When calmness Turned Into Rage
The next morning arrived much faster ...
Inside the Oberoi mansion, the dining room was filled with the pleasant aroma of breakfast.
Aarav came downstairs dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit. His hair was neatly styled, and his expression looked as serious as ever.
Janvi was already standing near the table, arranging the breakfast.
The moment she saw him, a warm smile appeared on her face.
"Good morning, beta. I already prepared your breakfast. Come eat it." Janvi said lovingly as she placed fresh parathas onto his plate.
"Morning, Mom. I also get hungry." Aarav replied calmly, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Janvi sat across from him and poured some juice into a glass.
"Your dad already left for the office before you wake up." she informed him casually.
Aarav looked up from his plate.
"So early? He usually goes to the office with me .But why did he go without me?" he asked with slight surprise.
Janvi nodded.
" He said something important came up. He needs to go now ." she replied thoughtfully.
Aarav took a sip of coffee.
"Hmm." he hummed quietly.
Janvi pushed the juice glass toward him.
"He also told me to tell you to reach before eleven thirty.. That's why i prepare everything before you get ready." she said seriously.
Aarav frowned slightly.
" But why?" he asked curiously.
" He said there might be a meeting . So you need to be there before 11:30 am." Janvi answered.
Aarav paused mid bite.
"Meeting? But dad didn't mention any meeting yesterday." he repeated in confusion.
"He said it was arranged this morning by Gupta Group." Janvi explained to her son.
Aarav immediately understood.
"Oh... Maybe dad forgot to tell me .." he muttered knowingly.
Janvi noticed the look on his face.
"You don't know about it?" she asked curiously.
"Not exactly , mom." Aarav replied calmly.
" But first tell me why do suddenly you look like you solved a mystery?" Janvi asked suspiciously.
Aarav smirked faintly.
"Because Gupta Group never arranges meetings without creating unnecessary drama first." he said dryly.
Janvi laughed.
"Just like someone else I know." she teased.
Aarav narrowed his eyes.
"Mom. I don't create unnecessary drama." he tried to explain himself.
Janvi grinned.
"What? I'm just saying." she replied innocently.
For a few minutes they continued eating in silence.
Janvi stared at him...Finally Janvi sighed dramatically.
"Aarav eats slowly . There is Enough time. You can reach your office before 11:30 am." she said.
Aarav rolled his eyes.
"Mom, I have work there. I need to go there .." he reminded her.
"Exactly.You always have work. You don't have time for your mom." Janvi replied immediately.
Aarav shook his head.
"Mom you know i love you most and you always have those stupid questions." he countered.
Janvi pointed at him.
"Because I am your mother, Aarav" she declared proudly.
" Is that an excuse?" Aarav asked to tease his mom.
Janvi gasped dramatically.
"Did you just insult your mom ? Don't forget if I made this for you !!" she said pretending to be hurt.
"Mom...you should get an audition for acting. I think you will get selected!!.."Aarav said while smiling..
"Look at him.I carried him for nine months and this is how he talks to me." Janvi said dramatically to an invisible audience.
Aarav pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You are impossible, mom. i can win against everyone but not you.." he said tiredly.
"I know. Because I am your mom"Janvi smiled victoriously.
Aarav stood up before she could continue.
"I'm leaving now before this turns into a full lecture." he said while grabbing his coat.
"Okay ,beta. Go safely.."Janvi chuckled
Aarav picked up his car keys from the table.Before leaving, his eyes automatically searched around the dining area.
The living room and The kitchen entrance.Meera was nowhere to be seen.
Janvi noticed immediately. A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
"Looking for someone?" she asked knowingly.
Aarav instantly looked away.
"No, mom. And please don't think too much ." he replied
"Okay, okay.Go to work now." Janvi laughed.
Aarav shook his head and walked toward the door.But just before stepping outside.. he looked for Meera ..
The innocent face she had made afterward.The way she had secretly enjoyed his reaction.
