The afternoon light spilled gently into the classroom, filtering through soft clouds outside. It was nearly four o'clock, and the room hummed with the low murmur of students, their voices blending with the steady cadence of the lecturer's words.
In the front row, Ayan sat with quiet intensity, his attention unwavering. His pen moved fluidly across the page, capturing the lecture with meticulous care. His gaze flickered between his notes and the chalkboard, maintaining perfect balance—each word spoken seemed to demand his full concentration.
As the final words of the lecture echoed through the room, the students began to stir, slowly gathering their belongings with heavy eyes and weary minds. The once vibrant classroom now felt like a space of retreat, the energy of learning fading into the late afternoon haze.
Ayan, however, remained engrossed. He methodically packed his things onto the table, hands moving with mechanical calm—until a soft tap on his shoulder jolted him from focus. He turned instinctively, his expression shifting from concentration to surprise. "Abhi! How come you're attending class today?"
Behind him stood Abhi, eyes wide and effortlessly infectious. A grin lit up his face—bright and lively, like spring blooming in fast-forward. As he melodiously replied, "It's good to spread some charm in this boring class once in a while, right?"
Ayan chuckled, shaking his head. He reached into his bag and handed Abhi a notebook. "Here—today's notes," he said with a soft smile. "Let's head to the library. Brother Arun's still in lecture, so he'll be late to pick me up."
"Class?" Abhi murmured, voice low and melodic. Then, with a more serious nod, he agreed, "Alright, let's go."
...
They exited the classroom, strolling down the corridor. Ayan was absorbed in flipping through the pages of his book, the rustle of paper soothing in the background hum of campus life.
Abhi walked beside him, his attention now on his phone, thumbs dancing across the screen.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out. "Abhi!"
Both of them looked up in unison.
Ahead stood Aarav, his cheeks slightly flushed, a wide and eager smile on his face—as though he'd been waiting for this moment.
Ayan's steps faltered, his heart skipping a beat. A soft blush crept over his cheeks, delicate as cherry blossom petals. He hadn't expected this.
Aarav looked nervous, yet his eyes sparkled with unspoken warmth—like he was caught in a daydream.
Abhi watched the quiet tension unfold with far too much interest. He stepped closer to Aarav and leaned in, whispering with a teasing smirk, "Done with the starter? Wanna move on to the main course now?"
Aarav's face flushed a deep crimson, the warmth spreading like the gentle hues over a quiet field. His attempt to mask the sudden rush of tender feelings was futile as he quickly raised a hand to cover his face.
But Abhi couldn't resist a laugh at the sweet embarrassment spreading over his brother's features.
Ayan stood there, his brow furrowed, confusion flickering in his eyes as he tried to make sense of the scene before him. He could feel the strange bliss in the air but couldn't quite read the room, unsure of what was unfolding.
Then came the ping of a notification on Abhi's phone.
He glanced down, expression flickering. A moment later, he pocketed the phone and said, "Ayan, I can't go with you now. I have to be somewhere else." Abhi said, glancing meaningfully at Aarav before casually turning away.
Ayan blinked, his expression caught between confusion and mild disbelief. "Huh?... Oh... okay," he muttered, unsure of how to respond to the unexpected turn of events.
Abhi, ever the playful spirit, flashed a mischievous grin and, sensing Ayan's uncertainty, teased, "Oh... Don't be distraught... Here, go with my brother instead of me."
Ayan stared at him for a moment, his mind racing with indecision, trying to process the suggestion. "Huh?..." he responded again, the confusion still clear in his voice. His gaze flickered between Abhi and Aarav, waiting for some sort of clarification.
With no further warning, Abhi slid behind Ayan and gave him a gentle push toward Aarav. Abhi leaned in slightly, his voice lower now, "Don't worry. You're in very good hands."
Ayan looked over his shoulder, eyes wide, but his feet had already moved forward. He felt an odd combination of emotions swirling within him. A quiet tension hung in the air as he turned his attention to Aarav.
Aarav smiled, soft and uncertain. That smile made something flutter in Ayan's chest—nervousness and joy, as if the moment was too precious to define.
Aarav met Ayan's eyes, voice gentle, "Are you comfortable coming with me?" He wanted Ayan to accompany him not out of obligation, but willingly.
Ayan, caught in the warmth of the moment, nodded with an innocent, almost shy smile, the gesture as endearing as it was genuine. With that, he started leading the way.
Aarav followed without hesitation, his heart swelling with a quiet sense of happiness. As they moved, Aarav turned back briefly to give Abhi a quick, almost hidden smile of gratitude.
Abhi watched them go, his grin fading into something more thoughtful.
