Part 13

MAHER POV

After finishing our coffee, we all headed back to our classes. The rest of the day passed in a blur of lectures, note-taking, and the occasional whispers exchanged between Aisha, Kabir, and me. Rudra, on the other hand, remained mostly silent, only speaking when absolutely necessary.

As the final lecture ended, I packed my bag and turned to the others. "Alright, I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Aisha smiled. "Bye, Maher! And don't forget, we still have to pick our project topic when it's announced!"

Kabir added with a grin, "And don't let Rudra scare you too much with his 'I'm-too-serious-for-this' act."

I chuckled, glancing at Rudra, who simply shook his head. "I'll survive," I said, waving them off before making my way home.

The moment I stepped inside my house, the familiar warmth of home embraced me. The faint scent of freshly cooked food filled the air, and my mother's voice drifted from the kitchen. Without wasting a second, I walked straight to her, dropping my bag on the couch.

"Mom!" I called excitedly.

She turned around with a smile. "You're back! How was your first day?"

I leaned against the counter. "It was... interesting."

Mom raised an eyebrow. "Interesting? That sounds suspicious. Tell me everything."

I grinned and pulled up a chair. "So, I met two really nice people—Kabir and Aisha. They're hilarious. You should've seen them arguing like an old married couple. I swear they might actually be soulmates."

Mom laughed. "It's good that you already made friends."

I nodded. "Yeah, and we're planning to work together on a project once the professor announces the topic."

Mom smiled warmly, pleased to hear that I was settling in well. But then, as I thought about Rudra, my words faltered. I stopped mid-sentence, my mind drifting back to our first encounter. The way he had turned toward me in sync when Aisha and Kabir asked if we knew each other. The way his deep eyes held something unreadable, something that unsettled me in a way I couldn't quite explain.

I hadn't realized I had gone completely silent until Mom's voice snapped me out of it.

"Maher?" she called gently.

I didn't respond. My mind was still lost in that fleeting moment from earlier.

"Maher!" Mom called again, this time louder.

I blinked rapidly, realizing where I was. My fingers gripped the edge of the table as I exhaled sharply. "Uh—yeah?"

"You just zoned out. What were you thinking about?"

I quickly reached for the glass of water on the table and took a sip, using it as an excuse to compose myself. Then, setting the glass down, I forced a small smile. "Nothing, Mom. Just... I'm really tired. It was a long day."

Mom studied me for a moment, as if trying to read my expression. But then she sighed and patted my cheek gently. "Alright, go get some rest. We'll talk later."

I nodded, picking up my bag and went to my room 

As I walked toward my room, I couldn't shake the lingering thoughts about Rudra. There was something about him—something different. And for reasons I didn't quite understand, I felt like this was just the beginning.

After leaving the kitchen, I headed straight to my room, tossing my bag onto the bed. The first thing I did was freshen up—changing into comfortable clothes and washing away the exhaustion of the day. The cool splash of water on my face helped clear my mind, but only for a moment.

As I stepped back into the kitchen for dinner, my mom had already set the table. The warmth of home-cooked food should have been comforting, but my thoughts were scattered. I quietly ate my meal, responding to Mom's occasional questions with short, distracted answers.

Once dinner was done, I made my way back to my room, sitting at my desk. My notebook lay open in front of me, the pages blank and waiting. With a sigh, I picked up my pen and started my homework.

Studying had never been something I enjoyed, but I wasn't careless about it either. I knew how important it was—I had dreams, goals, ambitions. If I wanted to achieve them, I needed to push through the boring parts too.

But today, for some reason, my mind refused to focus.

Every few minutes, I caught myself staring at nothing, my thoughts wandering back to college—to the people I met, the conversations I had. And most annoyingly, to him.

Rudra.

I tapped my pen against my notebook, irritated at myself. Why am I even thinking about him?

It wasn't like we were friends. He barely spoke, and when he did, his words were short and precise. He was nothing like me—I talked too much, laughed too easily, and found joy in the little things. Rudra seemed... distant. Like he had built an invisible wall around himself.

And yet, I couldn't deny the odd pull I felt toward him. It was strange, frustrating even.

