Vidyut forcefully pulled Ruhi. She stood up with a jerk, her body shivering.

Saurav held Ruhi from her shoulders.

Anirudh (with soft voice): Rooh!

Finally, listening to her Dada's voice, feeling her Bhaiya's touch on her shoulder. She raised her eyelashes to find her Bhai standing in front of her.

Sensing her comfort, she quickly wrapped her arms around Vidyut and broke down in tears.

Vidyut pulled her into his embrace, trying to provide her with the warmth she needed.

Anirudh gulped down his emotions and stood strong for his sister, whereas tears rolled down Saurav's face. Vidyut mumbling soft words and caressing her hair.

Vidyut took Ruhi out of that room.

With everyone around, they stood in the corridor. The colours drained from the principal's face as he noticed Ruhi's condition.

Navya (looking at Ruhi with tears in her eyes): Ruhi...

Principal (nervously): Ruhi beta, how did you come here? This building is under construction you know, right?

Nayan (shocked): I don't think she came here on her own. She was sitting under a tree. She was comfortable over there. She is aware that this building is under construction. So, why will she come here?

Anirudh, Saurav, Vidyut, Yug, and the principal gave him a confused look, wondering which tree he mentioned.

Anirudh: She was sitting under a tree? We saw on the bench in the footage.

Nayan (nodding): After I left. She texted me saying, she is sitting over there.

Navya and Ivana agreed.

Nayan: When I went to check on her. She was still under that tree. After the party, I got her belongings from there.

Yug: CCTV shut down before that. So, we don't know.

Principal (scared): I don't know how that happened. We were all in the party hall.

Yug (rolling his eyes): Vidyut, Ruhi isn't in a condition to speak or anything. We shouldn't pressure her. You take her home. I will speak with the principal about the details.

Navya (gathering her courage): Vidyut bhaiya.

Everyone's attention shifted to Navya.

Navya: I guess I know who can be behind all this but I don't know who that person is exactly.

Everyone gave her a confused look. Ruhi heard her words and tightened her grip around Vidyut, who was holding her. Vidyut can sense her hands shivering. She was trying to grip her hand but as her hands were shivering, she was not able to grip it. These small moments of her hands gave his heart a pinch.

Vidyut (mumbling to Ruhi): Meri jaan, bhai got you. You are safe baby.

Yug (looking at Navya): Can you help us?

Navya: Nayan bhai, can you please give me Ruhi's phone?

Nayan took Ruhi's phone out of his pocket and handed it to Navya.

Navya opened the messages. She saw a new notification from that contact. She shivered.

Noticing the sudden change in Navya's expression. Ekansh took the phone in his hand. He didn't mean to snatch it but somewhere he did unintentionally, Navya got scared and flinched. He quickly held her hand, assuring her.

As he was assuring Navya. Saurav being impatient took the phone from his hand.

Saurav took the phone. He scrolls through the texts. His jaw tightened while reading the text.

Saurav (gulping his emotions): Someone is stalking and threatening her. Rooh, since when has all this been going on? Who is he?

Listening to Saurav, Ruhi shivered hiding her face in Vidyut's chest. Others gasped.

Yug: Let me see...

Saurav handed him the phone. Yug too saw Ruhi's phone.

Yug was checking her phone, each and every text.

Yug: Nayan, Ruhi texted you saying she is sitting under a tree?

Nayan nodded.

Yug: You saw Ruhi, you sure?

Nayan nodded with a confused look.

Yug: That's prominent light to present Ruhi when she wasn't. This is mentioned in the text.

Guilt washed over Nayan's face.

Ruhi breaking the hug, saw Vidyut.

Ruhi (joining her hands): Bhai, I never forced anyone to commit suicide. Please trust me. I never did that intentionally.

Her joined hands were shivering, her lips wobbled, her body trembled. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

Suicide...

Loud gasps were heard around. Fear curled in Ruhi's heart at the reaction of all.

Vidyut immediately composed himself and held her hands with one hand and wiped her tears with the other.

Vidyut (softly mumbling): Bhai trust you bache. You are innocent.

Yug: Ruhi, are you talking about this picture?

He forwarded her phone.

Anirudh (curtly): Don't yug. She is scared.

Yug: Bhai, she needs to know. She is misunderstanding.

Saurav too saw that picture already. He supported Yug, knowing his baby sister was in need.

Saurav (mumbling): Let him bhai.

Yug sighed and stood beside Vidyut.

Yug: You know this picture was downloaded from the internet. This isn't real.

Ruhi snapped towards Yug. Navya and Ivana also got shocked. Others stood confused, not knowing what was going on.

