The message kept echoing.
"Next time… you might not be able to protect her."
Her.
Who?
Mahi?
Ananya?
…Or—
Riya.
Sarthak did not wait.
The next morning—
He was already searching.
Eyes scanning every corner of the classroom.
And then—
He saw her.
Riya.
Sitting quietly.
As always.
But something—
Was off.
Her posture.
Her eyes.
She looked… shaken.
Sarthak walked straight to her desk.
No hesitation.
That alone—
Caught everyone's attention.
"…Riya."
She flinched slightly.
"…Y-yes?"
"Did something happen?"
Silence.
She avoided his eyes.
"…No."
Lie.
Sarthak leaned slightly closer.
"Look at me."
She hesitated.
Then slowly—
She did.
And that was enough.
Fear.
Clear.
Unhidden.
"…Someone contacted you," Sarthak said.
Her eyes widened.
That confirmed it.
"…What did they say?" his voice lowered.
"…Nothing important…"
"Riya."
A pause.
"…Tell me."
Her fingers tightened around her notebook.
"…It was just a message…"
"…From an unknown number…"
Sarthak's expression darkened.
"…What message?"
Riya hesitated.
Her voice barely above a whisper—
"…It said…"
"Stay away from him."
Silence.
The world around them faded.
"…And?" Sarthak asked.
She swallowed.
"Or you will end up like her."
Everything froze.
That was not a warning.
That was a threat.
Before Sarthak could respond—
A loud voice cut in.
"What is going on?"
Ananya.
Standing there.
Watching them.
Sharp gaze.
Riya immediately pulled back.
"…Nothing."
Ananya did not believe that.
Not for a second.
She looked at Sarthak.
"…You are dragging her into something, aren't you?"
"No."
"Then why does she look terrified?"
Silence.
Mahi also noticed now.
Walking closer.
"…Riya, are you okay?"
Too many people.
Too much attention.
Riya stood up suddenly.
"…I need some air."
And walked out.
Fast.
"…Great," Ananya muttered.
Sarthak turned immediately.
"I will go."
Without waiting—
He followed.
Corridor
Riya was walking fast.
Almost running.
"Riya!"
She stopped.
But did not turn.
"…Why are you following me?" she asked softly.
"Because you are in danger."
A pause.
"…Then you should stay away from me," she replied.
That hit.
"…What?"
She turned slowly.
Eyes trembling.
"…That is what the message said."
Silence.
"…If I stay near you…"
Her voice broke slightly.
"…something bad will happen."
For a moment—
Sarthak said nothing.
Because this—
This was exactly what the sender wanted.
Fear.
Distance.
Isolation.
"…Do you trust me?" Sarthak asked quietly.
Riya froze.
That question—
Was not simple.
"…I…"
She hesitated.
"…I do."
A small answer.
But real.
Sarthak nodded slightly.
"Then listen."
He stepped closer.
"I will not let anything happen to you."
Simple.
Direct.
But before she could respond—
A scream.
From inside the classroom.
Both of them froze.
Then—
Ran.
Classroom
Students gathered.
Chaos.
Whispers.
Fear.
"What happened?!"
Mahi stood near the door.
Face pale.
"…Sarthak…"
"…look."
On the blackboard—
Written in bold—
"YOU CAN'T PROTECT EVERYONE."
Silence.
Chalk still on the floor.
Like it was written—
Just now.
Sarthak's eyes darkened.
This was no longer hidden.
This was public.
A direct challenge.
And then—
His phone vibrated again.
Slowly—
He picked it up.
"Tick tock."
A pause.
"Choose carefully."
Sarthak clenched his jaw.
So this was it.
A game—
Where someone would get hurt.
Unless—
He figured it out.
Fast.
He looked around.
At everyone.
Mahi.
Scared.
Ananya.
Suspicious.
Riya.
Shaking.
Vansh.
Confused.
Anyone.
Could still be involved.
But now—
There was no time left.
Sarthak's eyes hardened.
"…I will end this."
No matter what it takes.
To be continued…