Whispers in the Hallway

The morning bell rang like every other day, loud and sharp. Aarav walked through the school gate, fixing his tie, bag slung casually over one shoulder. Another normal day—at least, on the outside.

“Bro, you’ve got two girls staring at you from that side,” Vikram teased, walking beside him.

Aarav smirked. “Then walk straight, maybe they’re looking at you.”

“Shut up,” Vikram laughed.

Diya caught up with them near the canteen. “Morning, Aarav. Did you finish the chemistry assignment?”

“Yeah, I’ll pass it to you after break.”

Everything seemed peaceful. Light. Normal.

But normal is always temporary.

At the back of the corridor, Mohit and his group were laughing too loud. They weren’t near Aarav yet, but their voices carried far.

“Some kid from the junior section cried again,” Jay boasted.

“They cry too easily,” Soham added, “One push and they’re wiping their eyes.”

Aarav glanced at them but said nothing. Rohit caught the look. “Ignore it. They’re bored—trying to act big.”

Aarav nodded. But deep down, he knew it wasn’t just boredom. Something had changed lately. Their behavior was sharper, more deliberate.

In class, the usual seating shuffle happened. Mehak saved a spot near the window. Diya passed chits during the lecture. Vikram doodled in his notebook. The little moments made the day.

At lunch, as they sat under the neem tree, Aarav looked around the schoolyard. He noticed a few students whispering, their eyes darting toward the main building.

“Did you hear?” Rohit asked suddenly, lowering his voice. “That Zyan guy? From St. Marks? He beat up two seniors from Modern Academy last week.”

“Again?” Mehak raised an eyebrow.

“They say he’s one of those… crew leaders. Like real crew—not these local school gangs. Proper connections.”

Aarav looked thoughtful. “Why would a schoolboy need a crew?”

Rohit shrugged. “This city’s not as simple as it looks.”

They fell into silence.

Just then, someone walked past quietly—head down, sleeves rolled up, bag hanging loose.

Asim.

Nobody called out to him. Nobody messed with him either.

Rohit whispered, “That guy creeps me out. Never talks. Always alone. But I saw him last month. Some guy tried to mess with his bag near the bike stand. He didn’t even speak. Just looked at him—and the guy left.”

Aarav watched Asim take a seat at the edge of the ground, under the shade.

Strange.

Something about him was too calm. Too controlled.

---

After school, Aarav stayed behind to help a teacher with noticeboard work. While cutting chart paper, he heard something outside—raised voices. He peeked out of the window. Mohit and his group were pushing around a junior again.

Nothing new.

But then… they went too far.

The kid fell. His bag opened. Books scattered. His lunch spilled.

Aarav moved forward, ready to step out—then paused.

Someone was already standing there.

Asim.

Just standing. Watching.

Mohit froze for a second, then laughed. “You got a problem?”

Asim didn’t say a word. He just stared.

Mohit looked unsure, then muttered something and walked off with his group, acting like they didn’t care.

Aarav watched from the window, unsettled.

Asim didn’t help the kid. He didn’t smile. He didn’t explain.

He just… turned and left.

---

That evening, Aarav passed by the local market. He stopped near a roadside tea stall.

Behind it, a man was laughing loudly while fixing a scooter. Built like a wrestler, wearing a half-sleeved tee and oil-stained jeans. Muscular. Confident. But his smile was wide and friendly.

“Need something, beta?” the man asked.

Aarav smiled politely. “Just passing.”

“Your eyes say otherwise,” the man said. “Something’s bothering you.”

Aarav hesitated. “You ever see something… that doesn’t make sense?”

The man chuckled. “Every day. Name’s Sunny.”

“Aarav.”

“Hmm. Nice name. If things ever stop making sense, Aarav… come talk. Some fights don’t start with fists. They start with questions.”

Aarav smiled.

He didn’t know it then—but that conversation would change everything.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***