When Aryan said to Myra—
"So, you do get shy too…" — Myra blushed a little and quickly turned her focus back to the book.
For a few moments, silence filled the air.
Aryan kept looking at her, as if he wanted to read every tiny movement on her face.
Then, without lifting her eyes from the book, Myra softly said—
"Why would I be shy?"
Aryan leaned a little closer, smiling—
"Then why are you hiding your eyes right now?"
Myra twirled her pen, still keeping her gaze fixed on the book, and replied calmly—
"Because… honestly, that day it was you who got scared. I feel like you don't really like talking to girls."
Aryan was slightly taken aback, then smiled—
"Oh? And why do you think so?"
This time Myra slightly lifted her eyes and looked straight into his—
"Because you're always lost among your friends. And today… for the first time, you've spoken to me by yourself."
After a pause, Myra softly added—
"By the way… thank you for that day."
Aryan looked at her, a bit surprised, and said quietly—
"Thank you? You already said that once."
Suppressing a faint smile, Myra replied—
"Yes… but back then, I didn't know it was you. That's why I just said a casual thank you and left."
She closed the book, her voice lowering—
"And… sorry too. Because of me, your hand got burned. If you hadn't caught me at the right moment, my hands would have gotten a serious burn that day."
Aryan glanced at his palm and smiled softly.
"So, this time's thank you… is personal?"
Rolling her eyes and blushing, Myra replied—
"Don't get overconfident… it was overdue, so I said it."
Aryan leaned closer, whispering—
"Late or not, it came from your heart. That's enough for me."
Myra's cheeks flushed red again, and she quickly opened the book in front of her as if she was deeply engrossed in reading. Aryan leaned slightly on his chair and whispered—
"By the way… I never properly introduced myself to you."
Myra looked up a little and softly said—
"What do you mean? You already told me your name."
With a faint smile, Aryan shook his head—
"Yes, you've heard my name… but not the way I wanted. So… listen again— I'm Aryan."
His voice was low but clear enough to echo straight into Myra's ears.
She scribbled random lines on her notebook with her pen and quietly replied—
"Alright… I'll try to remember."
Aryan held back a smile and opened his book. But deep inside, he was sure—this name wasn't going to be forgotten anytime soon.
Meanwhile, the teacher noticed a faint buzz in the class—some girls whispering, some stealing glances at Aryan. He looked around once, then signaled the class to end.
"Alright, kids, that's it for today—don't forget the homework," he said.
The bell rang, books shut with soft thuds, and the class slowly emptied. A few girls giggled as they glanced at Aryan, whispering among themselves. Aryan quietly packed his things, though a faint smile still lingered on his face—as if Myra's words were still echoing inside him.
---
As soon as he stepped into the corridor, Rahul teased in a joking tone—
"Bro, your name's really spreading these days. Girls are noticing you everywhere."
Aryan smiled faintly, brushing it off, and together they walked toward the library.
The moment they entered, the quiet, cool air inside felt completely different from the noisy classroom. Rows of shelves, silent aisles, and students immersed in books—everything gave a calming vibe.
Rahul spread his notebook on a table at once and said—
"Come on, let's study a little today… or else, we'll hear these same stories again tomorrow."
Aryan smiled, picked a book from a nearby shelf, but his thoughts kept drifting—to Myra twirling her pen, to her soft voice.
Suddenly Rahul shut his notebook and said,
"Bro, I have some work… you stay here, I'll be back in a bit."
He hurried out of the library with another guy, leaving Aryan alone at the table. Aryan stared at the books in front of him, but his mind was wandering.
Memories from his past life returned—how he and Myra used to sit in these corners, reading, debating, and laughing together. And then Myra, losing herself completely in one book…
"That book… would it still be here?"
He stood up, searching among the shelves.
Just then, a voice came from behind—
"Hello Aryan… what are you doing here? Do you need my help with something?"
Aryan turned around.
It was the same girl who had indirectly proposed to him in class before. But Aryan had made it clear that he could only stay friends. Even now, her tone carried that sweetness—as if she wanted to pull him back into her web again.
But Aryan replied seriously, his voice calm—
"No… I don't need any help."
The girl still tried to talk for a while, but Aryan only nodded lightly, his attention still on the books.
