The university administration building was intimidating.
Ancient stone walls.
Wooden doors.
Students from every part of the world.
Alankrita adjusted the strap of her backpack and walked inside.
Passport.
Visa.
Scholarship letter.
Admission documents.
Medical reports.
Everything had been arranged perfectly inside labelled folders.
The staff guided her through the formalities.
Every signature felt surreal.
Every stamp felt unreal.
She was not imagining this.
She truly belonged here.
Dr. Sumitra had already informed the university medical department about her rare medical condition and the ongoing specialist supervision required during her studies.
The university staff handled the information professionally and respectfully.
Additional medical support was arranged if needed.
No questions.
No whispers.
No judgement.
Only procedures.
For perhaps the first time since her diagnosis, Alankrita experienced what it felt like to be treated simply as a student.
Not a mystery.
Not a scandal.
A student.