The car hummed quietly as it sped along the highway, city lights fading into a blur. Raj glanced at Niharika, who seemed lost in her own thoughts, staring out of the window.
He broke the silence.
"You know... the Rishi you see today-calm, sorted, serious-that's not how he always was."
Niharika turned toward him. curious.
Raj gave a faint smirk.
"His current version is the result of everything life threw at him. The real Rishi-the old one was nothing like this."
He leaned his head back. "Back in college.... it was me, Rajiv, and Rishi. The three of us were literally the duplicate copy of 3 Idiots. Total chaos."
Niharika raised a brow, intrigued.
Raj continued, his voice softer now.
"I was still somewhat connected through the college events, but Rajiv and Rishi? They were together since childhood. Like brothers."
He looked ahead, as if trying to decide whether to continue. Then he said. "You know, one day during college elections, something happened..."
The campus of Indore Business College was in absolute chaos. Election banners hung like battle flags. slogans echoed from every corner, and students were split into two rival groups, their faces flushed with adrenaline.
Suddenly, from the far side of the playground, a boy in no uniform-with rage in his eyes and a baseball bat in hand -started swinging wildly at students who didn't belong to his faction. Screams rang out. Students ran for cover. No one knew who he was, but one thing was certain: he wasn't afraid of anyone.
Meanwhile, near the staff room. Raj and Rajiv were trying their best to control the crowd.
"Everyone, get inside! Lock the doors!" Raj shouted, arms flailing like a traffic cop on steroids.
A professor peeked out and asked, "Who's the lunatic with the bat?"
Raj gave a dramatic sigh. "Sir, unfortunately, he's from our department."
Rajiv added, "Sir. please just go inside. You don't want to be out here when he's around. That's Rishi... and he's in Darmod mode today."
As they rushed toward the field, a hot-headed rival student came charging at them with a hockey stick, crying blazing.
Raj put his hand on Rajiv's chest and said heroically. "Leave this to me. Today. I'm the hero. Let him come."
The guy lunged forward.
Raj tightened his fists, widened his stance and missed his timing completely.
WHACK!
Raj got lightly smacked on the side. Not seriously hurt. but just enough to break his lake bravado.
"Dude! That wasn't in the script!" Raj yelled, staggering back. "I was supposed to win!"
The rival student was about to swing again, when suddenly
SPLASH!
A glass bottle of cold drink smashed against the attacker's head. Everyone froze.
The attacker blinked, dazed. Raj and Rajiv turned around.
And there he was.
Rishi.
With his sleeves rolled up, cyes burning with calm fury. he stood like a storm about to be unleashed.
"Be careful." Rishi said, his voice was low but sharp. "I won't be there every time to save your sorry faces."
Raj grinned, rubbing his shoulder. "You sure know how to make an entrance, bro."
And with that. Rishi walked toward the group of troublemakers like a lion walking into a pack of jackals.
Within minutes, punches flew. One by one, he disarmed and knocked down the rivals with precision. No unnecessary moves. No shouting. Just raw, cold efficiency.
But the action couldn't last forever. The sound of police sirens pierced the air. The fight came to an abrupt stop.
Raj whispered to Rajiv. "Uh-oh. Guess who's going to jail today?"
A few minutes later, the police hauled away the brawlers- Rishi included.
Raj paced outside the police station like a madman. throwing his hands in the air. "Bro... they actually took him! They arrested Rishi! What the hell do we do now?!"
Rajiv stood beside him. equally anxious but trying to stay calm. He took out his phone. "Wait. I'll call Uncle."
He quickly dialed the number.
The phone rang once... twice... and then was answered.
"Hello?" came a calm. familiar female voice.
Rajiv straightened up. "Aunty? This is Rajiv."
There was a pause. Then, a warm yet surprised voice replied. "Rajiv beta? Arre, I've watched you grow up. You think I wouldn't recognise your voice?"
