Freshers' Party - A Night to Remember
The college auditorium was alive with vibrant decorations and a buzzing crowd. Seniors like Vikram, Aryan, Dipanshu, Annu, and Kritika worked tirelessly to ensure the event's success. Even Karna, notorious for stirring trouble, surprised everyone by enthusiastically helping out, adding a spark of mischief to the preparations.
Meanwhile, Vaibhav, still processing everything Annu had told him about the college's power structure, finally made his way to the party.
As he entered, Wick's sharp voice cut through the noise.
"Vaibhav. Come here."
Caught off guard, Vaibhav hesitated before stepping forward. Wick eyed him critically before asking, "What's your specialty?"
Vaibhav frowned. "Specialty?"
Aryan chuckled, stepping in to clarify. "He means-are you good at something? Dance, sports, fighting?"
Vaibhav relaxed a little. "Yeah, I guess. I'm decent at dancing, some sports, and fighting."
Aryan smirked. "Looks like we've found this year's fresher for our group."
Vaibhav tensed. "Uh... I think I'll pass."
Wick's eyes darkened as he took a step closer. "Why? Are you afraid? Or did you not hear him properly? The Vice President himself is inviting you."
Vaibhav gulped. Wick's presence was suffocating, but Aryan patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Relax, man. No pressure."
After a moment of hesitation, Vaibhav finally nodded. "Alright. I'm in."
Wick smirked. "Good. If anyone bothers you, let us know. We'll take care of it."
---
The Unexpected Challenge
Everything was going smoothly-decorations were up, food was ready, and the music was set. But just when they thought the event would be flawless, a major problem arose.
The student assigned to deliver the Sanskrit speech was missing.
Annu, always quick on her feet, immediately sought out Wick. "Wick!" she called, hurrying toward him.
Wick turned, brows furrowed. "What happened? Everything okay?"
Annu exhaled sharply. "No. The student giving the Sanskrit speech is missing."
Wick processed the information quickly before glancing around. His eyes landed on Bhumi.
He approached her. "Bhumi, you're good in Sanskrit, right?"
Bhumi hesitated. "I used to be, but I'm not fluent anymore."
Before Wick could respond, Khushi and Shristi-who were nearby-stepped forward.
"I can do it," Khushi offered confidently.
Before she could finish, Wick's eyes shifted to Shristi. "You. Be ready in thirty minutes."
Khushi's expression fell. "Why her? Why can't I?"
Wick's tone was indifferent. "Because the speech must be given by a senior, not a first-year."
Khushi crossed her arms, frustration evident. "That's not fair."
Shristi, on the other hand, felt an unusual mix of nerves and excitement. She had only been in this college for a week, and now she was being given such a responsibility.
Half an hour later, Annu's voice echoed through the auditorium. "To honor our esteemed chief guest and respected principal, Shristi will now deliver the speech."
As Shristi walked toward the stage, nervous but determined, a voice from the crowd cut through the applause.
"Wait! She's a fresher! Even if she joined in third year, this is her first year here!"
The crowd murmured in agreement, and Shristi's confidence wavered.
The auditorium buzzed with noise. Laughter, whispers, mocking jeers.
On stage, Shristi stood frozen. Her hands trembled as she clutched the microphone.
"G-g-g-good afternoon to allll..."
The crowd exploded into laughter.
"She can't even greet properly!" someone jeered. "This speech is supposed to be in Sanskrit, and she's saying 'good afternoon'?"
"Go home!"
"Who gave her this responsibility?"
"She can't even speak properly!"
Shristi's heartbeat pounded in her ears.
She could see faces in the crowd-smirking, sneering, mocking.
Then-
Silence.
A complete, suffocating silence.
Confused, Shristi blinked.
The crowd that was laughing seconds ago now sat frozen, their faces pale.
Her breath caught when she saw why.
Wick was standing at the front of the stage, arms crossed, eyes cold and sharp like a blade.
He wasn't shouting. He wasn't even speaking.
He was simply watching.
And yet-the entire auditorium had gone dead quiet.
One by one, people lowered their heads, avoiding his gaze. The ones who had been laughing just seconds ago suddenly looked terrified.
Shristi swallowed.
"How the hell does he do that?"
Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back. Her hands stopped trembling.
And this time-when she spoke-her voice was clear.
She delivered her speech flawlessly.
When she finished, Wick turned and walked out.
Aryan smirked and called out, "Everyone, give a big hand for this brilliant speech!"
A thunderous applause erupted.
Shristi stepped down from the stage, her heart still racing.
As Shristi returned to her seat, Khushi leaned over and whispered teasingly, "Looks like the two most eligible bachelors in college are keeping an eye on you."
Shristi rolled her eyes. "Shut up, idiot."
But as she glanced at the exit where Wick had disappeared, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed.
Vivek smirks. "Still upset, Khusi?"
Khusi scoffs. "You saw what he did. He humiliated me. He picked her over me like I was nothing."
Vivek leans in. "Wick always does that. Uses people. Controls them. And when he's done?" He snaps his fingers. "He throws them away."
Khusi hesitates. "I don't care about all that. But the way he acts... the way he controls everything in this college like he's a king-"
Vivek nods, voice soft but deadly. "Then maybe it's time to remind everyone that even a king can fall."
Khusi looks at him, uncertain. But in her eyes, a seed of doubt is planted.
The event ended smoothly. Shristi wanted to thank Wick and Nick, but they were nowhere to be found.
---
To be continued...