Karan's POV:

"What do we have he—Oh my god, I didn't think this is how I am going to start my day."

Suresh sir's eyes widened as he took in the sight of Jay, Rahul, and me standing in his office. His usual composed demeanor faltered for a moment, replaced by a mix of disbelief and exasperation.

He got up from his seat, closed the curtains, and locked the door, as if sealing the room from prying eyes and ears. The atmosphere grew tense, the weight of our actions hanging in the air.

We were screwed.

'I told you to not try and be a hero; look at what you got everyone into. It's your mess,' my mind reprimanded.

I scowled in return, the pain from the previous day's brawl still evident.

The room seemed to close in, the consequences of our impulsive actions becoming increasingly apparent. The air was thick with the unspoken repercussions that now demanded our attention.

Bandages crisscrossed my knuckles, and a small cut near my eyebrow served as a gritty reminder of the physical altercation in the parking lot. Every movement of my arm sent a twinge of pain.

Turning my attention to Jay, his usually confident stride now carried a subtle limp. The bandages on his hands, stark against his pale skin, hinted at the force he exerted during the scuffle. There was a quiet determination in his eyes, as if the physical pain only fueled his resolve.

Rahul, on the other hand, sported a bruised ego alongside his visible injuries. His swagger replaced by a cautious demeanor, he seemed less certain, almost vulnerable. The bandages on his hands mirrored ours.

"Now, anyone's going to tell me what the heck were you guys actually up to, or should I ring your parents?" Suresh asked, his voice low and menacing.

The dimly lit office seemed to close in as we faced the consequences of our actions. Suresh's stern gaze swept over our bandaged figures, his disappointment palpable.

"He's been bullying us for four years for no particular reason at all, and the moment we fight back, we are suddenly the bad guys." Jay stated furiously, his voice carrying the weight of years of frustration.

"You guys never reported it," Suresh shrugged it off with nonchalance.

"Never reported it? Yeah, sure, sir, we never came running to you with clear signs of bruises and marks, and yet you decided to do nothing," I said, rage boiling inside me.

'Tsk, hold it in.'

"Ha! Look at you two trying to fight for justice. Even the school knows you guys are a waste of space. Save for the fact your parents pity you and pay your fees on time. You guys have no right to be in a pristine place like SNK."

"You-" I started, clenching my fists and aiming for his face.

"Don't, Kan," Jay held me back with his stronger hand.

"Aw, being protective of your little boy, huh?" Rahul cooed teasingly.

"If you guys don't stop fighting, I might actually call the police here. Stop being such idiots and tell the truth," Suresh snapped, making us all startled and frozen in our places.

"Well, truth be told, we confronted Rahul about the missing cases and also happened to claim the long remaining revenge," Jay gritted through his bruised jaw. His gums were weak due to internal bleeding.

Crap, we went too far.

'You had one person on your side; now Jay will never talk to you.'

I would trade anything right now to switch my mind off.

'As if that was ever going to happen.'

I sneered before looking at Suresh sir.

"Good for you guys. I haven't called your parents yet, but just out of curiosity, how did you guys manage to go with such bruises?"

"My parents worried, but I managed it with a lie. A fierce football match," Rahul stated.

"Of course they were worried," Suresh stated before turning his attention to me. "What about you? Didn't even care to have pity for your father. Do you even understand how hard being a single parent is?"

I bit my lips and mumbled a sorry before lowering my head.

Jay rubbed my back in consolation as he said, "I promise we didn't mean for the fight to go this far. And, as far as my parents are concerned, they're out of town, so I had to manage it to school on my own."

"Getting into trouble just because your parents aren't home isn't a good idea, Jayant," Suresh said, concern furrowing his brows.

The dimly lit office seemed to accentuate the seriousness of the situation. "And before you begin with your stupid excuses, do me a favor and don't pull up such stunts again."

"Sure, but-" I started before he cut in.

"And we're not discussing the case again," Suresh declared.

"Rahul, if you'd be kind enough and walk out of the room, we have some more important matters that we need to discuss in private. And make sure to sew your mouth on yesterday's matter or the bruises will be worse," Jay addressed Rahul with a politeness as cold as the air in the room.

Rahul scoffed in response before stepping out of the office.

