A clue.
Finally.
Not a threat.
Not a message.
Something real.
"Until I Found You."
Sarthak walked through the corridor, his mind running faster than ever.
A song.
A ringtone.
Simple.
But in a closed environment like a college—
It was not random.
It was traceable.
"Sarthak!"
Vansh caught up again.
"Bro, you disappeared from the hospital. At least tell me what is going on."
Sarthak stopped.
"…I need your help."
That alone—
Was enough to shock him.
"…Wait, what?"
"I need access to student groups."
"Which ones?"
"All."
Vansh blinked.
"…That sounds illegal."
"…It is necessary."
A pause.
Then—
Vansh sighed.
"Fine. But if we get arrested, I am blaming you."
Plan
Step 1: Find people who use that ringtone
Step 2: Narrow suspects
Step 3: Observe reactions
Afternoon – Canteen Area
Crowded.
Perfect.
Sarthak stood silently, scanning.
Listening.
Every phone ring.
Every notification.
Every sound.
"…You are seriously doing this?" Vansh whispered.
"Yes."
"…You are insane."
"Maybe."
Minutes passed.
Nothing.
Different ringtones.
Different sounds.
But not—
That one.
Then—
A sound.
Soft.
Familiar.
🎵 "I would never fall in love again until I found her…"
Sarthak froze.
That was it.
He turned instantly.
Searching.
And then—
He found it.
Near the corner table.
A phone.
In someone's hand.
Playing that exact song.
Sarthak's eyes narrowed.
Ananya Singh.
She picked up the call casually.
"…Yeah?"
Sarthak watched carefully.
Every movement.
Every reaction.
Normal.
Too normal.
"…Coincidence?" Vansh whispered.
"…Maybe," Sarthak replied.
But inside—
Something did not feel right.
After the call ended—
Sarthak walked toward her.
Direct.
No hesitation.
"…Nice ringtone."
Ananya looked up.
Slightly surprised.
"…Thanks."
Silence.
"…You always use it?" he asked.
"Sometimes."
"Since when?"
Ananya raised an eyebrow.
"…Why are you interrogating me?"
Sarthak did not break eye contact.
"…Just curious."
A pause.
"…Recently," she said.
That—
Was important.
"…How recently?"
Ananya's expression changed slightly.
"…A few days."
Timeline matched.
Too perfectly.
"…Did you go to the old building yesterday?" Sarthak asked suddenly.
Silence.
"…No."
Lie.
He could feel it.
"…You are lying."
Ananya stood up.
"And you are crossing a line."
Tension.
People nearby started noticing.
"…Answer the question," Sarthak said quietly.
Ananya stepped closer.
"…Or what?"
Same words.
Same challenge.
But this time—
Sarthak was ready.
"…Or I tell everyone," he said calmly,
"…that you were involved."
Silence.
That hit.
For a moment—
Ananya said nothing.
Then—
She leaned in.
"…Be careful," she whispered.
"…You are accusing the wrong person."
A pause.
"…Then prove it," Sarthak replied.
For a second—
Their eyes locked.
Battle of control.
Then—
Ananya stepped back.
"…Fine."
She picked up her phone.
Unlocked it.
And showed him.
Call logs.
Time stamps.
"…I was in the library yesterday," she said.
"…Study group."
She turned the screen slightly.
Multiple calls.
Messages.
Time matched.
Alibi.
Strong.
Sarthak stared at it.
Something felt off.
But he could not deny it.
"…Then how do you explain the ringtone?" he asked.
Ananya smirked slightly.
"…I downloaded it yesterday morning."
Silence.
"…Because I liked it."
That was possible.
Too possible.
Sarthak stepped back.
So—
She was either innocent.
Or—
Very careful.
As he turned—
A thought hit him.
If Ananya had the ringtone now—
Then someone else could have had it before.
"…Vansh," he said quietly.
"…Yeah?"
"…Find out who else uses that song."
Because this—
Was just the first mistake.
Behind them—
Ananya watched silently.
Her expression—
Unreadable.
And slowly—
She smiled.
Not in relief.
But in interest.
"…This just got interesting."
To be continued…