The rest of the day didn't feel normal anymore.
Not after what Aarav had said.
"I've seen him before… near a crime scene."
That sentence stayed with Kavya like a shadow that refused to leave.
Classes continued.
Teachers spoke.
Students laughed.
But for Kavya, everything felt distant.
Muted.
Unreal.
She sat by the window again, pretending to take notes, but her mind was somewhere else.
Her eyes drifted slightly—
Toward Aarav.
He looked the same.
Calm.
Focused.
Unbothered.
But now she knew better.
That calm wasn't normal.
It was controlled.
"You're staring again," Aarav said quietly, without looking at her.
Kavya immediately looked away. "I'm not."
"You are."
"Okay, maybe a little."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Why?"
Kavya hesitated.
Then she leaned slightly closer.
"Because you just told me you've seen a suspicious man at a crime scene… and now you're acting like it's a normal Tuesday."
Aarav finally turned to her.
His expression softened—just a little.
"It is a normal Tuesday."
"No, it's not."
"It is… if you don't ask questions."
Kavya raised an eyebrow. "That's your solution? Ignore everything?"
"It works."
"For you, maybe."
A pause.
Then Aarav said something unexpected—
"It won't… for you."
Kavya blinked.
"What does that mean?"
But Aarav had already looked away.
Conversation over.
Again.
"Okay, this guy is officially confusing," she muttered under her breath.
From behind, Raghav leaned forward.
"Welcome to the club."
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Students started leaving in groups, making plans, laughing loudly.
Normal college life.
But as Kavya packed her bag, she felt it again.
That feeling.
She looked toward the door.
And there—
The girl in blue.
Standing still.
Watching her.
Again.
This time, Kavya didn't look away.
She stood up.
"Where are you going?" Raghav asked.
"To get answers."
Before either of them could stop her, Kavya walked straight toward the girl.
Each step steady.
Confident.
But inside—
Her heart was racing.
The girl didn't move.
Didn't run.
Didn't pretend.
She just stood there.
Waiting.
Kavya stopped in front of her.
"Do I know you?" she asked directly.
No hesitation.
No fear.
The girl looked at her for a long second.
Then smiled.
But it wasn't a warm smile.
It was… complicated.
"No," she said softly.
"But I know you."
Kavya's stomach tightened.
"How?"
Another pause.
The girl's eyes flickered—just slightly—toward Aarav in the distance.
Then back to Kavya.
"You should be careful," she said.
Kavya frowned. "Careful of what?"
But the girl stepped back.
Already turning away.
"Wait," Kavya said, grabbing her wrist lightly.
"Explain what you mean."
The girl stopped.
Her expression changed.
Serious now.
Almost urgent.
"You don't understand what you're getting into," she said quietly.
"And once you do…"
She pulled her hand free.
"…it'll be too late."
And just like that—
She walked away.
Gone before Kavya could react.
"What the hell was that?" Raghav said, appearing beside her.
"I don't know," Kavya whispered.
"But I don't like it."
Aarav walked up to them.
His eyes sharper now.
"What did she say?"
Kavya looked at him.
Really looked at him.
As if trying to see through him.
"She said I should be careful," Kavya replied.
"Because of what I'm getting into."
A pause.
Then—
"She looked at you before saying it."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Raghav shifted uncomfortably. "Okay… now I'm officially creeped out."
But Aarav didn't speak.
Didn't react.
At least, not on the outside.
Kavya stepped closer to him.
"Enough," she said firmly.
"No more half-truths. No more silence."
Aarav met her gaze.
And this time—
He didn't look away.
"You want the truth?" he asked.
"Yes."
A long pause.
Like he was deciding something.
Something important.
Then he said—
"You shouldn't be around me."
Kavya blinked.
"…What?"
"It's not safe," he continued.
"People around me… they get involved in things they shouldn't."
Kavya let out a small, disbelieving laugh.
"That's your explanation? 'Stay away from me, it's dangerous'?"
"Yes."
"That's not an explanation, Aarav. That's a warning."
"It's both."
Kavya stepped even closer.
Now there was barely any distance between them.
"Too late," she said softly.
Aarav's expression shifted.
Just slightly.
But enough.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Kavya held his gaze.
Steady.
Unshaken.
"I'm already involved."
For a moment—
Time slowed.
The noise around them faded again.
Just like the first time they met.
And then—
Something changed.
Not fear.
Not danger.
Something deeper.
Aarav exhaled slowly.
Almost like he was giving up a fight he hadn't admitted he was fighting.
"You don't give up easily, do you?" he said.
Kavya smiled faintly.
"No."
A small silence settled between them.
But this time—
It wasn't uncomfortable.
It was… something else.
Raghav looked between them and shook his head.
"Wow. This is intense. Should I leave, or…?"
"Stay quiet," both of them said at the same time.
Raghav raised his hands. "Okay, okay."
Kavya looked back at Aarav.
"Now," she said, "you're going to tell me everything."
Aarav hesitated.
Then nodded slightly.
"Not here."
"Then where?"
He thought for a moment.
Then said—
"Tomorrow. After classes."
Kavya studied his face.
Trying to decide if she could trust him.
Strangely—
She already did.
"Fine," she said.
"But if you disappear or avoid this—"
"I won't."
Another pause.
And then—
Something unexpected happened.
A soft breeze passed through the corridor.
Kavya's hair moved slightly across her face.
Without thinking—
Aarav reached out.
And gently tucked it behind her ear.
Both of them froze.
The moment was small.
Simple.
But it carried something undeniable.
Kavya's heartbeat quickened.
Aarav's hand lingered for just a second longer than it should have.
Then he pulled back.
Quickly.
"Tomorrow," he said again.
Kavya nodded.
But her mind wasn't on tomorrow anymore.
It was on that moment.
That one small touch—
That changed something.
Behind them—
Unseen—
Someone was watching.
And this time…
They weren't smiling.
Next part soon...