Chapter 3: An Unexpected Ally
College Corridor
Niwan hurried through the crowded corridor toward the canteen, the morning's nightmare still fresh in his mind. Suddenly, a rough shove sent him stumbling forward.
Atharv (laughing mockingly): "Hey, Niwan! Where are you running off to in such a hurry? I won't let you escape today. Hand over the money, or I'll beat you up right here."
Niwan's face paled. The memory of yesterday's confrontation flashed before his eyes—Atharv's threats, the stolen lunch money, the humiliation.
Niwan: "I... I don't have anything today, Atharv. Please, just let me go."
Atharv snatched Niwan's bag and threw it to the ground. As Niwan bent to retrieve it, Atharv delivered a stinging slap to his shoulder.
Atharv (shouting): "Who do you think you are? You pushed me yesterday, didn't you? I'll teach you a lesson today!"
Terrified, Niwan thrust his hand forward—"Stop right there!"
To his astonishment, Atharv suddenly flew backward, as if struck by an invisible force. He landed hard on the floor, his eyes wide with shock and confusion.
Just then, a firm voice cut through the tension:
Ruhan (striding quickly): "Enough, Atharv! Have you no shame? Bullying someone every single day?"
Atharv scrambled to his feet, glaring. "And who are you to interfere? What's it to you?"
Ruhan (eyes blazing): "Whoever I am, I know this much—if you lay a hand on him again, it won't end well for you."
Atharv laughed initially, but the fiery intensity in Ruhan's eyes made his bravado crumble. His face paled. With a final, frustrated kick to Niwan's bag, he turned and fled.
Niwan stood frozen, his hands still trembling from the adrenaline and... something else. That invisible push—what was that?
Ruhan (softly): "You okay? Don't let his words scare you. He's all talk."
Niwan looked up... and their eyes met. A strange, electric recognition passed between them—a feeling of having met before, of voices heard in another lifetime... yet the memory remained just out of reach.
Niwan (voice faint): "Thanks, bro."
Ruhan offered a slight smile, picked up Niwan's bag, and handed it to him. Ruhan: "Come on, let's head to the lecture hall. Atharv won't bother you again now."
As they walked away together, at the far end of the corridor, a mysterious figure watched them intently. He wore a black mask covering everything from his forehead to his nose—only his lips were visible. His gaze dropped to the red, bracelet-like band on his wrist, and a slow, sinister smile spread across his exposed mouth.
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