His eyes narrowed dangerously.A slow smirk appeared on his lips.
"Just wait, Meera... I will not let you go that easily what you did for last night.." he murmured under his breath.
And with that thought, Aarav walked out of the mansion...
In College campus:??????
___________________________
The morning classes had finally ended.
The campus was alive with energy.
Students filled every corner of the grounds.
Some walked around in groups.
Some laughed loudly with friends.
Others posed for pictures .
Near one of the garden pathways...
Meera and Veer walked side by side.
Both looked completely exhausted after sitting through several back..to..back lectures.
Veer suddenly stretched his arms dramatically and groaned.
"If one more professor take lecture today, I would've fainted right there in class." he complained miserably, throwing his head back.
Meera looked at him and burst into soft laughter.
"You're acting as if you actually pay attention during lectures." she teased, raising an amused eyebrow.
Veer immediately placed a hand over his heart.
"Wow...That hurts, Meera. Deeply." he said dramatically, pretending to be wounded.
Meera smirked proudly.
" You know , Veer .Truth hurts." she replied shamelessly.Veer narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"One day, I swear I'll expose all your secrets in front of everyone." he threatened playfully.
Meera folded her arms confidently.
"You don't know any big secrets about me.." she said with complete confidence.
Veer's face instantly lit up.
"Oh really?Should I remind you about the puppy rescue in horror movie ?" he asked smugly.
Meera froze.
Veer pointed at her dramatically.
"You cried in that movie and i took a video that time.." Veer said.
Meera gasped loudly.
"That does not count!" she protested defensively.
"It absolutely counts." Veer argued while laughing.
"There were injured puppies in that movie!" Meera complained.
"You were crying harder than the puppies. I took a video at the exact time. And i made a smart move " he said while praising himself.
"Veer...You are too much!!" Meera shouted at him.
Veer laughed even harder and he grinned proudly.
"Yet somehow, I'm still your favorite friend."he said.
Meera rolled her eyes.
"Who said you're my favorite?" Meera asked him.
"You were supposed to say thank me for being friends with you .Because I am special . You also know that..." He said.
Meera laughed.Then Veer looked over the ground.
Not far away, a graduation ceremony was taking place.Students wearing black graduation gowns were taking pictures and celebrating one of the happiest days of their lives.
Veer glanced toward the crowd.
"Meera..." he called curiously, squinting into the distance.
"Hmm?" Meera replied while checking her phone.
Veer pointed toward the graduation area.
"Isn't Omkar and his friends over there?Their master degree is probably finished maybe." he said thoughtfully.
Meera followed his gaze.
Her eyes searched through the crowd.
"Yeah..But I don't see Omkar anywhere." she replied softly.Then she frowned slightly.
She pointed toward a group standing near the stage and said "Look. His friends are there."
Veer nodded.
"Maybe he's busy taking his five hundredth picture of the day." he joked.
Meera laughed.
"That actually sounds exactly like him." Meera agreed with Veer.
"He probably has twenty different poses prepared already.And a speech ready for Instagram." Veer joked about him again.
Both laughed.
For a few moments they simply watched the celebrations around them.
Suddenly..
A group of excited graduates came running past while taking selfies.
One student accidentally bumped into Veer.
Veer's eyes widened.
"Whoa..!"His balance disappeared instantly.
The next second..
THUD.
He landed directly on a nearby bench.
Meera stared at him.Then she completely lost the control of her laughing it.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" she laughed loudly, holding her stomach.
Veer looked absolutely offended.
"Your friend just fell on ground and you're laughing?" he complained dramatically.
Meera pointed at him while laughing harder.
"You didn't even fall on the ground!You landed on a bench!" Meera said while laughing.
"It was a dangerous attack." He argued Meera
"By gravity?" Meera asked between laughs.
"I hope a bird steals your lunch and you get hungry all day .."Veer glared at her.
Meera immediately stopped laughing.
Her expression became serious.
"Don't joke about food." she warned firmly.
