Chapter 17: The Forest Proximity and the Wingman's Plan
The classroom was quiet, but the silence felt brittle, like thin glass stretched over the raw tension of the previous day. Outside, the morning sun was bright, yet inside, a sense of unfinished business hung in the air.
The middle-aged Biology Professor stood at the whiteboard, her marker squeaking as she diagrammed a complex cell structure. Every student was listening alertly and intuitively, their concentration a perfect blend of genuine academic interest and a nervous hyper-awareness of the two rivals in the room: Aarav and Rajat.
Rajat sat rigid in the back row. Outwardly, he was the model student, but his jaw was clenched, his knuckles white against the desk. The sting of being bested by Aarav in the Business Plan Competition, and then again in the street fight—humiliated in front of his hired goons—was a fresh, burning wound. He plotted vengeance in silence.
Aarav, however, was calm. His focus was divided. One part of his mind followed the professor's intricate explanation of mitochondria; the other part scanned the room, assessing threats. He knew Rajat was wounded, which meant he was more dangerous than ever. Aarav glanced at Ayushi, who was diligently taking notes, her dedication to her future blinding her to the storms brewing around her. She's worth every risk, he thought, his internal vow of protection steeling his resolve.
The professor tapped the board sharply, concluding her lecture with a concise summary of genetic coding. She wiped her hands on a cloth, turned to the class, and offered a rare, slight smile.
"Before you all rush out, I have an important announcement." The class held its breath, instantly shifting from a state of academic routine to anticipation.
"The Biology Department, in collaboration with the Environmental Studies faculty, has successfully requested funding for our mandatory Field Work assignment. This year, we are taking you for an intensive two-day trip to The Nilgiri Bio-Discovery Zone."
A murmur rippled through the classroom. The Nilgiri Bio-Discovery Zone was a famous, protected stretch of forest, renowned across the region for its rare medicinal plants and endemic species—a true goldmine for any student in the life sciences.
The professor, enjoying the brief moment of chaos, raised a hand for silence. "The trip is scheduled to depart tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM sharp. I repeat: tomorrow. The college administration has made this trip compulsory for all enrolled students in the department. This is not a vacation; it is a critical component of your studies, and the field observations collected will constitute forty percent of your Internal Assessment Marks."
She placed the marker down with a firm click. "Ensure you are packed and ready. Be on time. Now, you may leave."
With that, she marched out of the classroom, leaving a vacuum of authority that was instantly filled with a sudden explosion of noise and activity.
The classroom erupted. Excitement surged through the students, erasing the remnants of the previous day's tension.
"Tomorrow? Are you serious?" a girl shrieked excitedly. "I haven't been on a field trip since high school!"
"A two-day pass from all the assignments!" shouted another boy, already pulling up weather forecasts on his phone.
Several students immediately clustered together, their voices buzzing with plans. "We need to coordinate gear. Who has a proper map? And we absolutely have to bring a portable speaker for the bus ride!"
Ayushi was among the planners, but her focus was purely professional. Her eyes shone with a genuine, visionary light. She immediately pulled out her notebook, flipping past her business plan outlines.
"This is incredible," she murmured to a friend. "The rare species reserve… I need to gather samples. If I can prove the viability of a locally-sourced herbal component for Green Start, it changes everything." She was already mentally checking off supplies: sample bags, field guides, and her camera.
As Ayushi stood by her desk, entirely focused on her mission, a shadow fell over Aarav. He knew that scent of cheap cologne and boundless energy instantly.
Akash slid into the seat next to Aarav, leaning in with the low, conspiratorial drama of a secret agent. He had a triumphant, almost manic grin plastered across his face.
"Brother, this is it," Akash hissed, barely audible over the din of the excited students. "This is not a field trip. This is a gift from the universe. This is your personal Playbook Move of the century."
Aarav arched an eyebrow, trying to look serious, but even he couldn't entirely suppress his own excitement. "It's a field trip, Akash. We're going to collect leaves and soil."
"No! You're going on a quest for destiny with your future wife!" Akash countered, his eyes wide with intensity. "Listen to me: two days, mandatory proximity, a secluded location, and no parental interference. This is your good opportunity to finally tell Ayushi your feelings, Aarav! Don't let this chance go!"
Akash paused for breath, then continued with renewed vigor. "Forget all the stress and the fighting for a day. You need a Mountain Romance Arc! I'll take care of all the variables. Nobody will disturb your quest for her heart, and that angry, brooding idiot Rajat? I'll personally ensure his bus seat is next to the most obnoxious professor we have! You just focus on the mission: Operation Forced Proximity!"
Akash straightened up, winked with a flourish, and then started loudly asking a nearby girl about the best insect repellent brands, leaving Aarav speechless and staring at the back of Ayushi's head.
A powerful sense of anticipation mixed with quiet dread settled over Aarav. He knew Akash was joking, yet he also knew the underlying truth: this field trip was the greatest opportunity—and the most dangerous setting—to advance his new destiny. He was going to the forest tomorrow, and he knew, with chilling certainty, that the real challenge wouldn't be collecting samples; it would be conquering his own past and telling the girl he loved exactly how much she meant to him.