Suresh sir was skeptical about it but allowed it before turning his attention back to us.

"So, what do you guys have to say?" Suresh leaned forward, his chin resting thoughtfully on intertwined fingers.

"We need your help," I stated firmly.

Third Person POV:

In the nurse's room, the subdued hum of fluorescent lights provided the backdrop for a scene of contrasting emotions.

Rahul, nursing a wound on his forehead with an ice pack, wore a mix of pain and frustration. Faiz, seated beside him, offered words of comfort and support, his tone a soothing balm to Rahul's evident distress.

"What the heck, man? Where were you dragged yesterday like a mop across the corridors, and what did those scums do to you?" Faiz asked, his voice laced with rage and concern.

His gaze zeroed in on the wound, and he extended his hand hesitantly, his brow furrowed as he evaluated the severity of the damage.

"Doesn't matter," Rahul fumbled. "I just know those guys are going to face the end of it very soon."

In a fit of frustration, he balled one hand into a fist and slammed it into the open palm of his other hand, his jaw clenched in anger.

The nurse, Trisha, observed the tableau with a watchful eye. Her hands moved with practiced efficiency, clearing away used needles and cotton gauze.

The room echoed with the soft rustle of medical supplies and the hushed exchange of words, creating an atmosphere that balanced vulnerability and resilience.

"We can't let them go either, Rahul. C'mon! We've come too far to do so!" Faiz encouraged Rahul, his words infused with determination and the unwavering loyalty.

Rahul, his ego bolstered by Faiz's words, glanced at him with a nod, the fire of resolve flickering in his eyes.

"What the—" Arav's exclamation cut through the room as he entered, abruptly halting when he caught sight of Rahul's condition.

His expression shifted, a mix of surprise and concern playing on his features.

Rahul, sensing Arav's potential reaction, implored intensely, "Don't start it, man. Those guys are really up to something bigger, and I don't want us to get into the mess of it unless we're ready to be looked down upon by our peers too."

"Ugh, fine," Arav said with a resigned expression.

"Drop the act, Arav. We know you still have a soft spot for them," Faiz stated, narrowing his eyes on him.

The nurse left the room, continuing about her day, and the three of them were left on their own.

"Say, why did you join us anyway? You disappear for a year, return like nothing ever happened, and worse of it all, you join us over your old friends, knowing we were his bullies. I couldn't have been able to stand such a betrayal, considering how close you guys were. What's behind all of this?" Rahul questioned, his voice carrying a curious concern.

"I don't know, honestly. I have been asking myself the same question since I returned. It's difficult to face the truth of what happened to me and what passed between us as friends. Call me a coward, but it's easier to pretend I don't care and join the people who bully them than to actually face the repercussions of it all. I have had enough on my plate already," Arav sighed as he confessed.

"That doesn't change the outcome, Arav, only makes it worse than it really is. Here you are, ganging up against your friends with us, while they're losing their sleep and peace, trying to figure out where the hell did they go wrong," Rahul argued.

"But—"

"You better know what side you're picking," Faiz said, standing up and placing a hand on Arav's shoulders before walking out of the room.

The weight of the unspoken consequences lingered in the air as Arav found himself standing at a crossroads, torn between loyalty and the fear of confronting his past.

❛why is it so scary,
to make the move
that will make us wary,
but, also help us groove?❜

A/N:

reader: Are we finally getting some climax?

me: *looks at my notes* uh-

reader: omgomgomgomg-

me: *slowly walks away trying to hide myself*

Now, looks like we finally get to the point of no return xD

Anywho, the most awaited scene is coming up. Arav's finally in the scene! Rahul and Faiz, although being Jay and Karan's bullies, had some sympathy for them, especially after Rahul realized what was actually happening, which makes them look not so bad after all.

They were just bullies who misunderstood, like everyone else before realizing the gravity of the situation.

Arav is realizing the repercussions of his actions, but is also scared to face his old friends.

But, you might think, the case isn't even solved yet, how would it go?

Don't worry reader, i got you!

Jay and Kan take help from Suresh sir on the matter and although he is super strict, he is concerned too.

Let's see where it goes!!

Feel free to leave loads of feedback, suggestions and comments!