UNIVERSITY ARC

How could I face her now? I was unable to understand what had just happened. Still, a small part of me held onto hope—maybe she would understand.

As I approached the classroom, my mind was racing with ideas. I saw her sitting at her desk. She was clearly furious.

She noticed me as I walked in and immediately approached me, slapping me hard across the face.

|“Manoj, can't you at least get a job? You're better than everyone else in this class, yet look at you now—shameless enough to show your face to me. Rahul got the job you wanted. How pathetic.”|

When she slapped me in front of everyone, I had no idea what to say.

|“But, listen first. Someone was behind this. Please trust me, Kusuma.”|

|“Oh, are you now trying to blame others for your mistakes? You have no shame to say such nonsense, Manoj.”|

I tried desperately to explain myself, but the entire class had already started mocking me.

|“This must be fate, Manoj. I was wondering how a poor loser like you could ever compete with us. It's all so ridiculous.”|

|"Now you're in your rightful place—a loser forever. Ha-ha."|

|“You really are a poor scumbag. How could someone like you ever think you could be on our level? These lecturers must be out of their minds to support you. I can't wait to see how they react to your first failure.”|

.

.

.

.

I couldn't bear their words any longer. My so-called pals, the ones who always had my back, weren’t here—they were in the hospital. Without them, everyone felt bold enough to raise their voices against me. If my friends had been here, they would have silenced these brats by ripping their tongues from their lips.

Kusuma became increasingly frustrated as she listened to their taunts.

|“Manoj, don't ever talk to me again or try to contact me. I'm breaking up with you. Go, live your entire life in this poverty. Goodbye, loser.”|

My mind has ceased working. I can't hear the noises around me. Kusuma's words echoed in my ears.

What? My heart shattered into pieces. Was this really happening? How can she say that? Is she serious about it?

All my classmates began laughing at me. I couldn't stay there any longer.

The pain of a broken heart consumed me as I returned to my hostel room, overwhelmed by guilt.

After my buddies found out what had happened, they rushed to our room.

They perceived me as a statue, sitting in the dark with no expression. They were a little concerned about seeing me in that scenario.

|“Manoj, you messed up Rahul pretty badly. He suffered significant bruises and required a few stitches on his nose.”|

Hearing that bastard’s name again disturbed me.

|”Friends, please, just leave me alone. I hope you understand.”|

They were angry with Rahul, but also sad for me.

|“It's okay, Manoj. We'll give you some space.”|

|”Thank you, guys. Thanks for understanding.”|

They left the room without hesitation.

I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, with no way out. I began to doubt my own worth and talent. Without Kusuma, without success, I felt like nothing.

Her rejection was a constant reminder that I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t deserve happiness. As I wandered through the empty streets, lost and alone, I couldn’t stop wondering what I had done wrong.

Was it my lack of wealth and status? My inability to provide for her? Or was it simply that I wasn’t good enough for her? Maybe she was just as money minded as the others.

These questions swirled in my mind, pulling me deeper into despair. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my own failure.

What happened just this morning? It will never leave my mind. It was a stepping stone for me to develop as an individual.

……..

* This Morning: 9:00 a.m.*

Do not hesitate, please. It's possible, Manoj. Consider your project. Indeed! I'm capable of it. Yes, I can do it.

As I waited outside the seminar hall, excitement and nervousness built up. When my name was finally called, I entered the room with great anticipation.

They asked for my name and searched for my research report. When it was projected on the screen, I immediately sensed something was wrong.

|"Sir, that's not my report. Something is wrong. Please check again”|

I felt a little worried.

They checked again, but the result was the same.

|"Mr. Manoj, this is your report. You submitted it with your own hands. You are wasting our time. Please go ahead and explain."|

I feel tense inside. I asked for a recheck..

|"Sir, please excuse me. This is not the report I submitted. Something went wrong. Could you check again, sir?"|

They appear a little irritated..

|"Look, Mr. Manoj, this is your last chance. If you can't start, then please leave. Many candidates are still waiting outside"|

They said impatiently with a slice of negligence. Why should I leave?

I couldn't believe what was happening. This wasn't my report, but how could I leave? It represented months of hard work. I tried to defend myself, but they wouldn't listen.

Security escorted me out.

………

By interrupting my thoughts with a buzzing sound, a message came. I just ignored it.

