The first semesters over, but something about Rishi had changed since the last college fest performance. Though he still hung out with Raj and Rajiv. he spoke less. smiled rarely, and his focus in class had started to slip
like sand through fingers.
It didn't take long for his friends to notice.
"Bro, you just stared at the blackboard for five minutes straight. Raj whispered in class one day, nudging him with a pen.
Rishi blinked. confused. "Huh? What?"
"Exactly." Raj said flatly.exchanging a concerned look with Rajiv.
Rajiv leaned over from his seat. "Vou okay. man?"
"I'm fine" Rishi muttered, but even he didn't sound convinced.
Day after day, his performance dropped-from forgetting internal deadlines to zoning out in group tasks. Professors began noticing. Even the students started
whispering.
One afternoon after class. Rajiv caught up with Richi in the college parking lot. "Want to come to my place for a
Rishi hesitated but nodded.
That evening, sitting in Rajiv's living room over chai and soft music. Raj and Rajiv finally confronted him.
"Talk to us." Raj said gently "You've been... off Since that day
Rishi stared into his cap. "I don't know what I'm feeling. Like I lost something before I even understood what it was."
They didn't push further. But from that day on. Raj and Rajiv made it their mission to bring Rishi back-dragging kim into dumb conversations, movie nights, and even random bike rides through the city.
Slowly, the laughter returned. Not fally. But enough.
By the start of the second year, things felt lighter, Av
tradition went, the college husted a welcome party for the freshers. This time, seniors had to mentor juniors, guide them, and yes, the usual ragging rituals returned in a slightly "tolerated fashion.
Rishi wasn't interested. He stayed on the side while others teased or tested the juniors. Ra tried dragging him in.
"Came and, just asked him to sing or something fun, Raj grinned.
"I'm not into this." Rishi said coldly walking away.
Raj sighed. "He's still got that storm inside.
Later that day, a girl from the junior batch confident, sharp-tongued, and juli of pride-stormed up to Rishi wear the parking area. Her eyes were blazing.
"So it was you who encouraged those seniors?" she snapped.
Rishi turned to her, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I saw you! Standing there when they were pulling my friend's bag. Laughing with your buddies
Rishi clenched his faw. His voice dropped. "Watch your tone.
"You guys think it's funny to facilitate someone like that? You
"Enough!" Rishi snapped, his voice rising. "You don't know what you're saying. And if you think I'm like those jerks, maybe you're the one not paying attention!"
The girl blinked, stunned by his tune.
But Rishi didn't stay. "Next time, don't throw your judgments around wireless you've got the whole picture."
He stormed off, fists clenched in frustration.
Later that evening, the girl sat with one of her closest friends on a bench near the auditorium.
"I hate that guy," she muttered. "He's arrogant, rade, and doesn't care how he talks."
Her friend stayed quiet for a moment, then said softly. "You know... you shouldn't have helped him that day.."
The girl looked up, confused. "What?"
"When he was bleeding, half-conscious... You we're the one who found him. Took him to the hospital. Told the nurse to rush. And now? He talks to you like that?"
The silence that followed was heavy.
The girl didn't reply. But in her eyes, something flickered. A mix of confusion... and hurt.
Elsewhere....
As Rishi walked away from the confrontation, his face was calm- but only on the surface, Inside, he was a boiling storm,
He clenched his jaw, staffing his hands into his packets as thoughts raced through his head like wildfire.
"Who the hell does she think she is?" he muttered under his
breath. "First day of college, and she talks to me like I'm some street thug?"
He kicked a loose store from the path, watching it bounce away.
"Doesn't even know the full story. Don't bother asking. Just came at with all that attitude."
His steps slowed. but his anger didn't.
"Su what if I'm quiet? That doesn't mean I'll take crap from anyone. Especially not from some girl who's clearly
tou full of herself"
He stopped, staring at the sky for a moment.
"From now on, she's made herself an enemy. Congratulations."
His voice dropped into a cold whisper.
"You crossed the wrong person. I don't forget laces... and I definitely don't forgive Insults."
He looked ahead, his expression turning harder, colder.
"Tomorrow... I'll make sure she realizes that messing with Rishi Dev Choudhary was the worst mistake she could've made.
That night. Raj and Rajiv noticed his tension again.
"What now?" Raj asked, watching Rishi pace around the
room.
"Nothing." Rishi said flatly
Rajiv frowned. "You sure?"
"She started it. Rishi snapped. "Now 1'11 finish il
Both friends exchanged a silent, worried glance.
Something was changing again. The version of Rishi they'd helped pull back from the edge... was drifting away.
And somewhere else on the same campus....
The girl sat at her study table, but her eyes were distant.
"I don't get it," she whispered. "He doesn't even know it was me
Her friend looked up. "Maybe that's a good thing."
"But it doesn't feel good."
Silence lingered again.
What happens when the very person you silently saved turns against you without knowing the truth?
What happens when two people, connected by a moment no one else sees, end up on opposite sides of hatred?
To be continued...