UNIVERSITY ARC
When she saved me, I could hardly believe it was happening. The woman who had once been my protector was back, and her timing was nothing short of miraculous.
|"Hi, brother! How have you been? It's been a whole year since we last met."|
Her voice carried a familiar blend of warmth and teasing that instantly put me at ease.
She laughed with a confidence that seemed to radiate from her, making it clear that she was in control of the situation.
she quipped, her smile revealing both amusement and doubt.
|"You actually care about me? I find that hard to believe."|
I could tell she still didn't fully trust my intentions. Her eyes, sharp and observant, had seen too much to be easily swayed by simple words.
|"No, really," I insisted, hoping to convince her. "By the way, you've grown taller since then, haven't you?"|
My attempt at humor only seemed to irritate her slightly, but before I could say anything more, I realized I hadn't properly introduced her. This was Raksha—the one who used to be my bodyguard. Yes, that's right, she was my protector. Given her age, it was hard to believe, and I often wondered how she managed to safeguard me from the dangers lurking in the shadows.
Raksha was no ordinary guardian. Despite her youth, she possessed an extraordinary set of skills. Officially, she was a martial arts master, but her true expertise lay in something much darker. She was a trained assassin, skilled in ways that made her both a lethal weapon and an enigma.
It still felt surreal to think that at just 17, she had been assigned as my bodyguard. The thought of someone so young calling me "sir" was unsettling, to say the least. Yet, despite her age, Raksha was fiercely dedicated to her duty, showing a level of commitment that made me both admire and fear her.
The reason I needed a bodyguard in the first place was due to our family's strict rules. But as time passed, our relationship evolved. Raksha became more than just a protector; she became like a sister to me. She always had my back, even if she didn't always stay in touch. I tried not to read too much into her long absences, chalking it up to her work.
But my doubts grew, and finally, I had to ask her. said, trying to keep my voice casual.
|"Hey, can I ask you something? Where were you this past year? You didn't contact me even once. I think somone will come to save me instead of you."|
Her expression changed subtly, a hint of hesitation creeping in.
|"Sorry, brother. I had some personal matters to take care of. But don't worry, I made sure someone was keeping a close eye on you. She left just a few days ago. I forgot to ask—how have you been? If there's been any trouble, or if there are troublemakers, she would have told me, right? If not, I'll have a word with her about not informing me."|
In truth, there were bullies at college who bothered me daily as it was their full-time job. But I had made sure her contact didn't mention it to Raksha. If she had known, Raksha would have dealt with them personally—and that would not have ended well for them.
I lied, hoping to keep the peace.
|"No, no, there's no one like that. You can trust me."|
Raksha rarely spoke to me in public. She had a knack for staying hidden, always watching from a distance. It was almost hard to say how she could disappear even in a crowded space. I never knew where her hideouts were, but she always seemed to be around when I needed her most.
Before I could dwell on it, Raksha interrupted my thoughts.
|"Don't worry. It's been a year since you joined this university, and that's when I left. But from today onwards, I'll be sticking with you, even in your classes."
She declared, her tone leaving no room for argument.
What?! Was she joking? Oh, God. If Raksha started attending my classes, trouble was bound to follow. I needed to think fast.
I protested, trying to find a way out.
|"Hey, Raksha! How can you be with me all the time? That's not possible."|
She just laughed, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
|"Oh, my foolish brother. Your dad gave me permission. Haven't you forgotten? This university is your domain. You can do whatever you like."|
This girl was insane. Forget it. But honestly, I worried about her. Raksha's patience level was practically non-existent, and I had no idea how I was going to manage her.
After our little chat, I offered to arrange a new room for her, but she refused. She insisted on staying with me in my room.
|"Raksha, it won't be comfortable for you. It's a boys' hostel. Listen to me and stay here."|
But she disagreed, tears welling up in her eyes as she put on a dramatic show. She could be such a drama queen. In the end, I had no choice but to give in. The problem was, my room was already shared with three friends, including Ramu—a guy who loved girls but didn't stand a chance with Raksha. Knowing her, he'd lose interest within an hour, if not sooner.
What was I supposed to do? There were no other options. So, Raksha and I headed to my room together.
When we entered, my friends were just getting ready to have dinner. They were stunned by her sudden appearance. After we all sat down, I introduced her to everyone.
Ramu, of course, couldn't help but gush over her. He exclaimed, clearly smitten.
|"Manoj, you have a sister? She's so cute and beautiful. Just look at that glow on her face!"|
I gave him a light smack on the head.
|"Hey, watch it. That's my sister you're talking about."|
Raksha, ever the charmer, walked over and sat beside him.
|"Hi, I'm Manoj's sweet sister, Raksha. What's your name, brother?"|
She asked with a grin.
The whole room burst into laughter. Ramu, clearly embarrassed, tried to find better words to impress her.
|"Brother? I'm not that old. I'm only 20. Just call me Ramu, please."|
|"Haha, okay, cool, Ramu. I was just kidding."|
The conversation flowed easily after that. My friends were immediately drawn to her, and she quickly became the center of attention. Later, she revealed that she had transferred to our university as a student. Of course, I knew the truth—those were fake documents, arranged by someone at my mother's request. According to those papers, Raksha was now officially 20 years old. I told my friends she was my twin sister, a story that conveniently explained her age.
The next morning, I woke up to the smell of food. Raksha had already prepared breakfast, and my friends were happily devouring her cooking. She had a real talent for it, and everyone was full of compliments for her culinary skills. The atmosphere was lively, with her joking around and keeping everyone entertained.
After breakfast, we all headed to college together. But as we approached the gate, I noticed something strange. Raksha's demeanor seemed to change, and for a moment, it was as if a dark cloud hung over her.
My imagination ran wild. I pictured her exuding an intense energy, almost as if a storm was brewing within her. The sky seemed to darken, with ominous clouds gathering above us, casting shadows over the campus. It felt surreal, as if her very presence was altering the atmosphere. In that moment, it was like seeing a ghost, ready to strike. I shivered at the thought. Oh, God, please save me from this devil.
Only I could see this side of Raksha. How was I supposed to manage her? How many lives might be in jeopardy with her around? I laughed nervously to myself. We'd just have to wait and see.