Everyone burst into laughter as Roneet walked away from the stage, his face burning with shame.
"That was so humiliating," whispered the girl sitting next to Kiara.
But Kiara didn't join in. Her eyes stayed fixed on Roneet — not with pity, but with a strange calm.
"At least he had the guts to go up there," she said softly.
"Stop laughing, guys," Aryan said sharply, his voice cutting through the noise. "At least he had the guts to get up on stage — unlike the rest of you who are just sitting here laughing."
The hall fell silent instantly. No one dared to speak.
A few minutes earlier…
Arnav had been laughing carelessly, a cruel smirk on his face.
"Is this enough?" he asked Nikhil, amusement in his voice.
"This is good," Nikhil said through gritted teeth, his eyes burning with rage. "But I still want to punch him like a damn punching bag. He humiliated me in front of everyone!"
Arnav chuckled darkly. "Where's he going? Leaving the hall already?" He laughed louder. "That's perfect!"
"I'll kill him," Nikhil growled, pushing his chair back and standing up.
Arnav quickly grabbed his arm.
"What now?" Nikhil snapped.
"Don't beat him yet," Arnav said smoothly, his grin widening. "Just bring him back."
"Shut up. I will kill him," Nikhil barked.
"I'm telling you," Arnav said coldly, leaning closer, "bring him back. We'll break him again — right in front of everyone. After that, you can do whatever you want."
Nikhil paused for a second, then a cruel smile spread across his face.
"I'm in," he said.
Roneet stepped back into the hall, his heartbeat still unsteady.
"Ohh, Roneet, my boy!" Arnav called out, his voice suddenly warm — too warm. "You did well out there!"
He patted the chair beside him. "Come on, sit down again."
Roneet hesitated for a second, then slowly sat back in the middle seat, surrounded by the same faces that had laughed at him minutes ago.
Arnav looked at Nikhil with a playful grin. "Hey, Nikhil! Smile, man. Why the long face? You've already forgiven him, haven't you?"
Nikhil's jaw tightened, but then he forced a crooked smile.
"Yes, yes… it happens sometimes between friends," he said, his tone dry and unconvincing.
Roneet sat still, staring at the floor. The laughter, the lights, the whispers — they all pressed in around him like a fog he couldn't escape.
From the stage, Priya's cheerful voice filled the mic.
"So, guys! That was our fresher's talent segment!" she said brightly. "We're so glad to see such amazing talent from our first years. We can't wait to see you all shine during the fest events!"
The crowd clapped, the tension fading just enough for smiles to return.
Aryan took the mic next, his grin wide.
"Alright, everyone! Now the real fun begins!" he shouted. "Let's move the chairs to the side — time to start the party!"
"Let's gooo!" Priya cheered beside him as the music kicked in and the hall erupted into noise and energy once more.
Arnav threw his arm around both Nikhil and me and grinned. "Let's go, boys — we're gonna have some fun!" he said.
"Yeah!" Nikhil answered, pumping a fist. I forced a smile and tried to sound okay.
After a while we were talking — Arnav and Nikhil were holding court with Ty, Sy, and a few other classmates. I didn't know where to start or how to join. They were laughing and slapping each other on the back like everything was a big joke.
"That was hilarious," Arnav said, still chuckling.
"Right?" Nikhil agreed. Sahil — one of the guys over there — leaned forward.
"Your friend doesn't talk much," Sahil observed, nodding toward me. "He a little shy?" Arnav asked, casual.
"Did you guys go to school together?" Sahil prodded.
"No," Nikhil said quickly. "We just met."
Sahil moved closer, lowering his voice. "Come here, I want to tell you something." Arnav and Nikhil angled their heads in, curiosity flickering across their faces.
Then Sahil sneered, loud enough for the three of them only — "Then why are you hanging around this bum?" The three of them laughed; even Sahil couldn't hide how amused he was.
Arnav gave a small nod — a sign only Nikhil noticed. Nikhil leaned in and whispered into Sahil's ear. "You don't know him," he said. "He looks silent, but he's not. He's a creep. Women aren't safe around him. He watches women with creepy eyes." The words were cold, measured.
Sahil's face hardened. "That's messed up."
"Exactly. That's why I'm warning you," Nikhil said, voice low. Sahil leaned in, jabbing a finger toward a jacked guy across the hall. "Dude, tell him to not mess with that guy's girlfriend — or he's going to get fucked," he said, voice low and urgent. "That's Rohit over there."
Nikhil shrugged, casual and cold. "So let him."
Sahil's eyes snapped to Nikhil. "What are you saying? Isn't he your friend?"
"Are you kidding?" Nikhil scoffed. "Do you think we'd be friends with that creep?" He laughed, and Arnav joined in, the sound easy and cruel.
Sahil relaxed, smirking. "Ah — so you're just messing with him."
"Of course," Nikhil said, forcing a laugh that didn't reach his eyes.
I sat there while they traded glances and half-truths, the room full of easy jokes and darker edges. I told myself they were only messing — but the words lingered like a bruise.
Roneet watched them, confused. What are they even talking about?
"Let's go, boys! Let's dance!" Arnav shouted, throwing his arm in the air.
"Yes, let's go, Roneet!" Nikhil grinned, clapping him on the back.
The music blasted. Everyone began dancing in groups, jumping and shouting. The lights flashed red and blue, the floor vibrating beneath their feet.
While they were dancing, Arnav leaned close to Nikhil and asked quietly, "What did you say to Sahil?"
Nikhil smirked. "Told him he's doomed for the entire year," he said under his breath.