A small smile broke through Rajiv's worried face. "Ves. Aunty... I didn't expect you to pick up. Is Uncle home? It's urgent."
Anuradha Choudhary's tone shifted. "He's a little tied up with something right now. But tell me what happened. Your voice... it doesn't sound right."
Rajiv hesitated, then explained everything in one breath-the fight, the police. how Rishi didn't even do much but still got taken away.
There was a long silence.
Then came Anuradha's voice. firm and composed. "Alright. listen. You don't worry. You both go to the police station and wait there. I'll send him right now. You know your Uncle... he won't sit still once he hears this."
Rajiv nodded, relieved. "Thank you. Aunty. Really."
"Take care of each other, beta," she said softly before cutting the call.
Raj, who had been watching him like a hawk, asked, "Well? What'd she say?"
Rajiv looked at him. "She's sending Uncle. Told us not to worry."
Raj sighed. Leaning back against the wall. "God bless Rishi's mom, man. She's the real don of the family."
They both shared a nervous laugh-half to ease the tension. halt because they know.....
At the station.....
Rishi lay sprawled on the hard bench inside the lock-up. arms tucked behind his head. completely unbothered. The constable stomped toward him, annoyed.
Constable (banging on bars):
"Hey! Wake up!"
Rishi (without moving):
"Why are you making noise like a frustrated mosquito? This jail has no TV. no phone.... at least let me sleep."
Constable 2 (irritated):
"You beat people like a thug and now you want comfort?"
Rishi (finally opening one eye):
"When you don't do your job and I do it, you call me a thug? Wow... what logic."
Constable (exclaimed):
"What do you mean ...?"
Rishi:
"You guys are louder than the problem itself."
Just then, the Sub-Inspector entered, clearly frustrated with the noise and the boy's attitude.
Sl (strictly):
"Who do you think you are? This isn't a joke. You're not above the law."
Rishi sat up with an amused smile.
Rishi:
"Oh really? Then why is it that when we do your work, it's called hooliganism-but when you ignore that work, it's called duty?"
SI (frowning):
"You're crossing the line now."
Rishi (calmly):
"No. I'm just saying what everyone out there wants to say. When someone steps in because the system fails, you call them criminals. But when that same system sleeps through. injustice, it's called protocol?"
SI (warning tone):
"You better watch your tongue."
Rishi (coldly):
"Why? Are words more dangerous than the crimes stacking up under your desk?"
The SI was now fuming. He took a step forward.
SI:
"You think you're smart?"
Rishi:
"Smart enough to see through a broken system."
The SI snapped, "Don't lecture me on my job! I handle this station alone."
Rishi (mocking tone):
"20 thefts. 13 pickpockets. 7 murders. 5 kidnappings. 4 rape cases and bribery? Let's just say it's part of the daily chai."
Sl (gritting his teeth):
"I don't run the whole city! I only manage this station."
Rishi:
"Really Sir ! Well then, allow me to make your job easier."
Rishi chuckled, stood up. and yelled out a folder from under the bench.
He handed the file to the Sl.
Rishi (mocking laugh):
"And still so many unsolved cases? If this is "management. I'd hate to see mismanagement. According to this file, the cases I discussed are only yours, Sir."
SI (shocked):
"Where the hell did you get this?"
Rishi (shrugging):
"Picked it off your side table when I was brought in. Thought I'd do some light reading."
The SI flipped through the pages, his face turning red. He turned to the constable.
SI:
"You let him take this?"
Constable (nervous):
"Sir... he must've grabbed it on his way in."
Rishi (smirking):
"Don't worry. I've read it all. Your files are about as secure as your doors."
SI (shouting):
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
Rishi (stone-faced):
"Just a citizen .... One who's more awake than your records ."
The tension in the station is cut like a blade. Just then, the main door creaked open. A tall man in his late 40s entered, dressed in a crisp white shirt, black trousers, and an aura that made the room stand still.