Shaking my head, I forced myself to finish my homework, jotting down the last few answers quickly.

Then, finally, I turned off the lights and slipped into bed, pulling the blanket over me.

I stared at the ceiling for a long time, listening to the silence of the night. For some reason, I felt restless—like I was waiting for something, though I had no idea what.

I just want this night to end.

I wanted morning to come. I wanted to go back to college.

And, if I was being completely honest with myself... I wanted to see Rudra again.

I had no idea why.

But I did.

With that last thought lingering in my mind, I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to take over.

The alarm buzzed loudly, pulling me out of my restless sleep. With a groan, I reached over and turned it off before sitting up in bed. The morning light streamed through my window, casting a warm glow over my room.

A strange excitement bubbled inside me as I got up and stretched. It was the second day of college, and for some reason, I was eager to be there. More specifically, to see him.

Shaking the thought away, I made my way to my closet. After a few moments of deliberation, I settled on an outfit that was both comfortable and stylish—a white fitted top tucked into high-waisted denim jeans, paired with a lavender oversized cardigan. I completed the look with white sneakers and tied my hair into a loose ponytail, letting a few strands fall around my face. A hint of lip gloss, a dab of perfume, and I was ready.

Heading to the dining table, I found my mom already serving breakfast. "You seem excited today," she noted with a knowing smile.

I shrugged, trying to act casual. "Just getting used to the college routine."

Mom smirked but didn't press further. I quickly ate my breakfast, exchanged goodbyes with my family, and grabbed my bag before heading out the door.

The moment I reached college, the familiar buzz of students moving around filled the air. I weaved through the corridors, finally making it to my classroom. As soon as I stepped inside, my eyes instinctively darted toward the seat I had taken yesterday.

It was empty.

I exhaled in relief and walked over, placing my bag on the desk. Within minutes, Alisha and Kabir entered, chatting and laughing like always.

"Morning, Maher!" Alisha greeted, plopping down beside me.

Kabir leaned against my desk. "So, what do you think? Will Rudra come today, or is he one of those guys who disappears after the first day?"

I tried to ignore the way my stomach flipped at the mention of Rudra. "I don't know," I said, keeping my voice neutral.

Kabir was about to say something else when suddenly, a commotion near the door grabbed everyone's attention.

We all turned toward the entrance as a group of four boys and two girls walked in together.

The air in the classroom shifted. It wasn't just their entrance that caught people's eyes—it was how they walked in. Confidence radiated from them as if they owned the place.

The first guy led the group, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a black jacket over a white T-shirt. His sharp jawline and intense gaze made it clear that he wasn't someone to be messed with.

Beside him was a guy with slightly messy brown hair, wearing a red hoodie. His smirk suggested that he enjoyed trouble and was probably the mischievous one of the group.

The third guy, dressed in a fitted navy-blue shirt, had an effortless charm about him. He ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, giving off the vibe of someone who knew he was attractive.

The last boy, in a casual checkered shirt and ripped jeans, seemed quieter than the others. His dark eyes scanned the room, as if assessing everyone carefully.

Then there were the girls.

The first one, walking beside the leader, had striking features, her long dark hair cascading down her back. She wore a fitted black top and skinny jeans, exuding an air of superiority.

The second girl had caramel-brown hair styled in loose waves and a more approachable charm. She wore a light pink dress, her soft smile masking an undeniable confidence.

As they walked in, students in the room exchanged glances, whispering amongst themselves. It was clear that these people were somebody—their presence alone demanded attention.

I could feel Alisha shift beside me, already intrigued. Kabir let out a low whistle. "And who do we have here?"

I didn't respond. My eyes flickered to the door again.

Still no sign of Rudra.

But something told me that things were about to get even more interesting.

The air in the classroom felt heavier as the group of seniors walked in with an undeniable presence. Every step they took seemed calculated, as if they already knew they controlled the room.

The leader of the group, the guy in the black jacket, scanned the classroom with a smirk before finally speaking. "Listen up, juniors," his voice was deep and carried authority. "Since you're all new here, let me introduce ourselves. I'm Aryan, and these are my friends—Raghav, Samir, and Neil." He gestured to the three guys standing behind him. "And these two lovely ladies, Sanaya and Riya."

