The city was new…
The people were new…
But his habits hadn't changed.
He was still the same—
quiet, reserved, keeping to himself.
People in college did notice him,
but very few had the courage to come close.
Because there was something in his eyes…
something that made others feel uncomfortable.
The college corridor.
A few boys had surrounded a junior.
"Do what we told you… or it won't end well,"
one of them said, grabbing his collar.
The junior's hands were trembling.
He couldn't even speak.
Then…
At the other end of the corridor,
that boy was standing there.
Silent… completely silent.
He didn't say anything,
didn't even step forward.
He was just… watching.
Looking straight into their eyes.
One second…
Two seconds…
"Let him go…"
one of the boys said quietly.
"Why?"
"I don't know… it just feels weird, man…"
And the very next moment—
they let the junior go.
That boy turned… and walked away.
As if nothing had even happened.
"Why?" the other one asked.
"I don't know… it just feels strange, man…"
Their eyes kept drifting back to him again and again.
He was still standing there…
without moving, without saying a word.
But there was something in his eyes—
something… that was making them feel afraid.
But there was one place…
where he seemed a little "normal"—
his **part-time job**.
A small café.
There, he worked quietly—
taking orders, making coffee, just doing his job.
---
And honestly…
there was no shortage of girls there .
"Excuse me… can you suggest something?"
a girl would ask him again and again.
"It's all written in the menu,"
he'd reply without even looking up.
"Come on… you recommend something,"
she smiled.
He looked up for just a second—
straight into her eyes.
And then…
"Say what you want quickly. There's a line."
That's it.
Nothing more.
The girl would get a little awkward…
and step back.
---
This happened every day.
Someone or the other would try,
but he never gave anyone **any attention**.
No attitude,
no interest…
just a strange kind of distance.
---
At night, he would return home.
Open the door,
throw his bag aside…
and go straight into his routine.
Eat food,
do a bit of college work…
and then—sleep.
As if life was just moving…
without any excitement.
---
The moment he closed his eyes—
suddenly…
a strange feeling.
As if someone was staring at him.
He found himself standing in a dark place…
darkness all around.
And then—
**a red mist.**
Slowly spreading.
---
His heart started racing.
"What… is this…?"
He tried to move forward—
and then…
**a piercing scream.**
A girl's.
So full of pain…
as if her soul was being torn apart.
---
"Ahhh—!!"
He jolted awake.
Breathing fast…
sweating…
his heart felt like it would burst out.
---
He quickly checked his hands, his face… everything.
"I… I'm okay?"
There were no injuries.
Everything was normal.
But the feeling…
it was still there.
---
Panicking, he got up.
"No… this can't just be a dream…"
He opened the door—
and stepped outside.
The night was cold.
The streets were empty.
He started walking fast…
as if he was running away from himself.
But within a few minutes—
his condition started getting worse.
Breathing heavy…
his head spinning…
"What's happening…?"
And then—
everything went blur.
**Thud.**
He collapsed on the road.
A little distance away…
a few boys were standing.
"Hey, look… someone fell!"
"Bro, hurry!"
They ran toward him.
"Hey… listen… hey!"
No response.
"Let's take him to the hospital, quickly!"
Faint voices…
"Hey… get up… can you hear me?"
His eyes slowly opened.
Everything was blurry…
the ceiling… white light…
"Hospital…?" he muttered softly.
---
"Yeah bro, not a hotel "
one of the boys joked.
---
He slowly tried to sit up.
There were 3–4 boys standing in front of him.
They looked completely normal…
but their vibe was a bit rough.
---
"Who… brought me here?"
he asked directly.
---
"We did… why, got a problem?"
---
He stayed silent for a few seconds.
Just kept looking at them.
Straight… into their eyes.
---
One of the boys got a little serious—
"Hey, why are you staring like that?
We're the ones who picked you up last night."
---
Only one thought was running in his mind—
*"I don't like this attitude… but reacting right now isn't smart."*
His gaze turned colder…
like he was just observing them.
---
"Ohh… got some attitude?"
one of them stepped forward.
"What's your name?"
---
He was about to answer—
when suddenly…
"Arre leave it, man,"
another one cut in.
"The guy was lying unconscious on the road,
we brought him here… why are you interrogating him now? "
---
A brief silence…
Then the same guy came closer and said—
"Relax bro… don't get into fight mode.
We're not like that."
---
"Thanks…"
he said quietly.
---
"That's it? Just 'thanks'?"
"Our help isn't that cheap
you'll have to give us a treat."
---
A bit awkward…
then a light laugh.
---
"So… how did you fall?"
one of them asked.
---
He stayed silent for a moment.
"Just… felt dizzy,"
he brushed it off.
---
"Hm… take care of yourself,"
one of them said casually.
---
He paused a little hearing that.
Strangers…
saying something like that?
---
"By the way… we're from the same college too,"
one of them said.
"Never seen you before."
---
"I… don't really interact with people much,"
he replied simply.
---
"No problem,"
"Now you will "
---
"You coming to college tomorrow?"
---
He gave a slight nod.
---
"Alright then… see you,"
they started leaving.
---
Just as they reached the door, one of them turned back—
"And yeah…"
"Try to stare a little less… it's kinda scary, bro "
---
For the first time…
a faint smile appeared on his face.
---
**And that's where… a strange kind of friendship begins.**