In Kanyakumari...

The dark clouds slowly covered the sky as the cool breeze flowed through the classroom.

Akshay:

"Students, it looks like it's going to rain heavily. We'll end the class here for today. Don't waste time-go home safely."

"Thank you, sir!" the students said happily before rushing out of the classroom.

Akshay stood near the window, watching the raindrops fall one by one.

A strange feeling crossed his mind.

"Why do I feel like this rain is going to change something...?"

He smiled at his own thoughts, picked up his bag, and walked back home.

---

In Chennai...

The sound of shouting filled the house once again.

Maya:

"Mom... Dad... please! Stop fighting."

Neither of them listened.

Sneha:

"Your father is the reason for all this!"

Dev:

"Oh really? You're the one who keeps arguing!"

Maya closed her eyes in frustration.

Maya:

"Enough! I've heard the same arguments for years.

You both say you love each other, but all I see are fights.

Dad, you raise your hand on Mom.

Mom, you hurt Dad with your words.

Did either of you ever stop and think about how all this affects me?

I'm tired... really tired."

Both of them fell silent.

Maya:

"I've made my decision. I'll stay with Grandma and continue my studies from there. Maybe being away from all this is better for me."

Sneha:

"Maya... please don't leave."

Maya:

"I'm sorry, Mom... but I need some peace."

Without waiting for another word, Maya walked into her room and started packing her things.

_______

The moment Maya walked out with her luggage, both Dev and Sneha tried their best to stop her.

Sneha:

"Please, Maya... don't go. We can work this out."

Dev:

"Give us one more chance, dear."

But Maya had already made up her mind.

Seeing that she wouldn't change her decision, Dev and Sneha silently accompanied her to the railway station.

The three of them stood on the platform, waiting for the train. No one spoke a word. The silence between them was louder than any argument.

Soon, the train arrived.

Maya hugged her parents before boarding the train. She found her seat near the window and kept her bag beside her.

Dev and Sneha stood outside, looking at their daughter with teary eyes.

Maya:

"You both know I love you... right?

I'm not leaving because I hate you. I'm leaving because I want both of you to sort things out.

Please... when I come back, I want to see both of you happy together.

I'll finish my B.Com and then I'll come home."

Both Dev and Sneha nodded silently, unable to hold back their tears.

Maya had just completed her 12th standard and was only eighteen years old. With dreams in her eyes and hope in her heart, she began a new journey that would change her life forever.

________

At Akshay's House...

Akshay entered his house, changed into a simple T-shirt, and sat down with a file in his hands.

Looking at the evidence collected so far, he spoke to himself.

Akshay:

"I'm very close to finding the drug dealer who's supplying drugs to the students in the village schools and colleges."

He clenched his fist.

"I just need solid proof... that's all."

A cold smile appeared on his face.

"Once I get it... I'll make his life a living hell."

Akshay was an orphan who lost his parents at a very young age. Growing up alone, he studied hard and never gave up on his dreams. His determination and dedication helped him become a DSP at a young age.

He is 28 years old....

Now, for a secret mission, he was living undercover as a college professor in a village.

Teaching wasn't new to him. During his college days, he had worked part-time as a tutor, teaching children to support himself. Those experiences made it easy for him to blend into the role of a professor without raising anyone's suspicion.

To the villagers, he was just a kind and respected professor.

But in reality, he was a fearless DSP on a dangerous undercover mission.

_______

On the Train...

Maya sat by the window, happily reading her favorite comic book while the cool breeze played with her hair.

Studies and Maya were... let's just say they had a long-distance relationship.

She was an average student, but when it came to painting, cooking, singing, and making crafts, she was a complete all-rounder. Give her some paper, glue, and colors, and she'd happily disappear for hours creating something.

Being the only daughter, her parents had always showered her with love. Whatever she wanted, she got. So she never really learned to ask for much.

As she was turning another page of her comic, she noticed a group of men looking at her.

One of them whispered,

"Machan, don't keep staring. There are girls even prettier than her in our village. Come!"

Maya rolled her eyes.

"Good. Then please go and stare at them instead!" she thought, resisting the urge to say it out loud.

Not wanting to deal with their nonsense, she closed her comic book, wore her earphones, hugged her bag like it was her personal bodyguard, and pretended to sleep.

Within minutes...

She actually fell asleep.

____________

The next morning, the train reached the station.

Maya got down with her backpack and suitcase.

Unlike the perfect movie heroines who step out of a train looking flawless, Maya looked like... well, someone who had actually slept on a train.

