AVENGING LOVE

Chapter 4 : Resonating Sound

The first thing she saw after opening her eyes, was ceiling. A ceiling that didn't match her hostel room. As her mind slowly caught up with her, she realized that she was in the infirmary.

"How're you feeling dear ?"

She turned her head towards the direction of the voice to see a lady, who looked to be in her 40s, her face having a motherly caring expression that can put any patient at ease, dressed in a uniform that looked to be of a nurse.

"I'm fine. How I came here ?" - Akshara asked, as the last thing she remembered was the darkness of that broom closet.

"You were unconscious dear. Abhimanyu brought you here. Your friend Ri..."

Akshara was not listening. As soon as she heard HIS name, her blood started to boil. It was HIM, that she was trapped in that closet in the first place! It was HIM, that she was here in the infirmary. She won't spare him.

NOT. AT. ALL.

"Are you okay ?" - the gentle tone of the nurse brought her back to present and she nodded, getting down from the bed.

"What time is it ?"

"It's 8:15 AM. You were unconscious all night."

This information just fueled her anger on HIM further as she went to the bathroom, freshened up, washed her face and returned.

"Thank you for attending me all night." - Akshara said to the elderly lady politely. "Can I leave now ?"

"Yes dear. You can. But if you feel dizzy, stop by for a check-up. Yes... ?" - she instructed politely to which Akshara nodded before leaving.

Only one mission on her mind.

Finding Abhimanyu Birla.

~

"I still can't believe you did that. And didn't even let me know!"

It was 8:41 in the morning. Neil and Abhimanyu were leaning against the wall of a hallway that was crowded with students, rushing towards their respective first class of the day.

Neil had said this line for the nth time since last evening, trying to make him feel guilty. But what he didn't know was, he need not to do that as his hot headed best friend was already on a guilt trip since last night.

Abhimanyu Birla had always been careless. And had done PhD in being insensitive. But was he really to blame for that ? At the age, where children ask their father; why mumma puts veggies in Parathas, he used to ask; why his mother left him. The constant reminder of her absence in his life at every milestone, whether it was getting a medal for the first time, winning football cups, breaking the academic records, becoming a pro at swimming, cycling, or even acquiring a bad habit like smoking, had just made him bitter and bitter still. There was so much hatred and pain in those eyes that he masked with arrogance.

But last night, seeing Akshara sitting on the floor, unconscious, had pinched his heart like never before. And it was for the first time, that he realized; he actually had a heart.

"Neil, stop it! I'm already feeling-"

"Exactly! If you had even told me snippets of that dangerous plan of yours, I would have stopped you from executing it and you wouldn't have been feeling bad/guilty at the moment."

Abhimanyu glared at his best friend and was about to retort back when his words died in his throat.

Akshara was coming down the corridor, her expressions resolute, and she was looking straight at him. He pushed himself off the wall and straightened up as she came to a halt infront of him.

All the commotion stopped around them, as every student knew by now that Abhimanyu and Akshara standing infront of each other meant only one thing.

Drama.

He braced himself to say sorry as he was planning since last night but was having difficulty in doing so. Because the word 'sorry' had never left his mouth. Taking a deep breath, he was about to utter that word for the first time ever, when her right hand met his left cheek in a sharp slap.

The sound resonating in the deafening silence.

Every student present at the moment, froze on their places. Some with mouth hanged open while some with a hand covering their mouth in horror.

"I had not imagined that you would stoop so low just for the sake of a damn ragging!" - Akshara said, her voice sharper than a knife.

Abhimanyu, who was stilled in his position, turned his head to look at her.

"What do you think of yourself ? A gangster ? Don ? That everyone should hail you or face the consequences ? News flash Mr. Abhimanyu Birla. Neither you're any such person, nor I'm scared of you! Neither flattered nor impressed! You enjoy the attention on yourself so much na ? Think that every girl breaths looking at you and dies otherwise ? Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm not one of those who walk around you, desperate to grab your attention. No. I'M AKSHARA GOENKA! Here to study in peace and make my career. Not to engage myself with the likes of you!"

Abhimanyu just stared at her.

Silently.

"This is my warning to you. STAY. AWAY. FROM. ME." - she said, pointing her index finger at him. "If you did any such thing like yesterday's again, you'll be standing in the headmaster's office receiving your rustication letter!"

He could see the fire burning in her eyes. That was reflecting the passion in her soul. The passion, to not be afraid. To voice out her opinion. She was simply...

Intriguing.

She glared at him for a moment more before turning around, walking down the corridor and disappearing after rounding a corner.

No student was daring to move. It seemed that they all were frozen on their places like Abhimanyu, who was transfixedly looking at the spot from which Akshara had disappeared.

Her words echoing in his mind.