The train screeched to a slow halt, and the moment it did, excitement exploded among the students.
Gayatri stretched her arms overhead. "Finally! I was starting to think we were gonna live in this train forever."
Kunal grinned, nudging Hriday. "Same. If Hriday sang one more romantic song, I was gonna throw myself off the train."
Hriday raised his eyebrow, mock offended. "Jealous much?"
Everyone grabbed their bags, pushing and shoving their way out of the train. The cold morning air of Mussoorie hit them instantly, sending shivers down their spines.
Sharayu hugged herself. "Damn! I knew it would be cold, but this is next-level freezing."
Satish stood nearby with his hands in his pockets, watching their antics with amusement.
"That's why I told you all to bring warm clothes," Satish said, a dry edge to his tone. "But clearly, some of you value style over survival."
Sharayu shot him a look, her teeth chattering. "I am wearing warm clothes, sir. But this place is Antarctica."
Satish just smirked, shaking his head.
After dragging their luggage to the hotel, the students were divided into rooms.
Professor Sayali began handing out room keys, her voice firm. "Boys in one wing, girls in the other. No sneaky business."
Kunal nudged Hriday, whispering. "She thinks we're in a Bollywood movie."
The girls checked into their room and immediately flopped onto the beds.
Arohi groaned, her eyes half shut. "I don't care if we have a full day of activities planned. I need sleep."
Gayatri rolled over. "Same, dude. Wake me up in a week."
But before they could get too comfortable, a knock on the door interrupted them.
Vrushal appeared at the threshold, grinning. "Get up, lazy people. Breakfast in 15 minutes. If you're late, Satish sir will personally drag you out."
Sharayu rolled her eyes. "Of course, he will."
They freshened up quickly, changed into warm clothes, and made their way to the dining area.
Everyone was seated, enjoying the steaming parathas and chai, when Satish walked in, looking fresh and effortlessly intimidating.
Satish scanned the room. "I hope you all remember that this is an educational trip and not just a vacation."
Kunal leaned over to Sharayu, voice low. "He says that, but he's enjoying this trip more than any of us."
Sharayu snorted, trying to hold back a laugh.
Satish noticed.
His eyes narrowed slightly in Sharayu's direction. "Is something funny, Miss Sharayu?"
Sharayu blinked innocently. "Nothing, sir. Just excited for the activities."
Satish didn't reply, but the tiny smirk on his face gave him away.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the chilly Mussoorie air settled over the camp, making everyone huddle closer to the roaring bonfire. The golden flames crackled, casting long shadows as laughter and chatter filled the air.
Kunal rubbed his hands together. "Damn, this cold is next level. I swear I saw my own breath turn into ice."
Arohi grinned. "That's because you have the cold tolerance of a popsicle."
The group had gathered around the fire, wrapped in their cozy jackets, roasting marshmallows and sipping on hot cocoa. Some were sharing ghost stories, others just vibing to the sound of soft guitar music wafting through the night.
Sharayu, however, was freezing.
She sat close to the fire, rubbing her hands together, but it wasn't enough. Her jacket did little to protect her from Mussoorie's biting cold.
Hriday, sitting next to her, noticed her shivering.
Without saying a word, he pulled off the thick woolen blanket draped around his shoulders and wrapped it around her.
He whispered gently, "Take this. You'll turn into an icicle at this rate."
Sharayu looked up at him, surprised by his quiet gesture, but grateful.
Before she could respond-
Kunal gasped theatrically. "OHHHHH! Look at this! Our very own Bollywood moment."
Gayatri nudged Hriday, teasing. "Hriday, you really know how to impress a girl, huh?"
Arohi pretended to wipe a tear. "Such a gentleman! I'm emotional."
Vrushal grinned. "Sharayu, any comments? How does it feel to be Hriday's special person?"
Sharayu rolled her eyes, tightening the blanket around herself. "It feels warm, that's all."
The group burst into laughter, hooting and whistling.
But amidst all the noise, someone else had noticed the entire scene.
Satish.
Standing a few feet away, Satish had been observing the bonfire from a distance, keeping a watchful eye, ensuring no one got too carried away.
But his gaze lingered a little too long on Sharayu and Hriday.
The way Hriday casually wrapped the blanket around her. The way Sharayu instinctively accepted it.
Satish didn't know why, but something about it made his jaw tighten.
He shook off the thought and stepped forward, clearing his throat.
Satish raised his voice enough for everyone to hear. "Alright, that's enough for the night. It's late. Everyone, back to your rooms."
The students groaned.
Kunal sighed dramatically. "Sir, let us enjoy for a little longer! We're on a trip, not in jail."
Satish raised an eyebrow. "If you don't move now, I can arrange for an early morning lecture tomorrow."
Within seconds, the students scrambled to their feet.
Gayatri leaned over to Sharayu, whispering. "He really knows how to threaten us, huh?"
Sharayu smirked. "It's his superpower."
As the group started making their way back, Satish's eyes flickered toward Sharayu again.
She was still wrapped in Hriday's blanket, laughing at something Kunal had said.
Satish's expression remained unreadable.
But for some reason, that blanket felt like an eyesore.
