Waiting for the Sun ☀️

Chapter 4 - Bullies

The day dragged on, but Abhimanyu's thoughts lingered on the morning's defiance. By lunchtime, he'd spotted the boy he was after—Raghav, the supposed culprit who had scratched his prized car. Raghav's father was wealthy, owning a successful chain of mechanic shops around the city. No one crossed him, no matter who they were. So, he and his gang waited until school was almost over and the corridors emptied before cornering Raghav in a dark hallway.

"Raghav," Abhimanyu's voice was low and icy as he addressed the trembling boy, "I'd hate to think that your family's success has made you...careless."

Raghav stammered, shaking his head. "I didn't do anything to your car, I swear ! "

Abhimanyu chuckled darkly, gesturing to Abir and the others to hold Raghav in place. They grabbed him, keeping his arms pinned while he struggled, his face etched with fear.

"Funny, I don't believe you," Abhimanyu said, taking a seat in an old chair positioned directly in front of Raghav. He leaned forward, fixing his gaze on him. "Tell me, Raghav. Where does your dad work ? "

Raghav swallowed, shifting uneasily under Abhimanyu's glare. "He...he owns a mechanic business," he admitted quietly.

"And I'm guessing you spend a lot of time around the shops ? " Abhimanyu's tone was dripping with mocking interest.

"Sometimes, yes." Raghav's voice was barely above a whisper.

"So, you must know a thing or two about cars, huh ?" Abhimanyu pressed on, his voice turning steely. "Maybe enough to think it'd be funny to scratch mine ? "

Raghav shook his head frantically. "No ! I wouldn't—I didn't touch your car !"

Abhimanyu's patience wore thin, and he snapped his fingers. "Dunk him."

With that signal, Raghav's captors pushed his head into a bucket of water. Raghav flailed, gasping when they finally let him up for air. The scene was silent except for his ragged breaths as he looked at Abhimanyu in horror.

"You'll talk eventually," Abhimanyu murmured, unimpressed by Raghav's gasping pleas. "Trust me."

Just then, footsteps echoed down the corridor, followed by an unexpected voice. "What's going on here ? "

The entire group turned to see Akshara standing in the hallway, her expression a mixture of shock and fierce disapproval. She took in the scene—the soaked, panicked Raghav, the threatening stance of Abhimanyu's followers, and Abhimanyu himself, seated like a dark king on a throne of intimidation.

Abhimanyu's eyes narrowed, his voice cold. "You need to turn around and forget what you saw."

Akshara didn't flinch. Instead, she crossed her arms, glaring back. "Forget that I just watched you and your friends torturing someone ? Not likely. Let him go."

A murmur of disbelief passed through the group; no one ever spoke to Abhimanyu like this. Abhimanyu tilted his head, eyes flashing with annoyance.

"Just get out," he hissed, his voice quiet but laced with a deadly edge.

"No," she replied evenly, her voice unwavering. "Are you all seriously so out of touch that you think this is okay ? What are you, psychopaths ? You're going to hurt him—or worse. Why don't you just leave him alone?"

From within the grip of Abhimanyu's friends, Raghav managed to sputter, "Please... help me..."

Abhimanyu's patience snapped. He stood up, his fist swinging out and striking Raghav hard enough to make him wince. He glared at Akshara, a cold smirk forming as he turned his attention back to her.

"Go ahead. Run to the headmistress if you're so concerned," he taunted. "See how far you get."

But Akshara didn't run. She looked around, noticing the nearby gym door ajar with equipment inside. Her eyes landed on an industrial-size water spray gun, likely used for cleaning equipment. Without a second thought, she grabbed it, holding it up as she aimed the nozzle directly at Abhimanyu and his followers.

They all took a step back in surprise. Abhimanyu's smirk faded, replaced by genuine confusion. "You're joking, right?"

Akshara's lips twitched into a smirk, and without warning, she pressed the trigger. A powerful jet of water shot out, drenching Abhimanyu and his friends, causing them to recoil, covering their eyes.

"Run !" Akshara shouted to Raghav.

He didn't hesitate. He scrambled to his feet, slipping out of Abir's grasp, and bolted down the hallway. As he disappeared around the corner, Akshara laughed, spraying water at the boys with unabashed delight, soaking them further. The hall filled with her laughter as she kept the stream going, aiming directly at Abhimanyu.

The gang sputtered and cursed, backing up to escape the icy water hitting them in the face. But before Akshara could finish her victory spray, she saw the fury in Abhimanyu's eyes. His face was dripping, and his look promised payback.

Realizing her own situation, she released the spray gun and took off down the hallway, laughter fading as she ran. Behind her, the boys started after her, Abhimanyu leading the charge.

Turning a sharp corner, she barreled straight into someone, nearly knocking them to the floor. It was Karan, who'd been mustering the nerve to approach Meher, who was standing nearby, watching with her friends.

Karan stumbled, and as he fell, Akshara regained her footing. "Sorry !" she blurted out, barely stopping to see the embarrassment flare across his face as Meher rushed over, concern in her eyes.

"Karan, are you okay ?" Meher asked, glancing between him and Akshara. But Karan was too flustered to reply, his cheeks reddening.

Meanwhile, Akshara didn't stop to apologize, sprinting away as the boys closed in on her again. Her heart pounded as she darted through the twisting hallways, desperate to escape. She finally spotted the office door at the end of the hall and threw herself inside, slamming the door behind her.

Inside, her aunt Katrina, the headmistress, looked up from her desk, startled. "Akshara?" she said, her eyes widening as she took in Akshara's disheveled state, her uniform damp from the water fight.

Akshara took a steadying breath, looking back over her shoulder to make sure the hallway was clear. She exhaled, a small, triumphant smile on her face as she leaned against the closed door.

"Akshara, what on earth happened ?" Katrina asked, both amused and concerned.

Straightening up, Akshara shrugged, a gleam of pride still in her eyes. "Just...helping someone who needed it," she said simply.

Katrina watched her niece for a moment, as if she could sense there was more to the story. But for now, she simply nodded. "Well, I hope whoever needed that help appreciates it."

Akshara smiled to herself. It hadn't been about winning, or even proving Abhimanyu wrong. She'd done what felt right because it was who she was. Certified bullies, she thought, the image of Abhimanyu and his gang flashing in her mind. If I'm going to deal with them, I'll need to be smart about it.

To be continued ...

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