---
Continuing the previous conversation..
As she observed him leave, curiosity nagged at her. She turned to Annu. "What was all that about? What can he even do to the principal of the college?"
Annu simply smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're new here. You'll figure it out soon enough."
Shristi frowned at the vague response, but before she could press further, Annu casually walked away, leaving her with more questions than answers.
---
In the courtyard – Wick & Nick's Conversation
Wick leaned against the wall, stretching his arms as Nick entered the room.
"Hey, brother," Wick greeted lazily. "How was your work?"
Nick smirked. "It was easy. Finished in a few minutes. But then the principal called me in, so I decided to bunk class afterward."
Wick clicked his tongue in mock annoyance. "Without me? Uhhhhh… You should've called me too."
Nick chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Maybe next time."
Wick's expression turned curious. "So, what did he say?"
Nick shrugged. "Nothing serious. Just a reminder about the new seniors and all."
Wick nodded absentmindedly, his interest already fading. But before he could change the subject, Nick gave him a knowing look.
"By the way," Nick started, crossing his arms. "I have to ask… what's going on between you and Shristi?"
Wick raised an eyebrow at the sudden question. "What do you mean?"
Nick sighed. "Come on, don't act dumb. Something is different. You don't usually let people into your space, and yet today—"
Wick interrupted with a small scoff. "You know I don't hide things from you." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, voice lower than before. "At first, I liked her. There was something about her that caught my attention. But then… I don't know, something inside me stopped me. That feeling twisted into anger, frustration… even hate."
Nick leaned back, letting out a low whistle. "Phewwww. You, actually liking a girl after all these years? That's a huge development." He smirked. "Don't worry. I bet it's only a matter of time before you fall for her again."
Wick exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Hope not."
Nick just laughed. "Let's see how long that lasts."
Later...
Wick & Nick Bring Vaibhav to the Cafeteria
The cafeteria buzzed with tension.
Vaibhav followed Wick and Nick inside, his gaze scanning the massive space. It wasn't just a place for eating—it felt like a battleground.
Students sat in clear divisions. Some tables were rowdy, loud, filled with cocky laughter. Others were silent, guarded—people looking over their shoulders, watching.
Something was off.
"So... uh, why does this place feel like a war zone?" Vaibhav muttered.
Nick smirked. "Because it is."
Before Vaibhav could ask, a sharp sound cut through the air.
A tray hit the ground.
At the far side of the cafeteria, a student lay sprawled on the floor, his lip bleeding. Over him stood a tall, broad-shouldered guy—Jai, the Vice Leader of The Legacy.
Vaibhav tensed. "What the hell—"
"Watch," Wick said, voice low.
The fallen student, still holding his injured face, didn't fight back. He just nodded, whispering something. Then, slowly, he crawled away.
Vaibhav's stomach turned. No one helped him.
Jai sat down again, laughing with his group. As if nothing had happened.
Vaibhav clenched his jaw. "Why did no one do anything?"
Nick leaned back lazily. "That's The Legacy. Second most powerful gang here. Apart from The Shield no one dares to lay hand on them and mostly there is peace in the college but some times you know things get messy."
Vaibhav frowned. "Second most powerful? Then who's first?"
Nick grinned. "Us."
Vaibhav blinked. "Wait. What?"
Wick exhaled. "Nick means The Shield. We hold the top spot. But The Legacy's been pushing hard lately."
Vaibhav absorbed this information, watching as The Legacy students dominated their side of the cafeteria.
"So… if we're the strongest, why don't we stop them?"
Nick chuckled. "Because power isn't just about winning fights. It's about knowing when to start one."
Vaibhav wasn't convinced. Every fiber of his being rebelled against what he had just witnessed.
Then, something changed.
A shift in the air. A ripple through the crowd.
It started subtly—voices lowering, laughter fading, backs straightening. It spread like a wave, rolling through the cafeteria, touching every table, every student. Even at The Legacy's table, the cocky grins faltered, eyes flickering towards the entrance.
Vaibhav turned, confused at first.
Then he felt it.
Wick's presence.
He hadn't spoken, hadn't moved aggressively, but the weight of him—his reputation, his mere existence—had altered the entire room's energy. He wasn't just another student. He was something else, something more.
Unlike Jai, Wick didn't need to throw a punch to assert dominance. He didn't need to raise his voice to be heard. His silence was louder than any threat, his presence heavier than any show of violence.
Vaibhav exhaled slowly, realization settling over him.
---
In the Girls' Hostel – A Late-Night Visitor
The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single bedside lamp casting long shadows. Khusi lay sprawled on the bed while Bhumi sat cross-legged, flipping through a book. Shristi, leaning against the wall, sighed as she stretched her arms.
