Akshat walked into the boys' dorm with his parents beside him, keeping his expression steady as if there was nothing to be nervous about. But beneath that calm exterior, a quiet tension lingered. Everything felt unfamiliar, and no matter how much he tried to mask it, the weight of this new beginning pressed against his chest.
The corridor smelled of fresh paint and disinfectant, a sharp, almost clinical scent that reminded him exactly where he was—AUMC, a place that would define his future. When he unlocked his room and pushed the door open, he paused for a brief moment at the entrance.
It was… good. Better than he had expected.
The walls were clean and white, the study table neatly placed beside a window, a sturdy bed standing firm at the side, and a cupboard that didn't look like it would collapse under pressure. Sunlight streamed through the glass, falling perfectly across the desk, giving the room a quiet, welcoming warmth.
"This is nice," his mother said, her voice carrying a forced cheerfulness that Akshat recognized instantly.
His father nodded, scanning the room with sharp, observant eyes, as if evaluating an investment. "Focus on your studies. This place is your foundation now."
Akshat simply nodded, absorbing their words without replying.
After settling his luggage, the three of them headed toward the cafeteria. The space was massive—far larger than his entire school hall back home. Rows of tables stretched across the room, stainless steel counters reflected the overhead lights, and the noise of students echoed throughout as they claimed their spaces.
They also visited the administration office, where formalities took over.
Forms were signed. Documents were verified. An ID card was issued.
With every step, every signature, it became more real.
He wasn't just visiting anymore.
He was staying.
When everything was finally done, they returned to the dorm entrance. That was when the atmosphere shifted.
His father placed a firm hand on his shoulder, the weight of it steady and grounding. "Make us proud, Akshat."
His mother tried to smile, but her eyes betrayed her emotions. She adjusted his collar the same way she used to before his school exams. "Eat on time. Don't skip meals. And call me regularly."
For a brief moment, Akshat felt the urge to stop them—to say that he didn't want them to leave just yet.
But he didn't.
He only nodded.
They turned and walked away.
Akshat stood there, watching them until they disappeared beyond the gate. The campus suddenly felt larger. Quieter.
And for the first time, standing alone in front of the boys' dorm of AUMC, he understood—
This was it.
No more school.
No more hesitation.
Just him… and whatever kind of person he was about to become.
______________
The next morning at 10 AM, Akshat attended his first class at AUMC. He was a late admission, but that didn't matter much to him.
Still, something felt different.
Yesterday, everything had seemed grand and exciting. Today… it felt heavy.
The lecture hall was packed, yet strangely silent. No one laughed. No one spoke casually. Almost every face carried the same expression—tension. Fear.
But fear of what?
No announcement had been made. No visible threat existed. Yet the air itself felt tight, as if something unseen pressed down on everyone present.
Akshat noticed it.
But chose to ignore it.
Maybe it was just the pressure of the first day.
___________
During the break, he headed to the washroom.
And that was when he saw it.
A heavy-set boy was cornered near the sinks. Four guys surrounded him, shoving him back and forth like he was nothing more than an object. One slapped him. Another drove a punch into his stomach.
They laughed.
The boy struggled to breathe.
But what unsettled Akshat even more—
There were senior girls inside the boys' washroom.
They weren't trying to stop it.
They were watching.
Smirking.
One of them even kicked the boy's leg, mocking him without hesitation.
It didn't make sense.
Girls in the boys' washroom—and no one questioning it?
Something about this place wasn't normal.
Akshat's fists clenched unconsciously.
He stood at 5'10—not short. Before coming here, he had trained seriously, building discipline and strength through hours in the gym. He wasn't weak.
But as he looked at them…
Most of those guys were taller—5'11 or above. Broader. More imposing. Their builds carried a different kind of presence, as if they had been shaped specifically for dominance.
For a brief moment, he felt it—
That sting.
Inferiority.
But it didn't last.
He steadied himself.
Height didn't decide fights.
And if anyone ever tried to bully him—
He knew he could take them down.
Still, he didn't step forward.
Not yet.
Because something about this situation felt larger than simple bullying.
And he needed to understand the rules of this place…
Before deciding to break them.
One of the guys noticed him.
Then all of them turned at once.
The washroom fell silent.
The heavy-set boy slid down to the floor, coughing, completely forgotten.
One of the taller guys stepped toward Akshat slowly.
He was easily six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a calm expression—the kind of calm that concealed cruelty.
He stopped right in front of him.
Before Akshat could react, the guy casually placed a hand on his shoulder.
Heavy.
Possessive.
"New student, huh?" he said with a faint smile.
Laughter echoed behind him.
Even the senior girls shifted their attention toward Akshat now, watching him with curiosity—as if he had just stepped onto a stage without realizing it.
Akshat didn't move.
He didn't shrug the hand away.
He simply looked at him.
The guy leaned in slightly.
"Don't worry," he continued, tightening his grip just a little. "You'll become familiar with the college's rules and conditions in the dorm tonight."
The words carried a meaning far beyond academics.
It wasn't guidance.
It was a warning.
Or maybe an invitation.
Akshat remained silent.
But inside, something became clear.
This college wasn't just about medicine.
There was another system operating beneath the surface.
And tonight…
He was going to be introduced to it.
End of ch 9
To be continue...
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