Chapter 5: Descent Into Chaos
Now, in this fifth-floor classroom, everyone screamed—some shrill, some low. Their cries filled the air, a sound no one would ever forget.
Their voices rose, blending into a chorus of terror that seemed to shake the building. It was agony, physical and raw. Some clapped hands over ears, desperate to block out the noise.
But outside, the campus was dead silent. No crackers, no laughter—just a suffocating stillness.
They screamed until their voices were hoarse, collapsing to the floor, exhausted. Some slumped against the walls, faces streaked with tears and sweat, the Diwali lights flickering above them like distant stars.
The next PayTM gift arrived on time. The jingle was cold and taunting. Hope had turned to dread.
No one picked up their phone to open it. Hands stayed at sides, eyes averted, as if looking would trigger disaster.
Ritu’s eyes flashed: “That’s right! We’re not fools. If we don’t take the PayTM gift, the game can’t go on.”
She spoke with brittle determination. “Koi mat kholna! Samjhe sab log?”
But the next second, everyone’s hands moved on their own, clicking the PayTM gift involuntarily. "Yeh kya ho raha hai?"
Bang bang bang bang.
Phones vibrated, notifications piling up. A boy at the back banged his head against the wall, tears streaming down.
Everyone turned, glaring at Ritu. "Sab tumhari wajah se hua!"
Kabir, a mix of fear and rage, reached for a table leg. His hands fumbled, knuckles white. But his legs shook, and he collapsed to the floor, sobbing.
Ritu suddenly stood, kicked him hard, and grabbed a chair leg herself. Her anger, pent up for hours, exploded. She raised the chair high, eyes wild.
She began to beat Kabir, over and over. Each blow landed with a sickening crack. Each blow felt like punishment, but also a twisted relief—finally, something she could control. The sound echoed, drowning out even the screams.
“Kabir, you’ve really gone too far! You dog! You slapped me twice just now—I haven’t paid you back yet, and now you want to hit me?”
“It’s just a dead woman! Just because she was your lover or your sugar mommy, you want revenge?”
She spat the words, voice raw. “Ungrateful fellow, open your eyes! How am I not better to you than her?”
Kabir whimpered, arms shielding his head, blood seeping from a gash above his eyebrow. He clung to her leg, sobbing: “Maaf kar do, Didi! Mujhse galti ho gayi, Didi. Sorry.”
“I’m not ungrateful—I just lost my head. Sneha was my best friend... You could have saved her, but you made that choice. I was just angry.”
“Ow, it hurts so much. Please stop! I won’t do it again!”
Finally, after knocking out two of Kabir’s teeth, Ritu stopped, panted, and spat to the side, sweat soaking her kurta. She glared around, no one daring to meet her gaze.
At this moment, the PayTM gift rule appeared.
[The Luck King can do anything they want in this classroom.]
[The unluckiest student: You must find the second unluckiest student, throw your socks into their pants pocket, and glue their chair with Fevikwik. They must sit for ten minutes.]
[If violated, both will die. If completed, both can live.]
The rules scrolled up the screen, surreal in their specificity. A few exchanged nervous glances—at least this task didn’t involve blood.
After reading the rule, everyone was stunned. Then, relief—someone laughed: “Thank God, it’s just a sock prank, yaar!”
“It’s easy—just some stinky socks and glue. Compared to dying, it’s nothing.”
Priya fanned her nose, making a face. “Haye rabba, yeh smell toh sabko maar degi!”
A boy snapped: “At a time like this, you’re worried about that?”
All eyes swung to him. The girl he yelled at blushed, then snorted and turned away. Everyone laughed, patting Arjun’s shoulder.
“Arjun ka toh aaj bada din hai!” someone teased.
But Arjun wasn’t in the mood. He shoved a person to the ground, then slapped another. “Mazaak karte ho abhi bhi?”
Slap!
The others froze. The two boys who got hit rubbed their cheeks, glaring but staying silent.
Feeling thirty-plus stares, they grew angry, ready to fight back—but Arjun was big and strong. No one wanted to test him.
He panted, sweat beading on his forehead, hair sticking to his temples. “Arrey, my life is on the line! You think this is easy for me?”
“At this point, don’t joke with me! Sneha just died—are you all blind?” He pointed at the bloody mess.
Everyone shook their heads, thinking he was losing it.
Ritu stepped in: “If that’s the case, hurry up and finish the task. Meera didn’t specify a time limit—what if it’s a trap? Samay pe khatam karo!”
“Who’s the second unluckiest? Stand up. Yes, it’s humiliating, but if we finish this, maybe we can fight back.”
She gestured for everyone to turn their backs. Some complied, grateful for an excuse to avoid Sneha’s remains.
But no matter how many times Ritu shouted, no one stood up.
Priya was stunned: “No way, there can’t be no second unluckiest, right?”
Kabir frowned: “Hurry up and stand out. If we have to find you, we won’t be so nice.”
Still, no one stood up. Eyes darted around the room, everyone wondering who was lying, who was next.
Arjun was furious: “I knew there was a trick!”
He kicked the nearest desk, then smashed a stool against the wall. “Aaj main kisi ko nahi chhodunga!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Ritu’s face twisted with anger. She opened the group chat and clicked on the PayTM gift.
“What are you hiding for, so selfish. Must be some poor student, can’t afford a smartphone, can’t even send a PayTM gift.”
She sneered, “Paise nahi hai toh group mein kyun ho?”
But suddenly, she froze. “Yeh kya...?”
“Why can’t I check the PayTM record?”
Everyone checked their phones. The record was blank.
Clearly, Meera didn’t want anyone to find the second unluckiest.
A shiver ran through the class. The game was in control. They were not.
A new rule appeared.
[13 minutes left until time ends]
[If the second unluckiest student isn’t found in the remaining 3 minutes, there will be punishment.]
The numbers ticked down, seconds sliding away.
Arjun went mad. Ritu went mad. The rest watched, helpless, as fear and desperation shattered whatever order remained. Some cried, some screamed, others just rocked back and forth, muttering prayers. Diwali had become a nightmare none of them would ever forget.