Her naturally wavy hair had become even wavier, sticking out in every possible direction. Her eyes looked a little puffy from sleep, and the kajal she had applied the previous day was slightly smudged under her eyes.

She quickly rushed to the washroom, washed her face, and wiped away the smudged makeup.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she sighed.

"Much better... at least now I don't look like a sleepy panda."

She combed her wavy hair as much as she could, though it still refused to listen.

"Fine... do whatever you want," she muttered to her hair before picking up her luggage.

She wasn't a picture-perfect heroine.

She was simply Maya-messy, expressive, a little dramatic, and effortlessly cute in her own way.

Maya got out of the station and saw an auto waiting for her.

Her grandmother had already arranged it.

After a short ride, she finally reached her grandparents' house.

The moment she saw her grandmother, she dropped her bag and hugged her tightly.

Maya:

"Grandmaaaa... I missed you!"

Grandma:

"I missed you too, kutty. Now go freshen up. I've cooked all your favorites."

The word food was enough.

Maya:

"I'm going!"

She ran to her room like an athlete racing for a gold medal.

A few minutes later...

"Grandmaaaaa!"

Grandma:

"What happened now?"

Maya:

"I forgot my shampoo."

Her grandmother laughed.

"The grocery shop is right next door. Go and buy one."

Maya:

"Okay!"

She happily walked to the shop.

The moment she entered, she noticed a giant... or at least that's what it looked like from her height.

A tall man, nearly six feet, stood in front of the counter.

Maya, being exactly five feet, looked up.

...and up.

...and up again.

"Is he buying groceries or checking the ceiling fan?" she thought.

She couldn't even see his face-only his broad back.

Ignoring the human tower, she smiled at the shopkeeper.

Maya:

"Anna, one shampoo, please."

The shopkeeper took the last bottle from the shelf and stretched it toward Maya.

Her hand reached out.

Three...

Two...

One...

A large hand appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the shampoo before she could.

Maya slowly turned.

The human tower had stolen it.

Maya:

"Excuse me... I asked for that first."

Without even looking at her...

Akshay:

"I asked first."

He paid the bill and casually walked away.

Maya stood frozen.

"Excuse me?! That's my shampoo!"

She wanted to argue.

She wanted to chase him.

She wanted to throw the empty basket at him.

But...

She was an introvert.

So instead of saying anything...

She silently stared at his back with the deadliest glare she could manage.

If looks could kill...

Akshay would've needed another undercover officer to solve his own murder.

Maya (in her mind):

"Congratulations, Mr. Coconut Tree. You've officially become Public Enemy No. 1."

With no shampoo left in the shop, Maya sighed dramatically.

"Great... First day in the village, and I've already lost a battle... to a shampoo thief."

The Next Day...

Maya and her grandmother went to the college to complete her admission.

After what felt like signing enough papers to buy the entire college, the admission process was finally over.

Grandma let out a tired sigh.

Maya immediately noticed.

Maya:

"Grandma, wait here. You look exhausted. I'll get you some coconut water."

Grandma:

"Okay, dear."

Maya walked to the nearby coconut stall.

And there he was...

The same six-foot electricity pole from yesterday.

Again.

Only his back was visible.

Maya looked at the sky.

"Dear God... Is this village made only for him?"

She pretended not to notice him.

Maya:

"Anna, two coconuts, please."

The shopkeeper nodded, cut two fresh coconuts, and placed them on the counter.

Maya happily stretched her hand.

Mission: Coconut.

Target: Locked.

Just as her fingers were about to touch it...

A familiar giant hand appeared from nowhere.

Snatch!

The coconuts were gone.

Maya slowly turned her head.

Him.

Again.

She closed her eyes.

"Not again... Please tell me this is a nightmare."

Akshay, completely busy talking on his phone, picked up the coconuts without even noticing her.

Maya's left eye twitched.

*"Yesterday... shampoo."

*"Today... coconut."

"Tomorrow... is this man going to steal the air I breathe?"

Her patience officially submitted its resignation letter.

Without saying a word, she reached forward and tried to pull one coconut from his hand.

Only then did Akshay look down.

His eyes landed on a tiny girl who looked like a strong breeze could carry her away...

...yet she was fiercely trying to steal his coconut.

He blinked.

She blinked.

The coconut stood silently between them, wondering whose side it should take.

Akshay looked down at the tiny girl who was still trying to pull the coconut from his hand.

