Kabir's Outburst at School
Kabir reached school brimming with excitement—he couldn't wait to tell Shrey anshi all about his trip. He strode into the classroom, but she was nowhere to be seen.He searched the canteen, garden, even the roof—still no sign of her. Dejected, he turned back toward class. That's when he heard strange noises from the girls' wash-room: muffled sobs mixed with mocking laughter.
Instinct made him hesitate (it was the girls' wash-room), but a sudden scream—Shrey anshi's, he was sure—sent him racing inside.
The scene froze him in shock. A few boys and girls had ringed Shrey anshi, pouring filthy mop-water over her. Her arms were scratched and welted, and the others were laughing, filming the whole thing.Kabir saw red. Without thinking he charged a boy, pummelling his face. Others tried to pull him back, but rage had taken over—he slammed a girl's head against the mirror by her hair, dunked a boy's face in a toilet and kicked his back. More students grabbed him from behind; Kabir jack-knifed his legs, broke free, seized the floor wiper and thrashed everyone—boy or girl alike—until they were begging for mercy.
One girl crept up and swung a stick at Kabir's head; but he'd caught her shadow and sidestepped—only to blanch when he saw who she was."T-you—!" he gasped.At that instant another blow landed on his skull. Kabir crumpled, blood pooling on the white tiles.
Shrey anshi rushed to him, shaking him, but he lay limp. Sobbing, she ran out, ignored the staring students, found Siya in class and blurted everything.Siya and a few boys sprinted to the wash-room, carried the unconscious Kabir to the school infirmary.
Word spread like wildfire; the Principal summoned Kabir's father, Aman-ji.
In the Principal's Office
Kabir came to and was brought before the Principal, with Shrey anshi beside him. Aman-ji glared from a chair; outside, Siya paced anxiously.
Principal (thundering): "Well? Explain yourself!"
Kabir (glancing at Shrey anshi): "Sir, some students were harassing Shrey anshi in the girls' wash-room. When I tried to help, they beat me."
Principal (to Shrey anshi): "Is that true?"
Shrey anshi looked at the Principal, then away from Kabir.Shrey anshi (softly): "No, sir. It was Kabir who misbehaved with me. When I resisted, he got violent, so I hit him on the head."
Kabir was stunned.Kabir (shouting): "That's a lie! Sir, I'm telling the truth—those students must have threatened her!"Turning to her: "Shrey anshi, don't be afraid—tell Sir everything. Nothing will happen to you!"
Shrey anshi, eyes brimming, screamed back, "How much more 'truth' do you want? What I said is the truth! Admit it and apologise, Kabir, and I'll forgive you!"
Kabir grabbed her shoulders: "I'm begging you—tell the truth, please!"
Aman-ji sprang up and slapped Kabir so hard he fell. Shrey anshi recoiled.
Principal (rising): "Sir, violence isn't the solution. Please sit; let me handle this."
Kabir stood, tears in his eyes—not from pain, but from his father's disbelief, his friend's betrayal, the injustice of being branded guilty.
Principal (gently): "Kabir, apologise, son, and promise it won't happen again."
Kabir shook his head. Aman-ji's eyes blazed.
Principal (firmer): "Kabir, apologise."
Kabir (through tears): "I won't apologise for something I haven't done."
Aman-ji (roaring): "Kabir— apologise!"
Kabir's tears rolled down his cheeks. "No! Never!"
Aman-ji slapped him again—harder. Already injured, Kabir staggered into a table; his forehead split open, blood streaming.
Seeing the blood, Aman-ji's anger evaporated. He tried to lift Kabir:"Son, you're bleeding—let's go to the doctor."
Kabir shoved his hand away and bolted from the office. Aman-ji paused only to fold his hands before Shrey anshi:
"My son isn't like this. I don't know what company has ruined him. If possible, forgive him. On his behalf, I apologise."Shrey anshi burst into tears.
Father and Son on the Street
Outside, Siya pointed down the corridor. "Dad, Kabir ran that way."
Aman-ji hurried after him. He soon spotted Kabir—blood soaking his shirt, running faster at his father's call. Aman-ji caught his arm.
Kabir, sobbing, flung him off: "You never listened to me—why should I listen to you?"
Aman-ji: "Your head's bleeding badly—please, we need a doctor."
Kabir gave a twisted smile: "Good—let me die and save you the trouble of having me as a burden."
Aman-ji snapped: "Kabir! Say one more word—"
Kabir shouted back: "And what else will you do—hit me again?"
A small crowd gathered. Aman-ji lowered his voice: "Come home—people are staring."
Kabir wiped his tears savagely: "I don't care what anyone thinks. I'm not going home."
Before Aman-ji could reply, Kabir swayed from blood loss and pain. Aman-ji caught him just in time, wrapped his own handkerchief around the wound. Their driver pulled up, horn blaring. Aman-ji lifted Kabir into the car and phoned Chandrika-ji:
"Call the family doctor to the house—immediately."
Chandrika-ji (frightened): "What happened—are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he said tersely, ending the call, then wiped the sweat from Kabir's face with his sleeve.
Meanwhile, in Auli
Siya's indifference had shattered Raghav. To forget everything, he buried himself in work and research. Exams were looming; Adit grew serious too—determined to score high and study abroad.His friendly chats with Janvi had almost stopped—he'd sensed her mother's disapproval and now kept his distance whenever possible.