|the naive rebel|
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xxxi| Past, Present and Future
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This chapter deals with constant change in timelines, nothing too serious just small glimpses.
It's truly a kind of filler and deals with no important stuff. Just some.

It was needed for the upcoming chapters!

Do tell me how you find the chapter!

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Third Person
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'And by that destiny to perform an act
Whereof what's past is prologue, what to come
In yours and my discharge.'

Let's talk about the Past.

A metamorphic word, changing its meaning as it glides from one person to other. Different percipience, contrasting memories yet what remains constant is its true meaning. Past means went by in time.

Every individual has its past, it can be jovial or can be regretful. However, the past is, it always manages to teach us something. As it is said,

Past is a bruise which heals but leaves its scar behind.

'Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here, but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back, memories bring back you.'

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TIME FRAME:
September'19, Mumbai
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"Pia, I am already here!" She winces, banging her head on the wooden table. Waiting in the food court is the last thing Inaayat likes. Tempted by the food's aroma but not being able to order, is something nobody would like.

"Pia...Pia...Ooo Piaa!" She starts singing trying to irritate her friend.

"Shush! I am in a trial room, girl. R.E.L.A.X." An irritated Pia whisper-yells back. Rolling her eyes, Inaayat huffs.

"Can I order coffee, please?"

"No. I can't trust you with food. You'll start with coffee and finish your three-course meal, all this while I'll be here, stuck in the trial room trying to pull these tight jeans over my ass. Now if you can please let me handle the case of these too pretty but too-tight jeans. I'll be there in 15 tops."

"Touchè," Inaayat replies playfully. Cutting the call she then scrolls through her social media, liking and sharing the memes she comes across.

'15 minute tops. She isn't going to be here for an hour now.'

Busying herself, she starts deciding her order looking at the various dining restaurants.

"Stop making such faces." She hears her friend's voice. Craning her neck, she finds Pia holding six shopping bags.

"Bought the entire store, or did you leave something for others." Inaayat taunts as Pia takes a seat in front.

"Ha ha ha, you wanted me to laugh?"

"Weren't you in the trial room?"

"I was but the jeans spoiled my mood. So I left the store and came here, instead."

"Thank God," Inaayat mutters under her breath.

"Thank Him later, now call Gaurangi and ask her about tonight's party's status." Pia reminds Inaayat and she stifles a yawn.

"I want to give it-." Ina slowly starts but before she can complete, Pia glares at her.

"You are not missing tonight's party. We are starting our senior year next week, you should attend the party." Pia announces.

Senior Year. A year, Inaayat is looking forth to. So excited yet nervous. Anticipating the happenings, the ups and falls. Her plan is set:

Studies, Exams, Outings, Adventurous trips.

An English Major, finally heading towards the completion of her academic course. Opening her way to the corporate world, working and writing and fulfilling her dreams.

Alas.

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TIME FRAME:
August'20, Pune
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The air between them had changed, unlike their past conversations, now the dynamic had modified. Blame it on their heartfelt conversation or the tapering distances between them.

Proving the quote about how 'Communication is the base of a relation.' Talking about their deepest fears and the horrendous memories arose the comfortability.

"Late. You are late." Ishaan whispered in her ears while Inaayat snickered in response.

Nikhil and Sameer stand around them discussing the sudden announcement by the principal. Mishti and Garima are scheduled to arrive at the campus by late evening. They had to urgently leave for Mishti's house when they heard that her father was hospitalised.

"Why do you think he called us?" Nikhil loudly voices. Ishaan simply shrugs whilst Sameer shares an awkward eye-lock with Inaayat.

Sameer has no idea of how the person standing radiating the utmost innocence is the Ishaan, his mother had mentioned before him, the previous night.

"No idea," Inaayat replies, subtly ignoring the questioning look Sameer's eyes held.

"Let's go and at least take our seats." They go and take their seats in the third row from the start.

Ishaan sneakily manages to sit next to Inaayat who is seated between the confused Sameer and the bear.

Inaayat lazily glances around trying to find the Principal or any teachers. But, only the students are present in the auditorium.

"How are your bruises?" Ishaan whispers.

"Resorting to whispering insults, huh?"

"I guess, can't leave a moment to taunt you over your oh-so-mind-blowing skills."

"I hate you." Inaayat narrows her eyes at him, punching his arm.

"As if." Comes his soft reply.

