Rain tapped softly against the glass outside the IIT café. Inside, the low hum of laughter and chatter bounced around the warm space. But Aarvansh sat quietly at the edge table, swirling his untouched coffee.
Across from him: Shaurya, calm and observant. Aarav, chewing loudly. And Prakash, typing something into his laptop without looking up.
Aarav (mouth full):Bro, you know what you need? A dopamine hit. We bunk class tomorrow and hit up India Gate. Real therapy.
Aarvansh (flat):No thanks.
Shaurya (watching him):You've been off all week. What's going on?
Aarvansh looked up, met Shaurya's gaze, then glanced down again.
Aarvansh:You ever feel like… your life's not really yours anymore?
That silenced them.
Prakash (finally looking up):That's oddly specific, man. You okay?
A beat.
Aarvansh (deflecting):It's nothing. Just… dreams. And expectations.
Aarav (grinning):Ahh, the IIT pressure arc. Don't worry. In two years, we'll all be jobless together!
Shaurya:Or worse—placed in TCS.
They laugh. But Aarvansh doesn't.
His mind flashes to Albert's warning:
"Family is the one holding you back."
Shaurya:Aarvansh. You're zoning out again.
Aarvansh (softly):If something ever happens... you three should stay out of it.
The table falls silent.
Aarav (mock-serious):Bro, is this your Batman arc?
Prakash (genuine):You don't push people away because you're scared. You let them in. That's how you fight.
Aarvansh:Maybe. Or maybe it's how you get people killed.
He stands. The chair scrapes quietly.
Aarvansh:Thanks for being here. I just needed to remember who I was.
As he walks away, Shaurya's voice follows:
Shaurya (firmly):Whatever's coming, we've got your back. Even if you don't ask for it.
Rain pours under flickering yellow lights. Aarvansh walks alone, pulling his hoodie up.
He opens his phone. A new message:
[Unknown Number]"Your friends are loyal. Let's see how far loyalty goes."– A
A chill runs through him.
He looks over his shoulder.
Nobody's there.
But the war has already begun.