Khusi turned toward her. "So, how was your first day?"
Shristi let out a tired chuckle. "Not too bad, not too good. Just… a mix of everything."
Bhumi nodded. "Same here. It's a lot to take in."
Before the conversation could continue, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Shristi stiffened. Who could it be at this hour?
A flurry of thoughts ran through her mind as she hesitantly stood up and walked toward the door. She slowly turned the knob and opened it—only to be met with a familiar face.
Her eyes lit up with joy. "Oh my God! Heyyy! So you finally came back!"
Hazal grinned, stepping inside with a playful smirk. "Yeah, yeah. Couldn't miss the drama of the first day, could I?"
Shristi quickly pulled her in, closing the door behind her. "Come in! We have so much to talk about."
As Hazal sat down, Shristi introduced her to the others. "Guys, this is Hazal—my friend. She's in second year."
Khusi and Bhumi exchanged greetings with her, and soon enough, the room buzzed with conversation as they shared details about their first day.
---
A Curious Conversation
After a while, Hazal smirked at Shristi, leaning in with an expectant look. "Alright, spill it. Have you found someone you like in college yet?"
Shristi blinked in surprise at the sudden question. "Huh? No! What even—"
Hazal grinned mischievously. "Don't hesitate! If you like someone, just say it! I'll guarantee to set you up with him." She winked. "Of course, except for Wick or anyone who's already committed."
Shristi, now even more curious, tilted her head. "Why not Wick?"
Hazal's playful smirk faded slightly, replaced with mild exasperation. "Oh, please don't tell me you're into him."
Shristi scoffed. "Of course not! But why do you say it like it's impossible?"
Hazal leaned back, crossing her arms. "Because it is impossible. Talking to Wick? Getting close to him? That's a lost cause. If you want an easier task, I'd suggest trying your luck with someone already in a relationship—you'd have better chances."
Khusi, seizing the opportunity, chimed in with a teasing grin. "Oh, but Shristi is moving fast already! Did you know? She was the first girl to sit with Wick in class today."
Hazal's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. "NO WAY." She looked at Shristi like she had just performed a miracle. "How is that even possible? Where was Nick?"
Shristi waved a hand dismissively. "Nick wasn't in class, and all the other seats were full. That's the only reason I ended up sitting with him."
Hazal still looked stunned. "Still, you sat next to him? Do you have any idea how rare that is?"
Shristi groaned. "I didn't do anything special! It was pure misfortune. I was late on my first day and had no other option."
Hazal shook her head, amused. "Well, regardless of the circumstances, you've done something unbelievable." She smirked. "And I bet he likes you at least a little, which is a huge deal."
Shristi rolled her eyes. "I don't like him at all. He's arrogant, aggressive, always ready to fight… In short, the definition of a red flag and a walking bad-boy cliché."
Bhumi, who had been silent, suddenly muttered, "He is my brother, but… I have to agree with you on that one."
Hazal chuckled. "True, but here's the thing—Wick is loyal. He's private, yes, but he isn't the same with everyone. With his friends? He's kind, funny, even caring. He doesn't apologize easily, but when he messes up, he has his own way of making things right."
Khusi grinned, nudging Hazal. "Well, if Shristi isn't interested… can I give it a shot?"
Shristi smirked. "Please, go ahead. If you succeed, I'll finally be free from this conversation."
Hazal laughed. "If you actually succeed, I'll throw a huge party—because trust me, that's never happening."
Khusi pouted. "Don't demotivate me already! At least give me some tips."
Hazal thought for a moment before nodding. "Alright. If you really want to try, let me warn you—you'll face two major obstacles."
Khusi leaned in, listening carefully.
Hazal continued, "Jessie and Tara. They've been after him for ages, and they will do everything in their power to push you out of the way."
Khusi groaned. "Great. Just what I needed—competition."
Hazal smirked. "Also, forget about getting close to Wick directly. The only way to have a chance is by becoming friends with Nick, Dipanshu, or Annu."
Khusi sighed dramatically. "Nick is good-looking, but he doesn't seem like the type who'd even talk to me."
Hazal laughed. "Oh, Nick is easy to befriend. Just make an effort."
Shristi suddenly turned to Hazal. "Enough about us—what about you?"
Hazal smirked. "Well… you know Sanjay? The senior?" She winked. "He's my boyfriend."
Shristi gasped dramatically. "Ooooh, straight to dating a senior?"
Hazal laughed. "Shut up. But yeah, because of him, some people avoid talking to me. You know, rival gangs and all."
Shristi nodded. "Classic college drama."
Bhumi yawned. "Alright, I'm sleepy. Let's continue this gossip tomorrow."
With that, they all settled in
To be continued...