Chapter 4: New Beginnings
The lecture hall's sterile lighting and monotonous drone of the professor's voice provided an odd comfort to Niwan. For the first time that day, the haunting echoes of his dream receded to the background. Sitting beside Ruhan, he felt an unexpected sense of security—as if he'd found an anchor in turbulent waters.
When the final bell rang, Ruhan turned to him with a determined look. "I got your room changed, Niwan. From now on, you'll be staying with me."
Niwan's eyes widened. "What? But why? How did you even manage that so quickly?"
Ruhan's expression softened. "Let's just say I have some connections with the hostel warden. And as for why..." He glanced meaningfully toward the corridor where Atharv usually lurked. "So that bully doesn't bother you again. We're friends now—it's the least I can do."
The simple declaration—"We're friends now"—warmed something in Niwan's chest. A genuine smile touched his lips for the first time that day. "Okay," he said, the single word carrying layers of gratitude and relief.
Ruhan returned the smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Come on, let me introduce you to my friends in the canteen. They've been curious about you."
College Canteen
The canteen buzzed with the chaotic energy of post-lecture freedom. Students clustered around tables, the air thick with laughter, clattering plates, and the aroma of spicy snacks. Ruhan guided Niwan through the crowd toward a large table in the corner where a group of students was already engaged in animated conversation.
"Everyone, listen up!" Ruhan announced, his voice cutting through the chatter.
All eyes turned toward them. Niwan felt a familiar anxiety twist in his stomach, but Ruhan's reassuring presence at his side kept him grounded.
Ruhan began the introductions with a theatrical flourish. "Niwan, this is my roommate Neerav—the guy who puts up with my weird sleep-talking." Neerav, a lanky boy with kind eyes and messy hair, waved enthusiastically.
"These two troublemakers are Sadhya and Anvesh," Ruhan continued, pointing to a duo who were already grinning mischievously. Sadhya had sharp, intelligent eyes that seemed to miss nothing, while Anvesh's athletic build suggested he spent more time on the field than in the library.
Ruhan's voice softened slightly as he gestured to the girls. "This is Kavya," he said, indicating a girl with thoughtful eyes who offered a warm smile. "And these are Nisha and Ishika." Nisha had a quiet, observant quality, while Ishika's confident posture and direct gaze immediately commanded attention.
Ruhan finished with a laugh, "And guys, this is Niwan, our new friend!"
A chorus of "Hi Niwan!" echoed around the table, the genuine warmth in their voices easing the last of Niwan's tension.
"Come on, everyone, order whatever you want," Ruhan announced. "Treat's on me today!"
Ishika's eyes lit up. "Wow, Ruhan, that's great! What's the occasion?"
"Let's just call it a welcome party for Niwan," Ruhan said, glancing at his new friend with a smile that felt strangely familiar.
As everyone began examining the menus and calling out their orders, Niwan found himself studying Ruhan's profile. There was something about the curve of his smile, the way his eyes held both warmth and hidden depth, that tugged at a memory Niwan couldn't quite grasp.
The food arrived—steaming plates of pav bhaji, crispy samosas, and frothy cold coffees. The table descended into the comfortable chaos of shared meals among friends.
A Moment of Connection
As Ruhan enthusiastically dug into his pav bhaji, a dollop of the bright orange gravy landed on his cheek. Niwan couldn't help but laugh—a genuine, unrestrained sound that surprised even himself.
"Ruhan, you've got food on your face!" he said, still chuckling.
"Where?" Ruhan asked, swiping blindly at the wrong cheek.
"Wait, let me get it," Niwan said, pulling out his handkerchief. Without thinking, he reached over and gently wiped the stain away.
The moment his fingers brushed against Ruhan's skin through the cloth, a sudden, intense déjà vu washed over them both. Niwan's hand stilled for a second, his eyes locking with Ruhan's. In that fleeting moment, something unspoken passed between them—a recognition that went deeper than their brief acquaintance should allow.
"Thanks, Niwan," Ruhan said softly, his usual confidence replaced by a more contemplative tone.
Ishika, who had been watching the exchange with keen interest, grinned. "See, your friendship has gotten so close so quickly!"
Heat rushed to Niwan's cheeks. "No, it's not like that, it just happened," he stammered.
Neerav came to his rescue, laughing. "Niwan, don't be shy. Ishika has an old habit of joking around like this."
The table erupted in laughter, the awkward moment dissolving into the easy camaraderie of friends.
The Feeding Frenzy
What started as a normal meal soon transformed into something more playful. Neerav, ever the instigator, picked up a piece of samosa and fed it to Kavya, who accepted it with a mock-regal nod.
Not to be outdone, Kavya then turned to Anvesh and popped a piece of bread into his mouth, making him cough in surprise.
Ruhan watched the scene unfold with an affectionate smile, his gaze lingering on Neerav with a fondness that spoke of shared history and inside jokes.
Then Nisha and Sadhya began their own playful exchange, feeding each other with exaggerated care that had everyone laughing.
Ishika, seizing the opportunity, turned to Ruhan with a piece of vegetable patty. "Open up!" she commanded playfully.
Ruhan complied with a laugh, then returned the gesture, feeding her a spoonful of the pav bhaji. The action was friendly, but Niwan noticed how Ishika's eyes lingered on Ruhan a moment too long, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"You eat too, come on," Ruhan said to Neerav, breaking the moment and including everyone again.
Ishika's smile tightened almost imperceptibly, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes before she joined the laughter again.
Walking Back
As the meal wound down and they prepared to leave, the group spilled out into the evening air. The setting sun painted the campus in hues of orange and purple, casting long shadows across their path.
Niwan and Ruhan walked side by side, falling into a comfortable rhythm that felt both new and strangely familiar. They were discussing their upcoming assignments when Ishika slipped between them, linking her arm through Ruhan's.
"Come on, Ruhan, let's go," she said, her voice taking on a slightly pleading tone. "I almost fell on the stairs today—you need to make sure I get back safely."
Ruhan offered her a patient smile. "Okay, but be careful while walking. Those heels you're wearing look dangerous enough to be considered weapons."
The group laughed as they climbed the stairs to the hostel, their voices echoing in the stairwell. When they reached their floor, everyone dispersed to their respective rooms with promises to meet again tomorrow.
Room 214 - New Room, New Mystery
Ruhan opened the door to room 214, revealing a surprisingly tidy space with two beds, two desks, and a large window overlooking the campus grounds.
"Welcome to your new home," Ruhan said, gesturing for Niwan to enter.
As Niwan stepped across the threshold, a sudden, intense wave of dizziness washed over him. He stumbled, and Ruhan caught his arm to steady him.
"Whoa, you okay?" Ruhan asked, his voice filled with concern.
Niwan's vision swam for a moment, and in that brief second, he didn't see the modern hostel room anymore. Instead, he saw stone walls, torchlight, and two boys—one with fiery determination in his eyes, the other with chains on his wrists...
Then the vision was gone, and he was back in the present, with Ruhan looking at him with worried eyes.
"Just... stood up too fast," Niwan mumbled, though both of them knew it was something more.
As they began unpacking Niwan's belongings, neither noticed the figure standing in the shadows outside their window—a man in a black mask, watching them with a satisfied smile as he touched the red band on his wrist.
The game had begun. And this time, the threads of fate were weaving themselves much, much tighter.