"H..Hi."
"Hello."
What the hell was Amanda doing here, and why the hell was she my neighbour? I awkwardly forced out a greeting.
"Why are you here?" Rudra blurted out, immediately face‑palming as he realized he hadn't meant to ask that question.
"Because this is my room… What kind of question is that?" she replied, staring at him like he'd grown a second head.
"That's… not what I wanted to ask," Rudra muttered, wearing an apologetic expression.
"Anyway, are you going somewhere?" she asked, studying him.
"Y..yes, I'm go…ing to buy some books for the first semester," he said, trying—and failing—to avoid her eyes.
"Take this and go to the shop at the end of the market. They'll give you thirty percent discount."
"Thanks… b‑but why are you helping me?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"You should go now. The shop will close soon… and your friend is waiting for you."
"Hmmm."
"Hello, my love, did you miss me?" Sammy teased with a grin.
"Not in a million years… now shut up."
"I should leave now," Amanda said, turning away.
"Ye… yeah, bye."
"Why are you stuttering so much, man? Have some confidence. Don't tell me you have a crush on a girl and you don't even know if she's a senior or from your year—like always."
"Fuck off, man," Rudra muttered, trying to hide his flushed face.
---
RUDRA POV
As Sammy kept trying to annoy me, we decided to buy the books together—mostly because he also hadn't bought any. We walked out of the academy gates and into the market… and instantly froze.
The atmosphere was so lively it felt unreal. The delicious smells alone made our mouths water. Stalls lined both sides of the road, leaving barely any space to walk. Vendors shouted their prices with the confidence of seasoned performers, each voice adding to the chaotic symphony of the market.
A brewer with a beard as wild as his laughter handed out huge mugs of beer, the golden liquid catching the sunlight as people toasted loudly. The scent of roasted spices drifted between stalls, mixing with the sweetness of ripe mangoes and the warm aroma of fresh bread. Children darted between adults, clutching wooden toys and sticky treats, their giggles weaving through the crowd like playful birds.
Everywhere, hands exchanged goods—coins for cloth, stories for spices, promises for pastries. A woman in a crimson shawl haggled with a jeweler over a silver bracelet, both smiling even as they argued. A group of travelers lounged near a barrel table, clinking mugs as they swapped tales of distant towns.
It wasn't just a market; it was a celebration disguised as business. People weren't merely buying and selling—they were living, laughing, tasting the world one moment at a time.
"Wow," was all we managed to say before deciding to treat ourselves. We devoured everything we could possibly fit into our stomachs. As for the money… well, we played rock‑paper‑scissors, and the winner would pay.
"Why the hell do I have to pay even after I won?" Sammy grumbled while handing money to every vendor.
"It happens, man. Don't be such a baby," Rudra laughed, and even the shopkeeper chuckled.
"How the hell am I a baby? And don't laugh at me! The rules were unfair—he knew I had good luck!"
"Fine… I'll pay you back after I earn some money," Rudra said.
"No, it's okay, you don't have to," Sammy replied—then immediately regretted it.
"Okay then, I won't pay you… hehe."
"You fucker."
The thing with Rudra was that he was broke as hell. He didn't even know if his parents were alive—they had disappeared two years ago, and he was still searching for them. With no money, he depended entirely on scholarships. His school fees were exempted because he ranked first in the practical exam; otherwise, he would've had to work odd jobs just to stay enrolled.
"Tell me the address of the shop," Sammy asked.
"The note said the last shop is the one."
"Okay… yes, that's the one. Look."
"Yes, let's hurry or it'll close," Rudra said, breaking into a run.
When they reached the shop, the door was slightly open. Both of them slowed down, uneasy. They stepped inside cautiously.
Nothing.
Just silence… and faint sounds they couldn't place.
They moved left—nothing.
Right—still nothing.
Then they looked down.
A woman lay flat on the floor, eyes wide open, staring straight at them.
"Aaaaah!"
"Aaaaaaah!"
They both fainted.
---
As their bodies hit the floor, the shop door creaked shut behind them—slowly, deliberately—though no wind blew.
The woman's eyes didn't blink.
But her lips curled… just slightly.
As if she'd been waiting.