The entire classroom smelled like stress, highlighter ink, and bad decisions.

“Last five minutes!” the professor announced.

Instant academic warfare erupted.

Pages flipped violently. Someone in the back whispered prayers. One boy looked seconds away from crying over macroeconomics.

Siya sat frozen in her seat, staring at the same paragraph for the last three minutes.

Not because of economics.

Because her phone—hidden inside her hoodie pocket—had buzzed four times in a row.

Unknown Number.

Unknown Number.

Unknown Number.

Unknown Number.

Aaru leaned over from the next chair. “If that psycho sends one more message during class, I’m filing a police complaint myself.”

Another buzz.

Siya slowly unlocked her phone beneath the desk.

> Don’t drink the vending machine cold coffee today.

Her eyebrows furrowed.

“What now?” Aaru whispered.

Siya showed her the text.

Aaru blinked once.

Then twice.

“…okay maybe he’s finally doing community service.”

Another message arrived instantly.

> The machine sparks near the bottom wire.

Siya sat upright.

At that exact second—

BZZZT.

A loud electric crack exploded from the corridor vending machine outside.

Students screamed.

Someone dropped an entire notebook.

And the machine literally BURST smoke into the hallway.

The whole class erupted into chaos.

“FIRE!”

“OH MY GOD!”

“MY MOM TOLD ME THIS COLLEGE WOULD KILL ME!”

Two boys ran dramatically despite the tiny amount of smoke.

One girl started recording for Instagram.

Aaru turned toward Siya with the slow horror of someone realizing the conspiracy theory might actually be true.

“…your stalker predicts electrical failures now?”

“I DON’T KNOW!”

Across campus.

Inside a black SUV.

Kabir lowered his binoculars and sighed deeply. “Sir.”

Shashwat stood beside the car, expression unreadable.

Kabir rubbed his forehead. “You bribed a maintenance worker to unplug a vending machine just to look mysterious?”

Shashwat adjusted his watch calmly. “The wire was actually damaged.”

“You are mentally unwell.”

“She smiled yesterday.”

Kabir looked physically exhausted. “That sentence should not justify criminal behavior.”

2:15 PM — College Library

The library had become Siya’s emotional support building.

She sat cross-legged between stacks of books, updating her Wattpad chapter while pretending not to think about the fact that a dangerous man apparently monitored electrical infrastructure for her safety.

Her comment section was absolute madness.

> SHASHWAT NEEDS THERAPY AND SO DO I.

> MEERA GIRL RUN—actually wait no stay.

> HE’S A RED FLAG BUT RED IS MY FAVORITE COLOR.

> Author update faster before I pass away.

Siya laughed quietly despite herself.

Then froze.

A new comment appeared.

From @H_Y_A_L_E_T.

> Tell your readers I dislike being compared to traffic lights.

Her smile disappeared.

Slowly, mechanically, Siya looked around the library.

Rows of students.

Bookshelves.

Silence.

No sign of him.

Her fingers trembled over the keyboard.

She typed carefully.

Are you here?

Seen instantly.

No reply.

Her pulse quickened.

Aaru suddenly dropped into the chair beside her holding two samosas. “Emergency situation.”

Siya nearly screamed.

“OH MY GOD!”

“Why are you reacting like a haunted Victorian child?”

“You scared me!”

Aaru narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “You were talking to him again.”

“No.”

“You have the face.”

“What face?”

“The face people make before ruining their lives romantically.”

Before Siya could argue—

The library lights shut off.

Complete darkness swallowed the room.

A collective groan echoed around them.

“Seriously? AGAIN?” someone shouted.

Phones lit up everywhere.

Whispers spread instantly.

Then—

Through the darkness—

A voice spoke from somewhere behind the bookshelves.

Low.

Calm.

Dangerously familiar.

“Relax,” the voice said. “Backup power returns in sixty seconds.”

Siya’s blood froze solid.

Aaru’s jaw DROPPED.

“No,” she whispered dramatically. “No no no. Absolutely not. THIS MAN IS DOING LIVE ENTRIES NOW?”

A shadow moved between the shelves.

Tall.

Broad shoulders.

Black shirt.

Then lightning flashed through the library windows-

Illuminating Shashwat’s face for a single terrifying second.

Half the girls nearby literally stopped breathing.

One girl whispered, “Wait… he’s HOT hot.”

Aaru looked offended. “THIS is what we focus on?!”

The lights came back instantly.

People blinked around in confusion.

But the aisle near the history section was empty.

Gone.

As if he had never been there.

Siya’s phone buzzed.

> Page 247.

Read the note before anyone else does.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

Slowly, she stood.

Walked toward the history aisle.

Found the book.

Page 247.

A folded paper slipped out.

Her fingers shook opening it.

One line.

Just one.

> Someone in your college is leaking your schedule to me.

And it isn’t who you think.

Siya’s breath caught.

Aaru grabbed the note from her hand.

Read it.

Then slowly looked up.

Toward the crowded library full of students.

Anyone could be watching.

Anyone could be helping him.

And suddenly—

For the first time—

Even the familiar faces around Siya no longer felt safe.

Author’s Note:

Should Siya trust Shashwat… or run before it’s too late? 👀

Vote if you want the next chapter FAST because things are about to get INSANE.