Aryan looked at him. The anger-filled glare aimed at him couldn't affect Aryan even a little. For a few moments, silence spread across the club.
The atmosphere felt as if a storm had just passed and everything had suddenly stilled. Slowly, whispers began… and then there was only one name on every tongue — Aryan.
"Who is this Aryan?"
"The one who taught a proud guy like Rishabh a lesson without even doing anything…"
That night, it wasn't just the music echoing through the club — a name echoed too — Aryan.
The soft whispers were still lingering in the club when Aryan made a slight gesture with his fingers. The waiter immediately understood and walked over with the card machine in his hand.
Without any hurry, Aryan slipped his hand into his jacket pocket… and slowly pulled out a card.
It wasn't an ordinary card — it was a "Suez Bank" Black Card.
Just one glimpse of that card changed the atmosphere. Several mouths remained wide open. Some eyes showed shock… others showed fear.
The waiter held the machine forward. Aryan calmly swiped his Suez Bank Black Card.
Beep…!
The amount flashed on the screen — ₹3,50,000.
Once again, silence fell over the club.
Then Aryan slightly lifted his gaze toward the waiter and said in a calm voice—
"From that, deduct fifty thousand as your tip."
For a moment, the waiter was stunned. His fingers froze on the machine. The eyes of the people standing nearby widened. Perhaps no one had ever seen such a huge tip before.
The waiter bowed respectfully and returned the card.
"Thank you, sir…"
But Aryan only gave a faint smile, slipped the card back into his pocket… and walked out of the club without looking back.
As soon as he left, the whispers began again—
"Who exactly is he…?"
Aryan stepped out of the club. The cool night air brushed against his face, but his expression remained calm. He walked straight toward the parking area… where his black-colored bike stood.
Under the streetlight, the bike gleamed — matte black body… muscular tank… and a presence impossible to ignore.
A few boys were standing near it. From their clothes, watches, and shoes, it was clear they belonged to wealthy families.
They were talking among themselves—
"Bro… whose bike is this?"
"Looks like a racer's…"
"It must cost at least 10–12 lakhs…"
Suddenly, one boy who was observing the bike closely said—
"Wait… this is the new CBR model! It hasn't even been launched in India yet…"
Another boy laughed lightly, but there was nervousness in his voice—
"I went to the company with my dad myself. I insisted on getting this one… but the manager clearly refused. He said, 'Sir, the company hasn't permitted delivery.'"
The third boy turned serious—
"Then… how is it here?"
Silence.
Their eyes remained fixed on the bike.
For the first time, they realized — some people wait for the launch date… and some people decide the launch date.
A gentle breeze passed. The bike's mirror shimmered.
Just then, Aryan arrived. Black sunglasses on, steady walk, calm face.
There was no artificial style in him… yet his presence was different.
The boys instinctively stepped aside.
Aryan reached his bike and for a moment looked at the machine — as if feeling an old connection.
He casually sat on the bike and turned the ignition on.
The heavy sound of the engine rumbled softly.
One of the boys spoke up—
"Hello brother… can you tell us where you got this bike from? It hasn't even launched yet…"
Aryan looked at him and replied with a faint smile—
"Not everything comes from a showroom. Sometimes… instead of waiting, it's better to make the right decision at the right time."
He didn't explain further. There was no need.
The boys were looking at him differently now.
There were fewer questions… and more thoughts.
Aryan put on his helmet, slightly nodded, and slowly rode away.
Soon, Aryan was at his bungalow.
It was very late at night. The stars in the sky shimmered as if lost in their own world, far from the city lights.
Inside the house, there was silence.
Aryan stood under the shower in his bathroom.
The day's exhaustion… the noisy voices of people… everything seemed to wash away with the falling water.
The droplets flowed from his hair down to his shoulders. His eyes were closed.
As if he wasn't in this moment… but somewhere else.
Suddenly, memories of his lonely past flashed before his eyes.
Those days… those moments that pierced his mind like arrows.
Even a faint glimpse of those times was enough to break even the strongest person from within.
The water kept falling…
But inside him, where something had once shattered, there was nothing but emptiness.
"And perhaps it was this very silence that made him the most dangerous."
The shower stopped.
Aryan ran his hand through his wet hair, pushing it back.
He stood quietly for a few seconds.
Then he slowly opened his eyes.
This time, there was no anger… no pain.
If there was anything — it was a calm, burning determination.
