**Early the next morning, Veer sat at the breakfast table, a pencil carefully balanced between his lips.** His jaw was tense, and his brow furrowed as he muttered tricky words around the pencil, his speech slightly muffled but determined. He'd recently read about this technique to improve diction and clarity, and despite its odd appearance, he was committed to trying it out. Sonia, sharp-eyed as always, leaned in with a teasing grin as she noticed his peculiar routine.
"What on earth are you doing, Veer?" she teased, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Are you... trying to eat the pencil?"
Veer shot her a side-eye, refusing to drop the pencil, and replied, "It's an exercise... for clarity in speech. Supposed to help train your mouth to form... sharper words."
Sheena glanced up from her cup of tea, raising an eyebrow at his explanation. "I haven't heard of that exercise, but it sounds like it could work," she said, hiding a smile. Although curious, she refrained from trying it herself—she wouldn't risk looking silly in front of her kids.
Veer eventually set the pencil aside as breakfast arrived, explaining the technique further while Sonia listened with an amused but skeptical expression. Sheena, though, seemed impressed, nodding thoughtfully as he described the exercise, her eyes reflecting both pride and mild curiosity.
---
The school day passed quickly, and at lunch, Veer ran into Aryan, who greeted him with an excited grin. "Hey, tonight there's a club party lined up—a little low-key, no paparazzi or big crowds," Aryan explained, his voice tinged with excitement. "Meet at 9 PM; some of my friend's joining us too." Veer agreed, intrigued by the chance to experience a new scene.
After school, he went to martial arts club, working through sparring drills and exercises. His usual study tutoring was canceled, so he focused on his techniques until it was time to head home. When he arrived, Sheena was waiting with a smile and offered to let him take the car for the night. Veer politely declined, mentioning that Aryan would pick him up instead. Sheena gave him an encouraging smile and playfully reminded him to avoid alcohol and other "club temptations." Veer appreciated her trust, smiling back as she ruffled his hair before he went to get ready.
---
**That evening, Aryan's car pulled up with a loud honk, and Veer grabbed his jacket, heading out.** Suhana was already seated in the back, her eyes lighting up as Veer slid in beside her. He complimented her with a shy smile, noting how effortlessly radiant she looked tonight. The three drove to the club in high spirits, the anticipation buzzing between them.
Inside, the club's vibrant atmosphere enveloped them as Aryan greeted familiar faces and led them to a cozy spot where they could observe the crowd. Veer, though newer to this scene, managed to blend in easily. He mingled, laughing and chatting, his gaze occasionally shifting toward Suhana. Eventually, they found themselves sitting alone at a quiet corner table, a rare lull allowing them to talk uninterrupted.
Suhana began opening up, sharing stories from her life, her voice warm and unguarded. Veer mostly listened, captivated by her openness and intrigued by her perspective. Gradually, they grew more comfortable, and at one point, their hands intertwined naturally. Veer rested his hand lightly on her waist, and they shared a quiet, genuine smile. The moment was calm, intimate.
A sudden commotion broke their peaceful bubble—a scuffle erupted between two groups across the room, voices raised in anger, and bouncers rushed over to intervene. Veer and Suhana exchanged glances, their brief spell broken, as security escorted the groups out. The lively energy dimmed slightly as guests began to trickle out, sensing the party was winding down.
Aryan reappeared with a girl in tow whom Veer didn't recognize but decided not to ask about. Soon after, Suhana's phone rang—it was her mother calling, insisting she come home since it was nearing 12:30. She attempted to argue for a little more time, pointing out that Aryan was still out, but her mother remained firm. With a sigh, she said her goodbyes, promising Veer they'd meet soon.
With Suhana gone, Veer knew it was time to head out too. Aryan gave him a quick nod as he slipped away with his date, leaving Veer without a ride.
'WOW....well ,that's what happens when you found a girl and forget your friend.HuH.....maybe i would have done the same thing.No point on blaming a teenage kid.'
He decided to walk a bit, hoping to catch a taxi on the way. The cool night air was a welcome contrast to the club's warmth, and he strolled through the city streets, enjoying the quiet.
---
**As Veer turned a corner down a quieter street, he spotted two men from the club's earlier scuffle standing near an alley.** Their voices were low but laced with hostility, the argument spilling into the night. Veer considered walking past unnoticed, but their words caught his attention.
