The afternoon light spilled softly into the classroom, filtered through gentle clouds floating in the sky. It was nearly four o'clock, and the room hummed with a low, steady rhythm—the murmur of students, the scratch of pens, and the measured cadence of the lecturer's voice.
In the front row, Ayan sat with quiet intensity, utterly focused. His pen moved fluidly across the page, capturing every point with meticulous precision. His gaze shifted between the chalkboard and his notes, as though every spoken word demanded his complete attention.
Bell rang—
Students began to stir—stretching limbs, zipping bags, and stifling yawns. The once vibrant room now exhaled the last breath of the day's learning, fading into the golden hush of a late afternoon lull.
But Ayan remained.
He calmly began packing his belongings, each movement thoughtful and composed—until a soft tap on his shoulder broke his focus.
He turned, blinking in surprise.
"Abhi?" Ayan blinked. "You're attending class today?"
Behind him stood Abhi, grinning like he had just walked in from a festival. His energy was bright, his presence infectious, like a breeze that shakes petals from a tree.
"Thought I'd spread a little charm in this boring class once in a while," he said, voice laced with mischief.
Ayan laughed, shaking his head fondly. He reached into his bag and handed over a notebook.
"Here—today's notes. Let's head to the library. Brother Arun's still in lecture, so he'll be late to pick me up."
Abhi tilted his head, feigning thought. "Class?" he murmured, then nodded. "Alright, let's go."
---
The two exited the classroom, strolling down the corridor. Ayan was absorbed in flipping through a book, the soft rustle of its pages merging with the distant campus chatter. Beside him, Abhi scrolled casually through his phone, thumbs flying.
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed down the hallway.
"Abhi!"
They both looked up.
Standing ahead was Aarav, cheeks flushed, smile wide—like someone who had waited far too long for this moment. His presence lit up the corridor, a warmth radiating from him that made the air feel different.
Ayan's steps faltered. His heart skipped. A blush dusted his cheeks, soft as the first bloom of spring. He hadn't expected this.
Aarav looked nervous but hopeful. His eyes shimmered with something unspoken.
Abhi's eyes danced between them, far too amused. He stepped beside Aarav, leaned in, and whispered with a teasing smirk,
"Done with the starter? Wanna move on to the main course now?"
Aarav flushed a deeper red, quickly raising a hand to hide his face. The embarrassment made him all the more endearing.
Abhi chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
Meanwhile, Ayan blinked, still trying to piece together what exactly was happening. He could feel the strange warmth in the air but wasn't sure if he was meant to feel it.
Then—ping.
Abhi glanced at his phone. His grin faded slightly as he read the message. After a pause, he slipped it into his pocket and turned to Ayan.
"I can't go with you now. I've got something else to handle," he said, giving Aarav a knowing look before casually turning away.
Ayan frowned in surprise. "Huh? Oh… okay."
Abhi, ever playful, leaned in closer with a cheeky smile. "Don't look so betrayed. Here—go with my brother instead."
Ayan stared at him. "What?"
Before he could fully process, Abhi gently nudged him forward, whispering. "Don't worry. You're in very good hands."
Ayan's feet moved before his brain could react. His eyes widened as he turned toward Aarav.
Aarav offered him a soft, uncertain smile. Something in that expression made Ayan's chest flutter—gentle, vulnerable, real.
"Are you comfortable coming with me?" Aarav asked, voice low, as if trying not to rush the moment.
Ayan hesitated, then gave a small, genuine nod.
And just like that, he began walking forward.
Aarav followed, eyes warm, heart swelling quietly. As they walked away, he turned back to offer Abhi a tiny, grateful smile.
Abhi watched them with a slow grin, one that faded into something more thoughtful. He pulled out his phone again and made a call.
"Plan worked, right?" came the voice on the other end—sharp, amused.
A confident smirk spread across Abhi's face as he leaned back against the wall. "Better than I thought. They're practically glowing..." A Pause "What about the senior's lecture ?"
"I'm in the Senior Wing already," the voice replied.
Abhi's tone sharpened. "Fine. I'm coming."
He ended the call, his expression unreadable. Slipping the phone back into his pocket, his mind already racing.
[ In Senior wing ]
The university campus was split between two wings—Junior and Senior—linked by a broad walkway that stretched across a sunlit lawn. At the far end stood the Head Office, its glass walls glinting like a watchful eye over the grounds.
The Senior Wing buzzed with the final rush of the day. Laughter echoed down the corridors. Backpacks swung over shoulders. The day was ending, but the youth in the air never dimmed.
Amidst the lingering crowd stood Karan.
Tall. Confident. With a presence that made people part around him without asking. His sharp eyes scanned the hallway, clearly looking for someone.
And then, he spotted a boy near the gate—Vihan.
Vihan stood with the gentle calm of someone lost in his own little world, scrolling through his phone, untouched by the energy around him.
"Vihan!" Karan called, his voice loud and clear, slicing through the noise.
Vihan looked up, eyes lighting up as he waved cheerfully.
Karan approached with a curious tilt of his head. "Why were you asking about Arun earlier?"
Vihan's eyes sparkled with mischief. He motioned subtly behind Karan.
"What—?" Karan began, turning—
"BOO!"
Abhi exploded from behind a wall with gleeful chaos.
Karan jumped, stumbling back with a yelp, hand flying to his chest.
Abhi doubled over in laughter. Vihan joined in, the two of them breathless and snickering like misbehaving schoolboys.
"Oh… got scared, Senior?" Abhi teased, grinning wide.
Karan glared, flustered. "You're lucky I didn't swing."
Vihan looked at him with a puzzled expression, eyebrows raised in curiosity, "So, where is Senior-Arun ?"
Karan hesitated for a moment. "He left class a long time ago... and no one knows where he is now."
Vihan leaned in with a raised eyebrow, "Where is he then?"
Before Karan could respond, Abhi let out an exaggerated sigh, his hands going up in mock surrender.
"Let's just go to our café. I'm hungry. My brain can't solve mysteries on an empty stomach."
Without hesitation, both Karan and Vihan hastily nodded in agreement, their hunger starting to match Abhi's.
[Later – Off Campus Street]
The streets near campus were alive with that lazy, golden-hour calm. Students lingered around cafés, their laughter mingling with the scent of coffee and fried snacks. It felt like the world had slowed down to breathe.
Abhi led the way with his usual energy, Karan and Vihan close behind, still chatting, their steps light.
Just as they turned the corner—
THUD!
A boy in a senior's uniform appeared out of nowhere, sprinting down the street like an unannounced storm. Before anyone could react, he lost control and crashed face-first onto the ground with a force that sent a shockwave through the air.
A hush fell over the street as every person instinctively paused. Curiosity held them captive. No one moved a step further, all eyes turning toward the fallen boy.
Each person, from the students to the nearby vendors, silently began to analyze the situation.
Was it an accident? Or A prank gone wrong?
The moment hung heavy in the stillness, thick with unspoken questions. Something had just broken the rhythm of the day—and no one could tell what was coming next.