His Arms, Her Silence

She collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Rudra: “JI!! JI!! JIYA!!”

Rudra sprinted across the path as fast as his legs could carry him. His heart thundered as he dropped to his knees beside her.

He cupped her face, his voice trembling.

Rudra: “Jiya... hey, stay with me, okay?”

Seeing she had blacked out, he moved without hesitation. One arm slid gently beneath her knees, the other behind her back, cradling her like she was made of glass. He lifted her close to his chest, shielding her.

Then he looked up—and saw the man.

His jaw tightened.

His eyes darkened—empty, soulless, murderous.

He glared at the man like he could burn holes through him. For a moment, Rudra looked like something unearthly... something dangerous.

But then, he turned his focus back to her.

He laid her carefully on a bench nearby, loos ing her hoodie to let her breathe more freely. He stayed by her side, refusing to move even an inch. Gently, he brushed her hair from her cheeks, fingers trembling, and rubbed his fingers across the scar chanting something.

Minutes passed. Ten... twenty... nearly thirty.

And then—finally—she stirred.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting the worried storm in his.

She slowly opened her eyes, the world around her blurry and dreamlike. As her vision cleared, the first thing she saw was Rudra—hovering above her, his face peaceful in the soft light.

She realized she was resting on his lap.

His eyes were closed, his glasses missing, and a few strands of his messy, long hair brushed across his face, catching the evening light. He looked... breathtaking. So unguarded, so real.

She couldn't help but keep looking.

Then, as if sensing her gaze, Rudra stirred. His eyes fluttered open—and the moment he saw her awake, the stress in his expression melted into visible relief.

Rudra: “Jiya! You’re awake! How are you feeling now? Are you alright? What happened to you? How did you fall?”

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He gently waved his hand in front of her, checking if she was truly conscious.

Jiya blinked, a little dazed. She slowly sat up on the bench, still feeling the rush of everything that had just happened.

Jiya: “I... I don’t know. What did you just say?”

Rudra: “No worries. Just... here, pass me my glasses.”

She reached beside her and handed them to him.

He put them on, then looked at her with a raised eyebrow and a faint, teasing smirk.

Rudra: “Were you just staring at me?”

Her cheeks turned slightly pink. She quickly looked away and shook her head.

Jiya: “No... I wasn’t. Don’t assume things.”

He chuckled under his breath.

Jiya: “Wait—how did I get here? I was standing at the gate...”

Rudra: “You fainted. Scared the hell out of me. Are you sure you’re feeling okay now?”

She nodded faintly, still unsettled.

Rudra: “Stay right here. Don’t move. I’ll bring you some water.”

She grabs Rudra's arm and pulls him back to the sit.

That’s when she noticed it.

A tattoo on his left arm.

Not just any tattoo…

It looked like an ancient symbol—circular, with fine lines weaving through it like constellations.

He pulled his arm away and quickly covered it, eyes avoiding hers.

Rudra: "What happened?"

Jiya (softly): "I... just want to go to my dorm. Can you come with me?"

His brows lifted in surprise. There was something different in her voice — uncertain, distant. Still, without a word, he walked her there and left her at the entrance.

Later at night.

In the dimly lit girls' dorm, everyone was fast asleep.

Except Jiya.

Sitting at her desk under a single warm bulb, she scribbled hastily in her notebook — her mind racing faster than her pen.

Jiya (whispering to herself):

"Should I visit the university office? Tonight?"

Suddenly—

Whoooosh...

A gust of wind swept past her window.

Out in the distance, a boy on a cycle tore across the campus towards the basketball court. The moonlight caught the gleam of a large, sharp knife strapped to his back. His eyes — unnaturally pale, darkened around the sockets — glowed faintly white as he pedalled furiously.

Wrapped in her jacket, Jiya crept through the silent corridors, avoiding every camera, every creak.

The university office loomed ahead.

The gate... was open.

She froze.

Her eyes landed on the document room door, the one that had been tightly sealed with multiple locks last time.

Jiya (murmuring):

"This is strange... Last time I came here with Fa, this door was locked—completely off-limits. She even said students weren’t allowed here. Why is it... open now?"

Taking a cautious breath, she stepped inside.

The room was surprisingly bright, clean, and almost too well-maintained — a stark contrast to its eerie secrecy.

She began scanning shelves, drawers, and files. Her hand paused over a stack scattered on the floor.

She picked them up, her eyes narrowing.

A file with Tina’s photo — her face was scratched out.

Then Sneha’s — also scribbled.

Next was Noa — marked in thick ink.

She flipped to the rankings list:

* 1st: Tina

* 3rd: Sneha

* 6th: Noa

* 10th: Surya

* 15th: Jane

Suddenly—

Tap... tap...

Footsteps.

Jiya’s breath hitched. She dropped the files and dove behind the couch, heart pounding.