As they entered their classroom, Avni and Shruti were greeted by the murmur of conversations and the rustling of bags. The room was already filled with students, some chatting with friends, others scrolling through their phones or laptops.
Avni's nervousness resurfaced as she scanned the unfamiliar faces. Shruti, sensing her tension, gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Let's grab those seats near the window,"
Shruti whispered, nodding toward two empty chairs. They walked to their seats and sat down.
Soon, the professor arrived and began the lecture with an introduction. Avni was fully engrossed in Professor Patel's engaging lecture, reveling in his teasing style. As a self-proclaimed nerd, she had a passion for learning. With three classes concluded, Shruti turned to Avni and suggested, "Avni, shall we head to the canteen? We don't have any more classes now."
Avni nodded, and they went to the canteen, which was very big. They sat at a table in a corner.
As they sat, a waiter arrived to take their order. Avni gazed around the bustling canteen, filled to capacity with students. Every table was occupied, except for one secluded spot on the opposite corner. That table stood out - cozy and inviting, with an air of tranquility. Notably, it was isolated from the surrounding tables, creating a sense of privacy.
Avni's gaze lingered on the solitary table, her curiosity piqued. Why was it set apart from the others? She turned to Shruti, her expression puzzled. "That table looks... different. Do you notice anything unusual about it?"
Shruti followed Avni's gaze. "Now that you mention it, it does stand out. Maybe it's reserved for someone special?"
Avni's confusion deepened. "But why would anyone need a separate table? And why does it look so... cozy?"
Shruti was about to say something, but got interrupted when the waiter arrived with their order. Seeing the delicious food, both of them forgot their discussion.
As they enjoyed their meal and conversation, the canteen's lively atmosphere suddenly shifted. The chatter, laughter, and clinking utensils ceased, replaced by an unsettling silence.
Avni and Shruti exchanged confused glances. The abrupt stillness was palpable.
Scanning the room, they noticed everyone had paused, mid-action, their attention fixed on the canteen entrance. Forks hovered over plates, conversations froze mid-sentence, and eyes locked onto something - or someone - standing there.
Shruti leaned in, whispering, "What's going on? Why is everyone staring?"
Avni shrugged, equally perplexed.
Their curiosity piqued, they turned to face the entrance, joining the collective gaze.
As Avni and Shruti turned to face the entrance, they saw three boys standing tall. The crowd's gaze remained fixed on them, anticipation hanging in the air.
They walked inside the canteen and approached a table where a group of boys sat, looking at the three boys with smirks.
When the three boys entered, everyone got up from their seats in silence, except for the boy gang, which Avni noticed. "Well, well, well, look what we've got here,' the university's bad boys," the leaders of the boy gang, said in a mocking tone, their smirks deepening. "By the way, you three are alone," the boy gang's leader sneered, his eyes scanning the room. "Where's your shadow, Rudraksh."
"I think he got scared of us and is now hiding in some corner," the leader's friend said, chuckling. The group erupted into laughter, their mocking gazes fixed on the three boys.
The three boys' eyes blazed with fury, their hands balling into fists. "You think you're funny, don't you?" one of them snarled, taking a step forward. "Mocking Rudra absence, disrespecting us?" Then, the other one leaned in, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Abhi, I think he doesn't know our Rudra yet... how he likes to hunt his prey," he said, his voice dripping with malice. He placed a hand on Abhi's shoulder, with a smirk on face.
The leader's expression darkened, his eyes blazing with anger. He glared at the three, his gaze piercing and intimidating. "Shut up, Kunal," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You think you can threaten me?"
We're not threatening you, Rahul." the boy said with a smirk, who is standing with kunal and Abhi "we're just stating the truth." He glanced at Abhi and Kunal, who mirrored his expression. "Right, guys?"
Abhi and Kunal nodded in unison, their smirks deepening. "You're right, Roy," Abhi said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Rudra's reputation speaks for itself."
Kunal chimed in, "And we're just curious to see how long it takes for him to show up and prove it."
"And you're playing with the beast," Kunal said, his eyes glinting with a challenge. "Rudra's not someone to mess with. You'll find out soon enough."
Rahul's expression turned icy, his voice low and menacing. "Is that a threat?"
Abhi stepped forward, his smirk still firmly in place. "Just a warning, Rahul. You're poking a lion. Don't say we didn't warn you."
Roy chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Besides, we're curious to see how long you'll last."
The air was thick with tension as Rahul's gaze locked onto Kunal, a silent promise of confrontation.
Rahul's face darkened further, his jaw clenched. "You're playing with fire," he warned.
"Last warning, Rahul," Abhi growled, his eyes blazing. "Stay away from our business, unless you're ready to face Rudra's wrath."
Rahul's expression twisted, his voice dripping with malice. "Or what? You'll send your lapdog Rudra to teach me a lesson?"
Abhi took a step closer, his fists clenched. "Rudra doesn't need orders. He'll come for you when he finds out you're meddling."
Kunal chimed in, his tone icy. "And when he does, you'll wish you'd listened."
Roy crossed his arms, his gaze piercing. "You're playing with the beast, Rahul. Don't say we didn't warn you."
Rahul sneered, but a flicker of unease danced in his eyes.
"Let's go," Roy said, his voice firm.
Abhi nodded, and the trio shared one last, piercing glare at Rahul before turning to walk away.
As the trio walked away, their backs turned to Rahul, they didn't notice his sudden movement. Rahul's anger boiled over, and he grabbed a nearby chair, its metal legs scraping against the floor.
With a swift, vicious motion, Rahul swung the chair at Abhi's unsuspecting back.
Time seemed to slow as the chair arced through the air, its shadow looming over Abhi's retreating figure.
Kunal and Roy, oblivious to the danger, continued walking, their conversation fading into the distance.
But just as the chair was about to make contact, a hand shot out from the shadows, grasping Rahul's wrist and halting the attack.
Rahul's eyes widened as he stared into the face of his would-be victim's protector.
"RUDRAKSH," Rahul whispered, his voice trembling.
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