But before they could find an answer to that they also joined the other man on the ground writhing in pain. Koushik was so stunned by the events happening in that moment that he forgot to get up and run. He came to himself when he heard a girl's voice above.
"Come."
He looked at the hand before his face and back to the stranger's face. He could not make it out properly but the voice was familiar. He decided to trust his gut and accepted her hand. The girl led him out of that place and he soon saw a busy street. Looking at the numerous street lights hovering overhead he sighed in relief.
"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do wi.."
The words stuck in his throat.
Blink. Blink.
"Um... Olivia?" Koushik asked in confusion.
"Yes. Now follow me." Saying that Olivia brought him to the club.
The lounging area was relatively empty as most of the customers were inside. Olivia asked the receptionist for a bottle of water and handed it to Koushik. In all this excitement of running away he did not realise how parched he was. The moment the bottle landed on his hand he drained it in a few big gulps.
"Whoooo, thanks. For rescuing me back there and for the water." Koushik wiped his lips and flashed a smile.
Olivia nodded and asked "Do you want to go back or rest for some time?"
"..., hm?" Koushik looked up at her.
"What?" Olivia asked.
"You... aren't going to ask me why those guys were chasing me or wanting to beat me?" Koushik probed.
"No." Came her precise reply.
Koushik fell short of words hearing her definitive answer.
"Sigh. I want to go back to our dorm but before that I'd like to sit here for some time. If, that's not a problem for you."
"Suit yourself." Olivia shrugged.
"Heey, what's up little star? What brings you here?" Trayee emerged from behind and slung her hand over Olivia's shoulder.
"Club Prez? You're here too?" Koushik asked in surprise.
Bikram and Koushik were part of the music club. Hence he had met Trayee on a few occasions.
"Yup. What about you?" Trayee nodded.
"Uhm... I met with an unfortunate incident and the Captain rescued me." Koushik scratched his neck.
"Oohh" Trayee bobbed her head a few times but did not question further.
She looked at Olivia from the corner of her eyes and raised an eyebrow 'So that's why you rushed out earlier.'
'Yeah.' Olivia also looked back at her.
No one spoke but a silent conversation quickly took place between the two friends.
"So where are you planning to go from here? From looks of your outfit you seem to have come for official business. Are you planning to go back there?" Trayee pointed at Koushik's suit which now had a few dirt spots here and there.
"Ah, right. I indeed came for office purpose when this... incident happened. You're so keen Prez. And no I'm not planning to go back. I've sent them a text that I'll go to my dorm." Koushik answered.
"Okay, cool. But I say you should tell your manager about this." Trayee said.
"Yes, I will. Thank you for your concern." He gave her a smile.
"Well, you two enjoy yourself. I'll get going. I might have already ruined your time so I'll just excuse myself and won't intrude further. Thanks again. See you later."
Koushik waved at them and walked out. Olivia glanced at Trayee and tipped her head. Trayee smiled and did the same and walked back inside the club. Olivia on the other hand went towards the exit. Koushik had not wandered off too far and was waiting for a taxi. Olivia spotted him easily and went nearer.
"Oh, hello, what are you doing here?" Koushik was taken aback to see her beside him.
He had not noticed her presence at all!
"Escorting you."
"What? Why?" Koushik said, bewildered.
"You're speaking like you weren't the one being chased down a while ago." Olivia pointed out blankly.
"Uh, yeah, but you already helped me out a lot even without me asking. I don't wanna take advantage of your kindness." Koushik felt a bit embarrassedly.
"I chose to. Now choosing to. Here." She opened the taxi door and let Koushik in before getting inside.
Koushik wanted to refuse but one stern look from Olivia made him shut up. The driver asked them to check their seatbelts before taking off. The vehicle slowly rose from the ground and then zoomed through the air.
"We've arrived ma'am." The driver lower the taxi in front of the gates.
Olivia and Koushik scanned their IDs using their watch at the gate and entered the school premises. Koushik had started walking towards his dorm when he felt a tug at his collar.
"To the infirmary." Olivia said hooking her finger over the back of his collar.
Koushik obediently followed. Apart from a few scratches here and there he did not suffer from any major wound.
"That should do. I've patched you up. Just make sure you keep the area dry and aerated. Also, don't forget to apply this ointment. They'll disappear in a day or two." The doctor said handing him a medicine.
Koushik thanked her and left for his dorm with Olivia.
"Thanks for bringing me back safely." Koushik turned around smiling.
"Go." Olivia pointed at his window with her eyes.
"You won't leave until I get inside my room?" Koushik chuckled.
Olivia nodded.
"Hm?" Koushik was taken aback.
He only said that as a joke but turned out Olivia was serious about doing that. He burst out laughing.
"Maybe you aren't that much of an iceberg Miss Iceberg. Ok bye." Koushik saluted her and went inside the building after scanning his ID at the entrance door again.
Such was the security at Ketu. At every point one had to scane their ID. Be it the cafeteria, a classroom, dorm room or anything. No person without a registered ID could enter or exit the school.
After a few minutes Olivia saw the lights in Koushik's room light up and his face stuck out of the window waving at her. She nodded and turned on her heels.