The girl in black, Sanaya, flipped her hair, looking at us as if we were insects beneath her feet. The other girl, Riya, simply smirked.

"Since we're your seniors, that means you'll do what we say," Aryan continued, his smirk widening. "And if you don't... well, let's just say things won't be so easy for you here."

I felt Alisha stiffen beside me. Kabir, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, completely unimpressed. He let out an exaggerated yawn before saying, "Wow. So original. Did you rehearse this speech in front of a mirror, or does it come naturally?"

The entire room fell silent.

Aryan's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more dangerous. He turned to one of his friends—Raghav, the guy in the red hoodie—and nodded.

"Bring him here."

Before Kabir could react, Raghav and Samir moved toward him. I barely had time to process what was happening before they grabbed Kabir by the arms and dragged him forward.

"Hey! Let me go, idiots!" Kabir struggled against their grip, but they were stronger.

Alisha gasped and jumped up from her seat. "Leave him alone!"

I could feel my own blood boiling as they pushed Kabir in front of Aryan. But before I could move, Aryan clenched his fist and—

THUD!

Kabir's head snapped to the side as Aryan's fist collided with his face. The impact echoed in the room, followed by gasps from the students watching.

Alisha let out a sob and rushed toward Kabir, crouching beside him as he held his jaw. "Kabir! Are you okay?"

Kabir coughed, touching the corner of his lip, which now had a thin trickle of blood. But despite that, he let out a breathless chuckle. "Damn. You hit like a child."

Aryan's expression darkened, but before he could say anything, Raghav smirked. "Look at this, guys. Kabir needs a girl to protect him. How pathetic."

Laughter erupted from the seniors.

Alisha's eyes filled with tears as she held onto Kabir's arm, trying to check if he was hurt badly. Kabir was seething, but I could see that Aryan's words had struck a nerve.

Kabir wiped the blood from his lip and, without warning, swung his fist—

CRACK!

The sound of Kabir's punch landing on Aryan's jaw was even louder than before.

Aryan stumbled back, caught off guard, his hand flying to his face. His friends looked just as shocked as the rest of us.

For a moment, no one moved.

Then Aryan's expression twisted with rage, and he lunged forward, ready to strike Kabir again.

Enough.

"JUST STOP IT!" My voice rang through the room.

The words left my lips before I could even think.

Every pair of eyes turned to me, but I didn't care. My pulse thundered in my ears as I stormed toward Aryan. My hands clenched into fists, my entire body shaking with anger.

"You think this makes you powerful?" I spat, my voice dripping with rage. "Beating up juniors, making fun of others? Is this what makes you feel important?"

Aryan opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, I did something that shocked everyone—including myself.

I raised my hand and slapped him.

Hard.

The sound of the slap echoed through the room. A stunned silence followed.

Aryan's head snapped to the side, his cheek instantly reddening from the impact. His entire body stiffened, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might break.

I took a step closer, meeting his furious gaze with my own. "Don't you dare touch my friend again," I warned, my voice low but filled with fire.

I could see Aryan's fingers twitch, as if he was resisting the urge to retaliate. His pride had been wounded, and I knew men like him hated that more than anything.

The tension in the room was suffocating. No one dared to breathe.

Then, Aryan exhaled sharply and smirked. But it wasn't his usual arrogant smirk. This one was different. More dangerous.

"You've got guts," he muttered, tilting his head slightly. "I like that."

My stomach twisted uncomfortably at the way he was looking at me. But I refused to back down.

Kabir stood up then, wiping his lip again, and let out a breath. "Yeah, well, you're still an ass."

Alisha grabbed Kabir's arm, clearly trying to pull him away before things escalated further. "Come on, let's go."

I kept my eyes on Aryan for a few more seconds before turning on my heel and walking back to my seat. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would explode.

This wasn't over. I knew it.

And somehow, I knew Aryan wasn't the type to forget things easily.

Hello Guys,

So finally the interesting part has start.

Let's see what happens next.

If found any grammatical error then do tell me.

Thank you.