Healing Echoes

Chapter 30 - Who is the hoodie guy?

Nandini comes back to her senses, pushes Manik away, and walks out of the college. She’s about to fall when Alya catches her.

Alya makes her sit down and gives her some water.
There’s an awkward silence between the two. Alya finally breaks it.

Alya: Nandini, I know I’m not the one to ask, but I seriously want to know what happened between you and that super popular guy from college.

Nandini looks at her, then looks down again.

Alya gently pats her shoulder.

Alya: You can trust me.

Nandini: First of all, who are you? And how do you know me?

Alya: The whole college knows about you and Manik. I’m Alya... my dad is a professor here. That day, after your performance, I saw the fight between you and Manik. I thought it was just a normal boyfriend-girlfriend fight... but there was so much hurt in your eyes when you pushed him. What happened?

Nandini: You know, Alya... this world can’t be trusted. I thought Manik was the light to my darkness, but now... he’s made my life darker than ever. Even after being betrayed once, I still gave him another chance. But you just can’t trust boys. They only know how to take advantage of you.

Nandini begins to cry. Alya hugs her tightly.

Alya: Shhh... it’s okay. I’m here. It’s okay, Nandini.

Alya’s POV:
What has Manik done to her? She’s so hurt. Will I end up like Nandini too? I wonder what guys even get from breaking such innocent hearts.

Suddenly, Nandini’s phone rings. She pulls away from Alya and answers it.

Alya’s phone also rings. She picks it up and walks back into the college, leaving Nandini alone.

Nandini: Sister, please don’t worry about me. I’ll be back in a while.

Nandini cuts the call and turns around ,only to find a group of boys surrounding her. She tries to run, but they block her from all sides.

Boy 1: You’re so hot! Will you be mine just for tonight?

Boy 2: Hey hottie, give me one chance. I promise I won’t let you down.

Boy 3: Shut up, all of you. She’s mine!

Boy 4 leans closer to Nandini.

Nandini steps back, trembling, as all four of them close in on her.

She closes her eyes and remembers Manik’s words:
“If anyone misbehaves with you, give it back to them! Slap them, punch them ...do whatever it takes!”

Nandini opens her eyes, determined. She clenches her fist, grabs one of the boys by the collar, and says,“You want to spend a night with me, right? You’re so desperate? Let me give you a trial!”

She moves closer to him ,then suddenly punches him in the face. Blood starts dripping from his nose.

Furious, Nandini picks up a nearby rod and starts hitting them.

Nandini (shouting): What did you think, huh? That I’m a weak girl you can take advantage of? No! You’re all highly mistaken! I’m not that kind of girl, and I won’t bow down in front of you so easily!

Just then, a guy covered in a hoodie comes from behind and grabs her tightly.

Guy (mocking): Then how will you bow down, huh? Tell us... come on.

Nandini starts to squirm, visibly uncomfortable with his touch.

Nandini: Leave me!

The guy starts touching her inappropriately.