CHASE OF STARDUST

rs kissed gold by the dying sun, streets below pulsing w

d like whispers, and stress hung over students like storm clouds. Some crammed for exams, others argued so

hi

viv

notebook filled with a chaos of footnotes, formulas, and fight. This corner-dusty, dim-had become her sanctuar

were alwa

mming

a whip: "Dreams don't

and careless: "Trying to be

ever felt

, ruled with a smile sharp enough to cut. A woman built from sacrifice, polished by obed

e, and sacrifice-not in scholarships," s

d through midnight oil, Aanya danced through life, light and unbothered. And when Raneya tried to share her d

d came from the gent

t remember, no medal shines

arm. But chain

ied. Quietly. Desperately. Every grade was a small act of defiance. Every sl

ime to see if the worl

zzed. Murmurs spread.

ed as she opened the portal. A second

p 1%. Dean's List.

ked. Onc

l th

r one perfect moment, the world outside that corn

ad do

to silence. The dreame

ad ma

aint in her ears. Someone dropped a

eya Qureshi let one tear fall

trophy clutched to her chest, a certificate tucked under her arm. She took

y, they wo

ough her phone, giggling at something R

quietly, offering the certificate. "I topped.

p. Her eyes wid

he smile. C

, voice laced with sugar and spite. "Gue

ya f

ated. The applause in her head fa

her grip tighteni

had finally open

ho

had its b

m, the trophy still clutched t

own N

, thumb hoveri

n the other end-dee

d. "Your future just ch

all e

d with a single

dential

h caught in her throat. She ha