"Good Morning students." The voices echo as everyone has their gaze focussed at the stage where the principal stands confidently. His face has a soft kind smile, and he is helped by Prof. Sam.

"We are here to announce the upcoming event which is by far the most important and prestigious event organised by our college. We wish your complete co-operation and support as we arrange that event. You all are aware of how our college strives for better academic results, also focussing on the co-curricular fields. We strive for excellence and only excellence. Which paves the path for the event which involves the arrival of alumni of various other Engineering colleges. They will guide, help, hear and solve your queries about academics." He pauses.

"We know, how it becomes awkward and you feel uncomfortable to raise your issues in front of your teachers. These students will open that door for you, being of the same age group, it will help you to voice your opinions, worries and queries without the fear of being judged. The event is scheduled for next week and co-incidentally clashes with the festival of RakshaBandhan." The series of Oof's and sad sighs are heard in the auditorium.

"I know it makes it difficult for you all to celebrate it with your family, but as your Principal, I take the matter in my own hands. I will not permit any absence from the event. Any student, I repeat, if any student skips the event, they would be made to repeat the entire year, again. And it's my final decision. No other debates would be tolerated or heard." He announces. Stepping aside the professor takes his position.

"Dear Students, warm welcome. As our respective Principal has announced, no absence will be tolerated. The instruction has been passed to us by the trustee's committee. They are adamant about the event's success. It was very difficult for them to finally get the alumni students on board with this idea." He concludes.

Inaayat's shoulders slump as she closes her eyes, realising that she wouldn't be able to meet her sister during Rakhi.

She starts deducing a plan, working possible ways when she feels a light hit on her shoulder.

Raising her eyes, she meets Ishaan's worried gaze. He didn't know about her plans but he for sure has sensed the sudden change in her mood.

"What happened?" He questions softly.

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TIME FRAME:
September'19, Mumbai.
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"So Mr Oldie, how's your college-going, huh?" Kabir winks playfully at a very irritated Ishaan.

"Be my guest. You wouldn't be able to handle those students for even a day." Ishaan retorts.

"But jokes aside, Ish how's your search going?"

"I found clues and some connections but other than those, nothing concrete."

"When does the second-year start?"

"Next week. Bro, I am pretty sure, I'll be losing all my sane senses if I live with those confused students for one more year. I hope, I find the bastard soon and leave that hell hole."

"That desperate to leave college? Didn't find a good friend or should I say a good girlfriend?"

Ishaan responses with a hard glare, rendering Kabir tongue-tied.

"By the way, Saurabh's sister is throwing some grand party today. He invited us. Let's go."

"Nope. I ain't interested in partying today. We'll be leaving for Pune tomorrow, so better catch sleep instead of partying."

"And this is why I call you Oldy. I ain't going there alone-"

"So-"

"And I ain't skipping the party either."

"Fine." Ishaan gruffly spits the word.

Ishaan gears himself for the second year in a college which he hates to the core. He wants an exit but cannot leave before he finds the leader who is responsible for the death of his sister. His plan is clear- find the culprit, punish him and leave the college the very next second.

Who knew he'll receive an unasked partner who'll help him trade the path towards his goal.

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TIME FRAME:
August'20, Pune
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Ishaan has sensed her worry, though Inaayat doesn't answer his question then, she blinks her eyes in response. Promising that she'll share the cause of her worry, later.

And that's how their paths are laced together. Wounded together, and bound.

Ishaan and Inaayat had never thought of how they'll end up here. Inaayat, who was so confident in completing her senior year had to call a year of home-schooling while Ishaan who had wanted to leave the college with every passing second was now getting used to the place.

Maybe, with the support, they were stronger than before or maybe they had found a new motivation.

Inaayat had discovered the truth about the warden the previous night, which gave her a new light, a new ray of hope. It was now her goal to provide justice to all those weeping parents.

Ishaan was always the silent one. He hated sharing his past but with Inaayat it was different. It felt fluid-like, easy and flowing. He had unconsciously started trusting her and didn't even repent it.

As they move towards the important phase, their trust, hopes, determination and support are the only key to their lock of success.

If they want to find their respective culprits, they would be facing obstacles that would challenge them every second but...

What's a game without competition.

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HEYY! So, what are your thoughts?

So 'good things' planned for the event ;-)

oof

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to all those you liked the chapter, please do vote <3

till the next chapter,
keep dodging the bullets,
Love! Take Care'
ऊ.