Meera grabbed his arm and helped him stand up.
"Are you okay?" she asked, still trying not to laugh.
"No. My dignity is gone."Veer dusted off his clothes dramatically.
Then Meera suddenly held her stomach.A miserable expression appeared on her face.
"I haven't eaten anything since morning." she groaned pitifully.
Veer instantly understood everything.
His face lit up with realization.
"Ohhhh. That's why!!" he said knowingly.
"What why?" Meera asked him.
"That explains why you've been grumpy all day." veer said to him.
"I am not grumpy."Meera's eyes widened.
"You are." Veer argued with her.
"I am not." Meera argued back to him
"You absolutely are." Veer said to make her more angry.
Meera slowly turned toward him.
Her dangerous glare made Veer immediately raise both hands.
"Okay okay!Don't murder me." he surrendered dramatically.
Meera tried her best to stay angry.
She really tried.But eventually a smile escaped.
Veer pointed triumphantly.
"There!The smile! It always suits you most " Veer said to Meera while smiling.
"Shut up , Veer !! You always talk nonsense!!"Meera groaned.
" It means. I won this time." Veer said.
"You didn't win anything." Meera argued back again.
"I won the argument." Veer answered.
Meera grabbed a handful of grass.
Veer immediately stepped back.
"Okay! Fine! You win!" he said nervously.
"Smart choice."Meera laughed again.
"Let's go to the canteen. Or i will be killed any time by you!!"Veer sighed dramatically.
At the mention of food, Meera's eyes instantly brightened.
Veer noticed.
"There she is.The real Meera." he laughed.
Meera ignored him.Veer pointed toward the large grass field.
"You wait here.I'll bring food for both of us." Veer said.
Meera looked at him hopefully.
"Cold coffee and pastry?" she asked exactly..
Veer looked annoyed and stared at her in disbelief.
"Am I your friend or your wallet?" Veer asked Meera.
" Please you are my favourite friend, right? Can you bring both for me??."Meera asked and smiled innocently.
" Now i am your favourite friend? But don't you say iam not your favourite friend sometimes ago? Veer asked her.
" That was past . But in present you are my favourite friend now!! Now please bring it. " Meera requested him with her innocent eyes.
"I regret this friendship every single day."Veer shook his head helplessly.
Meera smiled warmly.Veer pointed a warning finger at her.
"Stay here. I will bring it . And don't get into trouble." Veer said.
Veer finally walked toward the canteen.
Meanwhile...
Meera sat down comfortably on the soft grass. A cool breeze brushed through her hair.
She felt completely relaxed.
The sounds of laughter, music, and celebration echoed around the campus.
She unlocked her phone and opened her chat with Ruchika.
A small smile appeared on her face as she read the ridiculous messages.
Ruchika was arguing about which professor looked most likely to become a secret villain for their exam.
Meera was typing a reply when...
Suddenly..
Meera's phone vanished from her hand and she blinked.
Her brain completely stopped working.
"...What the hell!!"She stared at her now empty hand.
Then her eyes widened.Her heart jumped in surprise.She immediately looked up.
And froze.
The moment her eyes landed on the people standing in front of her, her expression darkened.
Tiya.Virat.Anika.Viki.
All four of them stood there wearing their graduation gowns, their faces covered with smug smiles.
The kind of smiles that always meant trouble.A bad feeling settled heavily in Meera's stomach.
"Tiya...Give my phone back." Meera said irritably, narrowing her eyes at her. Her voice already carried a warning.
Tiya completely ignored the seriousness in her tone.
Instead, she examined the phone dramatically from every angle as if she were inspecting some priceless treasure.
"Oh...Our sweet, innocent Meera wants her phone back." she drawled, a mocking smile spreading across her face.
The others burst into laughter.
Meera's jaw tightened.
This wasn't funny.Not to her.
She slowly stood up from the bench.
"Please stop this. I didn't do anything to you now. Please give my phone back." she said firmly, trying to stay calm despite the irritation building inside her chest.
