Reyansh's POV
"Damn it."
My jaw clenched as Mrs. Sharma kept going on and on.
"If you can't resist fighting Section E, then do it outside the school premises!" she snapped, her voice echoing through the corridor like a warning bell.
I barely listened.
Because those Section E bastards?
They ran.
The moment guards showed up, they disappeared like rats.
Cowards.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair, irritation crawling under my skin. This wasn't over. Not even close.
"So what are we going to do now?" Manik asked, stepping beside me. "Do you trust what Riya said?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because truth?
I didn't know.
But one thing was clear.
Whoever said it—
They crossed a line.
And I don't let things like that slide.
"I don't know," I said finally, voice low. "But whoever it was… I'll deal with them."
My eyes shifted to Yuvika.
She looked… off.
Quiet.
Hurt.
And something inside me snapped.
I hate that look on her face.
I hate when she's not smiling.
I hate when someone makes her feel less.
"So you'll punish Jiya?" Manik asked again.
My gaze darkened.
"I don't know who said it," I replied, my tone colder now. "But she's Yuvika's friend. If someone was badmouthing her, she should've said something."
Silence followed.
Good.
They understood.
"Call everyone from Section A," I ordered. "Except Yuvika and Jiya."
Because I didn't want her dragged into this.
She doesn't deserve that.
Yuvika… I'll handle everything for you.
No one touches what's mine.
No one.
I turned—and saw Naman approaching.
Smiling.
Smiling?
Where the hell was he?
"Where are you coming from?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Oh," he said casually, "I took Dheeraj to the clinic."
…What?
"You helped your enemy?" I asked, disbelief clear in my voice.
"Have your beliefs about life suddenly changed?"
He just grinned.
"It was worth it. Just earning charming points. If Avi hadn't come, Adi would've showered me with thank yous."
My expression hardened.
What the hell is wrong with him?
Playing hero for her?
I don't like that.
Not one bit.
Maybe I should have a word with him about Aadhya.
Soon.
"What are you going to do now?" Naman asked. "Riya will definitely go after Aadhya."
I didn't even hesitate.
"I don't care."
My voice was flat.
Cold.
"It's her problem. Let her deal with it."
Because my focus isn't her.
Never was.
My focus is Yuvika.
Always.
And if anyone hurts her again—
I won't just warn them next time.
Aadhya's POV
Days passed.
Same classroom. Same cracked benches. Same group of certified idiots pretending I don't exist.
Honestly, at this point, even if they suddenly did start talking to me, I'd probably check my pulse first to confirm I'm alive and not dreaming.
And Reyansh?
Yeah… we don't go together anymore.
Perfect.
Let him deal with bhaiyya if he gets caught. I've officially resigned from "family coordination duties." Not my job. Not my headache. I already have a full-time position as "girl surviving Section E".
So I went to school alone.
Again.
I entered the classroom and paused.
Something was… different.
They were all buzzing.
Like bees.
Hyper bees.
Suspicious bees.
Did I miss something?
Wait… was today some festival? Annual function? Free food distribution?
Oh god.
Did I forget a special day again?
I mentally facepalmed. I should really start checking calendars like a responsible human being instead of living like a confused NPC.
I walked up to Avi, who was smiling like he just won a lottery.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
"What's happening?" I asked, dropping my bag.
"Nothing," Avi said casually. "Assembly."
"Huh? Assembly?" I blinked.
He nodded.
"Why?" I asked again, because clearly my brain needed full explanation like a kindergarten kid.
"To report stuff," he said.
"Class president tells the principal about attendance, studies… blah blah…"
Ah.
Reporting.
Nice.
Maybe Vivaan should report that this classroom qualifies as a disaster zone. And while he's at it, they should also report him as a public threat.
"Let's go," Nikansh said, already walking out with others.
I followed Avi.
"Where are we going?" I asked, even though clearly everyone was leaving like it's a parade.
"Umm… that… Adi…" he stammered.
Before he could finish—
"You're not coming with us."
I froze.
Turned slowly.
Of course.
Vivaan.
"What?" I frowned. "Why?"
"You have nothing to do there," Nikansh added, like he was explaining something obvious to a wall.
"So stay here."
I blinked again.
"But… why are they going?" I pointed at others.
"They're bored," Vivaan said casually, already turning away.
…
Excuse me?
"i want to come along too.."
"No," Nikansh said flatly.
"You're not one of us so you can't come with us."
And just like that—
They left.
Just like that.
Avi paused for a second, looked at me with that guilty puppy face, and then followed them.
And suddenly—
Silence.
The classroom felt… too big.
Too empty.
Too quiet.
I stood there for a few seconds.
Not one of us.
Huh.i have been here quite long now yet they don't accept me still. Not one of them ....hmm
Then I clearly remember someone saying—
"Section E don't back down fights… nor lose them… nor abandon their people."
I let out a small laugh.
So they don't see me see as one of them. Hmm..that feeling was heavy.
I walked slowly to my bench and sat down.
Rested my head on it.
The wood was cold.
I stared at the empty classroom.
And suddenly that stupid heavy feeling came back again.
That one.
The one that makes everything feel… a little too quiet.
I closed my eyes.
Tried to brush it off.
Like always.
Because that's what I do, right?
Then sighed.
"It's fine," I whispered softly. "You've been alone before too… this is nothing new."
Yeah.
Nothing new.
Suddenly I felt a presence.
That kind of presence where the air itself shifts… like something bad just walked in and didn't bother hiding it.
I slowly lifted my head and looked toward the door.
Three boys.
Unknown faces. Not from my class. Not from Section E. Not even familiar enough to ignore.
Great. New species detected.
One of them walked toward me, slow, confident… like he already knew how this was going to end.