He frowned.

Akshay:

"Excuse me... what are you doing?"

Maya looked up.

...and up.

...and up.

"Why is this man built like a coconut tree?" she thought.

Without letting go of the coconut, she replied,

Maya:

"I'm taking what's mine."

Akshay looked at the coconut.

Then at her.

Then at the coconut again.

Akshay:

"Your... coconut?"

Maya:

"Yes."

Akshay:

"I paid for it."

Maya:

"You stole it before paying!"

The shopkeeper quietly watched the scene.

"Today's business is better than watching TV."

Akshay sighed.

Akshay:

"I didn't steal it."

Maya:

"Yesterday you stole my shampoo."

Akshay blinked.

Maya:

"Today you stole my coconut."

She narrowed her eyes.

Maya:

"Tomorrow what? My lunch?"

The shopkeeper couldn't hold it anymore.

He burst out laughing.

Akshay finally looked at the shopkeeper.

Akshay:

"Anna... what is she talking about?"

The shopkeeper scratched his head.....as he was the next door shop owner.....

Shopkeeper:

"Sir... actually... yesterday the last shampoo was for this girl."

Akshay paused for a second.

"Oh..."

He looked back at Maya.

She stood there with both hands on her waist, trying to look intimidating.

Unfortunately...

At five feet tall...

She looked more like an angry school kid than a dangerous villain.

Akshay almost smiled.

Almost.

Akshay:

"So you've been angry with me... over shampoo?"

Maya:

"It started with the shampoo."

She pointed dramatically at the coconut.

Maya:

"Now it's personal."

The shopkeeper laughed so hard he almost dropped his knife.

Akshay let out a small sigh and handed one coconut to Maya.

She grabbed it immediately.

Maya:

"Hmph."

She turned around proudly.

Then suddenly stopped.

She turned back.

Akshay thought she was going to apologize.

Instead...

She pointed at him.

Maya:

"By the way..."

Akshay raised an eyebrow.

Maya:

"If we meet tomorrow..."

He waited.

Maya:

"...don't touch anything I'm buying."

With that, she marched away like a victorious queen.

Akshay watched her leave.

After a few seconds...

He looked at the shopkeeper.

Akshay:

"Is she always like this?"

The shopkeeper grinned.

Shopkeeper:

"Sir... she hasn't even been in the village for 24 hours."

Akshay sighed.

"...I'm already tired."

Little did he know...

This was only Episode 2 of "The Great Shampoo and Coconut War."

Maya walked back to her grandmother with the coconut held proudly in her hand.

She handed one to her grandmother with a bright smile.

Maya:

"Here, Grandma."

Grandma:

"Thank you, dear."

The two of them started drinking their coconut water.

Maya took a long sip...

Then secretly peeked in Akshay's direction.

He had already gone.

She smiled to herself.

"Hmph... He must have been scared after seeing my anger."

She took another proud sip.

"Yes... definitely scared."

In reality...

Akshay hadn't even realized she was trying to frighten him.

But Maya's imagination had already promoted herself to 'Village Rowdy No. 1.'

She sat there drinking her coconut water with the expression of someone who had just defeated the final boss in a video game.

Meanwhile...

Her grandmother quietly watched her.

Grandma:

"Why are you smiling at the coconut?"

Maya blinked.

Maya:

"Nothing, Grandma."

"Operation: Scare the Coconut Thief..."

"Mission Successful."

...At least according to Maya.

_________

After finishing the coconut water, Maya proudly threw the empty shell into the bin.

She dusted her hands dramatically.

"One battle... one victory."

Her grandmother looked at her suspiciously.

Grandma:

"Why are you smiling like you won an election?"

Maya quickly shook her head.

Maya:

"Nothing, Grandma."

Grandma:

"Hmm..."

Grandma didn't believe her for even one second.

The two of them started walking toward the college gate.

Suddenly...

A strong breeze blew past.

Maya's already stubborn wavy hair flew in every direction.

One lock of hair landed right on her face.

She blew it away.

It came back.

She blew it again.

It came back again.

Maya:

"Even my own hair doesn't respect me."

Grandma chuckled.

Just then...

A familiar voice came from behind.

Akshay:

"Excuse me."

Maya froze.

"No... not again."

She slowly turned around.

There he was.

Standing with his usual calm expression.

Maya immediately hid her shopping bag behind her.

"No. This time you're not stealing anything."

Akshay looked confused.

His eyes moved from her face...

...to the bag she was hiding...

