The Unknown Peace Chapter 2 – First Wound, First Flight
Aarav stood outside the school he once used to attend. Other students were walking past him, entering the gates, laughing, chatting. He watched in silence, lost in his thoughts.
"Just a few more days," he whispered to himself.
He took a deep breath and walked toward the cafeteria. Inside, he noticed a familiar group sitting at a table — Vanshu, Priya, and someone sitting on Vanshu's right. As Vanshu spotted Aarav, he called out to him mid-bite.
Vanshu: "Hey Aarav, come sit here."
Aarav hesitated for a second but then quietly walked over and sat down. Now there were four people at the table — Vanshu, Priya, Vanshu's right-hand man, and Aarav.
After a moment, Vanshu looked at Aarav and said:
Vanshu: "I know those three guys bully you."
Aarav glanced across the room and saw them — Arjun and his two lackeys. Arjun, noticing where Aarav sat, growled under his breath.
Arjun (thinking): "Where the hell did he go sit now?"
Back at the table, Aarav looked at Priya. She was calm, but her eyes carried a hidden intensity. As the conversation continued, Aarav learned that Priya was Vanshu's cousin — the same person who had told Vanshu about Aarav being bullied.
Apparently, Vanshu had a date yesterday, and although it was with another girl, Priya had helped him prepare. The date, however, had turned out to be a disaster.
Aarav was about to ask another question when Vanshu's right-hand man grabbed him by the collar.
Right-hand guy: "That's enough. Stop asking so many questions."
But Vanshu quickly stopped him.
Vanshu: "Hey, let go. He's a friend."
—
After school, Vanshu and Priya turned left toward their home, while Aarav took the right lane toward the train station.
As soon as Aarav reached the station, he was surrounded. Arjun and four to five of his cronies had been waiting. They beat Aarav mercilessly. Before the station guard could arrive, Arjun even took all the money Aarav had.
—
Later at home, Aarav lay in silence. His mother was out. His mind was stuck on one thought:
"I'm an idiot… I'm such an idiot…"
Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
Ding.
[Suryawanshi Academy – Admission Confirmation]
Dear Aarav, Congratulations!
You have been successfully admitted to Suryawanshi Academy.
Reporting Date: 1st March 2024 Student ID: SURA-0527X
Your student portal will be activated soon.
– Admissions Team, Suryawanshi Academy
Aarav read the message and sat up.
Everything else faded. He smiled to himself and said:
"Just 10 more days..."
> "Every night, I see myself dying in my dreams…
But every morning, I wake up alive."
— Aarav, in his diary
---
🌙 Pre-Dawn Shadows
The night hadn't fully faded yet, but Aarav had already woken up.
Drenched in sweat, he jolted upright—dark circles under his eyes, shaky hands, and breath out of rhythm.
Standing in front of the mirror, he stared at himself.
> "The same dream again... Arjun… the cafeteria… the beating…
Everyone watching…
And me? I couldn't do a damn thing."
---
☀️ Morning Routine
While brushing his teeth, a flicker of anger still burned in his eyes.
> "One day… I'll return it all.
I'm not just a punching bag."
He grabbed his bag, slipped his diary into the side pocket, and left quietly.
---
🛤️ On the Way to School
Passing through the old alley, he came across the familiar tea stall.
An elderly man, Shambhu Kaka, was preparing chai as usual.
Aarav stopped.
> "Namaste, uncle."
Shambhu Kaka smiled gently and nodded.
> "Tea today, son? It's on the house."
> "No, I'm running late. I'll see you tomorrow," Aarav said before walking away.
Kaka watched him leave, as if sensing something... but said nothing.
---
🏫 Flash Glitch – Cafeteria Dream (Hallucination)
In the middle of class, Aarav's eyes briefly closed.
Darkness.
FLASH.
The cafeteria.
Arjun with his cronies.
Arjun sneered:
> "You're just a stress ball, Aarav.
Wanna see my new kickboxing move?"
BAM!
A punch.
A kick.
Phones were recording.
Aarav didn't scream.
He just took it — silently.
Suddenly, eyes snapped open.
---
🧍♂️ The Classroom Cage
For everyone else, the class was normal.
But for Aarav, each second was torture.
Every laugh felt like another hit to the face.
He pulled out his diary and scribbled:
> "Same dream again. Arjun beating me.
I wasn't scared…
I was just angry.
Maybe I'm changing.
Maybe I have to."
---
🧥 The Shadow Man
On his way home, he turned a corner… and saw someone.
A tall man, dressed in black, like a shadow.
The man looked straight at Aarav—but said nothing.
Aarav stood frozen for a few seconds, eyes locked…
Then, without a word, he turned and walked away.
---
> "I'm enduring everything…
But something inside me is starting to break."
— Aarav
---
End of Chapter 2