Aadhya's POV
"Guys… results have been posted!"
The moment that monkey shouted it from the door, it felt like someone had casually announced my public execution. The class, which was peacefully chaotic just seconds ago, exploded into motion. Benches screeched, bags were snatched, and everyone rushed out as if their entire future depended on those marks pinned on a single board.
And me?
I didn't move. Not even an inch.
I just sat there… staring at my pancakes like they were the last source of comfort left in this cruel world.
No. I am not going. I refuse.
"Are you not going to look?" that same idiot turned back and asked, clearly enjoying my misery.
I slowly lifted my head and looked at him, my expression blank but my insides spiraling. "If I wanted to look, I would've left earlier. Since I didn't… I won't."
My voice sounded calm, controlled… almost indifferent. But inside? My heart was pounding so loudly it felt like everyone could hear it.
He laughed—actually laughed—and walked away.
Wow. Even background characters have the audacity now.
I dropped my gaze back to the pancakes, poking them with my fork like they had personally betrayed me.
And then—
Suddenly—
A strong hand grabbed my arm.
Before I could even process what was happening, I was pulled up from my seat so abruptly that my chair nearly toppled.
"What the hell—?!"
"Just shut up."
Of course.
Vivaan.
Because who else would drag me into my own nightmare without my consent?
I struggled against his grip, trying to pull my arm free. "Look for yourself! Don't drag me along like this!"
"Since you're already here, you might as well look," he replied coldly, not even sparing me a glance as he continued dragging me through the corridor.
This idiot genuinely doesn't understand fear.
By the time we reached the bulletin board, the crowd had already gathered like flies. People were pushing, whispering, jumping—some even standing on their toes trying to catch a glimpse.
Vivaan tried to look over their heads, but obviously, no one moved.
Then suddenly—
"MOVE."
His voice cut through the noise like a blade.
Sharp. Commanding. Dangerous.
The entire crowd went silent for a split second… and then parted. Just like that.
I blinked.
Okay… that was actually useful.
I stepped forward slowly, my legs feeling heavier with every step. My heartbeat had climbed up to my throat, and my fingers felt cold despite the chaos around me.
This is it. My humiliation. My downfall. My funeral.
I stared at the list.
Names. Marks. Rows and rows of them.
My eyes moved frantically, scanning every line.
Where am I…
Where am I…
And then—
Aadhya Verma — 97%
…
For a second, my brain refused to process it.
It just… stopped.
97%.
My eyes blinked once.
Twice.
I leaned closer.
Rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand.
Looked again.
Still 97%.
"WHAT THE—"
The words didn't even come out properly. My lips parted, but my voice betrayed me.
This has to be a mistake.
Did they mix up papers? Did they accidentally give me someone else's marks? Is this some kind of joke??
I turned to look at Vivaan—
Gone.
Of course.
This man appears when you don't need him and disappears when you do.
I looked back at the board again, just to make sure reality hadn't suddenly changed.
Still 97%.
Okay… breathe…
I forced myself to calm down and looked for Avi's name.
Aarav Goyal — 74.5%
I blinked again.
Hmm. Respect. He passed. That itself is a miracle.
Then my eyes shifted further.
Nikansh Mittal — 99.9%
Excuse me?? Germ-killing marks.
Vivaan Oberoi Windsor — 99.8%
Another one.
At this point, I was seriously questioning humanity. Are these people even real??
I stepped back slowly, still in shock, still trying to process everything when suddenly my attention shifted.
Avi.
He was standing nearby… holding a lady's handbag.
I stared at him.
"Wow. Great fashion sense," I said dryly.
He looked at me, confused. "That's not mine. Someone gave it to me to hold."
I shrugged and sat beside him, still mentally processing my marks.
And then—
"Hey! That's my bag!"
A girl rushed toward us and snatched it from his hands.
Before either of us could react properly, a man suddenly grabbed Avi's shoulder tightly.
"Is it him?"
"Yes. He's the one," the girl said without hesitation.
My stomach dropped instantly.
"Hey kid—" the man raised his hand as if to grab him again—
I stepped in immediately and pushed his hand away.
"Don't touch him."
My voice came out cold, sharp, and firm.
The man looked me up and down, irritation clear on his face. "Don't get involved."