What reason did I have to continue this miserable life?

Just then, another message interrupted with a buzzing sound. Who could be messaging me now? Annoyed, I reached for my phone to switch it to silent mode.

But then, a message caught my eye. By seeing the sender, I was shocked.

What? Is it real? Who would be texting me from that location right now?

I opened the message with growing curiosity.

Message:

“Mr. Manoj Vardhan, you are now free. Your family has lifted all the restrictions imposed on you. Starting tomorrow, you will regain your place and fame. Please read the remaining instructions carefully. We request you to kindly follow all the procedures accordingly. Thank you, sir.”

Oh my God! Is this real? Has ten years already passed? Yes, it's correct.

I cried, overwhelmed with happiness. I had never felt such joy before.

I want to visit my mother, father and family. I had been missing them for about ten years.

UNIVERSITY ARC

As you already know, my name is Manoj. I am now twenty years old. Through sheer determination and talent, I earned a place at Oakridge noble university, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

I still remember the words that I heard the name “Oakridge noble university” for the first time in my life in an advertisement.

Oakridge boasts a wide array of courses in technology, medicine, arts, performing arts, law, fostering an environment of diverse academic excellence.

Each course is represented by specialized campuses, and every month, twenty to thirty organizations visit to recruit the best students. This makes Oakridge a globally renowned institution, offering unparalleled opportunities.

The university also has a scholarship program for talented students with limited financial means. However, this isn't an act of charity. Scholars must sign a bond, committing to repay the financial support once they secure employment, without any additional interest.

On the surface, this seems like a win-win situation. The university gets its investment back, and students get a chance to succeed. But there's a catch: what happens if a candidate doesn't land a job?

To mitigate this risk, the university administers a rigorous exam, and only those who pass with a high score are eligible for the scholarship.

For those who succeed, like me, it initially seems like everything is falling into place. However, the real challenge lies in dealing with classmates. Most students at Oakridge come from affluent backgrounds, and the socio-economic divide often leads to friction.

Many of the wealthier students look down on us, often treating us with disdain. Despite this, some classmates stand by us, offering support and encouragement.

With introductions out of the way, I focus on my current project—a technological innovation aimed at conserving resources. This project is particularly important to me and represents months of hard work.

Finally, the day arrives to present my project to the visiting recruiters. Those who impress the panel will have the opportunity to join a multinational company. My friends rally around me with their well-wishes.

|"Best of luck, Manoj! If you land this job, I can boast about helping you financially and impress more girls. Isn't that awesome? Hehe"|

|"Yah, Ramu. I think you already implemented your idea, didn't you?" |

Did he mean it or was he just kidding?

Ramu was a nice guy. He makes overt advances toward our class girls. It's a pastime. However, I've never understood how these girls can just fall in love with him.

|"Manoj, if you succeed, I'll treat you to some delicious food you've never had before. I swear on my love for food"|

|"So sweet of you, Suresh. I'm looking forward to that treat.”|

I'm feeling appreciative. He had a good heart. But, was that what he was offering me? It was barely, I believe, just for five minutes. He can't hold off his hunger for me for very long, of course.

|"Manoj, remember when we first met? It was the best moment in my life. I've spent more time with you guys than with my girlfriend. If you get selected, please don't forget us. Visit us at least once a month. We're like a family now."|

His words moved my heart. Oh, Keshava. You'll miss me, right? I will never forget what you did to me in the past. Without your assistance, I could not have gotten this far.

I reassured them,

|"I won't forget you guys. But now, it's time for the seminar. I have to go."|

I handed my phone to Keshava since electronic devices weren't allowed inside.

But, all of the sudden, the scene completely reversed. It was one of my nightmares. I will never forget it in my life.

I sat on a bench outside, feeling devastated, thinking about the mistake that had occurred.

But suddenly it hit me: this project was really essential to me. There was a danger it may be abused. If they were aware of its potential, it was not good. It might be quite risky for me. No! It cannot happen. I was simply overthinking it.

As I walked toward the gate, I heard someone talking nearby. I went to see who it was.

It was Rahul, my classmate. What was he doing here? Was he also participating? Wait, he was handing money to someone.

