When Rahul walked out of the library, Aryan was still lost in Myra's words and the innocence on her face. His eyes were no longer on the book, but fixed on Myra.
Smiling softly, Myra said—
"That's all for today… did you understand anything?"
But Aryan was more lost in her simplicity than her explanations. A faint smile played on his lips. To break his trance, Myra waved her hand in front of him—
"Hey, hero! Where are you lost?"
Aryan jolted back to reality and, with a little laugh, said—
"Nowhere… I was just thinking how well you explain things. Looks like I'll need your help more often."
Hearing this, Myra smiled faintly but didn't reply. She started packing her things.
Meanwhile, a few girls sitting nearby noticed them. One said in surprise—
"Hey, that's Myra! The most famous and beautiful girl in the class… but who's she talking to? He looks like some new guy."
Another recognized him instantly—
"Oh, that's Aryan!" The moment she said this, several heads turned toward their table. Conversations slowed, and people just kept staring at them.
While Myra was still putting her books away, Aryan asked with a soft smile—
"So… do you come here to study at this time every day?"
Myra nodded with a simple "yes."
Taking a deep breath, Aryan steadied his heartbeat and said—
"You've helped me so much today… so I guess it's my turn now. Will you come to the canteen with me? I'll give you a nice treat."
His heart was pounding, and all he could pray was—
"God, please… Myra, don't say no. Did I rush too much?"
At first, Myra replied casually—
"No… I've got some work today."
But Aryan gathered his courage and asked again. His eyes carried both sincerity and hope. Myra stayed silent for a moment, then gave a soft smile and said—
"Okay… but not for long."
Hearing this, Aryan's face lit up with joy—like his prayer had been answered.
---
But while Aryan and Myra were happily chatting, the other students around them were drawing their own conclusions.
One girl whispered—
"I think something's going on between them."
Another added—
"Yeah, but I don't get it… how did they get so close so quickly?"
Some boys overheard this. Their expressions darkened instantly—eyes flashing with jealousy, anger, and heartbreak, as if something precious had been snatched from them.
One of them gripped his chair hard and said bitterly—
"Man… how's this possible? Myra ignores everyone, and Aryan? The guy who barely spoke to anyone till yesterday, is hanging out with her today?"
Another clenched his teeth—
"No way. We can't let this happen. If Aryan keeps showing up with her, where's our respect going to go? We'll have to do something."
A third boy smirked and added—
"The best part will be if we embarrass him right in front of Myra. Then she herself will walk away from him."
---
Meanwhile, Aryan couldn't hide the faint smile that came when Myra agreed. His heart was still racing. He kept telling himself,
"Stay normal… don't mess this up by being too excited."
Myra slung her bag over her shoulder and said—
"Let's go… but I can't stay too long."
Aryan quickly gathered his books, and the two of them walked out of the library together.
Behind them, boys and girls were still sneaking glances, watching their every move.
One girl whispered softly—
"See that? Myra actually left with him. There must be something special about Aryan."
But on the other side, the jealousy and anger were clear on some boys' faces. One muttered through clenched teeth—
"That rookie… with a girl like Myra? It's a slap on our faces."
Another said coldly—
"Brother, it's time. Aryan needs to be shown his place in front of everyone. Otherwise, tomorrow he'll actually end up as the class hero."
Unaware of the venom building around them, Aryan and Myra walked toward the canteen, chatting casually.
At a corner of the library, Rahul had seen everything. His eyes were calm, his face serious. He had also overheard the boys' whispers clearly.
Rahul muttered to himself—
"So the game has begun. Aryan… you don't know yet, but every step of yours is now under watch. Don't worry—I'm here. Every trap laid against you, I'll turn into ashes."
His fists clenched tight. Meanwhile, Aryan and Myra walked to the canteen laughing—unaware of the eyes and schemes circling them.
---
The canteen was buzzing with light chatter, the clinking of cups, and the smell of snacks. Everything seemed normal. But as soon as Aryan and Myra moved toward an empty corner, the atmosphere shifted.
Eyes began to follow them. Some filled with curiosity, some with envy, others with silent pain. Whispers grew louder—
"Look, Myra and Aryan are sitting together."
"Never thought Myra would sit alone with a guy."