Yug: The person was trapping you and I guess he or she succeed too. Look, how weak you have become.

Ruhi's tongue is tied. She was just looking at Yug and her phone with wide eyes, trying to process the words that escaped from Yug's mouth. She was feeling goosebumps.

Ivana (shocked): The photo isn't real?

She felt his words in her bones. Her body felt jelly and she lost her balance. She fell down. She fell on her knees and broke down.

Anirudh, Saurav and Vidyut got scared. They quickly kneeled beside her.

Ruhi: Bhai... he... he said... he harmed... he harmed... I saw that blood... He... he... he sa.. said... he will harm... harm... harm... you... and... and... and... forc.. forced me to wear... wear this... dress...

A little girl was complaining about the bad behaviour she was facing. Her voice was low as if she was whispering, only her brothers could understand what she was trying speak. While speaking she was hiccuping. Her eyes were screaming her pain. Every tear that fell from her eye told how brave she was trying to be. How insecure and hurt she felt. She finally broke the wall and reached her brothers, trusting in everything.

Her brothers sat silently beside her, letting her open the door she closed. Anirudh held her one hand, patting her head, while Saurav held her other hand and wrapped his arm around. Vidyut sat in front of her, wiping her tears, his fingers on her face were not only her tears but also balming her wounds.

The three sat surrounding her, giving her the space she needed to open up, giving her the strength she was losing and being her support system. She finally felt free from the cage, sat pouring her pain.

Looking at Ruhi like this, tears leaked from Nayan's eyes. His always cheerful and happy soul Ruhi, was silently suffering all these days.

Navya and Ivana sobbing silently, in their brother's and father's feeling their best friends' pain.

The Principal and teachers felt scared. Everything is going on inside the college and the case is under Yug Mehra, for whom Ruhi (the victim) is like a family friend.

Principal (trying to be confident): Sir...

His one word, dragged everyone's attention towards him. Sharp eyes of Anirudh, Saurav, Vidyut and Yug were enough to make him dig himself under 7 feet. Shiver ran down his spine.

Sir (gulping his fear): I just wanted to say, please take Ruhi home. She needs rest. I will personally look into this matter. Our student has suffered so much.

Yug (folding his arms): It's my team and I who will look into this case. College is behind this maybe you are involved or not but someone from college is. Everything is happening in college. She is receiving texts and threats on college premises.

Everyone was silent, no one dared to speak a single word. Ruhi was silent. They were all speaking but no words were hitting her ears. She was lost in her thoughts and hiccuping. Her body was calmer than before.

Saurav: Yug, we are taking Ruhi home. If you need anything just ring us.

Yug: Sure bhai. Umm... I need Ruhi's phone for the investigation. Also, Vidyut stay with me. For now, we need to discuss this with teachers. So, you be present with me.

Vidyut nodded.

Yug (ordering): Team, check this room and building now and if anything is suspected. Let me know.

Anirudh (softly caressing Ruhi's hair): Bache, you are safe now. Yug and Vidyut will handle it here. let's go home.

Her brothers made her stand. Anirudh quickly wrapped his arm around her and held her for support.

Yug (announcing): Everyone other than college staff please leave for home. If we need any kind of support. We will be reaching out to you. So, please cooperate.

Ivana's father: Feel free to contact us. Especially Navya and Ivana. I guess they know. I will personally speak with Navya's parents to explain this matter.

Yug nodded.

Anirudh: Saurav, you take Ruhi home. I will drop Navya off with her brother and Nayan and will come back.

Ivana's father: I will drop the kids off. Don't worry. Ruhi needs you. You be with her.

Anirudh: Thanks a lot.

Ivana's father nodded with a small smile.

Nayan: Bhai, I informed mom, and she said she is coming to your place to meet Ruhi. So, I will be coming with you.

Saurav nodded. With this everyone left for home. Ruhi was clinging to Anirudh as her life depended on him. Slowly, she was getting her senses back. Understanding her surroundings, she was feeling uncomfortable because of the dress.

She held Anirudh's arm with a grip.

Anirudh: What's wrong, bache?

Ruhi (mumbling): Jacket?

Nayan who was just behind Ruhi. He heard Ruhi's words. He was holding her jacket but he quickly removed his jacket.

Nayan (forwarding his jacket): Ruhi, wear this, you will be comfortable.

Ruhi turned towards him, listening to his voice. Saurav took the jacket from his hand and made Ruhi wear it.

Ruhi snuggled towards Anirudh, she was silently walking with him. She knew she was in a safe and comfortable embrace. Saurav smiled.

To be continued...

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