Chapter 7 – There Was No Fight
Saloni, talking to herself while training, grumbled,
"I keep practicing—day and night. Don't know when it'll come in handy.
Sweat and effort, but for who? Myself, or maybe to prove to all those at the orphanage?
Sometimes, I don't even know..."
It had been two weeks of this.
She felt her body changing—stronger, a bit leaner, muscles tightening in ways she'd never known before. And yet, except her chest, her shape was still much the same.
Evening came. Everyone else was busy in their own world—some practicing flashy skills, some lost in books, some just laughing and joking. Only when Priya was in the library or her own room, Saloni would let loose, really train. The rest of the time, she was Priya's silent shadow.
Today, while training in her room, she felt the shift. Muscles aching, lungs burning—as usual—but for the first time, she could feel something different, something almost alive, under her skin.
Suddenly the door banged open.
A guard rushed in, hair sticking out, panic clear in his eyes.
"There you are! Listen! The one you're supposed to protect—Priya—she's in big trouble! The senior girls… they've cornered her. I'm telling you, hurry up! Don't be late!"
Her body and mind jolted at once. The sweat on her face didn't matter now—her expression grew hard, voice tight.
"What? Who?"
"Senior girls, that arrogant bunch! She looked one of them right in the eye, and now—now they're mad. Come on!"
"I'm going, right now!"
Running, she reached the back of the practice ground. There—four senior girls, standing in a half-circle around Priya, who stood trembling, staring at the ground.
As the girls laughed and surrounded Priya, Prisha stared her down.
"So, little girl... what's gotten into you? You think you can look me in the eyes now?"
Another, laughing loudly from the back, chimed in,
"Let it go, Prisha! It's their habit to challenge everyone with that bodyguard standing around! Get a bodyguard and suddenly you've got guts, right?"
A third, waving her hands, almost annoyed, said,
"She must be new—everyone's got a bit of attitude at first. Give it a week, she'll be begging for mercy like all the others."
Then the fourth, a smile that barely hid the smirk:
"Scared? With so many watching?"
Priya just said softly,
"Look, I'm sorry—I mean it. I really am. Please, let me go. There's nothing else... nothing..."
Prisha froze, shrugged, and mocked,
"Huh. Did you all hear that? The little heiress wants to say sorry! How sweet. A kid owning up to her mistake!"
All three laughed, one making a twisted face.
"Honestly, kid, it's painful to watch. Where's your bodyguard now, huh? Maybe she gave up on you?"
That was the moment Saloni stepped in—face set, eyes burning.
"Let her go," Saloni said, steady and cold.
Prisha laughed, glancing up and down at Saloni,
"Oh, look! The big bodyguard's here. And she looks angry! What you going to do—scowl us away?"
Second girl made a face,
"She won't do a thing. It's all for show, that whole bodyguard act. Think you're tough, do you?"
The third interrupted,
"No, really. Save your big speeches. We've seen tougher than you come and go—everybody breaks, you know."
Saloni looked at each one, jaw set, hands clenching, voice dropping low,
"Priya's not getting hurt today. Not if I'm here."
Prisha walked up, nearly nose-to-nose.
"Really. You threatening us now? Who are you, huh? You ever even fought before?"
The third girl tugged Priya behind her,
"Priya, you know your precious bodyguard can't do anything to us, right?"
Priya, almost in tears, nearly whispered,
"Saloni, you can't—these are seniors—don't..."
Saloni glanced at her, lips pressed tight. Quiet, fierce,
"Let's just see."
Prisha spat,
"All right, tough girl. Show us what you've got."
With that, she shoved Saloni lightly. The other girls started shouting,
"Go on! Teach her a lesson! How dare she stare at a senior!"
Prisha leaned in and shoved again, this time with real intent, grinning.
"Let's see how strong you really are."
Saloni closed her eyes, took a slow, steeling breath. Everything she'd learned rushed back—feet planted, hips strong, all her weight moving just right, shoulder leading the way, fist flying fast and true.
It hit Prisha's stomach dead-on.
Utter silence. Prisha doubled over, pain and shock on her face. For a second, nobody could speak. The other two—their grins vanished. Silence stretched.
Saloni went to Priya, gently took her hand, and said, low but sure,
"No one's touching you."
Prisha, still catching her breath, forced a laugh,
"Is that all you've got?"
Just then, a guard's sharp voice rang out,
"Seniors! Time's up—clear the area!"
The girls' faces drained, glancing at each other in sudden panic. One hissed,
"Prisha, let's go, or we'll all be in trouble. You know what'll happen if we're late."
Prisha, clenching her teeth, stormed off, yelling over her shoulder,
"You got lucky, girl. Next time—let's see if you're so brave then!"
The group scattered, their snickers gone now. Saloni and Priya stayed together, both shaking but, for once, standing tall.