Chapter 6: A World of Marble and Soiled Attire
The next morning, the air in the academy felt different. Perhaps the humidity was lower, or perhaps Arin's 'Confidence' had dissolved into the atmosphere.
Today, his 'Aura' was running on Version 2.0. Despite being drenched in sweat, he walked as if he were strutting down a red carpet. Every punch, every kick held a story. He stood in the center of the hall, breathing heavily, but wearing that same old, cheeky smile on his face.
(Narrator)
"Some people shine because the spotlight finds them,
And some shine because they have burned their way out of the darkness."
Practice ended. Arin sat in a corner, wringing out his T-shirt. Drops of sweat fell onto the floor, drawing temporary maps.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over him. Priya.
Arin lifted his head. He immediately removed the mask of exhaustion from his face and put on the 'Cool Dude' mask.
"Oho, Miss Topper," Arin said, taking a sip from his water bottle. "My performance today was Oscar-worthy, wasn't it?"
Priya didn't laugh. There was a question in her eyes, one that was piercing through Arin's laughter to look inside.
"Arin," she said softly, "You make people laugh a lot. You talk big too. But... who is at home? Parents?"
The noise of the hall suddenly went on 'Mute'. The water bottle in Arin's hand froze. An invisible crack appeared in his expression, and then instantly filled up.
He put the bottle down and rested his head against the wall.
"Look Priya," Arin's voice was light now, but it carried a lot of weight.
"In the 'Server' of this world, my file is a bit corrupt. My childhood started with a 'Blue Screen Error' that no one could fix."
He looked at his fingers, which were trembling slightly.
"My real parents left me at a turn where even Google Maps gives up. In my 'legacy', I only have this street and my brother—Nainu."
Priya's face fell. "I am so sorry, Arin... I didn't know."
Arin waved his hand in the air instantly, as if waving away smoke.
"Hey, chill! Don't drop my 'Market Rate' by saying sorry."
He stood up, that same mischief back in his eyes.
"Crying and sobbing is very old school. I uninstalled that 'Software' long ago. Now I am the Director of my movie and the Hero too. No emotional drama, only Action."
To lighten the mood, Priya took a step forward.
"Okay, Mr. Director. So, shall we go to the park this evening? Just you and me?"
Just you and me.
Danger bells rang in Arin's mind. Alone? Meaning more questions? More emotional talks?
He felt as if his 'Armor' was being stripped away. He felt fear—not from a martial arts punch, but from that 'intimacy'.
He hit the Panic Button.
"Oy Gang!" He turned around and shouted loudly, making the whole hall echo.
"Listen up everyone! Today 'Maharaj' is in a nature-loving mood. After the academy, everyone goes to the park! On me... the air is free!"
Priya froze. Disappointment flashed on her face for a second—like the power going out while reading a good book.
"You really are..." she whispered, "You invited everyone?"
Arin gave her a side-glance and winked.
"Hey, in a crowd, the 'Confusion' is less and the fun is more. Don't take tension, you are the VIP Guest."
When they stepped out, Arin's 'Modified' bicycle stood there proudly. In the rear basket sat Nainu—wearing red sunglasses, looking just like a rockstar. His ears were flapping in the wind.
The girls gathered around him. "Aww... he is so cute!"
Priya stroked Nainu's head. "Where did you find him, Arin?"
Arin leaned over the bicycle handle. The golden evening sun was hitting his face.
"I found him where everyone else had hit 'Skip' on us," Arin looked at Nainu. There was love in his gaze, not pretense.
"He isn't a dog, Priya. He is the only 'Constant' in my life. When pockets were empty and the world was against me, only his tail wagged for me."
Priya looked at Arin. Today, for the first time, she felt that this boy's 'Swag' wasn't just style, but a stubbornness—a stubbornness to keep from breaking.
In the park, the grass was cool. The sun was setting, painting the sky orange and purple.
Friends surrounded them. "Brother, is the guitar just for show-off or do you actually know something?"
Arin settled the guitar in his lap.
"Look bro, I'm not Arijit Singh," he tightened the tuning, "But I promise, blood won't trickle from your ears."
He played the first chord. Strum...
The sound resonated. Arin closed his eyes. He wasn't singing a song, just humming a melody. The tune was raw, but true. It held everything he couldn't say aloud—loneliness, hope, and a little bit of peace.
The noise of the park ceased. Priya was watching him—his fingers moving on the strings, his face which was now calm. No mask.
As darkness began to fall, the gathering broke up.
Everyone started leaving. Priya came up to Arin. She was hesitating a little. She looked at her feet, then into Arin's eyes.
"Listen..."
"Yes?"
"Tomorrow... tomorrow I will give you a surprise."
Arin stopped. His heart missed a beat.
"Surprise? Why? Did someone file a police case against me?"
Priya burst out laughing. "Oh, you dummy... we are friends, right? Just because. Do come tomorrow."
Arin kicked the bicycle stand up and gave a crooked smile.
"Watch out... make sure there is no 'scam' in the surprise. My heart is very fragile, like a Chinese item."
Both laughed, but a promise floated in the air.
On the way back, the streetlights had turned on. Arin was pedaling the cycle. The wind was whistling in his ears.
He was singing loudly—off-key, carefree.
"Zindagi ek safar hai suhana... yahan kal kya ho kisne jaana!" (Life is a beautiful journey... who knows what tomorrow holds!)
Reaching the hut, he made milk and bread for Nainu. They ate together.
"Look brother," Arin said to Nainu, who was eating with delight. "Today our demand in the market was high. And listen, that Priya... she's going to give a surprise tomorrow."
Nainu looked up and let out a soft sound—Woof.
"Yeah, I'm scared too. I hope she doesn't start giving Math tuition."
At night, before sleeping, Arin leaned the guitar against the wall. In the darkness, that red guitar glowed like an ember.
He lay down, but sleep was far from his eyes. He was remembering Priya's smile.
For the first time, 'Loneliness' wasn't biting him. For the first time, the silence wasn't scaring him.
He looked at the roof and said to himself:
"The movie isn't over yet, Arin. Just keep playing your 'Character'... the applause will come."