As the students dispersed towards their rooms, the air was still buzzing with excitement from the bonfire. Sharayu pulled the blanket closer around herself, feeling the warmth lingering in its folds. Hriday walked beside her, hands in his pockets, a small smirk playing on his lips as the others continued teasing.
Kunal nudged Hriday. "Dude, we didn't know you had such smooth moves. First, singing 'chahun main ya na' and now this? When's the wedding?"
Hriday rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Kunal."
Gayatri giggled. "Sharayu, any special message for your 'knight in shining blanket'?"
Sharayu, completely done with their teasing, turned to glare at them. "Yeah. Get a life."
They all burst into laughter, their jokes echoing through the dimly lit corridors of the hotel.
But amidst the laughter, one pair of sharp blue eyes silently observed.
Satish stood near the entrance of the lobby, arms crossed as he watched the students head to their rooms. His expression was unreadable.
Professor Hrikesh, standing beside him, smirked. "You seem... focused, Satish. Something interesting?"
Satish looked away. "Nothing. Just making sure they all follow the schedule."
Hrikesh chuckled, clearly not buying his casual dismissal.
Later that night, Sharayu lay in bed, wide awake.
Even though she was exhausted from the long journey and the activities, her mind was restless.
Maybe it was the excitement of the trip. Or maybe... it was something else.
She turned to look at the blanket draped over the chair nearby-the same one Hriday had wrapped around her.
Something about tonight felt different. Not just because of the teasing, but because... someone else had noticed.
She didn't miss the way Satish's gaze had flickered toward her at the bonfire.
Was she imagining it? Or was there really something there?
She shook her head. You're overthinking. It's just a blanket.
With that thought, she closed her eyes.
Satish sat in his room, staring at the ceiling, his jaw tightening as he replayed the bonfire scene in his head.
Why did it bother him? Why did he even notice?
With a sigh, he ran a hand through his hair.
This is ridiculous.
She's a student.
Yet, despite telling himself that, sleep didn't come easy that night.
Satish sat in his dimly lit hotel room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting long shadows on the wall. His fingers absently tapped against the armrest of the chair he was sitting in, his mind refusing to settle.
He was exhausted-after an entire day of travel, keeping an eye on the students, and ensuring everything went as per schedule. But his thoughts kept circling back to the bonfire.
More specifically, to her.
The way Sharayu had curled into the blanket Hriday had given her. The teasing, the way her friends made such a big deal out of it. The way she had simply rolled her eyes and laughed it off.
It was ridiculous. Why was It even bothering him?
He wasn't supposed to notice these things. He wasn't supposed to care about which student was wrapped in whose blanket. He wasn't supposed to feel this strange, unsettling emotion that clawed at his chest.
What was it? Annoyance? Irritation?
No, it was something worse-something he didn't want to name.
Satish exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. This had to stop.
Maybe it was just exhaustion playing tricks on him. Maybe he was just overanalyzing.
But then why, when he closed his eyes, did his mind betray him with images of her laughing at the bonfire?
And why, for the first time in years, did he feel like he was losing control over his carefully built walls?
With a sigh, he switched off the lamp and leaned back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling.
He needed to sleep.
He needed to forget whatever this was.
But deep down, a part of him already knew-this wasn't something he could ignore for long.
The next morning, the cold mountain air was crisp, but the tension was warmer than it should have been. The students slowly filed into the hotel's dining area for breakfast, some still groggy from lack of sleep, while others-like Kunal and Gayatri-were already bursting with energy, ready to create more chaos.
Sharayu stretched her arms and let out a yawn as she walked toward their usual table, her mind still foggy from last night's restlessness. Hriday was already seated, sipping on a cup of coffee, looking far too smug for someone who had been the center of last night's teasing.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty," Hriday greeted, raising his cup.
Sharayu rolled her eyes, grabbed a plate and slumped into the seat beside him. "If you call me that again, I swear I'll dump your coffee on your head," she muttered, picking at the toast on her plate.
Kunal leaned in, smirk on his face. "Awww, still grumpy? Maybe you just missed someone's warmth?"
Before Sharayu could throw something at him, Gayatri gasped dramatically.
"Oh my god, guys! Look who's here."
Everyone turned toward the entrance, and just like that, the chatter in the room dropped a few notches.
There he was. Satish Singh Rajvanshi.
He was dressed in a simple black t-shirt and jeans, a stark contrast from the crisp formal shirts he usually wore. His sharp, unreadable gaze scanned the room briefly before he strode toward the professors' table.
He looked effortlessly cool, and that was exactly the problem.
Sharayu, who had taken a bite of toast, suddenly felt like it had turned to sawdust in her mouth.
The events of last night flashed in her mind-the teasing, the blanket, and most importantly, the way Satish had looked at her when he instructed everyone to go back to their rooms.
"Damn," Arohi whispered. "Why does he have to look like a whole Bollywood hero even in casuals?"
Hriday glanced at Sharayu, raising an eyebrow. "You okay? You look weird."
"I don't look weird," Sharayu snapped, a little too quickly.
"You do," Vrushal added. "You're holding your toast like it's about to betray you."
