Chapter 13: The Threshold of Skills Institute
The morning sun had cut through the fog.
Outside the window, the sound of a heavy engine—Vroom-Vroom—broke both Arin's sleep and the silence.
He peeked outside. A long, black, luxury car was parked there. The Principal stood beside it, like an old magician arriving with his new ride.
Arin zipped his bag. Picked up Nainu. And stepped out.
(Arin's Mind)
"Destiny has shifted gears, Nainu.
Yesterday we were pedaling, today an engine has come to pick us up.
But remember, the vehicle is changing, not the driver."
The Principal opened the door. The cool air of the AC dried Arin's sweat instantly.
The car started moving. The city was being left behind, and the mountains were drawing near.
"Arin," the Principal looked in the rear-view mirror. "What do you like?"
Arin rested his forehead against the window glass. Outside, trees were running backward, as if they too wanted to flee from their roots.
"Noise, Sir," Arin said softly.
"The noise of the guitar. Because when it plays, the noise in the mind goes silent. I like that life where there is no 'Script'. Without filters, without editing."
The Principal smiled. Then he fired a question that was no less than a bomb.
"Ever fell in love with a girl?"
The car tires were humming on the road—Suuuu...
A face flashed in Arin's mind. Wet eyes. And that last hug. Priya.
A pang rose in his chest, as if a broken rib had started aching again.
He immediately adjusted his black sunglasses. The best curtain to hide pain.
"Sir," he said with a faint smile.
"Love-shove is a 'Bug' in the system. And my system keeps crashing anyway. My heart... it is just the 'Caretaker' of the guitar. No one else can become the landlord."
The car stopped.
'International Skills Institute'.
This didn't look like a hostel; it looked like a Five-Star Hotel. A colossal structure of glass and concrete trying to touch the clouds.
Arin stepped out of the car. He craned his neck up.
(Arin's Mind)
"This is the 'Jurassic Park' of the rich.
Here, maybe rose water flows in the bathrooms.
Looks like Destiny has finally accepted my 'Pending Request'."
There was silence in the lobby. A man stood there. Dry face, strict jaw, and eyes that could see through you like an X-ray machine.
Hostel Warden.
As soon as Arin saw him, he mentally christened him—'Wooden'. Because his face held expressions like wood—hard and lifeless.
The Warden handed the key to Arin. "Rule Number 1: No noise. Rule Number 2: Don't forget Rule Number 1."
Arin took the key and gave a crooked smile.
"I'll try, Sir. But noise is in my DNA."
Room Number 304.
Three beds. Two boys were already there, settling their stuff.
Anuj—bespectacled, studious.
Aman—Gym freak, whose T-shirt was begging for mercy on his biceps.
Arin threw his bag on the bed. Sat Nainu on the bed. Silence hung in the room.
Arin clapped his hands. Clap!
"Hello brothers!" Arin took off his glasses and hung them on his shirt.
"I am Arin. The new update of this hostel. Are you guys the old 'System' here or new downloads like me?"
Both burst out laughing. The ice melted.
Arin leaned his guitar against the wall.
"I am new, but I am clean at heart," he punched Aman's shoulder lightly.
"Be a friend and I'll give my life, and if anyone messes with me... I'll press their 'Reboot' button."
7 PM Evening. Anuj checked his watch.
"Dinner time. Come on Arin, let's taste the Mess food. By the way, the timetable here is very strict."
Arin locked Nainu in the room (secretly).
"We are strict too, brother. Let's see who breaks whom."
In the Mess Hall, there was the sound of clattering utensils and a hundred different smells—lentils, sweat, and deodorant.
Arin took his plate. He had just sat at an empty table when shadows loomed over him.
Three boys. Seniors. Faces carrying that arrogance which comes only from father's money.
The leader slammed his hand on the table. Thud!
"Are you new?" He dipped his finger into Arin's dal to check. "Is it hot?"
Silence fell in the hall. Everyone was watching. Anuj and Aman shrank in fear.
Arin slowly broke his roti, dipped it in the dal (where the boy hadn't dipped his finger), and put it in his mouth.
He chewed. Swallowed. And then looked up.
"Yes, I am new," Arin's voice was calm, very calm. "Uploaded to the server just today. Is there any glitch?"
The senior's ego was hurt.
"Don't fly too high, kiddo," he reached out to grab Arin's collar. "Meet me outside, we'll find an auspicious time for your ragging."
Arin caught his hand in mid-air. His grip was like iron.
He looked into the senior's eyes and smiled—a cold, dangerous smile.
"Why outside?" Arin asked innocently.
"Is a relative of yours coming to see me? or have you brought the 'Shagun' (auspicious gift) for my wedding?"
An explosion of laughter erupted in the entire mess. The senior's face turned red.
He jerked his hand away and walked off hissing. "I'll deal with you."
Anuj's life was in his throat. "Brother! What are you doing? These are goons. They don't study, they only beat up people."
Arin took the next spoonful of dal.
"Oh, why would I be scared of these 'Viruses'?" He winked at Aman.
"My Anti-Virus (Attitude) is updated. Their threats have already 'Expired'."
Night. Lights were out.
Moonlight from the window was falling on Arin's bed.
"Aman," Arin asked in the dark. "What is the Endgame here? I mean... what actually happens here?"
Aman's voice came, "Competition, brother. Rote learning doesn't work here. This is a battle of skills. At the end of the year, a trophy is awarded—'Student of the Year'. Whoever wins it, their life is set. Big companies hire them at whatever price they ask."
Student of the Year.
Arin lay there, but instead of sleep, a dream began to float in his eyes.
An orphan boy, who was abandoned at a station... if he wins this trophy? Then maybe... maybe the world will stop calling him 'destitute'.
He sat up with a start.
(Arin's Mind)
"I have run enough chasing identity.
Now identity will have to chase me."
He looked at the shape of his guitar in the darkness.
"On this year's trophy, there won't be the name of some rich brat, but of this street-rat," he promised himself.
"If it's about skills, then the guitar is my weapon. And I... I am the lone warrior of this war."
He found Nainu, who was sleeping near his feet, and whispered:
"Get ready, Little One. The real 'Main Event' of the movie is about to begin."