Falling Into Oblivion

Chapter 12: Confrontations and Decisions

Banhi felt a sense of dread as she walked to class. She could feel the stares of her classmates burning into her, and the whispers followed her down the hall.

Banhi's heart sank as she overheard snippets from Ira and her group of friends, spreading malicious rumors about her. They painted her as a slut and a tease, accusing her of trying to entice men with her supposed innocence. The weight of their words felt like a heavy burden on her shoulders, intensifying her sense of dread.

As she passed a group of guys, they started making fun of her.

Banhi quickened her pace, keeping her head down, wishing the ground would swallow her up.

Banhi's heart raced as she tried to block out the crude comments and offensive catcalls. She wished she could confront them, but she feared it would only escalate the situation.

Banhi entered the classroom with her head held high, but the murmurs and gossip around her were impossible to ignore. Whispered accusations of her slapping Danish and being labeled as a "Slut," reached her ears, but she managed to block them out, despite the sting of the comments. She quietly went to her seat, took out her notebook, and prepared for the lesson.

Ira, the most popular and wealthy girl in college, strutted over and sat on Banhi's desk, her short skirt riding high. Banhi looked up, confused. Ira grabbed her notebook and tossed it to one of her friends, who began flicking through it, laughing.

Banhi sighed, "Can you give that back?"

Ira smirked, "Oh, did we bother you? So sorry." She tossed the notebook back, her friends giggling.

Banhi, trying to stay calm, replied, "Yeh sab zaroori nahi hai, Ira. Kitab wapas de do."

Ira's friend, Ria, added mockingly, "Banhi ko parhna hai, kitni sanskaari ladki hai!"

Suddenly, the door opened, and Danish, Pravan, Ranveer, and Surendra entered the room. Ira quickly changed her demeanor, pretending Banhi was the one bothering her. Danish, however, didn't care. He walked over to the seat behind Banhi and glared at the students sitting there until they moved away.

Banhi could feel Danish's intense gaze on the back of her head. Ira, seeing this, felt a pang of jealousy but said nothing. Danish and his friends started talking loudly, making indirect comments to irritate Banhi. She tried to ignore them, focusing on her notes.

Pravan leaned over to Danish, "Dekh, Banhi kitni serious hai. Shayed humse padhna seekh rahi hai."

Ranveer laughed, "Haan, padhai toh uski favorite activity hai."

Banhi gritted her teeth, trying not to react but mently made fun of them, "I've never even seen then touch a book, and mein, inse padhna?!'

Gurav walked in, and Banhi's face lit up. She waved at him, catching his attention. Danish noticed and clenched his phone tightly. Gurav, feeling the hostile stares, timidly walked over and sat next to Banhi.

Danish stood up and ordered, "Gurav, move."

Gurav started to get up, but Banhi held his hand and said, "Stay."

Danish was furious, but just then, the teacher walked in, stopping any further confrontation. Danish sat back down, seething. The teacher announced a four-day trip and said that forms and fees needed to be submitted by next week.

Banhi turned to Gurav and whispered, "Are you interested in going?"

Gurav shook his head, "Nahi yaar, mujhe padhna zyada pasand hai. And exams are coming in a month."

Banhi nodded.

Danish, overhearing, leaned forward and created a barrier between their faces with his book. The teacher noticed and asked, "Danish, what's happening?"