The midnight silence hung heavy over the narrow passageway of the Junior Wing at University's prestigious campus—an institution known for breeding the elite. During the day, these halls brimmed with chatter and footsteps. But tonight, only a suffocating stillness lingered… until the sound of footsteps broke it.
Deliberate. Heavy. Menacing.
A group of senior boys strode through the passage, their sly smiles glinting in the dim light. Their eyes, filled with a predatory dominance, locked onto a solitary figure ahead.
And there he was.
The boy stood frozen, his small frame pressed against the cold wall, his innocence radiating like a fragile flame in a storm.
One of the seniors, taller and more menacing than the rest, stepped forward. His smirk held no warmth. With a sudden shove, he slammed the boy against the cold concrete.
The impact sent the young boy crashing into the wall. His frail form quivered as fear took hold, overpowering the gentle innocence etched on his delicate face. Lines of worry creased his youthful features, and his large, trembling eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
The air seemed to tighten around him as his slight frame remained motionless. He stood there, a vulnerable soul on the brink of being crushed, while the group of seniors loomed over him, their laughter echoing in the empty hallway like the cruel notes of a dirge.
"Let me go, Senior Shaan! What have I done to you?" the boy pleaded, his voice trembling with fear, between the smirking faces before him.
Shaan stepped closer, his shadow falling over the boy like an oppressive storm cloud. His grin twisted into something wicked, a cruel glint flickering in his dark eyes. "It's not about you, kid... It's your damn brother ."
The boy's breath hitched as Shaan leaned in, his smirk broadening, "...And now, you get to pay the price."
The weight of those words hung in the air, suffocating and heavy, echoed coldly through the desolate corridor.
He stormed toward the boy, his fury radiating with every step. Gripping the boy's pristine collar with a ferocity that betrayed his seething rage, he glared at him with vengeance etched across his face. His fist tightened, trembling with the force of his intent as he drew it back, ready to strike.
But just as he was about to unleash his punch, a voice boomed through the desolate passageway, its power sharp and unrelenting.
"Don't you dare!"
The words ricocheted off the cold, empty walls, filling the space with a menacing echo. The sound was enough to freeze them in place, their hearts thudding wildly in their chests, gripped by a primal fear that sent a chill down their spines.
The group turned their startled faces toward the source of the voice, their gazes darting to where it had come from.
From the shadows, Two boys emerged, their hands casually tucked into the pockets of their dark, ocean-hued pants. Their steps were measured, their gaits so captivating it seemed as though the world bent around them.Their presence was electric, commanding attention with an otherworldly aura that seemed almost supernatural.
They didn't just enter the scene; they claimed it, as if they were ethereal beings stepping straight out of a legend. Shaan stared at them, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief. His voice trembled as he grumbled in surprise, "Aarav? Abhi?"
The taller of the two stepped forward, his presence both commanding and intimidating. His walk was purposeful, each step exuding an air of ruthless confidence, like a force of nature. His eyes—sharp, piercing seemed to slice right through Shaan, probing the very depths of his trembling soul.
He stopped before Shaan, his gaze unwavering, and then spoke in a voice as rough and raw as a storm's fury. "If you've got the guts to strike someone...Why not try hitting Arun instead of picking on this Junior ?"
Shaan hesitated, his voice cracking as he spoke. "Aarav... we're just playing..."
Before Aarav could respond. Other, named Abhi stepped in. His presence radiated a certain nobility, as though he were touched by some divine force. His features were soft and warm, like the sun casting gentle rays over his face, but his eyes held a deeper, more uncommon expression one that suggested something darker beneath the surface.
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp yet somehow curious. "Oh?...So, you're just playing, Senior? What if I want to join in ?" His words, sharp and commanding, as he fixed his eyes with a stern, almost intimidating glare.
Shaan's voice trembled as he hastily apologized, the fear in his words palpable. A wave of pallor washed over him, as though the very air had turned cold, suffocating him. It was as if they stood before Thanatos, the god of death, and he could feel its chilling touch pressing down upon them.
And without another word, the group began to retreat. Each of them moved reluctantly, their hearts weighed down by an overwhelming sense of regret. The sinister plans they had set in motion remained unfinished, their evil antics left dangling in the air, unfulfilled and abandoned.
Aarav forced his furious breaths to slow, his chest rising and falling with deliberate calm.
He turned toward the boy, who stood frozen, head bowed like a lamb before the slaughter. Aarav's gaze pierced through him, unblinking, as though time itself had stopped in the space between them.
His face still carried the weight of anger, yet there was an unexpected gleam in his eyes. A moist glee, sharp and mischievous, lurking behind the edges of his intense stare.
Abhi, standing to the side, watched the exchange with a knowing grin that seemed to carry an unspoken secret. His expression was warm, almost encouraging, as if the moment between them was part of some game only he fully understood. His smile was subtle.
He leaned in and whispered, his voice laced with playful tone,"You got your chance, Brother... I'll just close my eyes ." teasing and tantalizing, as if daring Aarav to take the next step.
Aarav's heart raced as he gulped, a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck. He softened his voice, the words carrying a warmth that contrasted with the coolness of the moment. He asked, his tone laced with concern, "Ayan... Are you okay ?"
Ayan slowly lifted his gaze, a subtle shift, as if he were emerging from the depths of a cave and looking up at a soft, divine light. There was a meekness in his expression, a quiet vulnerability that seemed to linger.
On contrary, Aarav's hand, cold and stiff from being clenched in his pocket, slowly emerged, trembling slightly as he reached it out toward the boy. His hand trembling slightly, moved closer to Ayan's puff bready cheek.
And as his fingers hovered near Ayan's soft, pulpy skin, a strange warmth spread through Aarav's hand, his breath catching in his chest. His eyes blinked rapidly, the world blurring around him, and a soft flush of red bloomed on his face. The tips of his fingers grazed Ayan's cheek, the contact sending a jolt through him.
