The second year had barely begun, yet the weight of responsibilities already hung heavy over everyone's shoulders. The festival was long over, and with their exams out of the way, reality hit harder than ever. Professors wasted no time in reminding them that their futures weren't going to shape themselves, and if they wanted to make something of themselves, now was the time to start.
The internship fair had turned the university into a chaotic battleground. Banners and company stalls lined the main hall, representatives from business firms, tech companies, NGOs, and media houses engaging in rapid-fire conversations with eager students. Some were here just for the experience, but for many, this was the first step toward their careers.
Shumaila, Sneha, Siddarth, Hamza, Rudra, Komal, Akansha, and Aarav stood near the entrance, scanning the bustling crowd.
"I'm already stressed," Sneha muttered, crossing her arms. "This feels like placement season."
"That's because it kind of is," Aarav replied. "We get actual work experience, and if we're good enough, it could lead to job offers."
"Way to pile on the pressure," Rudra groaned. "I should have signed up for a café internship. At least I'd get free coffee."
Shumaila rolled her eyes, adjusting the strap of her bag. "You'd be fired within a week for drinking the entire stock."
The group chuckled, but soon, the focus shifted back to the reason they were here. One by one, they moved toward their respective booths.
Akansha and Aarav found themselves in front of the NGO booth, where a kind-looking woman greeted them. She explained the various projects they could work on—community development, education for underprivileged children, women's empowerment. The passion in her voice lit a spark in them both.
"I think this is it," Akansha said, glancing at Aarav.
Aarav nodded. "Yeah. This is exactly where I want to be."
Meanwhile, Komal was at the Entertainment & Media booth, flipping through an information pamphlet. The job description was broad—content creation, social media management, branding. It sounded exciting, but also overwhelming. A representative approached her, smiling.
"You look interested."
"I am," Komal admitted. "I just... hope I don't end up fetching coffee for someone."
The woman laughed. "Trust me, if you prove yourself, you'll be in the middle of all the action."
Komal smirked. "That's the plan."
On the other side of the hall, the Business and Tech sector was buzzing with students.
Shumaila, Sneha, Siddarth, Hamza, and Rudra gathered around a particular stall that stood out—one of the leading business-tech firms in the country. The company was offering a limited number of internships, and competition was fierce.
"This is the one," Hamza said confidently, scanning the details.
Shumaila nodded. "It's exactly what I was looking for."
Siddarth sighed. "No backing out now. We're doing this."
They filled out their applications, went through preliminary interviews, and left the hall feeling both anxious and excited. Now, all that was left was to wait.
...
Two days later, the results were posted on the university portal.
The moment the notifications popped up on their phones, the group gathered in the cafeteria, staring at their screens.
"Okay," Sneha exhaled. "On three?"
"One... two... three!"
A collective silence fell over them as they absorbed the results.
Then, pure chaos.
"Oh my God, we got in?" Siddarth blinked in disbelief. "We actually got in?!"
Shumaila grinned. "We did."
"We're all in the same company?" Rudra's eyes widened. "What are the odds?"
Hamza added. "Might be different branches genius."
They laughed, the tension from before dissolving into excitement.
"Where did you guys get placed?" Shumaila asked, turning to Akansha, Aarav, and Komal.
"NGO for us," Aarav said. "It's gonna be tough, but we're ready."
"And I got into the media house," Komal added. "Let's see if I survive the industry."
"I think we're all going to be insanely busy from now on," Akansha mused.
"No kidding," Sneha groaned. "Balancing classes and work is going to be hell."
Shumaila, ever the strategist, leaned forward. "We just need to be organized. Plan out our schedules, and—"
"Or," Rudra cut in, "we can just wing it."
Shumaila shot him a flat look. "That's how you fail at life."
The group chuckled, but beneath the jokes, they knew this was a major turning point. College wasn't just about lectures and exams anymore—this was the first step into the real world.
As the excitement settled, Hamza leaned toward Shumaila.
"So, Business Analysis & Strategy, huh?"
Shumaila raised a brow. "What about it?"
Hamza smirked. "Guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
Shumaila rolled her eyes, but the small smile on her lips gave her away. "Try not to slack off."
Hamza chuckled. "Try not to boss me around."
"No promises."
The days of carefree fun were slowly slipping away, replaced with responsibilities, deadlines, and challenges none of them had faced before. But one thing was certain—they weren't going through it alone.