PHOENIX - The Rebirth Of Hope

Chapter 6 : Execution of plan

"Samarth"

Samarth heard them.

He had brought his lunch with him this time. He was sitting in a row of children. There were three carpets and children were seated on them in rows.

This time he couldn't hide from Madhav's greedy eyes because the seat directly next to him was empty so it didn't shield him from view.

As Madhav and his gang barreled towards Samarth, children scuttled back defending their food. Samarth noticed for the first time that Madhav wasn't interested in any other kid today but him. Samarth knew why. The last time Samarth had protested against Madhav, he had been thrown away like a pestering fly. Madhav thought that bullying kids made him look cool and powerful. The main thing was that when someone stood against Madhav, no one saw him as a bully.

Bullies picked on weak children. But what if they bullied children who gave them what they wanted without appearing terrified but willing. It might seem the opposite but in Samarth's mind, it wasn't.

Samarth's plan was simple. Arnav had said that Samarth should find Madhav's weakness. Samarth didn't know anything much about Madhav's family because Madhav's home wasn't near and he never talked about his family so Samarth had let that point go. Also, he wasn't like Madhav. He wouldn't torture anyone with their personal life. It seemed wrong and cruel.

So instead he had assumed for once that Madhav had no weakness and that was what gave him an advantage. Now as he saw Madhav striding towards him, he understood. Madhav fed on weakness and that was what became his greatest weakness. He couldn't change Madhav or ask him to leave him alone so instead, he would change himself and not in a way Arnav had suggested. He wouldn't stand up to him but give in.

"Oi, you", Someone called, freeing him from his thoughts. Samarth looked up. Madhav had reached him.

"Yes, you", he said as Samarth leveled his eyes with him.

'"So, what have you got there, huh?"

Samarth's first impulse was to shield his food. Then he wanted to yell, 'Don't you have eyes. Why don't you see for yourself.' But he restricted himself and kept his hands forced still at his side. He didn't answer.

"Hmm, well whatever it is, it is mine now.", Madhav said lifting his eyes and a cruel smile formed on his face. "Do you have a problem with that?", Madhav cracked his knuckles threateningly.

"No of course not. All yours", Samarth replied calmly....or tried to at least.

Madhav frowned a moment unable to react as Samarth gave it to him willingly for the first time. He would have taken it for fear but Samarth was acting too calm to be afraid. So he blurted out."Repeat."

Samarth stopped himself from gritting his teeth. "I said you can have it." Are you too deaf to hear that? He thought internally.

Madhav squinted."Wha—Of course. I wasn't asking your permission."

Behind them, all children had stopped eating and were looking at them with curiosity as if they couldn't understand what was happening.

Without paying attention to anyone else, Madhav took Samarth's lunch and finished it in 5-minutes, standing directly in front of Samarth as to gauge his reaction.

Samarth kept his calm with a small smile. At one point, Madhav swallowed dangerously and one of his buddies came to thump him on the back. Madhav angrily shoved him away.

Bully or not, monstrous or not, after all, he was human.

After finishing, Madhav dropped the empty box at Samarth's feet. "Hmm, well you can eat this now."

Samarth reapplied calm as makeup on his face." Can I get you something else? I must have ten rupees more on me."

"What?", Madhav said blankly as if unable to think.

"Yes, here.", Samarth grinning and fished out the note.

"Oh", Madhav murmured as he realized that Samarth wasn't lying.

Yes, 'oh', you evil son of bitch, thought Samarth.

Madhav looked around him for the first time since stopping in front of Samarth.

Most watched with shock at Samarth and others waited to see what Madhav would do. Some even looked at Madhav with a funny look on their faces.

"Well, not today. Save it.", Madhav said brow furrowing. His intimidating mask was broken by uncertainty. A new trait that surprised everyone. Madhav had a habit of snatching things but not of being freely given.

Madhav roughly pushed Samarth's hand and the note away.

Madhav started walking away. His gang looked like they were teetering on the edge of confusion and shock. After a moment of hesitation, they took off after Madhav.

The other children in the class didn't waste time. Conversation broke out on what had just happened.

Samarth looked around and spotted Arnav who gave him a questioning look and a confused smile. His expression told him that he knew that Samarth was onto something here.

Samarth smiled back at him and then he finally gave a small laugh.

The first stage of his plan had proved successful. Samarth sighed with trepidation for the coming days. Either way, this was proving to be an eventful day.