...and back to her face.

Akshay:

"I was just going to ask if this is your admission file."

He held up a file.

Maya looked down.

Her hands were empty.

She looked at the file.

Then at her grandmother.

Then back at Akshay.

She had left it at the coconut stall.

For three whole seconds...

Silence.

Maya slowly took the file.

Maya:

"...Thank you."

Akshay simply nodded and walked away.

Grandma smiled.

Grandma:

"See? He's a nice boy."

Maya immediately frowned.

Maya:

"Nice? Grandma, yesterday he kidnapped my shampoo."

"Today he kidnapped my coconut."

"I don't trust him."

Grandma laughed so hard she had to hold Maya's shoulder.

Somewhere ahead...

Akshay unknowingly sneezed.

He looked around.

"Why do I suddenly feel like someone is accusing me of a crime?"

Little did he know...

In Maya's court...

He had already been sentenced to life imprisonment...

For stealing a shampoo bottle and one coconut.

That Night...

The village slowly became quiet.

The crickets started their night concert.

The moon shone brightly.

And in two different houses...

Two completely different people were thinking about the same ridiculous incident.

At Maya's House...

Maya lay on her bed with her blanket wrapped around her like a burrito.

Tomorrow was her first day of college.

Grandma peeked inside.

Grandma: "Sleep early, dear. You don't want to be late on your first day."

Maya saluted dramatically.

Maya: "Yes, Captain Grandma!"

Grandma smiled and switched off the light.

Within minutes...

Maya was fast asleep.

And then..

Dream Mode Activated.

Inside her dream...

Maya was sitting happily in the college canteen.

In front of her was the most beautiful plate of food she had ever seen.

Hot masala dosa.

Crispy vada.

Sambar.

Three types of chutney.

A big glass of fresh juice.

A chocolate cake.

Maya's eyes sparkled.

Maya: "Finally... happiness."

She folded her hands dramatically.

"Dear Food Gods... thank you."

Just as she picked up a piece of dosa...

A giant hand appeared.

Snatch!

The dosa disappeared.

Maya slowly turned.

"No..."

Standing beside her...

Was Akshay.

He calmly dipped her dosa into her sambar.

Maya gasped.

Maya: "YOU!"

Akshay looked completely innocent.

Akshay: "I found it first."

Maya: "IT WAS IN MY PLATE!"

He shrugged.

Akshay: "Details."

He took another bite.

Maya screamed.

"My dosaaa!"

She quickly grabbed her vada.

Another giant hand.

Snatch!

Akshay: "Thank you."

Maya stood up.

"No more!"

She hugged the entire plate protectively.

Akshay looked at the juice.

Maya noticed.

She immediately covered it.

"You touch this juice..."

"I'll file a police complaint!"

Akshay casually reached for the cake instead.

Maya: "NOT THE CAKE!"

The entire canteen started chanting,

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Even the dosa flipped itself dramatically in slow motion.

Maya jumped across the table.

Akshay dodged.

She chased him around the canteen carrying a spoon like it was a sword.

Maya: "Return my food, Coconut Thief!"

Akshay laughed while running.

"Catch me first!"

Suddenly...

He stole the entire plate.

Maya let out the loudest scream ever.

"My fooooooood!"

Real World...

Maya suddenly sat upright on her bed.

Maya: "MY DOSA!"

Grandma rushed into the room.

Grandma: "What happened?!"

Maya looked around.

No canteen.

No Akshay.

No stolen dosa.

Just her room.

She slowly touched her forehead.

"...It was a dream."

Grandma looked confused.

Grandma: "Who stole your dosa?"

Maya mumbled with complete seriousness.

"...The Coconut Thief."

Grandma blinked twice.

"...Go back to sleep."

She quietly walked away.

Outside the room...

Grandma laughed to herself.

"I don't even know who this Coconut Thief is..."

_____

At Akshay's House...

Akshay finished arranging a few files on his table before getting ready to sleep.

The house was silent.

It had been that way ever since he lost his parents.

He switched off the light and lay down on his bed.

For some reason...

His mind wandered back to the tiny girl from the coconut stall.

He remembered her standing with both hands on her waist...

Trying her hardest to look threatening.

Instead...

She had looked like an angry kitten.

A smile escaped his lips.

"So much anger..."

"...over one shampoo and one coconut."

He shook his head.

"I've never seen someone dislike me this quickly."

He remembered her warning.

"If we meet tomorrow... don't touch anything I'm buying."