"Aadhya?" he asked.
I nodded, confused but already annoyed.
And just like that—
SLAP.
My head snapped to the side as I crashed onto the floor.
For a second everything rang. Fucking shit.
"What the hell did I do to you?" I snapped, fury burning through the pain. My cheek stung like someone lit a match on it.
I pushed myself up, glaring at them.
Who the hell were they?
Their leader smirked… like this was entertainment.
"Riya's message," he said, grabbing my collar and yanking me up.
Before I could react—
Another slap. Again down.
My vision blurred for a second.
They laughed.
They actually laughed.
Something inside me snapped.
I stood straight again, rage crawling under my skin like fire. What do they think? That I'm a girl so I'll just stand here and cry?
I swung my hand, aiming straight for his face—
But another one caught my wrist mid-air and twisted it.
Pain shot up my arm.
Damn it.
Why am I feeling this tired so early?
I wasn't like this before.
I clenched my teeth. No. I need to get back. I can't let them win like this.
Before I could react again, two of them grabbed my arms tightly, locking me in place. My breathing turned uneven.
Their leader stepped closer… too close.
He smirked.
"What did Riya tell us?" he asked casually.
"Just make sure she begs on her knees for forgiveness," one of them replied dramatically.
They laughed again. Me ? Beg for HER mercy.
Fuck that.
I don't beg for mercy. I'd rather chose fight to death than beg for mercy. But now
I wanted to break their teeth.
"She didn't say we can't fondle," the leader added, his smile turning… wrong.
What's fondle?
Then I saw their expressions.
And suddenly I understood.
My stomach dropped.
No.
One of them reached for my tie and started pulling it off.
"Damn it, no!" I struggled, trying to free my hands, but they held tighter.
He unbuttoned two buttons of my shirt.
My breath hitched.
Don't.
Don't touch me.
I tried to push him away, twisting, kicking, anything—but my body wasn't cooperating.
And then—
His hand moved toward my chest.
That was it.
Something inside me snapped.
My vision turned dark.
I lifted my leg and kicked him straight in the chest with everything I had left.
He stumbled back—
But his hand caught my shirt.
The fabric tore.
Buttons scattered.
Cold air hit where it shouldn't.
The two holding me let go instantly to help their leader.
I fell hard onto the ground.
My leg slammed against the bench.
Pain exploded through my body.
"Ahh—"
I bit my lip to stop the sound.
The leader looked furious now.
"YOU BITCH—"
And then it started.
Kicks. Non stop.
One after another.
My side. My stomach. My back.
I curled up, trying to protect myself but it didn't help. Every hit burned, every breath hurt. So this what being a football feels like huh?.
My body felt like it was breaking with every kick pain shot through my body.
They kept kicking everywhere didn't care where they shouldn't. It was like humanity had left the chat. I can't even get up in this sate and fight. The only thing is can do is take it all till they stop.
I wanted to fight back. Break their teeth. Break their legs. But i couldn't even manage to stand in this state.
And then—
Suddenly I could hear voices.
Footsteps.
My classmates.
The boys froze and then they ran as if they saw a ghost.
Cowards.
Alone again. Will it always be like this me fighting my all life battles alone? But adi think everyone fights their battles on their own. Not everyone has backup.
I stayed there for a second, trying to breathe. This feeling in my chest hurts more. My pride hurt.
My body wouldn't listen.
I crawled forward slightly.
No… they can't see me like this.
I should have worn a tank top inside.
Shit.
I was only wearing a bra today. It tried to cover my self with my shirt.
My hands trembled.
I couldn't stand.
My leg throbbed.
My chest hurt.
Everything hurt.
So I just… stayed down.
Please swallow me up, Dharthi mata. ( Goddess of Earth)
Please.
Voices got louder.
They entered.
Laughing. Talking. Normal.
Like nothing happened.
"ADI..… what happened?" Avi's voice broke through everything as he rushed toward me.
His face changed instantly.
Panic. Fear.
"Hey what happened to you?" he asked, one after another, not even giving me time to breathe.
"...N-Nothing… I just fell off the bench," I said, my voice shaking. Forcing a smile.
Even speaking hurt.
"What's this new drama," Nikansh said from somewhere behind, his tone flat.
"Maybe she is pretending to be a doormat. Tch, someone step on her," Vivaan added, joking.
Some laughed.
This guy is crazy.
He walked closer. And bent slightly to examine me.
Fuck off jerk.
I glared at him.
Someone lifted me and made me sit against the bench.
Pain shot through my spine.
I held back a scream.
I can't show that I'm weak not especially in front of them.
I could see the shock on their faces.
"Adi… who raped you?" Avi asked suddenly, his voice breaking as he quickly removed his shirt and covered me.
" ..Ha..ha..haha.. " I burst out laughing and followed by pain slowly.
I forced a small smile.
"Nothing… I really fell off the bench," I said.
I looked at who helped me sit.
Dheeraj.
His face was serious. As stared at me. Trying to analyse me.
Worried.
"And you felt like being naked? Do you think we will believe that?" Nikansh said, suspicion clear.
"It's nothing," I whispered.
I just need rest.
That's all.
I slowly stood up, holding onto the bench for support.
My legs trembled.
Avi and Dheeraj moved to help me.
I stopped them.
"I can manage. I'm just going to the clinic," I said, forcing each word out.
"Wait Adi… I'll come with you," Avi insisted.
"No… it's fine," I said.
I don't want help.
I don't want pity.
I don't want them to see me like this.
I took a step.
Then another.
Five steps.
That's all I needed.
But it felt like walking on broken glass.
I held onto the wall.
My vision blurred.
My body gave up.
And everything went dark.
"Adiii—"
Avi's voice was the last thing I heard.