Myra felt the weight of every stare on her. Her heartbeat raced. For the first time, she realized how suffocating silent gossip could feel. Her cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her gaze.
Aryan sensed her hesitation but stayed quiet.
That moment took him back to his past life—it was just like this. The same canteen noise, steam rising from the coffee cup, and Myra sitting across from him… her cheeks carrying the same shy blush. That was the day he had first realized how much her silent eyes could say.
He was lost in that thought when a waiter approached with a tray.
"Sir, Ma'am, what would you like to order?"
Aryan smiled naturally—
"Yes… I'll have one black coffee and a sandwich. And Myra, what about you?"
Myra hesitated a little, then spoke softly—
"I'll take… a cold coffee and… a cheese sandwich."
The waiter noted it down and left. Soon, their order was on the table. The cups of coffee steamed, sandwiches lay neatly plated, but between them hung a silence that said more than words.
Myra lifted the straw for her cold coffee, still keeping her eyes lowered. The silence grew heavier. Aryan kept glancing at her, wanting to say something—so much—but the words just wouldn't form. After a few seconds, he finally smiled and said—
"You know, Myra, I feel like… this is the first time you're sitting in the canteen with someone. And that too with me! I'm scared people will make us tomorrow's breaking news."
Myra looked at him in surprise, then burst into laughter.
"You love to make fun, don't you?"
Aryan sighed in relief.
"No, I mean it. If people are staring, maybe it's because they just discovered that the serious Myra… can actually laugh."
Myra couldn't stop her laughter now. That little smile of hers lightened the heavy air around them instantly.
---
They spent some time chatting and laughing. Half the coffee was gone, a few sandwich crumbs left on the plate. Myra didn't seem as hesitant anymore. A relaxed smile brightened her face, and Aryan, for the first time, saw her this comfortable.
He wished this moment could last forever. Every smile of hers, he wanted to capture in his eyes.
They were about to say something more when suddenly—
a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Well, well… look at this! Aryan, your luck's really shining!"
Aryan turned—Vivek was walking toward them with two friends, a mocking smile stretched across his face.
Standing right at their table, he spoke loudly—
"Aryan and Myra… wow. Never thought I'd see you two sitting together like this."
Then he looked directly at Myra and sneered—
"Myra, you really shouldn't be with guys like him. He probably doesn't even have enough money to buy you a proper treat."
His friends chuckled. Aryan stayed silent, just turning his gaze toward Myra.
She looked at Vivek for a moment, then spoke calmly but firmly—
"Vivek, there's no need for such comments. It's my decision who I sit with. And I don't think you have any right to interfere."
Her blunt reply silenced the room. For a second, Vivek's face went pale. But he quickly forced a smile, trying to act casual. Inside, though, he was boiling with rage. For him, Myra publicly taking Aryan's side was nothing less than a slap. He knew if he lost his temper now, Myra would only hate him more. So he swallowed his anger, stood still, and watched.
After a while, Aryan and Myra got up and left the canteen. Aryan had a faint smile, Myra tried to look normal.
Vivek's eyes followed them till they disappeared from sight. His jaw tightened, his hand clenched on the table, and through gritted teeth he muttered—
"Aryan… this game won't last long."
---
As they stepped out into the corridor, the place was crowded. Aryan and Myra walked slowly toward the stairs. After a brief silence, Myra sighed—
"Sorry… because of me, you had to hear all that."
Aryan looked at her and laughed—
"Hey, what's there to be sorry about? This is college, people will talk. I don't care."
Myra lowered her head, then muttered in slight irritation—
"Vivek just can't stop interfering."
Aryan shrugged, as if nothing mattered.
"It would hurt if I had actually done something wrong. But since you made things clear, what's the tension?"
A faint smile appeared on Myra's lips.
"How do you always stay so cool?"
Aryan smirked—
"Because I'm Aryan… and being cool is my habit."
They both laughed, and the mood lightened again. Just then, Myra glanced at the small watch on her wrist. Seeing the time, she grew restless.
"Oh… I'm late. Aryan, I really have to go now. See you later."
She hurried off, leaving Aryan standing there, watching her go. That's when a voice came from behind—
"So, mister… hanging out with Myra, huh?"
What will happen next?
Will Aryan and Myra's lives take a new turn?
Will shadows of the past change their future?
The answers lie ahead… stay with us—The King of Shadows.