The first lecture felt longer than it should have.
Not because the professor was boring.
Not because Kavya wasn't paying attention.
But because something felt… off.
The classroom buzzed with low whispers as the professor scribbled formulas across the board. Chalk dust filled the air, mixing with the faint smell of rain that drifted in through the open windows.
Kavya tried to focus.
She really did.
But her eyes kept shifting.
To the door.
To the windows.
To the back of the class.
To Aarav.
He hadn't said a word since that last sentence.
"This place… is not as normal as it looks."
It replayed in her mind again and again.
She leaned slightly toward him. "What did you mean earlier?"
Aarav didn't look at her.
"Nothing."
"That didn't sound like nothing."
"It was."
Kavya frowned. "You're a terrible liar."
This time, he turned.
Their eyes met.
And for a second—just a second—something raw flickered in his expression.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
More like… restraint.
"I don't lie," he said quietly.
"I just don't tell everything."
Before she could push further, the classroom door creaked open.
Late entry.
Everyone glanced up.
A girl stood at the entrance, slightly out of breath, her hair damp from the rain.
"Sorry, sir," she said softly.
The professor sighed but nodded. "Take your seat."
She walked in, scanning the room quickly—too quickly.
Like she was searching for someone.
Or something.
Kavya watched her.
There was something familiar about the girl.
But she couldn't place it.
"New admission?" Raghav whispered from behind.
"Looks like it," Kavya replied.
Aarav didn't react.
Not even a glance.
Which, for some reason… felt strange.
The girl finally took a seat two rows ahead.
And then—
She turned.
Directly toward Kavya.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, everything froze.
The girl's expression tightened.
Not confusion.
Not curiosity.
Recognition.
Kavya's heartbeat skipped.
Do I know her?
Before she could think further, the girl quickly looked away.
Too quickly.
Like she wasn't supposed to be noticed.
"Okay, that was weird," Kavya muttered.
Raghav leaned forward. "What?"
"She looked at me like she knew me."
"Maybe you're famous," he grinned.
"Shut up."
But Kavya wasn't smiling.
Because deep down—
She felt the same thing.
That strange, crawling feeling.
Like pieces of a puzzle were moving… without her understanding how.
The lecture ended.
Chairs scraped. Students stood up. Noise returned.
Normalcy returned.
Or at least, it tried to.
"Canteen?" Raghav suggested.
"Obviously," Kavya said, grabbing her bag.
Aarav stood up silently and followed.
The canteen was crowded.
Laughter. Music from someone's phone. The clatter of plates.
Life.
Simple, loud, careless life.
They found a table near the corner.
Raghav immediately started talking about random things—teachers, seniors, campus rumors.
Kavya half-listened.
Her eyes scanned the room again.
And then—
She saw her.
The same girl from class.
Sitting alone.
Not eating.
Just… watching.
"Do you see that girl?" Kavya asked quietly.
Raghav followed her gaze. "The one in blue?"
"Yes."
"Yeah. Why?"
"She's been staring since class."
Raghav smirked. "Maybe she likes you."
"Raghav."
"Okay, okay."
Kavya turned to Aarav.
But he was already looking.
Not at the girl.
At something else.
Near the exit.
"What is it?" Kavya asked.
Aarav didn't respond immediately.
Then he said, very slowly—
"We should leave."
Raghav blinked. "What? Why?"
"Just trust me."
There was no panic in his voice.
Which somehow made it worse.
Kavya followed his gaze.
Near the canteen door stood a man.
Not a student.
Older. Maybe late 30s.
Plain clothes.
Ordinary face.
But his eyes—
They weren't ordinary.
They were scanning.
Observing.
Calculating.
And then—
He looked straight at their table.
At Aarav.
Aarav stood up instantly.
"Now."
No explanation.
No hesitation.
Kavya didn't argue.
Something in his tone—
It wasn't a request.
It was a warning.
They walked out quickly.
Not running.
But fast enough to notice.
Once outside, the air felt heavier.
Quieter.
"Okay, what the hell was that?" Raghav asked.
Aarav finally stopped.
His jaw was tight.
His eyes darker than before.
"That man," he said, "shouldn't be here."
Kavya crossed her arms. "And why exactly?"
A pause.
A long one.
Then Aarav said something that changed everything—
"I've seen him before."
"Where?" Kavya asked.
Aarav looked at her.
And for the first time—
There was no holding back.
"Near a crime scene."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Even Raghav had no joke this time.
Kavya felt her heartbeat rise again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Dangerously real.
"Are you serious?" she whispered.
Aarav nodded.
"Yes."
Behind them—
Unnoticed—
The girl in blue had followed.
Standing at a distance.
Watching.
Listening.
And far away—
The man near the canteen stepped outside.
A phone pressed to his ear.
A quiet voice.
"They're together."
A pause.
Then—
"Yes… it's started."
New chapter Tommorow,,...