Fated Bonds : Triple Threads of Destiny

Chapter 7: Project submission.

Purvi, Pakti, and Simar were rushing down the hostel corridors, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. They were running late for an important project submission, and the pressure was building.

“We need to hurry, Purvi!” Pakti said breathlessly, glancing at the time on her phone. “If we don’t get there in five minutes, they’ll reject our project!”

“I know, I know!” Purvi shot back, her tone laced with urgency. “Shanaya is probably already at the college waiting for me. I can’t believe we’re this late!”

Pakti rolled her eyes. “Shanaya is always punctual. I wish my partner, Ahaan, was like that. He’s late for everything! It’s a wonder we even have a project to submit.”

Simar, the volunteer for the event under strict instructions from the professors, caught up with them as they reached the exit. “Guys, you really have to move fast. The professors are already in the hall. I can’t stall them forever,” she warned. "They'll close submissions any minute now."

“We're going as fast as we can, Simar!” Purvi called over her shoulder as they dashed outside.

As they sprinted towards the hall, Purvi noticed a crowd gathering on the side of the road. A chill ran down her spine as she slowed her pace, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“What’s going on over there?” Purvi asked, her voice trailing off.

“I don’t know, but we don’t have time for this!” Pakti urged, grabbing her wrist. “We have to go!”

But Purvi’s eyes were glued to the scene. There was an elderly man lying on the ground, his body twisted unnaturally, while people stood around taking pictures with their phones. No one was doing anything to help.

“Call an ambulance!” Purvi shouted at the crowd, her voice filled with desperation.

The people around the man barely glanced at her before turning their attention back to their phones. No one made a move.

“Unbelievable,” Purvi muttered under her breath. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stepped forward, her instincts taking over. “I can’t just leave him here like this.”

Pakti grabbed her arm, pulling her back. “Purvi, what are you doing? We’re already late! You can’t help him; we have to go!”

“No, Pakti,” Purvi said firmly, her voice resolute. “This is more important. He needs my help.”

“But the project!” Pakti reminded her, panic rising in her voice. “If we miss the deadline—”

“I’ll handle the project later,” Purvi interrupted, already flagging down a rickshaw. "This is urgent.”

As Purvi climbed into the rickshaw with that old man, Pakti glanced at the college, her mind racing. “I have to get to the college for the project,” she murmured, anxiety tightening her chest. Without another word, she darted off towards the college.

Simar, who had been rummaging through the room for anything they might have forgotten, spotted their crucial project files lying on the bed. Panic set in as she realized they couldn’t leave without them. “Wait!” she called out, quickly grabbing the files and sprinting after Pakti.

As she neared the college hall, Aarav Singhania, the cool, mysterious son of one of the trustees, was standing outside, surveying the scene. Dressed in a crisp light blue shirt and navy blue pants, Aarav exuded effortless confidence. His sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and chiseled features made him hard to ignore.

Aarav’s gaze landed on Pakti, and recognition flickered across his face. He had seen her before—during that incident at the market. Since then, something about her friend Purvi had stayed with him, drawing him in. He watched her now as she hurried ahead, searching for Purvi, his curiosity piquing.