After the fight, Ram retreated to his classroom to clear his mind. The news about his confrontation with Gaja spread like wildfire, reaching every important person in the college—Prof. Chandni, Principal Dharmnath, Prof. Ashok, Nurse Maya, Ali, Geeta, Harshita, and even Rishi. The shock was palpable. No one had expected a nobody like Ram to defeat someone as feared as Gaja.
When Ali first heard the news, he felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was relieved and even proud that Ram had stood up for him, but on the other, a sense of dread filled him. He worried that this would only make things worse for his friend.
Rishi, too, was taken aback. He couldn't believe that anyone—let alone Ram—could take down Gaja. Furious, he steeled himself, determined to intervene before the situation escalated any further.
Meanwhile, Ram sat in silence in his classroom, blocking out the whispers and stares from his classmates. His gaze was distant, lost in thought, as the room buzzed with speculation. Then, Geeta entered, having heard the news as well. She saw Ram sitting there, his face unreadable. Unsure of how to approach him, she hesitated for a moment before walking toward him.
"Ram," she said softly, "are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Ram lifted his head and met her gaze. "No, I'm fine," he replied calmly. "But I need to know... is there any way to stop the bullying in this college?"
Geeta paused, her expression thoughtful. "The real root of the bullying is Rishi," she said quietly. "As long as he's here, it'll never stop. But don't worry. Prof. Chandni is already looking into ways to end it. I'm sure she'll succeed."
Ram thought for a moment, absorbing her words. Then he nodded. "Alright. Let's meet up with Ali and grab some coffee."
When the school day ended, Ali, despite his injuries, was able to walk to the bus stop. He insisted that he could manage on his own, but Geeta refused to let him go alone. "We'll come with you," she said. "It's no trouble."
Ram pulled out his phone and called Aunt Maya. "I'm going to a friend's house," he said. "I'll be back later tonight."
Aunt Maya's voice came through, teasing yet warm. "Oh? Are you escorting someone home? A boy or a girl? My, how you've grown. I can't keep up anymore."
Ram chuckled. "It's not like that. Ali's hurt, so I'm just making sure he gets home safely."
"I see," Aunt Maya said with a knowing laugh. "It's good to help your friends, but don't stay out too late, okay?" She ended the call with a smile in her voice.
They took an auto to Ali's neighborhood, which was in a slum area. The streets were narrow and littered with trash, the air heavy with neglect. Both Ram and Geeta couldn't hide their surprise, their eyes widening as they took in the sight.
Ali noticed their expressions and gave a small, wry smile. "I knew you wouldn't like it here," he said, a touch of embarrassment in his voice. "That's why I didn't want you to come."
Geeta shook her head, her tone gentle. "It's not like that. We understand. The government is responsible for these conditions. There's only so much anyone can do."
Ali sighed, his voice tinged with bitterness. "The leader of this area is Rishi's father. They begged for votes, promised change, but once they won, they disappeared. The people here... they're blinded by greed and addiction. They vote for money, for liquor, and don't realize they're being exploited. It's heartbreaking."
Ram listened in silence, taking in everything Ali said. The words weighed heavily on him.
They soon arrived at Ali's house, a modest building tucked away in the corner of the neighborhood. Ali unlocked the door, and they stepped inside. Despite its small size, the house was cozy and well-kept. Plants sat neatly in pots by the windows, and colorful drawings adorned the walls, adding warmth and character to the space.
Ali offered them a glass of water, but Geeta hesitated, her eyes drifting to the glass. She declined politely, but her discomfort was palpable.
At that moment, the sound of another door unlocking echoed through the room. Ali's grandmother walked in, her face filled with worry when she saw Ali's injuries. "What happened?" she asked, panic rising in her voice. "How did you get hurt?"
Ali quickly reassured her. "I tripped on the stairs, Grandma. It's nothing serious. Just a few bruises."
Geeta, noticing the concern in the elderly woman's eyes, stepped forward. "He's fine, really. Don't worry," she said, trying to calm her.
Ali's grandmother took a deep breath, her expression softening. She looked at Ali with love and tenderness. "Ali's such an innocent boy," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "After both his parents passed, I've done everything I can to care for him. He's my whole world."
She turned to Ram and Geeta, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Thank you both for helping him. You're kind-hearted."
She offered them some snacks as a gesture of thanks, but Geeta politely refused. "I'm already running late. I should head back."
They said their goodbyes, and as they left the house, the atmosphere was quiet, almost reflective. At the bus stop, Ram and Geeta bid farewell to Ali, and then Ram made his way home.