He chuckled softly.

"She's funny..."

Within a few minutes...

His eyes slowly closed.

Meanwhile...

Across the village...

Maya turned in her sleep and mumbled,

"Don't touch my idli..."

At that exact moment...

Akshay suddenly sneezed in his sleep.

He frowned without opening his eyes.

"Why do I feel like someone is blaming me... even now?"

The universe remained silent.

Because somewhere...

Maya had already promoted him.

From...

"Shampoo Thief."

To...

"Official Food Thief of the Village."

And tomorrow...

Their first day of college...

Was about to begin.

The real chaos hadn't even started yet.

__________________

The Next Day...

The sun shone brightly.

It was the Freshers' Day at the college.

The campus, which was usually peaceful, was now buzzing with excitement.

Everywhere...

New students walked around nervously with their admission files.

Some were excited.

Some were scared.

Some were pretending to be confident.

And the seniors...

Well...

They had gathered in groups under every tree, corridor, and staircase.

Officially...

They were there to "welcome the freshers."

Unofficially...

Most of the boys had come to see the new girls.

One senior whispered,

"I heard this year's batch has many beautiful girls."

Another adjusted his hair.

"Let's verify that information."

Nearby, another senior sighed dramatically.

"Freshers' Day... the only day attendance is 100%."

Everyone laughed.

Meanwhile...

Maya entered the college wearing a simple light blue salwar with her wavy hair left open.

She looked around curiously.

"So many people..."

Students were already introducing themselves.

Within minutes...

Groups had formed.

Some were laughing together.

Some were exchanging phone numbers.

Some had already become best friends.

Maya quietly watched them.

She wasn't the type to walk up to strangers and start conversations.

She would only speak if someone spoke to her first...

And even then...

Only if she felt comfortable.

"What if they don't like me?"

"What if I disturb them?"

"It's okay... I'll make friends slowly."

That was how Maya had always been.

An introvert.

Comfortable in silence.

As she looked around..

Her eyes stopped on one girl standing alone near the classroom door.

The girl clutched her bag tightly.

She looked even more nervous than Maya.

A few students tried speaking to her.

Girl: "H-Hi... W-What's y-your n-name?"

She struggled to complete even a single sentence.

The others smiled awkwardly before walking away.

The girl lowered her head.

She looked like she wanted the ground to open and swallow her.

Maya quietly observed everything.

"She's... even more introverted than me."

For some reason...

She found the girl's innocence adorable.

Without thinking much...

Maya walked towards her.

The shy girl immediately became nervous.

Maya gave her a warm smile.

Maya: "Hi..."

The girl looked up slowly.

Maya: "I'm Maya."

The girl hesitated for a few seconds before answering softly.

Girl: "S...S-Saharshini."

Maya smiled.

"That's a beautiful name."

Saharshini blinked in surprise.

No one had said that to her today.

Maya pointed towards an empty bench.

"Shall we sit together?"

Saharshini nodded immediately.

The two of them sat side by side.

For a few minutes...

Neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn't awkward.

It was comfortable.

Finally...

Maya laughed softly.

Maya: "I think we're both bad at starting conversations."

Saharshini covered her mouth and giggled.

"I...I think so too."

That one small laugh broke the ice.

Slowly...

The conversation became easier.

They spoke about their hometowns...

Their favorite foods...

Their school days...

And before they even realized it...

They had become friends.

From the second floor corridor...

A group of senior boys noticed them.

One of them nudged his friend.

"Look there..."

Another senior looked down.

His eyes widened slightly.

"The girl in the blue dress..."

"And the girl beside her..."

"They're both really pretty."

Another smirked.

"And they look so innocent."

One senior chuckled.

"Freshers..."

"They're going to be easy to tease."

The group laughed among themselves.

None of them noticed...

That fate had already written something else for them.

Because among all the seniors in that college...

There was one person..

Who hated seeing juniors being troubled.

And very soon...

The paths of Maya... Akshay... and the seniors...

Were about to cross once again.

___________________

The first-year classroom was packed.

Some students looked excited.

Some looked nervous.

Some were already wondering if attendance was compulsory for life.

Suddenly...

Bang!

The classroom door opened.

A gang of seniors walked in like they owned the college.

One of them clapped loudly.

Senior: "Good morning, freshers!"

No one answered.

Senior: "So much respect... I like it."

Another senior laughed.

Senior: "Today is Freshers' Day."

"So..."

"We're playing Dare."