Then he pulled out his phone and dialed a number, and it was answered almost instantly, "Plan worked, right ?" came the voice on the other end, sharp and curious.
A confident smirk spread across Abhi's face as he leaned back against the wall, "Better than I thought. They're practically glowing... What about the senior's lecture ?"
"I'm in the Senior Wing already," the voice replied. "Spoke to Senior-Karan. Classes are about to end."
Abhi's tone sharpened. "Fine. I'm coming."
He ended the call, his expression unreadable. Slipping the phone back into his pocket, his mind already racing.
[ In Senior wing ]
The university campus was built around two main blocks—the Junior and Senior Wings—linked by a broad walkway that stretched across an open, grassy field. Overlooking it all stood the sleek Head Office, its glass walls catching every detail of the vibrant campus.
The Senior Wing had nearly emptied out, the corridor buzzing with final laughter and scattered footsteps. The teasing and light-hearted banter echoed off the walls, creating an ambiance of youthful energy.
Amid the crowd stood Karan, a strikingly well-built boy with a commanding presence and magnetic allure that seemed to enhance his already handsome appearance. His class had just wrapped up, and his sharp eyes scanned the corridor, as though searching for someone.
His gaze soon landed on a mild-mannered boy standing by the gate, it wasn't just his mild demeanor that stood out; it was the way he seemed to belong to a world entirely his own, untouched by the noise and energy surrounding him, engrossed in his phone.
Karan's gaze filled with a playful beam spreading across his face, and he called out, "Vihan !" his voice cutting through the chatter, loud and clear.
Vihan lifted his head, the glow of the screen fading from his eyes as he offered a cheerful wave. His expression warm and inviting.
Karan, already in motion, broke into a light jog, his curiosity written all over his face. He stopped just short of Vihan, tilting his head slightly as if sizing him up, as he asked, "Why were you asking about Arun earlier?"
Vihan's eyes crinkled mischievously as he gave a subtle signal for Karan to look behind.
But Karan, oblivious to the impending trickery, frowned in confusion and turned his head. Before he could fully process, a sudden shrill "Boo!" shattered the moment.
Abhi had leapt out from nowhere, landing with a gleeful cackle that echoed through the air.
Karan jolted back with a startled yelp, his instincts kicking in as his hand flew to his chest. His gaze was sharp, his squinted eyes piercing through Abhi's triumphant grin. Yet, his stiffness was quickly outmatched by the scene before him.
Both Vihan and Abhi were doubled over, snickering uncontrollably, their laughter a melody of unrestrained glee.
"Oh… Got scared, Senior?" Abhi asked, his voice laced with mock innocence.
Karan's scowl deepened, but a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips despite himself. "You're lucky I didn't swing back."
Then, Vihan looked at him with a puzzled expression, eyebrows raised in curiosity, "So, where is Senior-Arun ?"
Karan hesitated for a moment, his uncertainty clear in his tone. "He left class a long time ago... and no one knows where he is now."
Vihan, not missing a beat, leaned in with a raised eyebrow, "Where is he then?"
Before Karan could respond, Abhi let out an exaggerated sigh, his hands going up in mock surrender. "Let's just go to our café. I'm hungry. My brain can't solve mysteries on an empty stomach."
Without hesitation, both Karan and Vihan hastily nodded in agreement, their hunger starting to match Abhi's.
[ Time skip ]
The streets moved slowly, basking in the sleepy calm of late afternoon. Students strolled or gathered near local cafés, the scent of coffee and fried snacks lingering in the air. Almost three-quarters of the people here were students, each lost in their own world or gathered in small groups, enjoying the evening in their own way.
Abhi, with his usual lively step, was leading the way, his pace unhurried but determined.
Behind him, Karan and Vihan walked side by side, their footsteps in sync, but their minds still lingering on the questions and mystery of the day. "Where's Arun?"
Just as they turned into a familiar lane—
Thud!
A boy in a senior's uniform appeared out of nowhere, sprinting down the street like an unannounced storm. Before anyone could react, he lost control and crashed face-first onto the ground with a force that sent a shockwave through the air.
The collision was so intense that it seemed to echo, a deafening sound that lingered for a moment, rippling through the quiet surrounding. A hush fell over the street as every person instinctively paused. Curiosity held them captive. No one moved a step further, all eyes turning toward the fallen boy.
Each person, from the students to the nearby vendors, silently began to analyze the situation, their gazes shifting from the boy to each other, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Was it an accident? Or A prank gone wrong?
The air was thick with the unspoken questions, and time seemed to slow as they waited for something- anything -to break the silence.