Hey, it was one of the officers from the seminar where I had presented my report!

|“Sir, as promised, here’s the money as I promised.”|

|“Young man, I must say, the report you requested to be changed was the best I’ve ever seen. His idea is unique. Even our senior official was impressed. If he had presented it, he would have definitely gotten the job. But he doesn’t even realize his project was tampered with by you.”|

Rahul's eyes were sharp, looking straight into that person’s eyes. He was ordering him.

|“Sir, that’s none of your business. You got the money you wanted, so just leave now.”|

The officer hesitated and immediately left, but I stood there in shock. What? Rahul did this? How could he be so mean and deceitful? I wanted to confront him.

I was seething with anger. Damn it! My phone—I had given it to Keshava. There is no evidence to prove.

I was furious with him.

|“Rahul, I heard what you said to him. How could you do this to me? What did I ever do to you?”|

He tried to play dumb, acting indifferent and he asked, feigning ignorance.

|“Hey, Manoj, how are you? What are you talking about?”|

What? Was he really going to pretend? Did he want to mess with me?

|“Don’t play dumb, Rahul. I heard the entire conversation between you and that officer. Now, tell me—why did you do this to me?”

|“So, you know the truth. You heard everything, right? Well, go to hell. There is no evidence for proof. Now, you can’t do anything, you poor scumbag. I’m going to get that job soon. Hahaha…”|

What? He was smiling? How dare he!

I lunged at him, ready to fight.

It was already lunch break. My friends had been searching for me and finally found us. But they were already too late. I couldn’t hold back. We started brawling.

Rahul kicked me in the stomach. Oh God, he’s also a little bit strong.

I shouted,

|”You damn, Elephant. I'm not leaving you.”|

I fell to the ground but quickly got back on my feet. Ramu came running toward me and pulled Rahul away. This was my chance. I smashed Rahul’s face.

Oh yes, he was bleeding. I couldn’t stop myself. I hit him again and again, targeting his nose. His face was completely out of shape. My friends struggled to pull me off him.

Rahul was writhing in pain on the ground, screaming and shouted.

|“Hey, you skinny runt! How did you get so strong all of a sudden? How could you beat me?”|

I could see it in his eyes—he was afraid of me. I knew he wouldn’t dare tell anyone about this. He wasn’t foolish enough to lose his dignity by admitting he got beaten by me. How could he explain losing a fight to someone like me?

Finally, I stopped. His face was a mess, like a punctured football. My shirt was covered in blood.

My friends took Rahul to a nearby hospital and then brought me back to our room and again left me to treat Rahul.

How could Rahul do this? I struggled to gather my thoughts, staring blankly at the paper in front of me. Was this really the outcome of all my hard work?

I wanted to file a complaint with the company, but they rejected it because I had no evidence. What could I do? Why is money so powerful?

…….

*This Evening*

I opened my eyes in a blink of a second. That thing, I will never forget in my life. For how many times I would think about it, there is no use. I can't change the fact.

Why should I live this miserable life? For whom?

UNIVERSITY ARC

I have faith in my love. She was incredibly supportive. I've never doubted her. So I decided to apologize to her. Yes! She can forgive me.

But when I saw her true colours, did she betray me?

The questions obstructed my thoughts. I closed the door and sat alone, realizing what had transpired before.

The memories of her remarks are bringing tears to my eyes.

…….

*Present*

Meanwhile my buddies arrived, having left me alone per my request. They noticed our room's door was closed. In a flash, they responded by opening the door. But, I locked myself inside.

They saw me through the window fearfully. I still sit like a statue in the dark by myself. I can't take my eyes off the wallpaper on my phone. It was a picture of Kusuma.

They immediately fired on me from outside my room.

Ramu said,

|" Manoj, listen to me. Please don't trust girls. Just enjoy life like me. Don't think about that f*cking Kusuma's love. I already warned you, but you never listen to my words. Most girls only want money, Manoj.

But, some girls are angels. If you want that true love like your mother's, just search for it, man. Now, come outside, jurk"|

Looks like Ramu was so mad at me.

Keshava said,

|"But if you keep suffering in this pain in that dark room, you will never be able to do anything. Please Manoj, come outside."|

Suresh said,

|"Hey Manoj, don't be sad. If you eat this delicious food, your sadness will fly away like a bird. Trust me."|

Yes! I have a reason to live in this miserable life. For my friends. They are a gift presented by this fack life.