"I already am," I replied without backing down. "What do you want from him?"
"He stole money from my bag. Twenty-five thousand rupees."
For a second, everything around me went silent.
Then anger hit. Hard.
"Maybe you lost it. Or spent it. He didn't steal anything," I said, my tone turning serious.
"I'm sure he did!"
This woman—
I felt my patience slipping.
"Stop lying."
"You stop lying, bitch—"
That was it.
Something inside me snapped.
"You stop lying. Say one more word against him and I swear—" I stepped forward, my voice rising dangerously.
The crowd around us grew louder. People gathered. Watched. Whispered.
And then—
"What's going on here?"
Reyansh.
Section A.
Yuvika.
Riya.
Her two puppets.
And Manik.
Perfect. The entire circus has arrived.
"This guy stole my girlfriend's money," the man announced loudly.
"He didn't steal anything," I cut him off immediately.
"Oh my gosh… Avi, you stole again?"
Riya.
The moment she spoke, my blood boiled.
I stepped in front of Avi and pulled him behind me protectively. Even if he didn't say anything, I could feel it—he was scared.
"It's you," I said, glaring at her with pure anger.
Section E students slowly gathered behind me, their presence heavy and silent.
"Avi didn't steal anything. He doesn't need to," Nikansh said calmly.
"This won't go anywhere," Manik stepped forward. "How much money?"
"25,000."
Without hesitation, he took out his wallet and handed over cash.
"30,000. Extra for damages."
Show off.
They left. Just like that.
But I was still standing there, shaking with anger.
Manik turned toward Avi. "Next time, ask for money. Don't steal."
That was it.
"DAMN IT, YOU IDIOT!"
I lunged at him.
But before I could reach him, someone grabbed me from behind and lifted me off the ground.
"NIKANSH! LET ME GO! I'LL PUNCH HIM!"
I struggled, kicked, shouted—but he carried me straight back to our classroom.
The door was locked.
And something inside me broke.
I started pacing back and forth, my breathing uneven, my chest tight.
And then—
CRASH.
I grabbed a bench and threw it across the room. It broke on impact.
I didn't care.
"Aadhya—!" voices called out, but I ignored them.
My eyes found Avi.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
My voice shook with anger and hurt.
He trembled.
Looked at Vivaan for help.
"He has nothing to tell you," Vivaan said. "He didn't steal anything."
"That's not it!" I snapped.
Silence fell again.
"You know what Saanvi told me? If she hadn't, I would've never known!"
His head dropped.
"Why didn't you tell me you were accused of stealing? That's why you came to Section E, right? WHY DID YOU LIE?"
"I… I was scared…" his voice cracked, "that you'd look at me differently…"
And that's when something inside me broke completely.
"DIDN'T YOU THINK I'D LOOK AT YOU DIFFERENTLY WHEN YOU HID THE TRUTH?!"
My voice shattered.
"IT'S LIKE YOU MADE ME BELIEVE THEM!"
"AADHYA!"
Nikansh's voice cut through sharply.
I turned, furious—
Then followed his gaze.
Avi.
He was shaking.
Head bowed.
Tears falling silently.
And suddenly—
Everything hit me at once.
What did I just do…
My anger vanished instantly, replaced by guilt so heavy it made my chest hurt.
I rushed to him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
My voice broke as tears slipped down my face.
"I didn't mean it… I was just angry… I'm sorry, Avi…"
He hugged me back and broke down completely.
I gently rubbed his back.
"It's okay… just cry… I'm here…"
"We," Vivaan corrected from behind.
I didn't even look back.
"You take him home. We'll handle the rest," he said.
I nodded.
Picked up our bags.
Held Avi's arm.
And we walked out slowly.
Near the main building, he lowered his head again.
I stopped.
Gently lifted his chin.
"Never bow down… when you didn't do anything wrong."
He nodded weakly.
We continued walking.
But whispers followed us like shadows.
"I still have a crush on him…"
"He's nice but… did he really steal?"
"Stealing at this age…"
Each word pierced deeper than the last.
I clenched my fists.
Because I know this feeling.
Being judged for something you're not.
And the worst part?
Even when the truth comes out…
The stain stays.
I tightened my grip on his arm.
And without saying anything more—
I called a taxi.