The campus buzzed with its usual energy-footsteps echoing down the carridors, scattered laughter, and the occasional scolding from a professor. Bat amidst all that noise, something felt heavy between two people who didn't even know why they had become enemies.
Rishi had stopped talking much to anyone outside kis close circle. In class, he sat far from the rest. And whenever his eyes accidentally met hers the girl who had confronted him he looked away instantly. Not because he was scared. But because something about her made him fecl... ansettled.
She, on the other hand, acted like he didn't exist. Bal inside, she still felt hurt and confused. "I helped him. I stayed beside him when no one did. And yet, he looks at me like I'm his enemy."
Meanwhile. Raj and Rajiv were stuck in the middle-watching everything unfold like a storm they couldn't stop.
"This is getting worse." Rajiv said one afternoon in the canteen, slirring his cold coffee absentmindedly.
Raj sighed, watching Rishi across the courtyard. "I thought time would coof him down. But he's only getting colder.
"Should we tell him?" Rajiv asked softly.
Raj shook his head. "Not yet. He doesn't even know she's the ane who saved him that day. And she doesn't know he still carries that moment like a scar. If we tell them now, it mighi lure into something ugly."
Rajiv nodded. "So what do we do?"
"We fix it." Raj said with a spark in his eyes. "We bring them face to face. In a setting where they can't walk away. Where they have to talk."
Rajiv looked doubtful. "You've planning something again. aven't you?"
Raj grinned. "I always am.
The Plan That Backfired
The next day. Raj acted like nothing was wrong. But behind.
the scenes, he coordinated with a few classmates to set up a mock group activity for the seniors and juniors. It was supposed to be fun-like team building. But Raj had other goals.
He made sure Rishi and the girl ended up in the same team, And made sure they'd be paired for the final game: a blindfolded trust exercise where one had to guide the
other.
As expected, both resisted.
"I'm not doing this," Rishi said flatly.
"And I'm not quiding him anywhere." the girl snapped.
Raj stepped in quickly. "It's just a game, guys! Don't be dramatic. Be matare."
Rishi shut him a glare but finally gave in. The girl sighed angrily and folded her arms.
The game began.
Blindfolded. Rishi stood still while she gave directions in a clipped tone.
"Step forward."
"To your right."
"Now left. No. your left, not minel"
"Stop shouting!" Rishi growled. "You're the worst guide ever."
She scoffed. "Then maybe you're the worst listener."
The others began laughing awkwardly, sensing the trusion.
but not understanding its weight,
By the end of the task. Rishi ripped off the blindfold, his voice sharp. "Next time, don't pretend to know everything."
She replied instantly. "And next time, don't act like the world owes you kindness."
Rajiv stood frozen. Raj looked horrified.
"Okay, that... didn't go as planned," Raj whispered.
"You think?" Rajiv muttered under his breath.
They both watched as Rishi stormed away in one direction, and the girl walked off in another both fuming.
The Aftermath
That evening, the atmosphere was quiet in Rajiv's house. where all three atually hang out.
Rishi sat by the window, lost in thought. His jaw was clenched, and his hands were balled into fists.
Raj sat on the floor, clearly tense. "Okay, I admit. Bad
idea."
Rajiv didn't say anything.
Rishi finally spoke. "I don't know what game she's playing. But whatever it is, she's going to regret picking me as target."
Raj looked surprised, "You Mil she's doing this on purpose?"
"She came at me the first day like she already hated me. And now? I see the same fire in her eyes every time, I don't even know her."
Rajiv said quietly. "Maybe... that's exactly the problem."
Rishi didn't respond.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, the girl sat with her friend again.
"Yoa okay?" her friend asked.
"I thought maybe could clear things today. But he made it worse. He hates me."
Her friend looked away. "You still haven't told him, right? That it was you who saved him?"
She shook her head. "What's the point? He clearly doesn't deserve it."
But as she said it. something in her voice cracked.
Unseen Truths
Later that nighi. Rajiv and Raj sal alone after Rishi left.
"He's spiraling again." Rajiv sald quietly.
"I know." Raj replied. "But what else can we do?"
Rajiv took a deep breath. "I think... we need to stop forcing it. Maybe this isn't something that can be fixed by pulling. them in a room together."
Raj was silout.
Rajiv continued. "Maybe... some truths need to reveal themselves at the right time. And maybe this isn't that time."
Raj looked away. For once, he didn't have a joke or comeback.
Because deep inside, they both knew this wasn't just a misunderstanding anymore. It was turning into something darker.
And neither of them knew how to stop it.
To Be Continued...