A collective gulp echoed through the classroom.

The senior scanned the room.

His finger stopped at Saharshini.

Senior: "You... come."

Poor Saharshini nearly forgot how to breathe.

She slowly stood up.

Senior: "Simple dare."

"Come here and tell me..."

"I love you."

Saharshini's eyes became as big as saucers.

Saharshini: "N-No..."

"I... I can't..."

The senior pretended to think.

Senior: "Fine."

"New dare."

"Go outside."

"The first man you see..."

"Tell him 'I love you.'"

Saharshini shook her head so fast it looked like her neck would fall off.

Saharshini: "I don't want to..."

The seniors started teasing.

"Come on!"

"It's just a game!"

"Don't be scared!"

Saharshini looked like she was about to cry.

She immediately looked at Maya.

Maya stood up.

Maya: "She said no."

"That should be enough."

The senior grinned.

"Oh..."

"Bodyguard?".

The whole class laughed.

Senior: "Okay then."

"You also go."

"You both say it."

"Friendship package offer."

Maya mentally sighed.

"Why do I always get bonus problems?"

The two girls slowly walked out.

Outside...

Both stood in the corridor.

Maya whispered,

"We'll just say it and run."

Saharshini nodded like a frightened rabbit.

Just then...

Someone came around the corner.

Saharshini accidentally bumped into him.

She slipped.

Before she fell...

A hand caught her.

She was too scared to even look at his face.

She shut her eyes.

Blurted out at machine-gun speed-

Saharshini: "I-love-you-bye!"

And disappeared.

The man blinked.

"...What?"

It was Karthik.

An undercover police officer working with Akshay on a secret drug investigation inside the college.

He scratched his head.

"Did..."

"...did I accidentally get proposed to?"

Then he remembered the terrified expression on her face.

"Hmm..."

"That wasn't a confession."

"That was an escape mission."

Meanwhile...

Maya was searching for her victim.

She turned a corner.

THUD!

She walked straight into someone's chest.

She bounced back like a rubber ball.

Before she could fall...

Two hands caught her.

She looked up.

Higher...

Higher...

Even higher...

Then finally...

Akshay.

Maya's eyes narrowed.

"Oh no."

"The Food Thief!"

She remembered the dare.

Without even taking a breath-

Maya: "You Food Thief..."

"I love you!"

And...

Zoom!

She ran away so fast...

Even the wind got confused.

Akshay stood there.

Completely frozen.

Brain loading...

1%...

5%...

Error 404: Understanding Not Found.

A slow breeze passed.

Even it looked confused.

A few steps away...

Karthik had watched everything.

He looked at Akshay.

Looked at the direction Maya ran.

Then...

Started laughing uncontrollably.

Karthik: "Congratulations."

Akshay frowned.

"For what?"

Karthik: "First you said she called you shampoo thief."

"Then coconut thief."

"Now love confession."

"Your relationship is progressing very fast."

Akshay gave him a deadpan look.

"But now She called me..."

"...Food Thief."

I don't steal or take her food......

Karthik laughed even harder.

"That's even more romantic."

Akshay sighed.

"...That wasn't a proposal."

Karthik nodded.

"The girl who bumped into me also looked terrified."

Both became serious.

Akshay looked toward the first-year block.

"...Ragging."

Karthik nodded once.

"Let's go."

The moment they entered the classroom...

Both stopped.

One boy was in the dog position.

Another was barking.

A girl was forced to sing while everyone clapped off-beat.

One poor fellow was dancing like a broken robot.

Another was standing on a bench reciting multiplication tables.

Akshay slowly rubbed his forehead.

Karthik muttered,

"I came to investigate drugs..."

"...not a comedy show."

One senior saw them.

His smile slowly disappeared.

Akshay folded his arms.

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

Akshay: "Entertainment over?"

Silence.

Akshay: "All seniors..."

"HOD's office."

One senior tried to smile.

"Sir... we're just having fun."

Akshay looked around at the frightened freshers.

Then back at the seniors.

His voice was calm.

Too calm.

Akshay: "Does that look like fun to you?"

No one answered.

Karthik spoke quietly.

"All the seniors..."

"...come with us."

No one dared argue.

Within seconds...

The seniors silently followed them toward the HOD's office.

Inside the classroom...

The freshers let out a collective sigh of relief.

Maya whispered to herself,

"I think the Food Thief is scarier than the seniors."

I should just stay away from him.....but is he a professor........

What ever.....I will just stay away.....

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