But just as the moment began, Ayan's phone rang shattering the fragile silence between them.
Startled, Aarav jerked his hand away, his eyes darting around nervously as if the ringing had pulled him from a trance.
Ayan, who stood still until the buzz, now his mind racing to make sense of the emotions that had only just begun to stir.
Then, he reached into his pocket and answered the call. His voice softened, a sweetness in his tone as he spoke, "Hello! Brother."
On the other end, a deep, confident voice resonated through the receiver, calm and assured, yet carrying a quiet serenity, "I'm waiting in front of the junior wing ." came the reply, steady and unwavering, as though the person on the other end had all the patience in the world.
"Okay, at the gate... I'm coming ." Ayan replied, his words crisp and clear. As soon as he spoke, the call ended, leaving a quiet finality in the air.
Ayan turned back toward them, his gaze landing on Aarav with an unreadable comfort, as if something unspoken passed between them. He gave a small, pleasant smile, his gratitude clear in the softness of his expression.
Without another word, he walked away quickly, his eyes twinkling as they flicked back to Aarav, a fleeting connection before he disappeared from view.
Aarav stood still, his eyes locked on Ayan, his gaze magnetic and unwavering, following him until he was nothing more than a distant figure.
Beside him, Abhi let out a disappointed sigh, shaking his head as he placed a hand on Aarav's shoulder, "Wow..." he muttered, his tone dripping with both amusement and mild exasperation. "Young master... Again?"
Aarav rolled his eyes in frustration, his shoulders slumping as he exhaled deeply as he muttered, "We have to do something about this Arun .'
Abhi, however, remained unfazed, a knowing smirk curling at the corners of his lips. He glanced at Aarav with amusement before responding, his tone light and reassuring. "Brother, don't stress out. I have my ways for him ."
Aarav gave him a doubtful look, his brow furrowing as he leaned in slightly. "What's going on in that foxy mind of yours now?" he asked, his voice tinged with intrigue.
Abhi merely winked, a playful smile spreading across his face. "God knows..." he replied mysteriously, his tone teasing.
Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he added, "Let's go home." motioning ahead as if nothing more needed to be said.
[ At Rawat's estate ]
A sleek, graceful model of a luxurious vehicle glided through the grand front gate of the imposing bungalow, its arrival marked by the silent presence of several guards stationed nearby.
The car came to a smooth stop, the front doors swinging open as Aarav and Abhi stepped out, their faces bright and full of energy, glowing like a pair of midnight moons.
As they entered the house, the atmosphere shifted. They were met by the sight of Mr. Aaditya Rawat, a distinguished middle-aged man with a physique that spoke of years of discipline and strength, his sharp features softened by the relaxed comfort of his casual outfit.
He sat at ease on the sofa, watching TV with a peaceful air, as if the world outside had slowed to match his tranquil demeanor.
At a distance, the warm aroma of dinner beckoned from the dining table, a silent invitation to unwind after a long day.
It felt as though Mr.Rawat had been waiting for their arrival, his calm demeanor shifting subtly the moment Aarav and Abhi entered.
His gaze immediately focused on them, the tranquility of his posture giving way to a quiet sense of anticipation. With a gentle, almost fatherly tone, he addressed them.
"Oh, both of you..." he said, his words steady and warm, "...go wash up and come down quickly to eat."
The order was simple, yet it carried the weight of a familiar routine .
"Oh, Papa... you started ordering us the moment we came back." Abhi teased, his voice playful as he put on a dramatic expression, exaggerating the disappointment in his tone.
Mr.Rawat, unfazed, shot back immediately, a sly smile creeping across his face, "Ah, you don't want to eat cakes, then ?" he asked, his words laced with gentle humor.
Abhi's face flushed with embarrassment at the mention of the tempting cakes. With a sheepish smile, he quickly relented, "Ah... I should go take a bath then." he muttered, realizing there was no escaping the irresistible offer.
Mr.Rawat chuckled softly at Abhi's childlike antics, shaking his head in amusement before turning his attention back to the television.
Meanwhile, Abhi, his playful grin never fading, walked confidently toward his room.
Aarav, following closely behind, couldn't help but giggle at the antics of his younger brother, his laughter light and full of affection as they made their way up to the their rooms together.
[ The dinning table ]
The medium-sized dining table, set for six, was laden with a mouthwatering array of dishes, each one more tempting than the last.
At the head of the table sat Mr.Rawat, his posture relaxed yet commanding, while Aarav and Abhi took their places in the chairs beside him, positioned side by side as though in a quiet, unspoken unity.
Mr.Rawat, with a calm precision, began serving the food, his movements deliberate and practiced.
As he placed a dish before Aarav, his expression shifted subtly, and in a tone that was both dead and grave, he broke the silence and said, his voice carrying a weight that only he could command, "Oh! Aarav... you remember that land on the town side, near the bridge ? There's a hindrance in it. You'll have to deal with it."
Aarav furrowed his brows, his gaze filled with curiosity and concern. "What's the problem, Papa?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of confusion.
A deep crease appeared on Mr.Rawat's forehead, the lines of worry etched clearly across his face. His eyes narrowed, and he leaned in slightly, his tone sharp with intensity. "I heard that Mr. Mekham received a better deal from someone else, and I want that land at any cost."
Both Aarav and Abhi nodded hastily, their expressions sharp with a quiet, confident understanding. The weight of Mr.Rawat's words seemed to ignite something within them, a shared sense of purpose.
Abhi, always the first to embrace action, mumbled under his breath, his grin spreading wide and fiery, but the determination behind it was unmistakable, as if the challenge had already become his to conquer. "It's time to play now..."