Only V

Chapter 1 - What the hell?

-Trust flickers in the shadows of chaos

Avyan's senses snapped awake to the urgent voice cutting through his groggy consciousness. It was Ishan, his tone tinged with both concern and impatience. The dorm room was dim, curtains drawn against the morning light that struggled to invade their space.

"We're getting late," Ishan reiterated, his bulky frame outlined against the soft glow of his phone screen.

"I truly hate the 8am classes," Avyan muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"It's noon already," Ishan retorted, already halfway through his morning routine.

Avyan's eyes widened. "Noon? Damn it!" He scrambled out of bed, his thoughts racing ahead to the looming 1pm class they were already late for.

Avyan's roommate Ishan, towering and sturdy, was already dressed and waiting impatiently by the door. "You're going to get detained, sure enough," he quipped, his voice a mix of teasing and genuine concern.

"Ah, I don't know about that," Avyan replied with a wry smile. "I think I deserve a day off. Engineering breaks you, man."

"I major in Electrical, brother," Ishan shot back, his voice resonating with a hint of pride. "Computer science is smooth as butter. Besides, I haven't had breakfast, and you know how I am without food. Let's grab something on the way. Pancakes, maybe."

Avyan chuckled. "You always think pancakes."

Ishan stood tall and imposing with a physique that spoke of years dedicated to weightlifting. His broad shoulders and muscular arms hinted at the strength he effortlessly wielded, a testament to his commitment to physical fitness since childhood. Ishan's dark hair, cropped short for practicality, framed a rugged face. His personality was quit the opposite to how he looks, he was very sweet and caring.

In contrast, Avyan possessed a more refined and subtly striking appearance. A blend of rugged charm and subtle sophistication. His strong jawline gave his face a chiselled look, hinting at determination and resilience beneath a veneer of youthful energy. But it was his captivating blue eyes that often drew people's attention—deep and expressive, they seemed to hold secrets and dreams all their own, adding an air of mystery to his otherwise open demeanour.

With synchronized urgency, they bolted down the stairs of their dormitory, the clamour of their footsteps echoing in the empty corridor. The campus was unusually quiet for a midday, which struck Avyan as odd, but he dismissed it as the lingering effect of his interrupted sleep.

Their friend Pratyush intercepted them on their way to class, his slender frame and keen eyes betraying his acute awareness of their surroundings. "Where are you two running off to?" he asked, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"Relativity's been kicking my ass," Ishan confessed between breaths, "and I can't afford to miss another class. Plus, no breakfast yet."

Pratyush raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I won't disturb you on your way to breakfast. I know how you get without food. Avyan, haven't you heard?"

Avyan and Ishan exchanged puzzled glances.

"There's a modelling show happening in BR Auditorium. You can skip it, Ishan—I won't interrupt your eating spree. Remember what happened to Akash when he hid your pancakes?"

Ishan chuckled and waved them off, heading towards the Lecture Hall Complex for his classes, intent on snatching a quick meal from the café just outside.

Pratyush cut a lean and short figure among his friends, with a demeanour that balanced sharp intellect with a laid-back charm. Pratyush's dark brown eyes were keen and observant, often flickering with curiosity as he absorbed details from his surroundings.