For a moment, she hoped they would simply return it.But Tiya only rolled her eyes.
Then suddenly..
" If you want this then catch!"She tossed the phone into the air.
Viki caught it effortlessly.
The group laughed louder.Meera's heart skipped a beat.She immediately rushed toward him.
"Viki, give it back. Why are you guys doing this to me." she said anxiously, extending her hand.
"Because we enjoyed it."Viki smirked.
Before Meera could grab it, he threw the phone toward Anika.
Anika caught it easily.
The group erupted into laughter again.Meera felt humiliation burning through her body.
People nearby had started looking at them.
Some students were whispering.
Some were watching.But nobody was helping.
"Please...Just give me my phone." Meera said again, her voice softer this time.
Anika lifted the phone high above her head.
"Aww guys.. i think we should listen to her."she cooed dramatically, pretending to feel sorry.
The others laughed again.
Meera jumped slightly, trying to grab it.But she was shorter than Anika.
She couldn't reach.Before she could try again..Anika tossed the phone toward Virat.
Virat caught it with one hand.
"Meera... Meera...Why are you so nervous?" he said while shaking his head dramatically.
His eyes sparkled with amusement.
As if her distress was entertaining.
Then he held the phone out in front of her.
"If you want it back so badly...Take it. We are not stopping you." Virat said.
He extended his arm.
Relief flashed across Meera's face.
She immediately reached for it.
But at the very last second...Virat pulled it away.
The entire group exploded into laughter.
Meera froze.Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.Her hands slowly curled into fists.
"Please stop.I don't have another phone like you guys. Please it's important to me." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
She swallowed hard.
For a brief moment, she hoped someone would feel guilty.
But nobody did.
Instead..
"Oh...Poor Meera doesn't have money.So sad, right?"Anika laughed loudly.
She looked at Meera from head to toe and she turned toward Tiya.
"So sad."Tiya nodded dramatically.
The group laughed once more.
Every laugh felt like a slap.
Meera felt her eyes sting.But she refused to cry.
Not in front of them.Not again.
"Enough!"She finally shouted.
Her voice echoed louder than she expected.Several nearby students turned toward them.
"What do you think of yourself? Just because you have money doesn't mean you can do anything with me. Now give my phone back!" She shouted at them.
Virat's smile slowly disappeared.He stepped closer.
"Or what , Meera?" he asked coldly.
"Will you complain about us?Do you really think anyone will do anything?"His voice dripped with mockery.
The words shattered the last bit of patience she had left.
Something inside Meera snapped.
Without thinking..
She shoved him.Virat stumbled backward.
Then he lost balance completely and crashed onto the ground.
The laughter stopped instantly.
Everyone froze.
Even the students watching nearby looked shocked.
For a second, nobody moved.
Meera herself looked surprised by what she had done.
She quickly snatched her phone from Virat's hand.
Tiya stared in disbelief.Anika's mouth fell open.Even Virat looked stunned.
They don't think girls like her can do this to them.
Then...
"Do you really dare to push him?!"Viki's face darkened with anger.
Before Meera could react.He grabbed her hair from behind.
"Aah!"A cry escaped Meera's lips.
"Leave me!You're hurting me!" she cried, struggling desperately.
But Viki didn't let go.Virat slowly stood up.
His expression had turned ugly.
He marched toward her.
Then forcefully snatched the phone from her hand again.
Meera's eyes widened.
"No.. please give me back." Meera said.
"You want this so badly, right?And you pushed me for this?" Virat hissed through clenched teeth.
His chest rose and fell with anger.
"Please, Virat...Don't. It's important for me."Tears instantly filled Meera's eyes.
Her voice cracked.But he wasn't listening.His pride had been hurt.
And now he wanted to hurt her ...
Then..
SMASH!
Virat threw the phone onto the pavement with all his strength.
The screen shattered instantly.Pieces of glass scattered across the ground.
Everything went silent.
