Yeh Dil ♥️ - Love Like This

2

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The days that followed Rudra's departure felt like a storm had passed, leaving an unsettling calm in its wake. Rohit, relieved by the temporary absence of his tormentor, found himself glancing at the empty table at lunch, a strange mix of apprehension and a newfound confidence settling in his gut.

Then, like a dark cloud on a sunny day, a new face appeared on campus. Sidharth, the son of another wealthy businessman, arrived with a swagger and a posse that made even Rudra's crew seem tame. He sported designer clothes that looked like they cost more than Rohit's entire wardrobe, and his gaze held a coldness that sent shivers down Rohit's spine.

The first target of Sidharth's bullying was obvious. Rohit, already ostracized by his defiance against Rudra, became Sidharth's personal punching bag. The "dares" became more cruel, the taunts more personal. Sidharth seemed to relish the power he wielded, his laughter echoing through the halls like a cruel melody.

Even Rudra's friends, who had never shed a tear for anyone, felt a pang of sympathy for Rohit. The unspoken challenge Rohit had issued to Rudra's authority seemed to have emboldened Sidharth, and they watched helplessly as Rohit's spirit slowly dimmed. The defiance that had shone in his eyes was slowly being replaced by a familiar weariness.

One afternoon, during a particularly brutal "daring" session, Rohit found himself cornered by Sidharth and his cronies. They shoved him against a locker, their laughter echoing off the empty hallway. Just as Sidharth raised his fist, a deep voice cut through the tension.

"Leave him alone."

The room fell silent. Everyone turned to see Rudra, his face a mask of fury, standing at the end of the corridor. He wasn't supposed to be back for another day.

Rudra moved with a terrifying swiftness. Before Sidharth or his friends could react, Rudra was upon them. The fight was a blur of rage and pent-up frustration. Rudra, fueled by a mix of anger at Sidharth's bullying and a strange protectiveness towards Rohit, unleashed a flurry of blows. Sidharth and his crew, caught off guard by the sudden aggression, were quickly overpowered.

When the dust settled, Rudra stood panting, his knuckles scraped and raw. Sidharth lay sprawled on the floor, clutching a bleeding nose, his posse scattering like frightened birds. Rohit, leaning against the lockers, watched the scene unfold in stunned silence. His face throbbed with a dull ache, his lip split and bleeding, but the fear that had gripped him moments ago was gone, replaced by a confusing mix of gratitude and apprehension.

Rudra turned towards Rohit, his features softening as his gaze fell on the boy's bruised face. A wave of shame washed over him. He had left for a day, and in his absence, Rohit had suffered even worse at the hands of another bully.

"Come on," he said gruffly, extending a hand. Rohit hesitated for a moment, then cautiously reached out. Rudra's grip was surprisingly gentle as he pulled him up.

"Let's get you cleaned up," Rudra said, surprising himself with the words. He shrugged off his expensive designer jacket, the one he usually wouldn't even share with his closest friends, and wrapped it around Rohit's shivering shoulders.

The sight of Rudra carrying him, his jacket a cocoon of warmth against the cool hallway, sent shivers down Rohit's spine. It was the last thing he expected from his tormentor, yet here he was, being treated with an unexpected kindness. As they walked towards the nurse's office, a strange silence settled between them, a silence filled with unspoken questions and a dawning realization that their relationship might be about to take a very unexpected turn.
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Flashback

The pulsating bass of the club vibrated through Rudra's chest as he downed another shot. The air hung thick with smoke and sweat, a kaleidoscope of bodies twisting on the dance floor under the flashing strobe lights. He should have been enjoying himself - surrounded by beautiful women, expensive drinks, and the thrumming energy of the night.

But a disquiet gnawed at him. He'd left Rohit behind, the memory of their last conversation lingering in his mind. The defiance in Rohit's eyes, the quiet strength in his voice, had sparked something within Rudra. It was a feeling he couldn't quite define, a flicker of something new amidst the jaded monotony of his privileged life.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed, the shrill ringtone cutting through the music. He glanced at the screen, a scowl forming on his face as he saw his friend's name. Taking the call, he stepped outside onto the quieter balcony.

"Hey, Rudra," his friend slurred, his voice thick with intoxication. "Just wanted to...uh...let you know things are, uh, interesting back at college."

Rudra's stomach clenched. "Interesting how?" he demanded, his voice tight.

His friend chuckled, a humorless sound. "Just some, uh, freshman initiation gone a little...rough. You know, Sidharth being Sidharth."

The name hit Rudra like a physical blow. Sidharth. The arrogant son of another business tycoon, a bully who reveled in wielding his power. A cold fury ignited within Rudra. He didn't like Rohit, not yet, but the possessiveness that flared at the thought of someone else hurting him was undeniable.

"How rough?" Rudra gritted out, his voice laced with a dangerous edge.

His friend hesitated on the other end of the line, sensing the shift in Rudra's mood. "Look, I shouldn't have said anything. Just forget I called, okay?"

But it was too late. The image of Rohit, bruised and defenseless, flashed in Rudra's mind. He slammed the phone shut, the anger simmering within him reaching a boiling point.

He scanned the crowded club, the carefree revelry suddenly turning grotesque. He didn't belong here anymore, not with that image seared into his mind. He stormed out of the club, leaving his friends and the unfinished party behind. Right now, there was only one thing on his mind - getting back to college and protecting Rohit.

End Flashback

Rudra's jaw clenched tight as the memory faded. He had arrived back on campus just in time, the sight of Sidharth hovering over a cowering Rohit triggering a primal rage within him. The fight that followed was a blur, fueled by a potent mix of anger and a protectiveness he couldn't explain.

Now, as he carried Rohit towards the nurse's office, the warmth of the boy's body beneath his jacket sent a jolt through him. It was a confusing sensation, a new chapter unfolding in a story he hadn't planned on writing. But one thing was certain - things had irrevocably changed.