Chapter 8: Cracks in the Bond
Three weeks had passed since the warehouse incident.
Imperial National University was finally calm.
No fights.
No threats.
No mysterious attacks.
But sometimes...
Silence was more dangerous than war.
---
Surya noticed the change first.
Aman no longer studied with him in the library.
He skipped lunch with Aditi and Rishi.
He often disappeared after classes without telling anyone.
One evening, Surya saw Aman getting into a black SUV outside the university.
Inside were three senior students.
Dev Chauhan.
Nikhil Arora.
Samar Kapoor.
They were famous across campus—not because of academics, but because of their influence, expensive lifestyle, and ability to manipulate students.
Surya quietly watched the SUV disappear.
"Something isn't right."
---
The next day...
Aman arrived wearing a costly watch that none of his friends had ever seen before.
Rishi smiled.
"New watch?"
Aman shrugged.
"A gift."
"From whom?" Aditi asked.
"Friends."
Surya looked at the watch for a moment but said nothing.
---
Over the following days...
Aman slowly drifted away.
He laughed with Dev's group.
He ignored phone calls from Surya.
He even stopped attending the evening study sessions they had created together.
One afternoon, Surya found him near the parking area.
"You've been avoiding us."
Aman answered without meeting his eyes.
"I'm just busy."
"Busy..."
"...or hiding?"
Aman looked irritated.
"You don't have to question everything I do."
"I'm worried."
"I don't need anyone worrying about me."
For the first time...
Aman walked away before Surya could reply.
---
That evening, Aditi sat beside Surya in the library.
"You think those seniors are changing him?"
Surya closed his notebook.
"They're giving him something he thinks he's missing."
"What?"
"A place where he feels important."
---
Meanwhile...
Inside a luxury café...
Dev smiled as Aman joined them.
"There he is."
Nikhil pushed a soft drink toward Aman.
"You deserve better than following Surya around all day."
Samar laughed.
"Exactly."
"People only remember heroes."
"Never the friend standing behind them."
The words stayed in Aman's mind.
For the first time...
He didn't defend Surya.
---
Late that night...
Surya received a message.
Unknown Number
«If you want to keep your friend safe...
Stop interfering in other people's lives.»
There was no name.
No contact picture.
Only a black cobra symbol.
Surya deleted the message.
But his expression turned serious.
---
The next morning...
Aman walked past Surya in the corridor.
Surya smiled slightly.
"Morning."
Aman paused...
Then continued walking without replying.
Rishi looked shocked.
"What was that?"
Surya remained calm.
"He wants distance."
"But why?"
Surya stared down the empty hallway.
"I don't know yet."
"But someone is filling his mind with lies."
---
From the rooftop of the management building...
Dev watched the scene below.
A slow smile appeared on his face.
"He finally stopped trusting Surya."
Nikhil nodded.
"The next step?"
Dev looked toward the university gate.
"Now..."
"We make him believe he never needed Surya at all."
Far below, Surya stood alone in the corridor.
For the first time since joining the university...
He felt that winning fights was easy.
Saving a friendship...
Would be much harder.
To Be Continued...