The Hearts at the Edge of Forever

Chapter 4 : First Meet

"So, everyone is here?" she asked, directing the question to one of the girls in the room. The girl nodded eagerly, confirming the gathering was complete. I could feel the air shift a little, as if something was about to happen.

She looked around the room, her eyes scanning the freshers before she coldly spat out, "You must know me, and if you don't, just ask anyone in the hostel to find out." Her tone was sharp, as if daring anyone to question her authority. The atmosphere in the room grew tense, and I could feel everyone bracing for what was coming next.

She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in before continuing, "I think you have an idea of why you were called here. So, Me Janvi as in your senior in this hostel, will be leading the ragging. Don't worry, it won't be that harsh-it's just to make you tough and build up your confidence, that's all." Her voice softened slightly, but there was still an edge to it. "You'll have to do a few things and follow some orders," she added, then turned to signal a girl standing beside her. "Meher's going to explain what you need to do and what rules you have to follow."

Meher stepped forward, her tone firm as she began listing the rules and tasks we were required to follow. Each one seemed trivial at first-simple things like keeping our rooms spotless, following a curfew, and showing respect to the seniors. But as she continued, the gravity of the situation began to sink in. She made it clear that if any of us failed to complete the tasks or broke the rules, there would be punishment-not just for the individual, but for all of us. The room grew quieter, the weight of her words hanging in the air. We all exchanged uncertain glances, realizing that we had no choice but to comply.

As Meher continued, she added another condition that stunned me. "You all also have to pay for the freshers' party in the hostel. 5000 each student," she said matter-of-factly. The moment those words hit me, I couldn't help but feel a rush of disbelief. "Isn't it usually the seniors who pay for the freshers' party?" I thought to myself. The room immediately filled with murmurs of confusion and frustration. One by one, people began speaking up, saying, "This is wrong!" The atmosphere shifted from tense silence to a collective sense of injustice. We were all in shock, trying to process what was being asked of us.

"Shut up!" Janvi suddenly shouted, her voice sharp and commanding. The room fell silent in an instant, the tension thick in the air. Everyone froze, and I could feel the weight of her anger as she glared around the room. It was clear she wasn't about to tolerate any more complaints or objections.

"It's a rule, and you have to follow it," Janvi continued, her voice cold and unwavering. "We all followed this rule, so now it's your turn." She glanced around the room, watching for any signs of resistance. "If you can't give the full 5000 right away, you can pay it in EMI over three months." Her words felt final, leaving no room for negotiation. The pressure mounted, and the room became uncomfortably quiet, everyone processing the weight of this new demand.

"You can leave now, but line up one by one," Janvi instructed, her tone brooking no argument. "You know the rule." One by one, everyone began to file out of the room, the tension still hanging in the air. As Kratika passed by, she leaned in and whispered in my ear, "In my room." I nodded in response, understanding what she meant. As the last of the freshers left, I followed Kratika, silently wondering what she had in store to explain everything that had just happened.

I entered Kratika's room, and she signaled for me to sit on her bed. I moved over and sat down, looking around the room. It was cozy and neatly arranged, with a comfortable vibe that made me feel at ease. The soft lighting and familiar surroundings gave it a welcoming atmosphere, a sharp contrast to the tension we had just left behind.

Kratika sat down across from me, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. "She was so rude and arrogant," she said, her voice lower, almost like she was trying to process it herself. "Same as her friends." Her words hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of the situation setting in.