Soon, her friends came over, and they all got busy chatting. Aryan took the chance to quietly slip away, reaching a lonely corner of the library where he often sat.
And there—on a lower shelf—his eyes caught the same book. Old and worn, its pages yellowing. Aryan reached for it—
Just as his fingers were about to touch it, another hand landed on the book from the opposite side.
Both pulled it slightly toward themselves at the same time. Aryan, about to snap, muttered—
"Excuse me, I need this book—"
But then, his eyes met a pair of deep, clear eyes through the shelf. His irritation faded instantly. Aryan released the book gently.
And at that moment, a familiar voice rang—
"Excuse me… can you give me this book?"
Aryan's heart skipped a beat.
Standing there wasn't anyone else—but Myra.
She too froze, not expecting Aryan on the other side of the shelf.
For a moment, they just stared at each other… while the book remained silently between them.
Without another word, Myra slowly pulled the book from his hand. Aryan smiled faintly—
"But… I need to read this book too. So… will you help me understand it?"
Myra looked at him, her eyes calm, serene. After a pause, she gave a soft smile and said—
"Alright… but you'll have to listen carefully. No interruptions."
Aryan nodded, "Okay."
At that moment, Aryan's heart was pounding fast.
"As if an unspoken melody had started echoing wildly inside his chest."
But he composed himself and sat at an empty table. Myra sat across from him.
The book opened, pages rustled—and Myra began in her soft voice—
"This verse says… the steadier a person's mind, the clearer his path becomes."
She explained word by word, her tone so gentle it was as though the meaning itself dissolved into her voice. Aryan sat across, half-listening, half-lost—his eyes fixed on her face.
The spark in her eyes, the subtle movement of her lips, the softness of her fingers as she turned the pages—it was as if time itself had paused.
Inside, Aryan felt—
"Maybe… God has finally fulfilled the deepest wish of my heart."
He took a deep breath, but still couldn't take his eyes off her. Myra kept explaining, and Aryan pretended to listen—though truly, he was only watching her.
He didn't realize how much time had passed.
Meanwhile, outside in the aisles, Rahul was searching.
"Where the hell is he? Swallowed by the earth or flown to the skies?" he muttered, irritation clear on his face.
"I told him to sit right here…" he grumbled, still looking around.
Suddenly his phone rang.
Rahul glanced at the screen—HAP3 flashing. His face instantly changed, like all the blood drained from it.
Without wasting a second, he picked up.
A heavy, stern voice thundered from the other end—
"Rahul… you've delayed too long. Now time will move according to us."
Rahul froze, phone still pressed to his ear. The voice continued—
"Tell Aryan—his time has come. From now on, he is no longer just Aryan Shergill… but the name before which the whole world will bow."
Rahul's throat went dry. He stammered—
"What do you mean…?"
The voice grew sharper—
"Tell him the time has come to step into the claim of 'Successor.' His true identity will now be revealed."
Rahul's hands trembled. His eyes darted to the library corner, where Aryan sat with Myra—completely lost in books and innocent conversation.
Rahul's mind screamed—
"Is it time to tell him the truth?"
His face paled, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
And then, the voice struck again—
"And remember, Rahul… this order isn't from anyone else, but the Leader of the Clan himself. Now even you must shed your fake mask and show your real colors.
Remember this—your role is Aryan's shield. No enemy's plan should ever reach him. Whatever it takes, stop it.
The rest—you are wise enough to understand."
The call ended.
Rahul stood frozen. His heart burning with a sudden fire. He was no longer the ordinary boy people saw on the surface.
Now, he had become a flame—one that would burn down any danger standing in Aryan's path.
Just then, another call rang. Rahul answered, and a different voice spoke—
"Virat, the time has come. Protect Aryan, for danger is now looming over him."
Before he could reply, the call cut again.
Rahul's eyes fell on the library corner—where Aryan was still lost in Myra's presence. Seeing that calm face, Rahul's murderous fire softened. Without a word, he turned and left the library.
Inside, Aryan still gazed at Myra, completely unaware of how enormous a storm was about to unfold in his life.
What lies ahead in this story?
Who was that mysterious voice that shook Rahul to his very core?
And what is the hidden truth of Aryan and Rahul… the truth buried deep in the shadows all this time?
To uncover all the answers, step into the upcoming chapters of —
"The King of Shadows"
— with me: Nitish Chandel