The rule was simple now.
Trust no one.
Sarthak walked into the classroom like any other day.
Same expression.
Same silence.
But inside—
Everything had changed.
He was no longer searching blindly.
He was testing.
"Sarthak."
Ananya's voice.
Direct.
Confident.
He looked up.
She was standing beside his desk again.
"I need your notes."
A simple excuse.
Too simple.
"…Why?" he asked calmly.
"You do not look like someone who studies," she said.
"But I know you do."
A pause.
"…And I want to see how much you are hiding."
Straightforward.
As expected from her.
Sarthak stared at her for a moment.
Then—
He nodded.
"Fine."
That surprised her.
Just slightly.
"I will give them after class."
Ananya smirked.
"Good."
And walked away.
Vansh leaned in immediately.
"Bro… what is going on?"
"Nothing."
"You just agreed to help the girl who called you a coward yesterday."
"…I am curious."
"About?"
Sarthak looked ahead.
"…Her."
Plan
Step 1: Give bait
Step 2: Observe reaction
Step 3: Wait
After class—
Sarthak handed over his notebook to Ananya.
"Return it tomorrow," he said.
She took it casually.
But her eyes—
Watched him closely.
"I will," she replied.
A pause.
"…Unless there is something you do not want me to see."
Sarthak met her gaze.
"…You tell me."
For a brief second—
Tension.
Then—
She smiled.
And walked away.
From the outside—
It looked normal.
But inside that notebook—
There was something new.
Something intentional.
The Trap
On the last page—
A note.
Hidden between formulas.
"I know you were there that day."
"Meet me tonight. Terrace. 8 PM."
Simple.
Direct.
And dangerous.
If Ananya was involved—
She would react.
If she was not—
Then someone else would.
Night.
8:00 PM
The terrace was empty.
Cold wind.
Dark sky.
Silent surroundings.
Sarthak stood near the edge.
Waiting.
Every second felt longer.
Every sound—
Sharper.
Then—
Footsteps.
Behind him.
He did not turn immediately.
"…You came."
A voice.
But—
It was not Ananya.
Sarthak turned.
And his eyes widened slightly.
"…You?"
Mahi.
Standing there.
Breathing slightly fast.
"…What is this about?" she asked.
Sarthak's mind raced.
Why her?
She was not supposed to come.
"…Why are you here?" he asked.
"I found the note."
Silence.
That did not make sense.
"…Where?"
"In the notebook."
His expression darkened slightly.
That meant—
Ananya had seen it.
And still—
Mahi came.
"…Did you tell anyone?" he asked.
"No."
"Did Ananya say anything?"
Mahi hesitated.
"…No."
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Before he could think further—
A vibration.
His phone.
He checked instantly.
"Disappointed?"
His jaw tightened.
"You really thought it would be that easy?"
Sarthak looked up sharply.
Scanning the surroundings.
Darkness.
Shadows.
Nothing visible.
"Wrong target."
His grip tightened.
So—
Ananya was not the one.
Or—
She was smarter than expected.
"…Sarthak?"
Mahi's voice.
Concerned.
"What is happening?"
He looked at her.
For a moment—
Silent.
Then—
"…Someone is playing with us."
Before she could respond—
Another message.
"Since you like games…"
"Let's raise the stakes."
Sarthak's expression hardened.
"Next time…"
"You might not be able to protect her."
Silence.
The air turned cold.
"…Who?" Mahi whispered.
Sarthak did not answer.
Because he already knew—
This was not random.
Slowly—
His eyes shifted.
Toward the staircase door.
A faint sound.
Like someone had just left.
Too late.
"…We are being watched," he said quietly.
Mahi's breath hitched.
And for the first time—
The fear felt real.
Not past.
Not memory.
Present.
Sarthak clenched his fists slightly.
"…Fine."
A pause.
His eyes darkened.
"If you want a game…"
A faint, dangerous smile appeared.
"…I will play."
But this time—
He would not lose.
To be continued…