Sid was peacefully dreaming. In his dream all of a sudden he heard a crying voice, bewilderment plastered on his face. Eventually, he realized it was a sobbing voice of his mom. Slowly, slowly the crying sound became audible to his gross senses.

Sid woke up from his dreaming state and darted his eyes here and there. He caught sight of his mom sitting near his thighs, crying. He quickly hoisted himself up.

"Hey! Why are you crying mom?" he said in a voice as if for the first time he has seen her weeping. There will be hardly any guy in the world, who can see his mother shedding tears, Sid was no exception.

Neha handed him that cellphone to Sid and gestured him to watch the video. It was Pratham's cellphone, and there was a video playing in it. As he finished watching it, a ripple of shock choked his throat. Because in the video, Pratham was with his friends; smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol. He shot a glance back at his mom, he was speechless and could understand how she must have felt.

******

After sorting the things out between his mom and elder brother. Next morning, Sid went to the college. There he got to know that Raj has registered him and Ravi for NSS (National Service Scheme) camp. At first, Sid denied coming. But when he came to know that Sara and Nehali are also coming, he instantaneously agreed. Indeed, he's an opportunist.

The camp conducted by social welfare relief program for slums residents: poor boys and girls for two days. Students from every stream were going to provide aid. A social activist name, Raghu Sen, was the man behind this whole project who was maintaining and directing it. His followers revered him as an altruistic person. With his tireless effort and resolute determination, he created an anti-alcoholic shot that turned the whole slum area alcoholic free within two years, which was a major problem there.

Raghu received many awards for his grand achievement in social activism. All colleges were helping him to accomplish this project. So this time, NSS group of Sid's college were providing support, headed by Prof. Khera.

*****

Next day, all students gathered at the college premises. Raj, Ravi, Jayashri, and Sid were in one group. Sara left her friend circle to join Sid's team because his company was more alluring to her. Not only she came along, but she tagged Nehali along with her to join them. Sara had promised Sid that she would act as a bridge between him and Nehali. (Raise your hand if you want a friend like Sara.)

There were about thirty students. Most of them were from science and commerce stream. A little later, one big luxurious bus arrived at the college premises. Many students attacked the bus to acquire window seats. Following them, Prof. Khera and his few assistant.

Being an Indophile, Khera parted girls on the left side and boys one the right. This act certainly got on most of the people's nerves.

Thus, the journey began.

Leaving behind the city of dreams, Mumbai. The slum town was very far away from the urban area. One hour passed. Ravi and Raj went backseats to play games with others classmates whereas Sid preferred to get some sleep. A boy name, Pratik came and sat on an empty seat, and he shook Sid's shoulder. Of course, Sid felt like to whack Pratik for waking him up.

"Why you're sleeping when everyone around you is enjoying?" Pratik asked he sounded friendly.

"Thanks for asking. Actually, I haven't got enough sleep last night."

The actual intention of Pratik was to get closer to Sara through him, "Dude! Can you give me the phone number of Sara?"

"Why? I can't. You better ask her—" All of a sudden, something struck Sid's mind, "Okay, I see why in the world you interrupted my precious sleep. Get lost! And let me have a catnap." He folded his hands, while he let loose his body and he closed his eyes to sleep.

"Dude please, I really like her!"

"Get lost! She's a sweet girl and you're like a male bit**h, who plays around with innocent girls." Sid taunted him with an oxymoron of a "male bit**h." He thought Pratik would feel embarrassed and shall quit his sexual thoughts on Sara. But being a pervert, Pratik wasn't the one to desist this soon. Even though he had courted many girls of the college with his woman enticing skills, his next interest was Sara. However, Sid held a firm faith in his heart that such kinky boy can never woo Sara.

"Please! I really like her. Man! I feel like to jerk off when I look at her hot curvy body. I promise, we'll both get her on the bed," Patrick said as a ripple of lust flooded his mind. He thought Sid would take it as a good deal. But Sid stood up and pushed Patrick so hard that he tripped and fell.

"Buzz off! Before I thrash you in front of all," Sid said through gritted teeth.

"Okay, chill. I'm going, don't be angry."

Pratik went back to his place in fear. Sid sat down on his seat and heaved a sigh of relief. In his mind, he wondered, why on earth some girls fall for a beephole like Pratik?

After a long time of travel, the NSS bus reached the destination. The place was a hamlet and very less updated with the technological world. Even necessities, such as water, food, clothing, and shelter were not sufficient for residents. The bus traveled to NGO center, which was just on the outskirt of that rural area.

NSS groups gathered in the center's compound; comprising of commerce and science students divided themselves into two groups. Raghu Sen, the head of NGO come in and address all students, "First of all I would like to thank Prof. Khera for his generosity that he had extended towards us. So, guys, we will divide ourselves into two groups. Science students will help our volunteers in providing medical aid, and commerce students will provide school tutoring to the kids."

He further instructed about various details, and then hawked up to say something important. "Have anyone seen God? Some look for God in religious places; some try to find Him in the Himalayas and such places. But I see God in people's suffering. They are my God."

Everyone burst out into a deafening applause. Mixed feelings ruled Sid's mind, he thought to introspect on Raghu Sen's words, but he shrugged it off because he had taken a decision to stop himself from going into any introspection. Blame the author, Nitin Kushwa, for this.

Raj expressed his deep reverence for Raghu Sen. He spoke up, "Within two years this man made the whole village alcoholic free."

"Yes. Raghu is going to get awarded by the president of our state," Ravi added. Sid preferred to keep quiet.

