The auditorium had almost emptied.
The noise, the whispers, the weight of hundreds of eyes--everything slowly faded into silence.
Students walked out as if nothing had happened.
As if nothing had changed.
But it had.
I stood there, still.
The announcement.
The punishment.
Everything echoed in my mind.
"Risha."
His voice cut through the silence.
I looked up.
He was standing there--calm, composed, unreadable.
I saw Rishab heading out of the auditorium unwillingly .
I knew he wanted to be there with me but I don't want him to suffer because of me .
Then suddenly
He frowned.
"Risha--"
"It's fine."
I said reassuring him .
But...
It wasn't.
But he left anyway.
And now--it was just the two of us.
He stepped closer.
"You speak without thinking."
His tone was calm. Too calm.
"And yet… you don't hesitate."
I held his gaze.
"If speaking the truth is a problem… then maybe I do."
A faint flicker passed through his eyes. Not anger. Something else.
"Follow me."
He turned.
And for some reason--I followed.
The corridors felt quieter than usual.
We stopped in front of a large door.
He pushed it open.
And I stepped inside.
The room was… different.
Luxurious--but not loud.
Controlled.
Polished tables.
Assigned seats.
Shelves filled with files lined the walls.
Some members of the Golden Council were already there.
Their eyes shifted towards me--curious.
Judging.
He didn't care.
"I'm not giving you a severe punishment."
His voice broke the silence.
"I just need help."
Help?
"Arrange these files."
"And find whatever I ask for."
That was it.
I stared at him for a moment.
This… was my punishment?
He had an entire council.
And yet--he chose me.
It didn't make sense.
But I didn't question it.
I started working.
Files.
Names.
Categories.
Everything was arranged too perfectly.
And then--
A shelf caught my attention.
Slightly apart from the others.
Marked clearly-- CONFIDENTIAL
I stepped closer.
My fingers moved towards it--
"Don't."
His voice turned sharp. Cold.
I froze.
"Don't ever touch that shelf."
His eyes had changed.
"If anyone sees you near it… you'll face consequences you won't be able to handle."
"Those files are restricted."
"You don't have that right."
I stepped back.
Not scared.
Just… curious.
And a little annoyed.
I myself was unable to understand why only that shelf caught my attention.
Maybe because...
I thought I could discover something about this institution
About it's past ...
The bell rang.
One by one, the council members stood up.
Before leaving, they looked at him.
"Can we go?"
I frowned slightly.
Why would anyone need permission just to eat?
He nodded.
"Go."
They left.
The room fell quiet again.
"Don't you want to have lunch?"
I looked up.
His tone was calm.
"I would love to," I said lightly,
"but I'm working… if you allow."
A hint of playfulness slipped into my voice.
"Follow me."
"We'll eat in the cafeteria."
I blinked.
"There's a cafeteria?"
He looked at me, surprised.
"You don't know?"
I hesitated.
"I haven't explored the school properly."
"Clearly."
"Come."
He said as if he was giving some order.
The cafeteria was brighter. Livelier.
A complete contrast to the suffocating silence of the council room.
We sat down.
For a moment--silence.
I opened my lunchbox.
He noticed.
"You carry your own lunch?"
"Yeah."
"Sometimes the house help makes it… sometimes my mom."
"It's normal."
He paused.
"I feel… envious."
I looked up.
"You should appreciate it."
"Not everyone gets that."
His tone felt… distant.
A waiter came.
"Your usual?"
"Yes."
He ordered.
"Ma'am?"
"No, I'm fine."
The food arrived.
Burgers.
Fries.
Patties.
"You eat this daily?"
"Don't you care about your health?"
I don't know why but these words just slipped out of my tounge out of curiosity.
"That's none of your concern."
I frowned.
"Why would I care…" I muttered.
"I was just asking."
He looked up.
"What?"
"Do you always get offended this easily?"
He said .
Silence.
"I'm sorry."
I blinked.
"I didn't mean to sound rude."
"I just… can't explain it."
"I've never carried lunch."
"This is normal for me."
I stared at him.
This didn't match the image I had of him.
Just when I was too shocked to accept the fact that Vidyantsh Verma -- The President of the Golden Council....said sorry to me !!!
A voice interrupted
"Vidyantsh."
I looked up.
Rupam Sharma stood beside our table, her expression calm but slightly tired.
"Do you know where the last year's annual awardees file is?"
"I've been searching for it, but I can't find it anywhere."
I blinked.
Another shock.
She called him by his name.
Not "President."
Just… Vidyantsh.
"You can stop looking for it," he said calmly.
"I'll find it."
She exhaled softly.
"Thank you, Vidyantsh."
"I've been working on it for three days."
"The annual function is coming up soon."
She said tiredly.
He nodded.
"I know."
"You look tired."
"Go home after your classes."
"Get some rest."
She smiled.
"I will."
"And thank you."
"I'll remember this."
Then her gaze shifted towards me.
"Risha, right?"
"Hi."
"Hi."
I responded
She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.
"Is he very strict?"
I nodded a little.
"He is… sometimes rude."
She smiled softly.
"That sounds like him."
"It's okay."
"After all, it's your punishment."
She gave a small smile.
I also responded with a smile .
"He's not that bad either."
She added.
"I'd like to talk to you more, Risha."
"Let's meet tomorrow."
I nodded.
"Sure."
She straightened and looked at him again before leaving.
"I'll leave now."
He nodded.
And just like that--she walked away.
I watched her for a moment.
Something about her felt different.
She wasn't like the others.
Not like those who carried power like a weapon.
She carried it… lightly.
"What were you two talking about?"
His voice pulled me back.
I looked at him.
"Nothing much."
A small pause.
"We might become friends."
"Very good friends too."
A hint of playfulness slipped into my voice.
He just looked at me.
For a moment--everything felt normal.
But that moment didn't last for long as soon as my eyes caught HER.