UNIVERSITY ARC
I found someone who was watching me from far away. First I think it was just a coincidence. Unfortunately, again and again, she proved me wrong. So I decided to end this here.
But before I moved, Geetha showed up.
"Well, well, Manoj. Didn't expect to see you here."
Huh…not now. The crowd instinctively turned, parting as she walked forward. Her heels clicked against the polished floor, her designer dress sparkling under the lights.
Geetha. Of course.
She stopped a few feet away, arms crossed, a smirk curling at her lips. "Did you sneak in? Or did someone lose their pity card and hand it to you?"
The laughter was hesitant, uncertain. My friends tensed behind me, but I lifted a hand, keeping them back.
Why should I lower myself again? There is no reason for stepping back this time. There is no reason to continue this act. Time to show my true self. I want to see how it goes.
I met her gaze, calm and unbothered.
"Oh, you invited everyone, didn't you? Or is this party only for those with enough zeroes in their bank account?"
Everyone was shocked. Especially my friends, they glanced at each other, probably to realise what had just happened in front of them. There is no wonder about their reactions.
Her smirk faltered, just a little.
"Don't act smart, Manoj. I know your type. Always pretending to fit in, dreaming too big for your shoes. Some people are just meant to stay in the background. Like… you."
I tilted my head, voice still light.
"Maybe. But I've always believed it's not about where you stand. It's about whether you can stay standing when people like you try to knock you down."
Silence.
A few students exchanged glances. That hit.
She scoffed, trying to recover. "You think you're clever now, huh? Just because you have a few friends cheering for you?"
I stepped closer—not aggressive, just steady.
"No. I don't think I'm clever. I know who I am. That's enough."
Her confidence cracked, just for a blink. But I caught it.
I walked past her, slow and composed, and murmured as I passed:
"Happy birthday, by the way. You've got great decorations. Shame about the host."
Gasps. Some stifled laughs. She stood frozen as I rejoined my friends.
Keshava clapped me on the back, grinning. "Damn, bro… you cooked."
Ramu laughed. "I was about to throw my drink at her, but you did worse. You made her look small."
I smiled, but inside… I felt a shift. The power dynamic had changed.
Just then, I glanced across the crowd—and there she was.
The girl in black. Still watching.
But this time… she nodded. Barely. Just once. Then turned and disappeared into the crowd again.
I didn't chase. I didn't need to.
After so many years, now I wasn't running from who I was.
I was walking into it.
But it hasn't ended yet. She signed a few girls near. They joined Geetha, as a support system. By seeing them, Geetha smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice.
"Oh, I totally forgot. Where's Kusuma, Manoj? Didn't she come with you? I invited almost everyone from our class, but I haven't seen her even once at this party."
One of the girls snickered at Geetha's words.
"What a silly question, Geetha. Don't you know? Kusuma dumped him right in front of all of us."
Geetha's eyes sparkled with fake innocence.
"Oh, is that true, Manoj? Did she really dump you?"
Ramu noticed the exchange in my eyes.
I was hesitant, the thought of Kusuma resurfacing again. But a hand laid on my shoulder. It's Ramu.
I turned back to see him. He didn't say anything. Just a nod, telling me that I was fine. Keshava and Suresh, both stood after him. It reminds me of the day I decided to forget about her. The day when my friends supported me, gave support to stand up.
Thank you, Ramu...
I let out a small smile and turned towards Geetha.
I met her gaze, my expression calm. "Yes, Geetha, she did. Now, what?"
Geetha narrowed her eyes, expecting me to react differently. "Oh, but your face doesn't look like that of a loser. I thought you were the only genuine guy she had. And here you are, shamelessly showing your face with a smile."
The other girls began mocking me, piling on.
"How shameless! If he was truly loyal, he wouldn't be happy after losing her. Was his love fake?"
"Yes, of course. You can tell just by looking at his eyes."
My friends shifted uncomfortably, ready to defend me, but I raised a hand, stopping them. There were too many important people at the party, and I wasn't about to cause a scene over something so trivial. Instead, I kept my voice steady.
"Geetha, if you're done with your entertainment, just get to the point. Why did you come to see me?"
Her smirk returned. "Don't act all high and mighty, Manoj. I do have a problem, and only you can help."
All of us were surprised.
"A problem? And only I can help? What is it?"
Geetha's smirk widened, her tone dripping with mockery.
"Clean the table. I'll even tip you, as much as you want. The waiters are busy, and you're the perfect man for the job."
A few gasps spread through the crowd. She really had no shame, asking this in front of everyone.
I looked at her, unimpressed. "You're offering me a job, Geetha? How generous of you."
She blinked, not expecting my lack of reaction. My friends, however, bristled with anger. Keshava took a step forward.
