The morning sun crept through the dusty curtain folds of a modest room in a quiet
neighborhood. A wall clock ticked impatiently above a shelf lined with chess
trophies—small reminders of past victories. The bed was still warm, tangled in a
blanket, its owner lost in sleep.
"Rudr! Wake up! You're late for your competition!" a voice rang through the room like
an alarm.
Rudr groaned, eyes fluttering open. His mother stood at the door, arms crossed, her
expression equal parts panic and love. She was only thirty-five, her face still glowing
with youth, though life had weathered her early with grief. She had raised Rudr alone
since the tragic car accident that took his father years ago.
He bolted upright, hair messy, heart racing. "Damn, I overslept!"
"You can't miss this, Rudr," she said, placing a plate of breakfast on the table. "I believe
in you. You'll win. You always do."
Rudr smiled with a quiet confidence. "Yeah, Mom. I was the best player in school. This
college-level match isn't going to be any different."
He rushed to get ready, threw on a crisp black hoodie and jeans, and grabbed his
backpack. One quick bite of toast and he was out the door, earbuds in, his mind alreadyon the board.
At the College
The campus buzzed with excitement. But today, the air felt heavier—charged. Students
whispered in small clusters, their eyes darting toward the parking lot.
A royal blue Rolls Royce Phantom had pulled up, gleaming under the sun like a jewel
among rust. From its doors emerged a girl who seemed plucked straight out of a
high-budget fashion ad—tall, graceful, with dark sunglasses and an aura of
unapologetic superiority.
Boys nearly tripped over each other to catch a glimpse.
"Who is that?" one whispered.
"She's unreal... probably a model... or a movie star," another said.
But Rudr walked past them, completely unfazed. His pace never slowed. His focus was
unwavering. He had no time for illusions. He only cared about the real challenge ahead.
"Rudr! You're late!" came a voice from behind.
It was Sana, his best friend. Nineteen, with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue. She
wore a denim jacket over a checkered top, a notebook in hand, and her ever-present
energy bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Yeah, yeah," Rudr muttered, smiling slightly. "Blame my alarm."
"You are the alarm. Late as always," she rolled her eyes.
Just then, a boy with messy curls and a cocky grin walked over. "Rudr! Bro, did you see
her?"
"Who?" Rudr asked.
"Rin. The girl who just stepped out of the royal ride. She's a chess prodigy—national
level. Her dad owns a gaming company, CEO of the biggest one in India. And guess
what? She's here to challenge our college players."
Rudr raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"She's destroying everyone. One by one. Clean sweeps. Nobody even lasts five moves."
Rudr smirked. "So she thinks she's untouchable?"
"She's got the skill," Abhi said. "But also, the ego. Like, serious attitude. Talks like she
owns the place."
That made Rudr pause. Ego, huh?
Abhi leaned in. "Wanna teach her a lesson?"
The Matches Begin to
The college chess room had never been this full. Students lined the walls, some even
standing on chairs to watch the mystery girl in action.
Rin sat at the board, legs crossed, posture perfect, phone in hand as she lazily waited
for her next opponent. Her sunglasses rested on the table now, revealing piercing,
calculating eyes that missed nothing.
One boy after another fell—within minutes. She toyed with them, gave sarcastic advice
mid-match, and occasionally yawned as if the competition bored her.
"Next." she called out, brushing invisible dust off her blazer.
Abhi stepped up next. "Let's see how you handle this one," he said, cracking his
knuckles.
Three moves later, he was done.
"Checkmate," Rin said, not even bothering to smile.
"You... you got lucky," Abhi stammered.
She leaned forward. "Don't flatter yourself. That wasn't luck. That was charity."
Abhi fumed but pointed to the back. "You think you've beaten the best? Wait till you
face Rudr—our college's real chess king."
Her eyes lit up. "Rudr? Interesting. Bring him."
The Game of Minds
Chairs were shuffled, silence fell. Rudr stepped forward with casual confidence, hands
in pockets. His hoodie slightly rumpled, but his eyes? Sharp. Focused. Unreadable.
Rin raised an eyebrow. "So, you're the famous Rudr? I expected... more polish."
Rudr pulled out a chair and sat. "I don't polish. I win."
The crowd murmured.
She smirked. "Let's see what happens when your attitude meets skill."
The pieces were set. The clock started.
From the first move, it was war. No laughter, no remarks. Just silent calculation. Two
minds dancing, clashing, circling like wolves.
Halfway through, gasps filled the room—Rudr sacrificed his queen.
Rin chuckled. "Who told me you were the Chess King? You just lost your queen. How
dramatic."
Rudr leaned back. "Sometimes... we have to lose our favorite things for a better
future."
Two moves later: Checkmate.
The room exploded.
Rin stared at the board. "How... did you do that?"
"I don't play pieces. I play minds," Rudr replied, rising.
She stood, composed but shaken. Then, pulling out a black card from her pocket, she
handed it to him.
"This... is an invitation," she said. "A private game. Day after tomorrow. 5 a.m. If you
win... 10 million rupees. If you lose... just don't."
Rudr stared at the card. "10 million?"
She smirked. "Let's see how much your attitude is worth when real stakes are
involved."
He pocketed the card. "I'll think about it."
"Don't be late," she said, turning on her heel and walking off, crowd parting like water
before her.
Aftermath & Suspense
Outside the hall, Sana met Rudr with a huge grin. "Rudr, you beast! That was insane!"
"She needed to be put in place."
"She looked like she hated losing," Sana laughed. "But you... you made her respect
you."
"She doesn't respect. She calculates," Rudr replied.
"Now come on," she said, tugging his arm. "You owe me a treat. I want pizza. And
dessert. For emotional support."
They walked off together, laughing.
But in the distance... a shadow moved.
A girl stood behind a tree, half-hidden, watching them.
Her phone vibrated. A message popped up:
"Did he take the card?"
She typed back:
"Yes. Hook set. Game starts soon."
She looked up at Rudr again—eyes cold, almost robotic.
"Let's see if you're ready for what's coming... King."
To be continued...