The next morning, sunlight spilled through the curtains, wrapping the room in soft warmth. The university had declared a holiday, and for once, there was no rush.
Sakshi stretched lazily, still smiling from last night's dancing. Anu, already awake, looked up from her phone and grinned.
"Good morning, Miss Sleepy. Guess what day it is?"
It took Sakshi a second — then she gasped. "Oh no! The farewell party!"
Within minutes, the peaceful morning turned into cheerful chaos. They called Ishika, Pihu, and confirmed every last detail — the restaurant booking, decorations, cake, and playlist. Their beloved teacher — more like a friend to them — still had no clue about the surprise.
By evening, all four girls met at a cozy restaurant near the university. The warm lights, faint music, and aroma of freshly baked food made it perfect. They decorated one corner with balloons, flowers, and a big handmade banner that read "We'll Miss You, Ma'am!"
Pihu checked the time, whispering dramatically, "She's about to reach! Everyone ready?"
As soon as their teacher arrived, looking pleasantly confused, the lights dimmed — and the familiar tune of "Admiring You" began to play.
"Ni torra kar ti rehni hai, ni jo tu hasti rehni hai,
aur kide laye mere karke nazar mila di ne…"
On cue, Sakshi, Ishika, Anu, and Pihu entered from different sides, dressed beautifully in their traditional crop tops, skirts, and shrugs. They danced lightly, lip-syncing to the lyrics and playfully flirting with their teacher, making her blush and laugh.
When the song ended, Sakshi stepped forward dramatically with a bouquet. She went down on one knee — like proposing — and handed it to her teacher with a grin.
The restaurant erupted with laughter. Her teacher rolled her eyes and gave Sakshi a playful slap on her shoulder. "You're impossible!" she said, laughing.
Before sitting down, Sakshi climbed up on a chair and called out, "Hey everyone! Can I get your attention, please? We're really sorry for the disturbance. Yesterday was our teacher's farewell, so we decided to arrange a small surprise today. That's all — you can continue your dinner, and please ignore the chaos we caused a moment ago!"
Everyone laughed and applauded. The atmosphere was cheerful, full of warmth and joy.
But amidst the noise and lights, Sakshi suddenly felt it again — a strange, heavy gaze.
For a moment, she brushed it off, smiling and joining her friends. Yet, throughout the evening, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone's eyes were following her every move.
She ignored it, laughed louder, and focused on her teacher and friends — pretending everything was fine.
When the party finally ended, the girls began gathering their things. Sakshi, ever thoughtful, packed the leftover food neatly — planning to give it to someone in need — along with a few small gift boxes and decorations. Her hands were completely full when she suddenly felt a tug.
Her long shrug had gotten stuck.
She sighed softly, turning around. The fabric was caught on someone's wristwatch. Without looking up, she muttered, "One second…" and began freeing the material carefully.
But when she finally looked up — she froze.
A man sat there, calm and still, wearing a black formal shirt with the top three buttons open, revealing a glimpse of his well-built chest. His dark, sharp eyes locked onto hers — the same dark black eyes she had noticed earlier.
For a split second, time seemed to stop. The noise around her faded, replaced by the pounding of her own heartbeat.
He didn't look away. His gaze was intense, unwavering — almost predatory. It made something cold crawl down her spine.
And then, noticing the tiny shiver that escaped her, he smirked — slow and deliberate.
Sakshi's breath caught. She quickly pulled her shrug free, clutching her things tightly, and without another glance, turned away and hurried out of the restaurant.
But even as she walked into the night, she could still feel it —
that same gaze, following her.