"Geetha, just because you're rich and the class leader doesn't mean you can boss Manoj around. He may not have money, but he's hardworking and genuine. You have no right to treat him this way."
Geetha's smirk faltered for a brief second before she scoffed, doubling down.
"You're all just middle-class nobodies, too cheap to understand me. Get lost! It's my birthday party, and I won't be disrespected."
The tension thickened. Everyone was watching. But instead of backing down, I gave her an amused look.
"Oh, I see. So that's what this is about."
Keshava continued to defend me, but I stayed calm, keeping my eyes locked on Geetha's sneering face. I placed a hand on his shoulder, subtly signaling him to stop.
"Keshava, let it go. It's just a small thing. No need to make a scene."
"Manoj, don't. You don't have to prove anything to her."
I let out a small chuckle, shaking my head.
"Prove? No, Keshava, this isn't about proving anything. I used to work in a restaurant. I know how to clean a table. If Geetha thinks this job is degrading, then maybe she should try it herself sometime."
Geetha's smirk faltered for a brief moment as whispers spread among the guests. Her intention was to humiliate me, but instead, I had turned the situation around, making her look foolish for thinking honest work was something to be ashamed of.
"Fine," I continued, rolling up my sleeves, "I'll clean it. But Geetha, since you're so insistent on treating me like a waiter, at least have the decency to leave a tip."
Gasps filled the air, and a few guests even chuckled. Geetha's face turned red with embarrassment. She clenched her fists, glaring at me.
"You—you poor scumbag!" she hissed. "Oh, by the way, I was the one who suggested Kusuma break up with you. How could she stay with a slumdog like you?"
That was the best insult she could come up with? I met her gaze with an amused smile, which only seemed to enrage her further. My friends, on the other hand, were livid, ready to fight back. But before they could step in, an authoritative voice cut through the tension.
"Geetha, that's enough!"
Everyone turned to see Geetha's parents approaching. Her mother looked furious, while her father's expression was unreadable. Geetha froze, clearly not expecting this.
"Apologize to him. Now."
Geetha's jaw dropped. "But Mom—"
"I said now."
Her eyes burned with humiliation, but she had no choice. "…I'm sorry."
Her words were barely above a whisper, forced and insincere. But I didn't need her apology. I simply smiled and gave a small nod.
"Apology accepted."
Her parents sighed, clearly disappointed in her behavior.
"Young man," her father spoke, turning to me. "I hope you can enjoy the rest of the evening without any more trouble."
I could sense something in his tone—was it regret? Understanding? There was more to this than met the eye, but I let it slide for now.
Balancing my two different worlds was going to be harder than I had imagined
...….
As the tension dissolved, the music slowly returned, and the atmosphere began to lift again. The spotlight shifted away from the drama, and guests went back to laughing, dancing, and enjoying the food. My friends tried to drag me into a dance circle, but I just stood there for a moment, taking it all in.
Geetha kept her distance, her pride clearly wounded. Her friends no longer rallied around her—they had seen the truth.
I looked around—colorful lights, floating laughter, the clink of glasses, and the comforting presence of the people who truly mattered. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't hiding in anyone's shadow. Not from my past, not from my pain.
Suresh threw his arm around my shoulder.
"Come on, hero. Enough drama for one night. Let's eat something before you go back to being all mysterious again."
I laughed.
"Fine. But I'm not sharing my plate this time."
We all laughed together and walked toward the buffet. For that one night, the burden of secrets didn't weigh as much. I wasn't just the guy with a hidden identity or a broken heart—I was their friend. And for now, that was enough.
– – – –
As we returned to our hostel room, the night's noise slowly faded behind us. But inside, my mind was anything but quiet.
Two worlds. One heart.
How long could I keep balancing them?
Keshava suddenly snapped, frustration bubbling over.
"Manoj, you're always so damn polite to her. After everything she said—you still let it go? I just don't get it."
I looked at him, understanding his anger, but I'd made my choice.
"It's okay, Keshava. I don't need to fight every battle. Some people… they reveal themselves if you give them time."
He threw himself onto his bed, muttering under his breath.
"Tch. I've said what I had to say. Do whatever you want. Goodnight."
I smiled faintly.
Keshava's anger was born out of loyalty. I was lucky to have friends who stood by me, even when they didn't understand me completely. But deep down, I knew…
Geetha wasn't finished with me yet.
And neither was I.
Then it struck me—my mother's unexpected visit today had thrown off my schedule. Actually, there are some instructions in that message sent by my family.
By considering those lines, I had been planning to retrieve something very important.
A golden card.
Created by my father when I was just nine years old, buried deep within the family vaults. If I could unlock it, I'd gain access to not just money… but power. Influence. Leverage.
It wasn't just a bank card. It was a symbol of who I was meant to be.
The rightful heir to the Vardhan legacy.
And soon…
It would be in my hands.