Sub-Inspector (standing immediately):
"Sir! May I know who you're here for?"
The man didn't look around.
Mohan Choudhary:
"I'm here for my son."
Sl (surprised):
"Your son, sir? Who-?"
Mohan (pointing at Rishi calmly):
"Him."
The SI blinked rapidly, confused.
"He's... your son?"
Mohan (sharp tone, calm but intimidating):
"Why? Do you need a DNA test or will my ID be enough?"
The constable next to SI almost dropped his notepad.
SI:
"N-No, sir. Apologies."
Mohan turned to Rishi, who hadn't spoken a single word all this time. His expression is blank, almost unreadable. But in his eyes, something flickered-something between anger and disappointment.
Without saying a word, Mohan nodded at him. Rishi got up slowly, quietly walking past everyone. The room full of officers and detainees felt smaller as he walked out with his father.
As Rishi stepped out of the station gate, he saw Mohan Choudhary already waiting beside his black SUV. Arms crossed. expression unreadable, eyes filled with silent disappointment.
For a moment, nothing was said.
Then Mohan's voice broke the silence-low.controlled, but cutting.
Mohan (firmly):
"The mistake was yours... but the shame is mine."
Rishi stood quietly, his hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on the ground.
Mohan (shaking his head):
"When will you grow up? When will you understand that life isn't about rage and depending on friends to clean up your mess?"
Still. Rishi said nothing.
Mohan glanced at Rajiv and Raj standing a few feet behind.
Mohan (pointing slightly):
"Learn something from them. At least they're not regular visitors to police stations."
He turned to walk toward his car, but paused just before opening the door. His voice came one last time-cold. deliberate.
Mohan (quietly but sharply):
"I'm leaving. I've got more important things to do. You can take your bike. And remember-if this happens again. you're going to the US. No second chances."
Without waiting for a response. Mohan got into the SUV. started the engine. and drove off-never looking back.
Rishi remained standing..
Raj walked up beside him, muttering under his breath:
Raj (half-sarcastic):
"Bro... is he your father or a Netflix villain? That line hit like a monologue."
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Rishi's lips, just for a second.
Rajiv (putting a hand on his shoulder):
"Come on. Let's head to the café. I already ordered an extra strong cold coffee for you."
The golden hue of sunset spilled into the small café corner where Rishi. Raj. and Rajiv sat. The place was buzzing with students, but their table was unusually quiet. Rishi sat lost in thought. his coffee untouched, gaze heavy and distant.
Rajiv watched him for a moment, then nudged Raj. "Bro... let it go. Uncle said all that out of anger. Don't stress-he won't really send you to the U.S."
Rishi didn't respond. His fingers tapped lightly on the table, still processing the day.
Finally, he spoke in a low tone, eyes fixed ahead. "Do you even know how Pratik got into our college? He's from a different college altogether. He and his buddy are the real reason behind today's mess."
Raj who had been leaning back lazily, suddenly sat up. throwing his hands in the air. "Oh come on. Rajiv! This guy has totally lost it. What should I even do with him?"
He thumped the table lightly. "He just got out of jail, and here he is, still obsessing over the same idiots? Do you wanna go back and stay there forever. Rishi?"
Rajiv tried to hold back a grin. Raj continued his rant.
"If I get a heart attack at this age because of your drama. I'm blaming both of you. Rajiv, you talk some sense into this man."
Rajiv smirked and leaned in. "Okay, listen. Tomorrow morning. 6 AM. Come to the park. Trust me, it'll clear your head."
Rishi gave him a deadpan look. "Are you insane? Who even wakes up at 6?"
Raj jumped in. grinning wide. "See? Rajiv, now you know. This guy's sunrise happens at 10 AM. Lazy creature!"
That broke the tension.
All three burst into laughter, the café echoing with a bit of their old selves. The stress of the arrest, the lectures. the threats it all faded into the background for a while. For a moment, it was just friendship, sarcasm, and comfort.
To be continued....