Volume 4 - A New Beginning
Chapter 29 - The Silence Before the (Q)!
Rasagi High was abuzz with the upcoming Club Together festival. While every student knew about the event, a long-winded speech by the principal was still mandatory. However, his speech focused less on the festival itself and more on nostalgic tales of his youth, leaving many students amused or bewildered.
Once the principal's speech ended, the students returned to their classrooms, and rumors about the festival began to spread like wildfire. One rumor stood out among the rest:
"If you hold the hand of the person you love during the fire ceremony, you're destined to be together forever."
Shyam had heard this rumor countless times during his years at Rasagi High, dismissing it as mere fantasy. Yet, this time, it felt different. There was a part of him—one he wasn't ready to admit—that wanted to believe it.
His thoughts lingered on Raitha. The way her laughter echoed in his mind, the way her presence brought him comfort, and the way she seemed to fit perfectly into his world—all of it made the idea of holding her hand during the fire ceremony seem like something he desperately wanted.
"Is this love?" Shyam wondered. He tried to push the thought away, chalking it up to the effects of growing up. With a firm shake of his head, he forced himself to focus on class as the teacher's voice droned on.
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Lunch Break
Shyam had a peculiar habit of eating lunch behind the school, a quiet spot away from the bustling cafeteria. Raitha, now used to this routine, went to meet him there. But to her surprise, the place was empty.
"Did he change his spot? He could've at least told me," Raitha thought, her frustration growing. She felt a pang of sadness mixed with irritation.
Unbeknownst to her, Shyam had headed straight to his clubroom after the bell rang. On the way, he bumped into Joy Raj, who was also heading there. The two decided to walk together.
The clubroom, hidden away in a less-traveled part of the school, looked more like the entrance to a dungeon than a creative space. With a sigh, they stepped inside.
The room was alive with quiet intensity. The other five club members were deeply engrossed in their work, polishing the final touches of their video editing project. The festival was only three days away, and though the project was nearly complete, the team wanted everything to be flawless.
Shyam quickly joined in, losing himself in the meticulous work. Hours flew by, and soon the bell signaled the end of the lunch break. With a quick, "See you later," the club members parted ways and headed back to class.
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After School
As the day ended, Raitha finally confronted Shyam.
"Hey, Shyam! Where did you eat lunch today? I looked for you everywhere!"
The question caught Shyam off guard, but he had anticipated Raitha's worry.
"Sorry, I didn't tell you," he said apologetically. "I was in our clubroom, working on the big project I told you about. I ate my lunch there too."
Hearing his explanation, Raitha's irritation melted away. They walked together, chatting about the club and the festival, until Ritika joined them, and the three headed home.
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The festival loomed closer, bringing excitement and unease. The air was charged with anticipation, but for Shyam, it was more than just a school event. There was a deeper silence within him, filled with questions he wasn't ready to answer.
THE SILENCE BEFORE THE (Q)! Part 1 (END)