The last exam ended with the usual mix of cheers, sighs, and flying question papers.
We'd done it — the finals were over.
No more sleepless nights, no more formulas, no more teachers reminding us to study.
All were laughing, exultant, already scheming how to waste the next couple of days. But in all that din, there was Krishanu, sitting silently, looking down — serene in a manner that seemed unnatural.
That afternoon, after school, me, Krishanu, PK, and Krrish congregated at the corner near the old tea stall — our traditional gathering place every time exams were over. The sky was orange, and the air had that biting, crisp smell of winter that makes all moments seem slower.
PK spoke first, banging his cup down on the table.
"So, boys — exams are over. What's next?!"
He stared directly at Krishanu, who'd not uttered a word since we got seated.
"You've been awfully quiet, man. Don't tell me you're still thinking of her."
Krishanu didn't blink. He simply drank his tea and spoke in a steady, collected voice:
"I have an idea."
The three of us froze.
PK smiled immediately. "An idea? Oh, now we're talking. You mean about that guy, huh? Ravi?"
Krishanu nodded once, deliberately. "Yeah."
PK cracked his knuckles. "Good. It's high time we beat the hell out of that bastard."
But Krishanu shook his head. "No. I'll do it myself."
That stopped us short. His tone wasn't furious — it was calm. Too calm.
He eyed us again and said, "I'll need your assistance though. Just… not for the fight."
We all stared at one another, baffled.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "What sort of assistance?"
He didn't reply directly — only said,
"It'll occur two days from now. After school. I cannot say everything yet, but I shall tell you when it begins. I must check something first."
PK scowled. "You're seriously going ahead with this? Why two days?"
Krishanu gazed out toward the receding sunset, his face inscrutable.
Because I told my mom I'd concentrate on my exams until they were finished. I don't want her to worry. Now that it's finished… it's time to complete what's remaining."
The manner in which he spoke gave me chills.
There was no hatred in his voice — simply determination.
He wasn't yelling for revenge. He was plotting it.
PK leaned forward, a tiny smirk on his lips. "Alright then. Whatever it is, we're in. Just say the word."
Krishanu smiled faintly — the kind that didn't touch his eyes.
"I know. And don't worry, I won't do anything foolish. I've been tailing him for a couple of days already. I know his haunts. His timings."
That's when we all stiffened again.
"You… what?" I asked.
He shrugged, like it was nothing.
"Just observing. Waiting. I'm not rushing this. I'll end it properly — but my way."
For a moment, no one said anything. The street noises faded — the clinking of cups, distant laughter, the soft hum of life going on as if nothing was happening.
PK whistled low. "Man, you've changed. You're not the same guy from before."
Krishanu looked down at his cup and said softly,
"I'm just someone who finally figured out how the world works."
The air fell silent.
We didn't dare inquire further.
Krishanu got up a few minutes later, dusting the dirt off his trousers.
"It's late. You boys should go home. Study's complete — now it's time for something else."
He said it as if it were nothing, but I sensed it — this wasn't finished.
The storm hadn't passed.
It was just waiting.
As he strode off down the road, his shadow fell long in the orange light — silent, solid, and cold.
Two days.
That was all he uttered.
Two days — and something would change forever.
---
To be continued.