Roneet stood somewhere in the middle of the chaos, completely lost. He didn't know what to do. People kept pushing past him, bumping into his shoulders. The crowd was too tight — too loud.
Where are Arnav and Nikhil? he thought, scanning the dance floor.
He pushed through a few more people, stumbling slightly — and suddenly, he froze.
Right in front of him stood a girl.
Kiara.
For a second, everything went silent. His heart started pounding so loudly it drowned out the music.
Kiara looked at him with surprise, then smiled softly. "Hii," she said.
Roneet's stomach dropped. It felt like the world slowed down.
"H-hii—" he stammered, barely able to speak.
Kiara let out a small laugh, not cruel this time — gentle, almost warm. Roneet wanted to say something more, anything, but his tongue felt tied.
Then suddenly, a hand grabbed the back of his head roughly.
"Heyyy, Roneet! We were looking for you!" Nikhil shouted over the music, grinning too wide.
Nikhil looked at Kiara effortlessly, flashing a confident smile.
"Hey — I'm Nikhil."
"I'm Kiara," she replied, her voice calm but curious.
"Yeah, I know," Nikhil said with a grin. "I liked your voice earlier. Would you like to join us?"
Kiara shook her head slightly. "Umm… no, I'm with my friends."
"Ohh, I see," Nikhil said, glancing at Roneet. "Let's go, man."
Before they could move, Kiara looked at Roneet. "What's your name?"
"Me?" Roneet asked, startled. "I—I'm—"
"He's Roneet," Nikhil cut in smoothly. "Roneet, greet her properly."
"H-hey," Roneet muttered, eyes fixed on the floor.
"Roneet," Kiara said with a small smile, "nice to meet—"
She stopped mid-sentence as Nikhil interrupted again.
"Forget about him," Nikhil said lightly, turning his attention back to her. "How about I join your group instead?"
Kiara laughed softly but stood her ground. "No, we're just a girls' group."
"Ohh, that sucks," Nikhil said, pretending to pout. "See you then."
He grabbed Roneet by the shoulder and pulled him away — right in front of Kiara.
Kiara's face tightened in irritation. "He was irritating," she said sharply.
Nikhil grabbed Roneet by the arm, pulling him away through the crowd. Under his breath, he muttered coldly, "This pathetic dipshit trying on her… I'll make sure today's his last day."
"Hey, Roneet!" Arnav called out cheerfully, stepping in front of him. "How are you, man? Let's dance!"
The music pounded through the hall, lights flashing in every direction. Roneet started dancing awkwardly, trying to blend in with the crowd — when suddenly, smack!
Something hit the back of his head.
Startled, he spun around, rubbing the spot and scanning the crowd.
"What happened?" Arnav shouted over the music.
"Someone hit me!" Roneet replied, his voice lost under the loud bass.
"What??" Arnav yelled again, pretending not to hear.
Before Roneet could answer, another smack landed on his head — harder this time. He looked around frantically. His friends stood around him with straight faces, pretending not to notice.
Arnav's eyes flicked toward Nikhil, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Take your revenge, Nikhil, he thought silently.
Nikhil stood just behind Roneet, grinning — eyes glinting with quiet cruelty. Roneet still looked around, confused, completely unaware.
Then, with one swift motion, Nikhil shoved him forward with all his strength.
Roneet stumbled, his body jerking forward uncontrollably — and slammed straight into Rohit's girlfriend. She fell hard onto the floor with a startled gasp.
Nikhil stepped back, disappearing into the crowd with a satisfied smirk.
Arnav watched the chaos unfold, his smile widening. Perfectly planned, he thought.
The girl fell hard to the ground, crying out in pain. "Ahh!" she screamed, clutching her arm.
"Hey, are you okay?" Rohit shouted, rushing toward her. His face went pale. Then, turning sharply, he roared, "Turn off the music!"
The hall fell silent in an instant.
"Are you hurt?" he asked again, kneeling beside her.
"She's bleeding!" another girl said, her voice trembling.
"Let's take her to the nurse's office," Priya said quickly, helping her up.
Rohit stood, his jaw tightening as his eyes locked on Roneet — who was still on the floor, dazed and terrified.
"S-someone pushed me!" Roneet stammered, his voice cracking. "From the crowd—"
Rohit's girlfriend placed a hand on his arm. "Stop," she said softly. "He didn't mean to. I'm alright, really. It's not that bad."
Rohit exhaled sharply, still glaring. "Tch." He looked away, clenching his fists.
Nikhil froze, a curse under his breath. Shit… that idiot girl! he thought, panicking.
Arnav's expression twisted into disappointment. That was supposed to go perfectly, he thought bitterly.
"Let's go to the nurse's office," Rohit muttered, guiding his girlfriend out of the hall.
As they left, Sahil walked up to Rohit, leaned close, and whispered something in his ear.
Roneet slowly got up, shoulders heavy, finally breathing a little easier. Maybe it's over, he thought.
But Rohit suddenly stopped in his tracks, his expression changing. He turned back toward Roneet — his steps heavy, deliberate.
Roneet's stomach dropped. "I—I'm sorry!" he stammered, raising his hands. "Someone pushed me from the crow—"
Before he could finish, Rohit's fist slammed into his stomach. The impact knocked the air out of him; he folded over, gasping.
Across the hall, Arnav's disappointed face curved into a grin. Love you, Sahil, he thought with dark satisfaction.
Nikhil stood nearby, eyes wide with relief and a cruel smile spreading across his face. Thank goodness… love you, Sahil, he muttered under his breath.