Like every day, today was also the beginning of a new morning.
But the difference was — it wasn't just a new day.
It was the beginning of Aryan's changed life.
As usual, Aryan and Rahul were walking around the college campus. The soft morning sunlight filtered through the trees, falling gently on the ground. The surrounding laughter and chatter of students kept the environment lively.
But today, Aryan was different.
He was calm. Yet his eyes kept searching for someone in the crowd.
There was peace on his face… but a slight restlessness in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Rahul wouldn't stop talking.
"Bro, seriously…" he said, "I went to your room last night. You weren't there."
Aryan just looked at him and said nothing.
"I asked the guard and he said you went out alone on your bike. And you didn't even tell me?"
He sounded irritated.
"Do you have any idea how tense I got?"
Aryan slightly lowered his head.
"I just needed to go out for a bit," he said calmly.
"At least you could've taken me with you," Rahul pouted. "I would've enjoyed the ride too."
Aryan looked him up and down, then smiled faintly.
"Okay… next time I'll take you," he said calmly.
"Promise?"
"Hm… we'll see," Aryan replied casually.
But deep inside, Aryan was smiling.
Anyway, that place is full of characters like him. If I ever introduce him to the 'brothers' there, at least I'll get some blessings.
"By the way, where did you go?" Rahul suddenly asked.
Aryan looked at him… but instead of answering, he let the question hang in the air.
Rahul understood — when he goes silent like this, asking more is useless.
Then Rahul suddenly remembered something.
"Oh yes! I almost forgot to tell you…"
Aryan's gaze was still ahead.
"Yesterday it was decided — the fresher party will be at Star Club. The whole college is invited."
Aryan's face showed no particular reaction. He remained calm.
"And yeah…" Rahul paused slightly, "Mayra — one of the most beautiful girls in the college — will be there too."
Just that one moment was enough.
A faint spark flashed in Aryan's eyes — very faint. Like someone had switched on a tiny light in a dark room.
But his face remained completely calm.
He simply nodded slowly.
"Hmm."
Rahul noticed that spark… and smiled silently.
Then Rahul sighed.
"Most people are going with their partners," he said. "Only unlucky guys like us will be standing there without a partner…"
There was clear disappointment on his face.
"Us?" Aryan asked lightly.
"Yes bro. Me and you."
Aryan looked into his eyes and said calmly—
"I'm not on that 'unlucky' list."
"Because… I'm not going," he added.
Rahul's face changed instantly.
"What?"
"Why bro?"
He stood right in front of Aryan.
"Don't say that, yaar… otherwise all my dreams will shatter right here."
Aryan stayed silent.
"Don't let this opportunity slip away from this unlucky guy at least," Rahul said dramatically.
Then more seriously—
"If you're with me… at least there will be some hope."
Aryan looked at him.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Do you need me… or my name?" he asked calmly.
Rahul went quiet for a few seconds.
Seeing his fallen expression, Aryan chuckled softly.
"Relax," he said. "I didn't say I won't go to the party… I just said I'm not going with you."
Rahul's eyes widened.
"Meaning…?"
Aryan didn't answer directly.
He only said—
"This time, things are a little different."
Rahul smiled slightly.
"Bro… you're becoming dangerous."
Aryan said nothing.
But in his mind, the plan was already clear.
Just then, the class bell rang. The corridor grew busy. Everyone started heading toward their respective sections.
But today, the classroom atmosphere was different.
No one was talking about notes. No one was worried about assignments.
Everyone's focus was on just one thing — the fresher party.
Students stood in small groups finalizing their partners.
In that crowd, a boy named Purav gathered courage and stood in front of a girl.
"Deepali…" he said nervously, "Will you come as my partner tomorrow?"
Two or three boys nearby watched silently.
Deepali thought for a few seconds, then smiled lightly.
"Sorry, Purav… I'm already going with someone else. You should try someone else."
Purav gave an awkward laugh.
"Oh… okay. No problem."
He stepped back. His friends immediately surrounded him—
"Bro, at least you tried…"
"Look for the next option…"
Aryan had just reached the classroom door when all this was happening.
There was laughter somewhere, hesitation somewhere, and straightforward proposals somewhere else.
Today, the class was in pair-up mode more than study mode.
Rahul came near him and whispered—
"See? The competition is high."
Aryan's eyes scanned the crowd.
But he wasn't looking for just any random partner.
He knew… what he wanted.
And he also knew when the right time would come.