Author's POV

Noor stands in a lush park, a handsome young man kneels before her, holding a sparkling ring.

"Noor, will you be mine?" He asked softly.

"Yes! Oh my God, yes!" She giggled nodding her head.

They lean in for a kiss, the world around them fading away..."Noooorrrrr"

Noor jolts awake, her heart racing, the dream dissipating like morning mist as she heard her name.

"Noor! Wake up! You’re going to be late!" Here comes her loving mom, Mrs. Anika Raj Sharma shouting at her.

"What?! Wait, what?" Noor said panting

She glances at the clock. 8:30 AM. Her eyes widen in panic.

"I’m up, I’m up!" She shouts back to respond her mother.

Noor leaps out of bed, hair a wild tangle. She got freshen up. She fumbles with her clothes, throwing on a baggy T-shirt and jeans, her mind racing.

"Hurry, Noor! You can’t miss your first day!" Her mother shouts from downstairs with urgency in her tone.

"First day. First day. Just a dream, right?" She mutters to herself.

She rushes to the mirror, brushing her hair. The reflection stares back, a mix of excitement and anxiety.

With this she heads downstairs.

"You’ll make friends! And maybe... find someone special?" Her mom said cheerfully.

Noor rolls her eyes, trying to suppress a smile.

"Sure, Mom. Because high school wasn’t enough drama." She replied with sarcasm.

"Just remember to keep your options open!" Her mom winks at her.

"Fine! But only for the free food in the cafeteria." Noor replied sighing.

"Maybe college won’t be so bad after all... " She muttered. She ate her breakfast, the lingering scent of cinnamon inexplicably clinging to the air, a subtle reminder of the amethyst-eyed boy and the impossible ring.

The day unfolded, filled with the usual pressures of college life, but Noor couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere, beyond the boundaries of reality, her dream

Meanwhile on the other hand, Reyansh adjusted his perfectly knotted tie, the reflection in his polished shoes confirming his dashing appearance.

His dark hair, neatly combed, framed a strong jawline. He checked his watch; precisely 7:58 AM. He was never late.

With a satisfied nod, he left his room, the faint scent of his expensive cologne lingering behind him.

He entered the spacious dining area, where his father, Rajiv Malhotra,55 years old, Business Tycoon, was already seated, newspaper in hand. Rajiv grunted a noncommittal greeting, his eyes not leaving the financial section.

"Still playing with numbers, Reyansh? When will you finally join the family business and stop wasting your talent on…teaching?" Rajiv's tone was sharp, a familiar morning ritual.

Reyansh, unfazed, poured himself a cup of coffee. "Teaching is hardly 'wasting talent', Papa. I'm shaping minds, not just manipulating markets." He added a spoonful of sugar, his expression calm but his words laced with a dry wit that always seemed to irritate his father.

The ensuing argument followed the predictable pattern: Rajiv berated Reyansh for his "unrealistic idealism," emphasizing the financial security a business career offered.

Reyansh countered with the intellectual satisfaction he derived from his profession, occasionally adding a sarcastic remark that only fueled his father's anger. His mother, Rajshree Malhotra, 52 years old, Homemaker, intervened, gently chiding both men to lower their voices. "Rajiv, let him be. Reyansh is happy, isn't he?" She said, smoothing things over with her usual grace.

With a strained "Good morning" to his grandfather, Sudhir Malhotra,80 years old, Retired, who merely smiled and nodded, Reyansh finished his breakfast. The tension in the air hadn't completely dissipated, but the argument had reached its expected conclusion.

He kissed his mother’s cheek, offering a quick apology to his father with a subtle nod, and headed for the garage. He slid into his sleek black sedan, the smooth engine purring as he pulled away from the driveway, leaving the familial drama behind.

His route to the college was familiar, the morning commute a quiet prelude to another day spent surrounded by equations and the eager faces of his students – a stark contrast to the business world his father envisioned for him.