Pihu, Ishu, and Anu surrounded Sakshi, trying their best to calm her down. Her breathing was uneven, her eyes wide with fear.
Anu gently cupped her face and said softly,
"Sakshi, relax. We're leaving right now. Our bags are already packed, remember? Just take a deep breath… we'll go straight to Delhi."
Sakshi didn't respond — she just nodded faintly, her hands still trembling. Ishu handed her a bottle of water, and she drank slowly, trying to steady herself.
Within an hour, they were on the road again, the bus humming quietly as the city lights blurred outside. None of them spoke much — only the soft rustle of the seats and the occasional sound of traffic filled the silence.
Sakshi sat near the window, her gaze lost in the dark sky. Not a single word escaped her lips during the entire journey.
By the time they reached their apartment in Delhi, it was already late.
Ishu and Pihu, whose flat was just next door, helped Sakshi to her room. They could see how pale and tired she looked, so they didn't push her to talk.
"Try to sleep," Pihu whispered softly before leaving.
Sakshi just nodded again and lay down, closing her eyes — but sleep didn't come easily.
The next morning, they all went to the university together. The basketball team was greeted with cheers and applause; their victory was celebrated with flowers, photos, and congratulations from the faculty.
Sakshi smiled politely, but inside, she was still numb.
After the celebration, the girls decided to skip the library and head back home early. None of them wanted to leave Sakshi alone for long.
Once they reached the apartment, Pihu made a quick call to her brother.
"Kunal bhai, can you please send someone to pick up the car? We won't be able to come — we're stuck with projects and practicals this week."
He agreed without asking much, and they all felt a small wave of relief.
It's been four days since they returned from Rajasthan.
Sakshi was still scared as hell — she flinched at every small noise, her sleep filled with the same haunting images from that night. But because of their ongoing projects and practicals, all of them were constantly busy, trying to keep their minds occupied.
Now as they had got their notice about exams, they got even busier.
One month passed so smoothly — or rather, so fast — that none of them even realized it. Between lectures, late-night study sessions, and preparation stress, time slipped through their hands.
In that one month, Sakshi didn't see that man again. Her mind, drowned in books and revision, had completely pushed those memories away. The fear that once haunted her slowly faded into the background.
By the end of exams, it felt like life had gone back to normal.
It was their final year, and after the last paper, the university declared holidays. All four friends decided to go home for a while — to relax, to breathe, and to spend time with their families before returning to build their careers.
As they packed their bags and prepared to leave, laughter once again filled the apartment. Everything felt lighter, calmer, peaceful.
But what Sakshi didn't know was —
this peace was only the calm before the storm.
Because this time… she was truly unaware of what was waiting for her — something that would change her entire life.