UNIVERSITY ARC
The sun had just risen, casting a golden glow over the city. The police were methodically combing through the scene, interrogating witnesses and searching for any evidence that might lead them to the culprits. But they found nothing. Every trace had been meticulously erased, leaving them with no leads to pursue. This meant we were safe—for now.
Geetha, on the other hand, was far from stable. When she finally woke up, she was overwhelmed with terror. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on her, and she couldn't keep the truth from her parents any longer. She confessed everything. But even as they listened, there was nothing her parents could do to change what had already happened. From that moment on, they kept her under strict house arrest, not allowing her to step outside.
We didn't know much about what happened to Geetha after the incident. All we had were fragments of information, rumours that floated around but nothing concrete.
A week later, Raksha called me. I was in the middle of something important but decided to pick up. Her voice, usually calm, had a hint of urgency.
|"Brother, Geetha's condition is worsening. Can you help her?"|
|"Look, Raksha. This isn't my responsibility. Don't get me wrong—we saved her because I didn't want to witness her death. That's all. Don't start thinking I'm some kind of hero."|
|"No, brother, that's not what I meant. Please, just listen to me. She—"|
|"Enough, Raksha. This is her problem, not ours. If we step in now, she'll never learn. She needs to come to terms with her actions, to understand the gravity of her mistakes. Giving her a way out every time won't help. She has to face the consequences."|
|"But, brother—"|
I interrupted, more firmly this time.
|"Raksha, You have your duties. Stick to them. We're not here to coddle her. If she's ever going to grow, she needs to experience this pain, to understand why her life turned upside down. Don't call me about this again."|
As I hung up, I felt a pang of guilt. I wasn't heartless; I knew how difficult things were for Geetha. But sometimes, the hardest lessons are the most valuable. She needed to realize that her actions had consequences, and until she did, I would keep my distance.
A few days later, my friends and I were gathered, discussing our upcoming exams. Ramu, as usual, was struggling with a particular problem and turned to Keshava for help.
|"Ramu, are you serious? I've explained this to you twice already. If you still don't get it, ask Manoj. I'm done."|
|"Manoj, I'm lost. Our lecturer explains it better than Keshava. Can you help?"|
Keshava, clearly annoyed, retorted.
|"It's your own fault, Ramu! Why blame me?"|
Their bickering was amusing, but it was getting out of hand. I decided to step in before it escalated.
|"Alright, alright, enough, you two. Ramu, I'll help you out. Just pay attention this time, okay?"|
|"Thanks, Manoj. You're a true friend."|
Keshava, however, wasn't ready to let it go. |"You idiot! If I catch you, you're dead! Why ask me if you don't listen?"|
Ramu, sensing danger, darted off with Keshava hot on his heels. Suresh and I couldn't help but laugh at the spectacle. It was moments like these that reminded me how tight-knit our group was.
The fun was interrupted when Keshava received a call. His expression softened as he spoke—it was Keerthi, his girlfriend. Although we had been at this university for over a year, none of us had met her. Keshava kept his relationship private, which only fueled our curiosity.
After finishing the call, Keshava turned to us.
|"Guys, Keerthi's inviting us to lunch. You all have to come—it's important to her."|
I raised an eyebrow.
|"So that's what this is about. Alright, Keshava, I'll be there."|
I was eager to meet Keerthi, but not just because she was Keshava's girlfriend. There were two compelling reasons. First, their love story was something out of a movie. They had been together since school, separated when her father got transferred, and reconnected after five long years. Despite their time apart, they managed to rekindle their relationship. I admired their perseverance.
Second, I recently discovered that Keerthi's father held a prominent position in one of the world's top 10 textile companies—a company that just so happened to be a major branch of my own family's business. He was undoubtedly a talented individual, someone I could learn from or at least connect with. This unexpected connection made the upcoming lunch all the more intriguing.
It was also my first time interacting with someone linked to our company in such a personal setting. I wanted to make a good impression, not as the heir to a business empire, but as just Manoj, a friend of Keshava. Meeting Keerthi was a step towards understanding a different side of life, one where relationships and professional ties could blend seamlessly.
As we made plans for lunch, my thoughts drifted back to Geetha. What exactly had she done to provoke the gang boss so much? Was it truly her fault? If it was, I could find a way to forgive him. But if he was the one in the wrong, I wouldn't let it go, no matter how long it took.