Vivaan's POV
"So what's the plan ?" Mahi asked.
I leaned back casually, hands in my pockets, expression blank.
"I don't know… but I'm sure Riya was behind this," I said. After all, she's the one Aadhya keeps clashing with. Always stirring things up, always creating problems. It was obvious. Tch tch
"Should we get involved?" Nikansh asked, looking at me.
I didn't reply instantly.
I didn't want to.
Why should I?
It's not my problem.
But… the way Aadhya looked earlier… she was clearly in pain. She could barely stand. Tch.
Still…
I looked away slightly.
"She's a girl after all," I said casually. Of course she can't handle that.
"I also want to see what Reyansh would do ," I added after a moment.
It was strange.
He didn't stop Riya.
He didn't pull her away.
But when we were the ones hurting her… he reacted.
Isn't that a bit biased?
" If we need to… let's see," I said finally.
"Then what are we going to do?" Mahi asked again.
I exhaled slowly.
"Let's wait… until she wakes up first."
Aadhya's POV
"How are you feeling?" the nurse asked the moment she noticed my eyes open.
I blinked slowly, everything still a little hazy… like my body woke up but my soul was still buffering somewhere behind.
"It's fine," I replied softly.
Fine?
Yeah right.
Every word I spoke felt like I was lifting rocks with my tongue. My throat dry. My chest tight. Even breathing felt like effort.
But fine sounds better. Fine doesn't invite questions.
"How was the impact?" she asked, checking something on the chart.
"Hmmm… it was heavy. I immediately went limp," I said, keeping my voice steady.
Half truth.
Or maybe no truth at all.
Because the real version?
Yeah… not telling that to anyone.
I had already lied to her earlier. Said I just stumbled, hit my stomach on the corner of a table and fell. Simple. Clean. Believable.
Thank God she bought it.
Because explaining the real thing?
No thanks. I'd rather faint again.
"I'll get you some painkillers," she said.
I gave her a weak smile.
The kind that says I'm okay…
Even when everything inside is screaming otherwise.
As she walked away, I slowly sank back into the bed.
My body felt heavy.
My arms… my legs… even my fingers.
Everything hurt.
Like I got into a fight with a truck and lost.
Badly.
I stared at the ceiling quietly.
Wow.
So this is what being a punching bag feels like.
Not fun. Would not recommend. Zero stars.
I let out a small breath.
Careful… slow… because even that hurt.
Still…
I'm here.
Alive.
Barely dramatic enough, I guess.
Next time Adi, wear armor.
Or better… don't get involved in stupid queen bee dramas.
The curtain around my bed was suddenly pulled aside.
Great.
Audience.
First I saw Avi… of course. His face instantly full of worry like I was on my deathbed or something. Then Dheeraj behind him, calm but clearly concerned. And then… him.
The King of Idiots himself.
Why is he everywhere?
Avi immediately rushed and sat beside me. "How are you feeling now?" he asked, eyes scanning me like I might disappear any second.
I gave a faint smile and nodded. Talking felt like a full-body workout, so nodding is my new personality.
Dheeraj pulled a chair and sat in front of me. "Can you tell us what actually happened?" he asked, voice serious.
Ah.
Here we go.
I didn't want to say anything at first. Like… can I just peacefully die— I mean rest— without interrogation?
But looking at these two… yeah, they won't leave me alone.
Fine.
I sighed lightly and glanced to the side. The nurse might hear. Good. Let her hear my fake story version.
Then I turned back.
"Three guys came into the class and then—"
"Then they raped you?" Avi cut in dramatically.
I slowly turned my head toward him.
Is he serious?
Just once… just once can this idiot behave normally?
"Let me finish, Avi… or I'll finish you first," I threatened weakly.
He shut up instantly.
Good.
I continued, "They said it was Riya's message… then they attacked me, punched me, and left."
The way I said it… it almost sounded like I was complaining to my mom about kids stealing my tiffin.
Wow Adi. Emotional range: broken potato.
"Section D," Vivaan spoke from behind, arms folded, eyes distant. "They are the ones who go for gut punches."
I blinked.
Wow.
So he already knows.
Of course he does. Everyone in this school knows everything except me. I'm just a tourist at this point.
"It's okay… as long as I remember their faces," I said.
And I do.
Very clearly.
Idiots.
You messed with the wrong girl.
Just wait till I recover.
Then let's see who's the boss.
"So what will you do now?" Dheeraj asked.
"First… I'll rest," I said and immediately pulled the blanket over myself like a professional escape artist.