Hey Suresh, are you still thinking about the food in this situation? Huh….

See how they are talking. I was the luckiest person in the world. I can't stop crying in my room while I listen to their words.

They were my friends. I discovered that friendship is the only tie that cannot be purchased with cash. That was something I strongly believed in.

The words they said made me cry. How could I possibly abandon them? From now on, I swear to never break this bond. Whatever happens, I will never leave their side.

Actually I was thinking about that message. I already forgot about the breakup. I still believe Kusuma will forgive me. She was just mad at me, that's all.

……..

A person in a black suit was running towards the communication block. He picked up a secured, highly encrypted landline and dialled a number. Someone took the call.

The person wearing a black suit responded with great hesitation.

He shouted.

|"Sir! He is still alive.”|

The other side responded.

|”Who? Regarding whom are you talking about? Hold on, don't tell he is….”|

|”Yes, sir. The heir apparent to the Vardhan family is still alive and has reclaimed his previous position and fame.”

The person on the other end was shocked. His body shivered. He is unable to suppress his fear.

|"Wait, what? Is this true? Is he still alive? But, they have already slain him. We confirmed with our own eyes."|

|"Yes, Sir. I swear on my life. However, when I received his information, I made sure to review all of the details. It was crystal clear."|

The person on the other side shivered and fell down from his chair, becoming glued to the wall. He placed his palm on his chest. His heart rate was increasing rapidly.

|“No! It's not good. Why is he still alive? If that's the case, I'm no longer alive. We must do something.”|

|Sir, what shall we do now?”|

|”Shit! Don't contact me again from your location. We will meet somewhere else far from your location.”|

……..

I smiled with happiness. I opened the door and hugged all my friends.

|”Thank you, friends. Thanks for supporting me and standing my back in every situation.”|

They are all finally happy seeing me again.

Ramu hit me on the head.

|“Hey, brat. We all are worried about you. I think you would do something terrible to yourself.”|

|“Come on, Ramu. Why did I think about those foolish ideas?”|

All are laughed at by words. Later, after our dinner, I observed all my friends. I confirmed all are falling asleep.

I started reading the message again and again, a mix of emotions washed over me. Joy, disbelief, and relief flooded my heart. I couldn't believe it; I had finally fulfilled the requirements set by my family and was now recognized as the son and successor of my prestigious Vardhan family.

The weight of my humble past, with all its struggles and hardships, lifted off my shoulders, and I felt a sense of pride and responsibility wash over me.

From tomorrow onwards, I should be more careful. God is on my side.

My mind is buzzing with excitement and a hint of fear. I had been waiting for ten years for this moment.

But I knew I had to keep my identity hidden for the time being, to navigate the transition smoothly and protect those I cared about. I can't reveal the truth. Because it can change my friend's perspective and also I'm the one who put them in danger. They may fear to talk or they can receive in the wrong manner. They can misunderstand or things can be even worse than I thought. So for now, it's a secret.

I knew I couldn't reveal my true identity yet, but I was determined to use my power and resources to help those in need, starting with my friends who had always been there for me. With a new sense of purpose, I began brainstorming ideas for my first project as Manoj Vardhan. I wanted to make a positive impact and honour the support and loyalty my friends had shown me.

But one thing was for sure - I was now more cautious and aware of the responsibilities that came with my real identity. With great wealth and power came potential threats, and I knew I had to be careful.

I researched on the internet intently, trying to process the enormity of my role. Being part of one of the richest families in the world came with significant responsibilities and expectations.

It helps me to learn about the family's business interests and the high standards I was expected to uphold. It provided me with a detailed overview of the various sectors our family was involved in, from finance to real estate, and the numerous charitable projects we supported. But at the present moment, I am interested in balancing the complexities of the business and also to finish my studies and fulfil my academic commitments.

Hold on, I can't find any info about my younger brother. Which means he was still unaware of our family's true wealth and status and keeping my brother in the dark about these family matters. He was only 18 years old and I wondered how he would react when he found out.

So, my father had chosen me for his family restrictions and rules. I felt a mix of concern and curiosity about how this revelation would impact him.

Could I manage the family's efforts and business? Only time would tell. But I was determined to rise to the challenge, to honour my father's legacy, and to make a positive impact on the world.