"How could you betray me?" the taller man hissed, his voice tight with rage. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out about your plan to collab with those other guys?"
The other man raised his hands defensively, barely able to stammer a response before the taller one pulled a gun, his hand trembling slightly as he aimed. Veer instinctively stepped back, hiding in the shadows, his heart racing as the argument reached its deadly climax. A gunshot shattered the silence, and the second man crumpled to the ground.
Veer's pulse quickened as he forced himself to stay calm, hoping to slip away unseen. But before he could take a step, the man with the gun turned, his gaze landing squarely on Veer.
For a moment, both stood frozen, the tension between them thick and unyielding.
As veer speak"I have not seen anything,I did not see anyone around here"as he saw his hands defensively in air to calm down the guy,so too not shoot veer.
The man's eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a low, steely voice. "Who are you, kid?"
Veer swallowed, his voice barely steady. "Veer… my name's Veer. And… I didn't see anything, alright?"
The man tilted his head, his expression darkening into a smirk. "Veer, huh?" He paused, looking Veer over with a cold, assessing gaze.
Veer took a shaky breath. "Look, you don't have to kill me. I'm nobody. I don't know you, and you don't know me.And if you kill one more guy ,the police have to use more force to find you and that is not good thing right?"
Arjun chuckled, the sound both amused and threatening. "Nobody, huh? Trying to talk your way out?" He cast a glance at the body lying on the ground, then back to Veer. "But just in case..."
Suddenly, The guy tossed something toward him. On reflex, Veer caught it, but his blood ran cold when he realized he was holding the gun. The guy's smirk widened as he said in a mocking tone, "That's the weapon I used. Now your fingerprints are all over it. Looks like you're MY partner in crime."
Fury flickered in Veer's eyes as he raised the gun, trying to turn the tables. But when he pulled the trigger, nothing happened—the gun was empty. Arjun let out a mocking laugh, pulling another loaded gun from his coat.
"Did you think I'd leave bullets in there for you?" he sneered. "Now, drop the gun like a good boy, or I'll put a bullet in your leg and let you explain it to the police. They'll be here soon—after all, that shot was pretty loud, wouldn't you say?"
Veer hesitated, trapped. Slowly, he let the gun slip from his grasp but veer can not accept it.'how can i win this low life thug...well he was good at making me join his crime....ahhh,veer think,after all this years watching movies at least find something to get out of the situation'
As he was about to throw the gun ,he notice a sewer nearby opened one and he suddenly thought as he spoke"you know what,the police will be here in a minute and if they catch me..no catch us,they will not found that i killed him and you created a lot of scene in the club so first suspect will be you.And as i mention you I am nobody,cause i did not know you at that time but now you know me so i will make one phone call and my father will kill you.'
The guy for a moment taken a back by the remark"huh..trying to buy a time but if i kill you who will tell you stupid father,and police think its a gang violence and you happens to be a member of it and died."
"ohhh.....do not worry....ha..you must know of the police,hmmmm...let me think,he was one of my fathers,one of pawn you know,hah..yes officer rana."
As soon as he heard the name the guy got chills on his back as the guy is famous for his corruption and powerful backing behind his back and he do not want to massed up.
"ohhh...you still have the gun in your hand so drop it and leave and i pretend i did not see you"
Veer looking the guy face found that his plan worked,he throw the gun in a sewer as it was very nasty and gross liquid in it as as you look at it its like a black lava is flowing in a jelly form,and as he throw it he told"ohh..what gun are you talking about"
The guy was angry but listening the police siren he decided to not to go for further in this matter as veer also started heading back."hey..what's your name,in case i got my name in it i have to tell my father for who was MY partner in crime"
the guy did not spoke at first and just said"Arjun"
Just before disappearing into the night, he glanced back, his smirk chilling. "We'll meet again soon, Arjun" he said, his voice a quiet threat. And with that, he vanished into the shadows.
And as soon veer left arjun lift up his jacket to the elbow and bend to his knees to get the gun"VEER...i will make sure you will pay for this"
---
Veer stumbled home, every sound around him amplified, every shadow a potential threat. By the time he reached his room and closed the door, his hands were still shaking. Dropping onto his bed, he struggled to steady his breathing, the fear and frustration settling like a weight on his chest. He lay in the dark, haunted by the night's events, unable to shake the feeling that he'd narrowly escaped something far darker than he could understand.