Meera froze.Her breathing stopped.
Her heart dropped.
For a moment, she couldn't even move.
"No..No..." The word came out as a whisper.
Her eyes remained fixed on the broken phone lying on the pavement.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
That phone wasn't just a phone.
It was all she had.
And now it was destroyed.
The group started laughing again.
Anika clapped mockingly.
"Oops." A cruel smile appeared on her face.
"What a shame."Tiya crossed her arms.
Her voice was full of fake sympathy.
Meera stood there silently.
Tears streamed down her face.
She felt helpless again.
And at that exact moment..
Veer returned carrying two cups of tea and a paper bag filled with rolls.
A smile was on his face as he walked back toward her.
But the moment he saw Meera crying...
The broken phone on the ground...
And Viki is still holding her hair...
The smile vanished completely.
Every muscle in his body tensed.
The coffee cups nearly slipped from his hands. Coffee splashed across the ground.
Veer's eyes widened in disbelief.
Then rage exploded inside him.
Without thinking...
Veer ran. His heart pounded violently in his chest.
"Leave her alone!"His voice thundered across the area.
Before Viki could react.Veer shoved him away from Meera
Viki stumbled backward several steps.
His grip on Meera's hair loosened instantly.
Meera gasped. The moment she was free, she rushed toward Veer and hugged him
Her entire body was trembling.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
"Veer..."Everything mixed together.
Her voice broke.
Veer's anger instantly softened when he looked at her. He gently held her shoulders.
"It's okay.It's okay Meera . Iam here now. They can't do anything now.You don't have to be scared." His voice became surprisingly gentle.
As if he was trying to calm a frightened child.
He wiped away a tear rolling down her cheek. Meera's lips trembled.
Then Veer slowly turned around.
His expression changed instantly.
The softness disappeared.Only anger remained.
"Why are you doing this? What she did now that you guys break her phone!"His eyes locked onto the group.
"Did hurting her make you feel powerful?"He pointed toward the broken phone lying on the ground.
The group remained silent.
Then..
Viki smirked.And punched Veer hard.
The punch landed directly on Veer's face.
The impact echoed loudly.Veer's head snapped to the side.He stumbled backward.
Pain shot through his jaw.
"VEER!"Meera screamed.
She immediately tried running toward him.But before she could reach him..
Tiya grabbed one of her arms.
Anika grabbed the other.
"No!Let me go!" Meera struggled instantly.
Tears streamed down her face.She tried pulling herself free.But they held her tightly.
"If you want to hurt someone, then hurt me!But don't hurt him! He doesn't do anything to you "She cried harder.
The sight of Veer getting hit because of her was unbearable.Tiya tightened her grip.
"Too late. You friend darye come between this. Now he has suffered this." Tiya said.
"Your dear friend should have stayed out of this.He wanted to be a hero.Now he can suffer the"Anika smirked.
She looked toward Veer mockingly.
"Shut up!This is my fault!Leave him alone!" Meera shouted.
Her eyes burned with anger and tears.
She struggled desperately.
But nobody listened to her.Viki stepped toward Veer again.He grabbed Veer's collar aggressively. Lifting him halfway up.
"You stupid idiot!You think you can push us around? Now you regret it!""
Viki shouted directly into his face again.
Then...
Another punch.Harder than before.
The blow landed across Veer's cheek.
Veer lost balance completely.
He crashed onto the ground.
A painful groan escaped his lips.
Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"STOP!Please stop!Please!"Meera's heart stopped. She screamed so loudly that several students nearby flinched.
Tears poured down her face uncontrollably.She couldn't breathe properly anymore.
Every punch felt like it was landing on her instead.Veer slowly pushed himself up.
His vision blurred.His jaw ached.
Meera sobbed.The guilt inside her chest became unbearable.
Then suddenly...
"What are you doing?!"A sharp voice echoed across the area.
The voice was loud.
Everyone froze instantly.The voice had come from behind them.
A voice everyone recognised and carried authority on campus.