mirror nudged the edge of a Royal Enfield beside hers. A sharp scrape echoed through the lot, and she froze.

“Oh no… oh no…” she whispered, panicking. She leaned down to check the faint scratch along the glossy black tank.

Before she could think of an excuse, a deep, annoyed voice cut through the air.

“Hey! Stop!”

Heer looked up and froze. Standing before her was Nirvigh Mehra. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a build that looked strong yet effortless. His dark hair was slightly windswept from the ride, falling just enough over his forehead to frame his sharp, angular face. Those piercing eyes, dark and observant, locked onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach flutter nervously. His jawline was firm, set with a hint of annoyance, and his lips pressed into a straight line.

He wore a simple black t-shirt beneath a dark jacket, casual yet commanding, the kind of outfit that made even the sun’s glare seem to dim slightly in his presence. One hand rested lightly on the bike, the other on his hip, and the confidence in his posture radiated without a word.

“I-I’m so sorry!” Heer stammered, cheeks flaming. “I didn’t mean to! The space was really tight a..an”

“Really tight? That’s your excuse?” His tone was sharp but controlled, eyes flicking down briefly at the scratch before meeting hers again. His gaze made her feel suddenly exposed, like she’d just walked into a storm she couldn’t escape.

“I-I’ll get it fixed! I swear!” she blurted, almost tripping over her words.

He shook his head, the corner of his mouth twitching with irritation, a faint scowl forming. “Just… be careful next time. Don’t let this happen again.”

Without waiting for a reply, he swung onto the Royal Enfield, the engine rumbling deeply, and rode off. Heer stood frozen for a long moment, her hands trembling on the scooty handles, eyes following him as the dust settled behind him.

She exhaled shakily. “First day… and I’ve already showed my clumsiness” she muttered to herself, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.

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Thank you so much for reading❤️

So, Heer’s first day is done… full of fun, chaos, and a tiny accident with Nirvigh’s bike🥲

Please vote and leave your t

houghts. I’d love to know what you all think and which parts you enjoyed the mosttt.🌸

Stay tuned for Chapter 2, where things get even more interesting.❤️🫶

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Autumn whisk

I write to touch souls I’ve never met🍂