A sudden commotion shattered the street's stillness.
A boy stumbled out of an alley, disheveled and groaning, before collapsing on the footpath. Blood streaked his dirt-covered face, pain etched into every movement.
A crowd gathered, their eyes a mix of curiosity and concern, yet no one stepped forward.
Among them stood Abhi, his gaze sharp, scanning the boy's features with quiet determination.
The boy lifted his head with a groan.
Shaan.
The confident spark once in his eyes was gone—replaced by a haunted, regretful stare. His body trembled with pain and something deeper: fear.
A voice, sharp and furious, cut through the tension. "Bold enough to touch my brother, weren't you?"
The voice landed like thunder. Heads turned instantly.
The crowd parted, and through the gap stepped Arun.
A well framed young adult with his sharp features and the fury burning in his eyes, moved with the calm intensity of someone accustomed to dominance. His well-favored face, framed by messy dark hair, was both striking and fierce.
A storm dressed in a senior class uniform, exuding an aura of power that felt almost out of place. Gripped a wooden bat with unnerving ease, the dark stains of blood marking its surface.
Even the air felt heavier around him.
Vihan's chest tightened as he muttered, "Senior Arun..."
Arun ignored the murmurs and gazes. His eyes locked onto Shaan.
"From now on, if my brother gets even a scratch... you'll regret it till your last breath."
His words didn't need volume. The promise within them was enough to chill the crowd.
Then, in a sudden motion, Arun hurled the bat.
The bat hit the ground with a resounding clash, its sharp echo reverberating across the entire crossway, and all faces contorted in discomfort and unease.
From the edge of the crowd, Abhi's lips curled into a small, unreadable smile. Amused. Calm. Dangerous.
"Calm down, Young Master…" he drawled.
The words hung there—casual on the surface, but laced with sharp undertones.
Arun's head snapped in his direction. For a brief second, something flickered in his gaze. Confusion? Recognition? Spark?
Whatever it was, it vanished.
He stepped forward, each movement heavy with intent. In a heartbeat, he was in front of Abhi—so close their breaths mingled. But they didn't touch.
"Don't mess with me," Arun growled.
Abhi didn't flinch.
He held his ground, that same subtle smile resting on his lips. He stared right back, gaze unwavering—like he was peeling back Arun's rage, layer by layer.
Arun stiffened.
Then—he walked away. Not storming, not slamming. Just... gone. But as he passed, his shoulder brushed Abhi's. A feather-light touch.
Abhi grinned.
But Arun doesn't seemed to felt anything, or even sense it .
---
Seconds ticked by.
Abhi was still staring ahead, lost in something he couldn't quite name. Until—
"Hey—Senior Arun's going back to the university!"
It was Vihan's voice.
Abhi blinked, snapping out of his trance. Karan, standing beside Vihan, looked worried.
"Call Aarav… Quickly." Karan muttered.
"He's in the library," Abhi replied. "His phone's probably off. Let's move."
...
The three boys broke into a sprint. But by the time they reached the gates of the university, Arun had already slipped inside—toward the junior wing.
Karan halted, panting. "It'll look weird if we run after him now."
Abhi nodded, his gaze darting toward a slim passage between two buildings. "This way," he said.
Understanding the plan, the other two followed him. One by one, they entered the narrow, gray passage, the best and safest route they could take.
They emerged at the rear of the junior wing—facing a seven-foot wall. Rugged, and standing between them and their destination (The library).
They exchanged glances, silently confirming their next move.
Each of them took a few steps back, their eyes locked on the top edge of the wall. Muscles coiled, feet pounded, and palms hit the stone. One by one, they hauled themselves over—landing on the other side in perfect, practiced silence.
Then, without a single glance exchanged between them, they sprang into action.
Karan and Vihan, driven by their shared goal, immediately veered off toward the library.
Meanwhile, Abhi made a sharp turn in the opposite direction, moving with a quiet determination, as he disappeared down the corridor.
[ The library ]
Aarav sat quietly, a book in his hands, though his attention was fixed on Ayan across from him.
Unaware of the intensity of Aarav's gaze, Ayan kept scanning his book. Yet beneath his calm exterior, his heart raced, erratic and boundless under the weight of that presence.
Finally, steadying his breath, Ayan dared to look up.
Their eyes met.
A blush crept up his neck, and he quickly looked away, overwhelmed by the heat in Aarav's stare.
Aarav, seeing his shy reaction, felt a rush of nervousness. A gentle smile curved his lips as his fingers tightened around the book, as if it were the only thing grounding him.
...
Elsewhere, Arun entered the junior wing with an unsettling, dominating presence that pressed down on the students.
Other students parting in silence, their gazes fearful and uncertain.
Vihan and Karan had reached the same corridor by then, their eyes scanning the space, but it was already too late.
Arun had already entered the library's threshold.
They stood there, frozen for a moment, watching with a mix of disappointment and conflict.
...
As Arun stepped into the library, his piercing eyes swept the room—rows of books, low murmurs, and a librarian too busy to notice the dread seeping between the shelves.
Then his gaze found Ayan, sitting alone at a table.
A soft smile tugged at Ayan's lips. He swiftly gathered his belongings, movements hurried yet purposeful.
They left together, their departure as quiet and deliberate as their entrance.
...
Karan and Vihan walked in, their expressions a mix of confusion and curiosity.
They glanced around until they spotted Aarav emerging from behind a bookshelf, followed by Abhi wearing a Cheshire-cat grin.
Without hesitation, the two approached.
Vihan turned to Abhi. "Brother? You have transportation power… how did you end up here?"
Abhi laughed. "No. Just a shortcut."
He pointed at a half-concealed door behind stacks of book cartons.
Everyone exhaled in relief.
Aarav sank into a chair with a kingly posture. "God… that was close."
The others followed suit, eyes on him.
Abhi leaned forward, grinning. "So, Brother… are you full?"
Aarav scratched his neck, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. "He looked so cute that I—"
"That you…?" Vihan prompted, leaning in.
Karan and Abhi did the same, faces eager.
Aarav's blush deepened. "—that I couldn't even muster the courage to talk." He quickly covered his face with his palm.
The three straightened with a collective sigh.
"I knew it…" Karan shook his head. "This idiot is only good with arms and books."
Aarav shot him a glare.
Before he could speak, Vihan said, "Brother… we almost got caught, and you did nothing."
"Forget it," Abhi cut in. "I already left a book for another chance. And Brother—please don't disappoint us again."
They all leaned forward again, the same fussed expressions on their faces, eager to plan their next move.
...
[ Singh's House ]
Mr. Singh sat on his plush leather sofa, flipping through a stack of papers with growing disdain.
Behind him, Mr. Raj stood silent, eyes shifting between the documents and his master's grim expression. The tension was thick, almost tangible.
The main door creaked open.
Arun and Ayan stepped inside, shoulders slumped, looking drained.
Mr. Singh glanced up. "Arun," he called, calm yet authoritative.
Arun straightened slightly, met his gaze, and nodded.
Turning to Ayan, Mr. Singh said, "Go to your room. I'll call you for dinner later."
Ayan obeyed, retreating down the hall.
Arun moved to the sofa beside him.
Mr. Singh narrowed his eyes. "What progress on the town-side land?"
Arun's voice was tense, lacking its usual confidence. "I've made an appointment with Uncl—Mr. Rawat."
Mr. Singh's expression darkened. "Do what you have to, but remember—this land is important to me."
Arun nodded, unease clear in his posture, but said nothing more.