Sid, Ravi, Raj, Nehali, Sara, and Jayashri grouped themselves, and they left for the place where school kids gather to study. Since Sid was good at teaching history, he taught some of the chapters. Nehali and Jayashri taught mathematics, Sara taught them English, Ravi taught them other languages, and Raj taught them environmental studies.

After finishing all classes, NGO catered the mid-day meal to the children. Among all six, it was Raj, who was actively providing assistance.

The Hot meal got served to all thirty-five kids, among them fifteen were girls. Almost of them were wearing worn out, dirty clothes. All thirty-five kids looked very innocent when they had the food; their faces glowed with happiness which was a priceless moment. Sid and Ravi couldn't get enough of their happy faces, thinking, even if they were in such a malnourished and miserable conditions they're still satisfied with whatever things they have.

Sara called both of them for lunch. The mat on the ground was their dining table for today. Nehali had already readied a full plate of luncheon for Sid. As he got hold of it, he thanked her with a tight-lipped smile, but she returned an alluring one.

All six of them began to have their lunch.

"Just see guys. In the urban city we have all facilities more than we require, and here these kids don't even have basic amenities," Raj said as sadness smeared across his face.

"I will donate half of my salary to this NGO when I start working," Sara responded with a grave look.

Nehali smirked. "I wish I could do the same. But I can't because right now my entire salary is eaten up in sustaining my family and my little sister's education." She felt pity for her situation since she didn't have a responsible dad because of which she has to work and at the same time pursue her studies. The hectic life she's been living!

After full day assistance provided by the students, everyone arrived at NGO center and allotted rooms for accommodation.

The students took bathed, and hot water helped their muscles to be free, and it also washed away their tiredness. Many of them wore wooly clothes and set a big bonfire in the middle of the compound.

Fragmented sparkles were ejecting from the burning fire quite often. The sound of breeze was audible on every ear, and it was also chilling everyone to the bone; the fireflies were lighting up the darkness every now and then. And the whole environment was appearing so beautiful and serene, and cherry on the cake was, the NGO building stood proudly at the foot of a mountain.

Sid and Sara were sitting near to the bonfire for heating up their bodies. Nehali interjected herself and sat between Sid and Sara. She has covered herself with a wooly blanket. When she looked at Sid, she felt sorry on how bizarrely she behaved with him, some days ago.

"I apologize for that day. I was very cheeky with you."

Sid's grudge melted when he heard it. "It's alright, don't mention it. And same here."

"Woohoo, that's cute, I guess I shouldn't suppose to be here now." Sara winked mischievously at Nehali and got up. But Nehali clasped her arms and made her sit.

"It's kinda cold here. I'm freezing, I'm off to bed," Sid said, standing up.

"No, wait! Can't we gossip a little?" Nehali burst out.

He couldn't bring himself to say "no" to that, so he sat back. Three of them gossiped for an hour. And before going to their rooms, Sara gave a goodbye hug to Sid in front of Nehali, not a big thing for her. Then Sara pushed Nehali towards Sid for a goodbye hug, but it unexpectedly turned into a peck because they clashed against each other. Both of them pretended to be very embarrassed, although they loved it. Sara placed a hand on her mouth to conceal her chuckle. Three of them waved their hands at each other and walked off.

Sara also headed towards her room. While walking back to her room, a smile adorned her lips because she thought that Sid and Nehali make a cute couple.

"Please, please, please, keep this cheque. It's my honor to—" The voice trailed off. Sara unconsciously walked towards the source of the voice.

"I can't accept this; it's a huge amount. A cheque of eighty thousand rupees!" Sara got better access to see the owner of this voice. He was the manager of NGO, and the other guy was Pratik!

"Nothing fishy about it, alright?" Pratik said, "It's my savings from the pocket money I get. I really want you to have it. I know my luxuries will reduce to nil, but I can manage." The manager took the cheque and left at once.

Pratik donated money to the NGO!? Sara felt a wave of shock hit her heart; her eyes doubled in size. She had heard people bad-mouthing about him a lot, but at this point, she really thought him to be a good person at heart. Pratik turned around, a smile touched his lips as he knew Sara was watching him, he received similar beam from her.

"Can you live without your luxuries? It's because, they say, Pratik and luxuries are best friends." Sara's voice held deep appreciation, for what he did, mixed with humor.

"Um, true, it'll be difficult. I suppose, I will manage." Pratik dug his hands into his hoodie's pocket. "Only a handful of mortals get to see this side of Pratik. I don't want to show off these kinda of stuff to them."

Sara chuckled and brushed her index finger across her nose, and then she made a move towards her room.

"How about a walk? We'll sip some hot soup together," Pratik said.

Sara turned around, looking interested. "Now? But it's getting late."

"Also a handful of mortals get a chance to have a walk with me." Pratik sent an enticing smile at Sara, which she couldn't resist.

Both of them went on a short walk and sipped hot tomato soup. Sara really didn't understand why people never shared these good things about him. She figured that she just came across an unknown side of him, not bad or arrogant but courtesy, funny as hell, and generous.

They came back within half an hour and waved hands at each before heading towards their room.

"Eighty thousand rupees for all this, man!" Pratik heaved a sigh.

Now as everyone went into a sound sleep. Something disastrous was going to happen, which was going to destroy hopes and selfless efforts of many souls because greed and lack of sense control were about to play a soul-destroying activity.

******

A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I presumed you had loved reading it too. What do you guys think about new guy Pratik? And what about social activism did by MCs? Get ready for next chapter it will be kind of interesting. Please share, vote, and comment.