And a new phase began.
College.
For most people, it felt like freedom.
A fresh start.
New choices.
New people.
But for Aarvika—
it didn't feel like that.
Because this time—
the choice wasn't hers.
She had something else in mind.
She wanted to study law.
It wasn't just a thought.
She had felt connected to it.
For once—
she knew what she wanted.
So she said it.
She told her father clearly.
But it didn't change anything.
He had already decided.
Teaching.
A stable career.
A secure future.
She tried to explain.
Tried to make him understand.
But no one listened.
Her words were heard—
but not considered.
And slowly—
she stopped trying.
Not because she agreed.
But because she understood—
her decision didn't matter.
So she said yes.
Not willingly.
But quietly.
And just like that—
her path was decided for her.
She joined college.
A new campus.
A different environment.
Students walked in groups.
Talking freely.
Laughing.
Living their own version of life.
Everything felt open.
Light.
But Aarvika—
still felt the same.
Quiet.
Observing.
Distant.
She attended classes.
Sat wherever she found space.
Listened more than she spoke.
She didn't try to make new connections.
Not because she didn't want to—
but because she didn't feel like she belonged there.
Days passed.
She adjusted to the routine.
But inside—
something always felt off.
It wasn't the life she had imagined.
It felt like she was just walking on a path—
someone else had chosen for her.
And slowly—
that feeling started getting heavier.
She became more silent.
More distant.
Even in a crowded place—
she felt alone.
Then one day—
something shifted.
Not outside.
But inside her.
She remembered someone.
Lovely.
Her childhood friend.
The first person she had ever truly connected with.
And along with her—
a memory came back.
When they were kids, they used to talk about the future.
What they wanted to become.
Lovely had said she wanted to become a teacher.
She had said it with certainty.
Like she already knew.
And Aarvika—
without thinking much—
had said the same.
"I'll become a teacher too."
At that time—
it didn't mean anything serious.
It was just something she said.
Just like that.
But now—
things felt different.
Because somehow—
she had ended up on that same path.
Even when she didn't choose it.
And later—
she came to know that Lovely was also studying to become a teacher.
In a different college.
That thought stayed with her.
It felt strange.
Like something had connected their paths—
even without them knowing.
For a moment—
she felt like talking to her.
Like asking—
"Did we really end up here?"
But she didn't.
She ignored the feeling.
And let it pass.
Two days later—
she heard something.
Something she wasn't ready for.
Lovely was no more.
Heart attack.
For a moment—
everything went silent.
She didn't react.
Didn't say anything.
But inside—
something broke.
She wanted to cry.
But she couldn't.
Not in front of anyone.
So she stayed quiet.
Like always.
But one thought stayed with her—
"If I had talked to her…"
"If I had not ignored that feeling…"
But now—
it was too late.
No last conversation.
No goodbye.
Just regret.
And silence.
After that—
everything felt heavier.
Her thoughts.
Her choices.
Her life.
Everything.
But life didn't stop.
And neither could she.
She continued going to college.
Attending classes.
Trying to focus.
Slowly—
she started improving.
Understanding things better.
Putting more effort.
And this time—
it showed.
People started noticing her.
Her work.
Her consistency.
Not loudly.
But enough.
She achieved something.
At a young age.
Earlier than many.
And even though—
this wasn't the path she had chosen—
She had still reached somewhere.
On her own effort.
But even after that—
something inside her remained empty.
Because success—
without choice—
doesn't feel complete.
Still—
she kept moving forward.
Because now—
she understood something.
Life doesn't always go the way you want.
But it still moves forward.
And you have to move with it.
Even when it wasn't your choice.