As the afternoon sun -bathed the campus in a warm glow, Siya found herself lounging on the grassy quad with Roshni and a group of fellow students. The chatter was lively, and the mood was light, as they all exchanged stories about their summer holidays.
Suddenly, a distressed cry cut through the air. Siya's head snapped up, her eyes zeroing in on the source of the commotion. Across the quad, a small group had gathered around a tree, pointing anxiously upwards. Curiosity piqued, Siya sprang to her feet and dashed over, her heart pounding with anticipation.
When she arrived, she saw the cause of the alarm—a tiny kitten, perched precariously on a high branch, its mewling cries echoing in the air. Without a moment's hesitation, Siya assessed the situation. The kitten was too high for anyone to reach from the ground, and the tree, with its smooth bark, offered little in the way of footholds.
"Someone should call animal control," a student suggested, but Siya shook her head, determination etched on her face.
"There's no time for that," she declared, her voice resolute. Ignoring the murmurs of caution from those around her, Siya kicked off her shoes and approached the tree with reckless abandon.
Her friends watched with bated breath, a mix of awe and apprehension at her audaciousness. She climbed higher, her fingers gripping the branches with a tenacity only she could muster.
Finally, she reached the frightened kitten, coaxing it gently into her arms. With the kitten safely cradled against her chest, Siya made her way back down, her descent as precarious as her climb. When her feet touched the ground, a cheer erupted from the crowd.
Siya, breathless but triumphant, handed the kitten to its grateful owner, a young girl who thanked her profusely. She brushed off the praise with a shrug, her cheeks flushed from the adrenaline.
"Just doing what needed to be done," she said with a grin, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
In that moment, it was clear to everyone that Siya was indeed a whirlwind—a reckless spirit with a heart big enough to embrace the world.
A man in a hoodie watched Siya secretly. He was amazed by her courage and kindness towards the stray cat. "Interesting Girl..."He thought to himself.
-------------
"Siya! Do you know about the new Professor who joined just this week?", Roshni asked excitedly.
Siya seemed unexcited at this new information. "Hmmm, I did hear it!"
"Leave that! Have you guys heard about the newest news circulating in our college?", Hafiza asked excitedly.
"What news? Don't tell us that a superstar is visiting our college this fest?", Roshni looked at Siya and they both burst into a laughter.
"Yeah. Keep laughing. However, the news is totally different." Hafiza said quietly. "Come here! It's a secret!" Siya and Roshni both moved closer to Hafiza.
"They say, a psychotic murderer is roaming around in our college campus. However, no one knows how he looks or who he is!"
They all become silent for a minute. Roshni's gaze met Siya and they both again started laughing now vigorously.
"Murderer? In our college? As if we are already not murdered by the teachers and their deadly assignments?!", Siya said still laughing.
"Keep on laughing! And when you see a real psycho one day, then we will see how you guys continue to laugh so freely!"
"Did you actually think, we will fall for your false words and get scared? Mrs. Hafiza Begum! We are strong as a Tiger and brave as a Lion. No one can beat us. So, you should find other people to fool. Not us!", Roshni said holding Siya's hand tightly.
"Ohhhohh! Don't come crying when you see one in reality, Mrs. Roshni Sharma!", Hafiza said giving a side-eye to Roshni.
"Guys! Stop fighting! If there was really a murderer roaming in our college campus, the higher authorities would've already taken measure by now. I don't think all this is true.", Siya said holding both Hafiza and Rosh's shoulder reassuring them.
"For now, I am really hungry. Let's go to Canteen and eat!"
On the way to the canteen, they three keep discussing about their favorite K-pop group and things they enjoy collectively. Siya shares how she wishes to attend one of the concerts that are going to be held in her city.
"My Dad would've allowed, but my mom, she would never!" As they keep discussing, Siya notices a man 6'2 ft in height, wearing a pair of glasses that suit him just right and a book in hand. He slides past her without noticing her. She cannot take her eyes away from him even if she wants to. Roshni and Hafiza continue to fight as always.
The corridor bustles with students rushing to their next class. Lockers clang; footsteps echo. Siya walks briskly, lost in thought, about why her heart started to beat so loudly after looking at this mysterious figure.
She turns a corner—SMACK!
Books go flying. A sharp gasp escapes from the boy she's collided with. He stumbles back, nearly dropping everything.
"Oh my God—I'm so sorry!"
She steadies herself and quickly bends down, helping him gather his fallen books.
The boy is wearing a dark hoodie pulled slightly over his head, glasses slipping down the bridge of his nose. He avoids eye contact, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"Are you okay?", Siya asks concerned.
He nods, adjusting his glasses. His hands tremble slightly as he reaches for the last book.
"Y-Yeah... I'm fine. ", He replies in a short whisper.
His voice is soft, uneven, as if he doesn't speak much.
He pulls the hoodie tighter over his head, clutching the books to his chest like armor.
"Wait—are you sure? I didn't mean to—"
The boy says quietly almost mumbling,
"It's okay. Really."
Without another word, he brushes past her and disappears down the hallway, almost like he was never there.
Siya watches him go, puzzled by the way he kept his head down. She holds one of his books still in her hand.
"Hey... wait. You forgot your—"
But he's already gone.
"Hey, Siya! What's the matter? Who are you talking to?", Roshni asks coming closer to her.
"Nothing. Actually, I stumbled over a boy with a pile of books. He actually forgot to take this book with him, so I wanted to give it to him.... I guess he is gone."
Hafiza snatches the book from Siya's hand and reads the title.
"'Human Psychology and Its effects.', Do we even have a Psychology Department in our college? I thought we had only Engineering courses."
"Yes. Maybe he has interest in this subject. Give it to me. I will find him out and return it to him." Siya and Hafiza looked at their friend's unusual attitude.
"What? Now let's go! I am getting Hangry!", Roshni pulled them both towards the Canteen. ---------------------------------------
Arjun POV:
FLASHBACK – INT. COLLEGE DORM HALLWAY – YEARS AGO
A much younger ARJUN, scrawny and nervous, walks down the dorm hallway holding his tattered books close. His ID card reads "Merit Scholarship Student" in bold letters.
Suddenly, a foot juts out. He stumbles—books scattering everywhere.
BULLY #1
Oops. Must be hard balancing brains and broken shoes.
Laughter erupts.
Before Arjun can react, another boy yanks him up by the collar.
BULLY #2
Think you're better than us, scholarship rat?
BULLY #3 (grinning, cruel)
Let's test that genius brain of yours.
They drag him into an empty storeroom.
INT. STOREROOM – CONTINUOUS
Dust swirls in shafts of dim light. Arjun is thrown to the ground.
A kick to his ribs. A punch to the side of his face. Laughter. A spit on his notebook.
One boy pulls out Arjun's scholarship certificate from his bag and tears it in half.
BULLY #1
You can't buy pride with marks, loser.
BULLY #2
You don't belong here.
A final shove sends Arjun crashing against the shelves, metal scraping skin. He lies still, too stunned to cry.
Back to Present:
If I had a choice, I would never enter a High School ever again. I hated every bit of it. From students to Professors, all. Maybe because, I never had a good experience in college. I was vigorously bullied by economically rich students for being a 'scholarship guy'. I couldn't complete my education become of it and had to dropout. However, here I am.... in a literal high school before a class of students.
This time, for another Purpose. This time for a Mission. I am actually an Undercover officer who was sent by Intelligence Department of Country to search a Psycho killer on loose. I must continue with my Mission even if I hate High Schools. Cause, It's my Duty to protect the citizens of this country.