"Why are you always smiling at me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with curiosity and a hint of frustration.
He chuckled softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Because," he said, taking a step closer, "you're the only thing worth...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I reached the hostel ground, where a crowd had already gathered, though a few were still making their way. As I scanned the area, my eyes landed on Nikita, who was waving eagerly, gesturing for me to come over. A small smile tugged at my lips as I made my way to her side.
"Hi," I greeted.
"Hello," she replied with a casual smile.
Curiosity sparked in me as I asked, "Why did they call us here?"
She shrugged. "I don't know."
I nodded, just as the warden stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping across the gathering.
"Has everyone arrived?" she asked, her tone firm.
One of the girls spoke up, "No, Ma'am, a few are still on their way."
The warden gave a small nod, her expression unreadable, as we waited in anticipation.
When everyone had gathered, the warden's sharp voice cut through the air.
"So, I have called you all here to give you a final warning. Even after repeated cautions, some of you are still sneaking around and ragging juniors. I have the names of those involved, but I won't call them out here. You know who you are. If you have any sense left, step forward on your own. Otherwise, be ready to face suspension for a minimum of one month. I will personally report you to your dean. You all remember what happened last year, yet some of you refuse to learn."
Her piercing gaze scanned the crowd, the weight of her words settling heavily on all of us.
"This is my last warning. The next punishment won't be as easy as you think. Got it, everyone?"
Silence. No one dared to speak.
Her voice turned sharper, angrier. "Got it or not?"
A chorus of hurried nods and quiet voices echoed, "Yes, Ma'am."
She exhaled sharply. "Good. Now, go back to your rooms."
With that, she turned on her heels and walked away. The moment she was out of sight, a collective sigh of relief swept through us. I turned to Nikita, who met my gaze with an exasperated look.
"Let's go to the room," she muttered, and I nodded.
Back in the room, I made my way to my bed, pulling out the hot water machine. As I poured water, I noticed Nikita rummaging through her things.
"Want some coffee?" I asked.
She sighed. "Yes, yaar. I really need it after this hectic day."
I made two cups, handing one to her before settling on my bed. As I took the first sip, the warmth of the coffee spread through me, easing the tension of the evening.
"Why was the warden warning us?" Nikita suddenly asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
I turned to her, a little surprised. "You don't know?"