"And then?" he pressed.
Ugh.
Persistent.
I thought for a moment.
Yeah… I actually don't know. Whether I should get back to them or just leave it.
"I don't know yet," I replied honestly.
"Do you want us to beat them up for you?" Avi asked, suddenly excited like this is some action movie audition.
I stared at him.
Of course.
Of course he would enjoy this.
"No. It's my fight… I'll handle it," I said firmly.
"But Adi—"
"Stop being stubborn, Avi," I cut him off.
He pouted.
Literal child.
But I meant it. Besides I'm not one of them.They made that clear enough.
And people like me… we don't get backup. We fight alone.
"If that's what you want… fine. Suit yourself," Vivaan said and turned to leave.
But wait. There's something.
"Vivaan… I have a question."
He stopped.
Turned.
Silent.
Waiting.
Even Avi and Dheeraj went quiet.
Good.
"Is it Reyansh... the reason you people are messing with me?" I asked.
I already knew the answer.
But I needed to hear it.
His face stayed serious.
He just looked at me for a second.
Then—
"…kind of."
And he walked out.
Fast.
Like he didn't want to continue.
What the hell.
Great.
Love being a punching bag in someone else's war.
Dheeraj and Avi were about to leave when I stopped them again.
"There's something I don't understand," I said.
Dheeraj sat back down.
"Riya said Section D is also like Section E then—" I started.
"If you're asking why they aren't together… it's because they're pitied," Avi jumped in.
Huh?
What?
That made zero sense.
"See," Dheeraj explained properly this time, thank God. "Section D also has records like Section E. But unlike E… they have potential. They study. They're good at things. Section E… is mostly known for fights."
Ah.
That… made more sense.
Still insulting though.
"But then why is Reyansh in Section A? He fights too," I asked.
They both exchanged looks.
Why do people in this school communicate through eye contact like secret agents?
"Adi… it's because Reyansh plays dirty," Avi said quietly.
"We don't know how he stays in Section A… but he never let Vivaan and Nikansh enter it," he added.
Wow.
Suspense.
Plot twist.
Drama.
This school is literally a Netflix series.
"You rest, Adi. We'll bring your things," Dheeraj said, standing up.
Avi waved at me.
I waved back.
They left.
And I lay there.
Staring at the ceiling.
What is this school?
Hierarchy, fights, secret politics, dirty games…
And me.
In the middle.
With zero subscription.
"Damn it… worms in my brain," I muttered.
This is already a headache.
I closed my eyes.
And this time…
I actually slept.
I woke up in the evening.
My body still hurt… but at least I could move without feeling like I'm dying.
Progress.
Almost time to go home.
The curtain moved again.
Avi and Dheeraj.
Holding my bag.
Delivery service successful.
I took my things.
"Come, we'll drop you," Avi said immediately.
"No, it's fine—"
"No," Dheeraj cut in calmly.
Wow.
United front.
I tried refusing.
Again.
And again.
And lost.
Of course.
Apparently arguing with these two is harder than exams.
"Dheeraj has a car," Avi said proudly.
Oh.
Rich people.
We got into the car.
The ride was quiet.
I didn't talk much.
Didn't have the energy.
Soon… we reached home.
I stepped out.
"Don't you want to come in? At least have snacks?" I asked.
Basic manners.
Dheeraj looked ahead and then slightly smiled. "Next time… looks like you have guests."
He pointed.
Cars.
Many cars.
Outside my house.
Wow.
What is this? Wedding function?
I nodded slowly.
Avi waved.
I waved back.
And turned toward the house.
Deep breath.
Let's go.
I stepped inside.
And froze.
WHAT THE HELL.
THE WORST PEOPLE OF MY LIFE.
ALL IN ONE PLACE.
Section A.
Sitting in my house.
Like they pay rent here.
Wait… Jiya isn't here.
Good.
At least one normal person missing.
"Oh Adi, you're back! Go change, I'll get you snacks—oh my god what happened to you?" Masi rushed toward me, shocked.
Of course.
My face.
My condition.
"Nothing Masi, I just fell off a bench," I said casually.
Oscar performance.
Best actress award please.
"Oh is that so," came a voice.
Dramatic.
Annoying.
Riya.
The bitch.
Sitting there like she owns the place.
I looked at her.
Just for a second.
You.
You have a day with me.
Just wait.
"Hm okay Masi," I said and walked upstairs.
Slow.
Normal.
Like nothing happened.
Even though every step hurt.
I won't show her.
I won't give her that satisfaction.
Not now.
Not ever.