The Past – Part Five.

The young guy standing before him was broad-shouldered, with an intimidating presence that made the hairs on the back of Daniel's neck stand on end.

His piercing eyes burned with intensity, and there was something unsettling about the way he looked at Daniel-like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Why does she like you?" the young guy asked, his voice low and rough, barely masking his anger.

David blinked, confused. "What?... who are you talking about?"

The young guy's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists. His entire demeanor radiated fury, and his gaze darkened further, filled with something primal and unhinged.

"Why does she fucking like you?" the young guy spat, his voice trembling with restrained emotion.

Daniel took a cautious step back, his heart pounding. "Wait... are you talking about Veda?"

That was the wrong thing to say.

Before Daniel could react, the young guy lunged at him, landing a brutal punch that sent him sprawling to the ground. Pain shot through Daniel's jaw as he struggled to process what had just happened.

"You don't get to say her name!" the young guy snarled, towering over Daniel like a storm. His breathing was heavy, his entire body trembling with rage.

Daniel coughed, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "W-who even are you? What's your problem, you freak!"

The young guy didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed Daniel by the collar, yanking him up with terrifying ease.

"Stay away from her." he growled, his voice deadly quiet. "She doesn't belong to you. She's mine."

Daniel stared at him, fear creeping into his eyes as he realized who this guy must be.

"Wait... you're Varun, aren't you? The Sengars'-"

Another punch silenced him, knocking the air from his lungs.

"Don't speak my name." Varun hissed, his face inches from Daniel's. His eyes gleamed with a madness that sent chills down Daniel's spine. "And don't ever go near her again. If I see you with her, I'll make you regret it."

Daniel tried to stammer a response, but Varun released him with a shove, sending him crumpling to the ground.

Without another word, Varun turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Daniel shaken and bruised on the pavement.

Daniel sat there for a long moment, his mind racing. It was clear that this guy was dangerous-and his obsession with Veda was far more twisted than anything Daniel could have imagined.

♡♡♡

"Daniel! Daniel, wait!" Veda called out, her voice echoing through the hallway as she hurried after him.

Daniel didn't slow down. If anything, he quickened his pace, his shoulders tense, his head down, as if avoiding her would somehow make this easier.

Veda frowned, determination flashing in her eyes. For the past three days, Daniel had been ignoring her-dodging her in the cafeteria, brushing past her in the hallways, refusing to meet her gaze in class. And she was done letting it slide.

Just as he was about to take another turn down the school hallway, she stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"Enough, Daniel. What the hell is going on?" she demanded, crossing her arms.

"For days, you've been acting like I don't exist. Did I do something to piss you off?"

Daniel shifted on his feet, his eyes darting everywhere but at her. The guilt was written all over his face.

"Daniel." Veda's voice sharpened. "Answer me. You know I hate feeling guilty over something I didn't even do."

Daniel exhaled shakily, finally looking at her, but the moment their eyes met, he looked away again, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.

"You didn't do anything, Veda." he said, voice strained.

"Then what is it?" she pressed.

He swallowed, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Then, almost too softly, he muttered, "We can't be friends anymore."

Veda's chest tightened. She stared at him, stunned for a second. "What?"

Daniel clenched his jaw, his gaze on the floor. "I... I just can't, okay?"

Her shock quickly turned into frustration. "You're seriously telling me that, out of nowhere, you decided we can't be friends? No reason, no explanation-just like that?"

Daniel remained silent.

Veda's expression hardened. "No. I'm not accepting that."

His head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief.

"You don't just make up dumb excuses, Daniel." she continued firmly.

"If I didn't do anything wrong, then something else is going on. So spill it. Or I swear, I will cut your head off and mount it on a stick."

Daniel almost laughed. Almost.

That was Veda-fierce, stubborn, never backing down. She was his only real friend, the one person who never treated him like an outsider. She was smart, funny, full of life. And beautiful-so damn beautiful, if the number of guys constantly asking her out was anything to go by. But she never cared about them. She never cared about any of that. She just wanted to be his friend.

And now, because of some obsessed psychopath, he had to throw it all away.

Daniel's throat tightened. He couldn't do this. He couldn't tell her.

"I have to go, Veda." he said, voice barely above a whisper.

Then he turned and walked away.

Veda watched him go, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. She could feel it-something was wrong. Something bigger than what Daniel was willing to say.

And she wasn't about to let this go.

With a deep sigh, she turned and headed for her class, her mind already racing with questions.

♡♡♡

Another brutal punch crashed into Daniel's face, sending him sprawling to the cold, blood-stained floor.

A weak, pained groan left his lips as he clutched his ribs, his entire body trembling. He could barely see past the swelling in his left eye, the metallic taste of blood thick in his mouth.

His breath came in shallow gasps, his strength slipping away with every blow.

"I... I'm s-sorry." he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper.

Varun stood over him, his chest rising and falling in deep, controlled breaths, but his darkened blue eyes burned with something beyond anger-something unhinged.

Obsession.

"You disobeyed me." Varun muttered, his voice eerily calm, but it carried a weight that made Daniel's stomach twist in fear.

"I told you not to fucking talk to her."

Daniel's swollen lips parted, but before he could utter another word, Varun's boot pressed down on his chest, making him choke on his breath.

"You saw me watching." Varun continued, his voice dripping with quiet menace.

"You knew I was there... and yet, you still fucking did it."

He crouched down, his cold fingers gripping Daniel's jaw, forcing him to look up despite the agony pulsing through his face.

Blood dripped from Daniel's nose onto the cracked floor beneath them.

"You think you can just smile at her? Laugh with her?" Varun's grip tightened, his nails digging into Daniel's skin.

"Next time, your dead body is what I'll send back to your home."

A cruel smirk curled on his lips, but just as he was about to land another blow-

"Varun!"