Sharayu groaned, dropping the toast back onto her plate.
Across the room, Satish took his seat and pulled out his phone, but his eyes flickered briefly toward their table.
He wasn't sure why.
Maybe it was habit-his students were the most chaotic group in the entire batch, after all. Or maybe it was something else.
His jaw tensed slightly as he noticed Hriday and Sharayu sitting close, laughing at something Kunal said.
He looked away.
It wasn't his business. It shouldn't even be a thought in his mind.
But for the first time in years, something about this trip was testing his self-control in a way he hadn't expected.
After breakfast, the professors gathered everyone to discuss the day's itinerary.
Professor Sayali addressed the group. "Alright, listen up! We have a busy day ahead. First, a trek to George Everest Peak, then some sightseeing, and later in the evening, we'll visit the local market. Everyone, make sure to stick to your groups."
As the students murmured excitedly about the trek, Sharayu suddenly had a sinking feeling.
She hated trekking. Absolutely despised it.
"Nope. I'm not doing this," she announced, arms folded.
"Oh, come on, it'll be fun!" Rutuja insisted. "It's just a small trek."
"It's literally called a 'Peak.'"
"You're acting like it's Everest."
"It literally has 'Everest' in its name!"
Their argument was interrupted by a deep, familiar voice.
"Any problem here?"
All heads turned to see Satish standing there, hands in his jeans pockets, looking between Sharayu and Rutuja.
Sharayu froze.
Kunal, never missing a beat, said, "Sir, Sharayu is scared of trekking."
Sharayu shot him a glare that promised slow, painful revenge.
Satish raised an eyebrow. "Scared?"
"I'm not scared," Sharayu retorted quickly. "I just don't see the point of walking uphill for hours when I could be sitting somewhere, drinking hot chocolate."
Satish's lips twitched-almost a smile?
"Well, you don't have a choice," he said simply. "Everyone has to come. Including you."
Sharayu opened her mouth to protest, but shut it just as quickly. The way he said it-calm but firm-made it clear there was no point arguing.
Hriday nudged her. "Guess you're going trekking after all."
As the group dispersed to get ready, Sharayu sighed dramatically.
Great. Just what she needed.
A trek.
And a professor who was suddenly way too involved in her decisions.
Something told her this trip was going to be way more eventful than she had anticipated.
The group assembled near the starting point of the trek, buzzing with energy and excitement-everyone except Sharayu, who stood there with a scowl, arms crossed, mentally cursing whoever had come up with this idea.
Arohi gushed, "Look at this scenic beauty!"
Sharayu shot back, "Look at this impending suffering," tightening her jacket.
Hriday nudged her playfully, "You need to chill. It's just a small trek."
"So is your brain, yet you manage to function," she fired back, making Rutuja and Kunal laugh.
Just then, Professor Satish walked past them, effortlessly fitting into the scene with his black jacket and track pants, looking like he belonged on the cover of an adventure magazine.
He glanced back, expression unreadable. "Less talking, more walking."
Sharayu groaned. "Oh great, even trekking comes with dictatorship now."
She thought she'd said it softly. She hadn't.
Satish, already a few steps ahead, paused, turning slightly. His blue eyes flickered with amusement-as if he'd heard her.
For a second, Sharayu panicked. Was he going to say something? Call her out?
Instead, he simply turned back and kept walking.
Hriday leaned in, whispering, "You live to see another day."
Sharayu blew out a breath. "Barely."
The trek started off fine. The path was even, and there was enough enthusiasm to distract Sharayu from the impending doom.
Twenty minutes in, though, the struggle got real.
"WHY did no one tell me trekking involves climbing?" Sharayu gasped, clutching a tree for support.
Gayatri wiped the sweat off her forehead. "It's common sense, Sharayu."
"I refuse to accept that."
Meanwhile, Kunal and Vrushal raced each other to prove who was the 'alpha male' of the group. Rutuja was clicking pictures, Hriday singing random songs, and Arohi was casually walking as if this wasn't affecting her at all.
Then there was Satish.
He was casually walking ahead, looking like the trek was a leisurely morning stroll. No panting, no sweating-just a frustratingly calm presence.
Then Sharayu slowed down, trying to catch her breath.
A tiny rock under her foot shifted.
She lost her balance.
"Shit!"
Before she could process the fact that she was about to meet her end dramatically by rolling down the hill, a strong grip caught her wrist.
For a second, everything blurred-except for the warmth of the hand steadying her.
She looked up.
Straight into piercing blue eyes.
Satish.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
She could hear the distant chatter of students, the rustling of leaves, and her own stupidly loud heartbeat.
His grip was firm, steady. A silent reassurance.
Then, just as quickly as he'd caught her, he let go.
"Be careful," he said simply, as if he hadn't just sent her entire system into a shutdown.
Sharayu nodded stiffly, her brain still buffering.
Meanwhile, her beloved friends had, of course, noticed everything.
"Ooooh, that was intense," Kunal whispered dramatically.
Rutuja grinned, "Damsel in distress moment?"
"Shut up."
Hriday, silent up until now, watched Satish walk ahead, a thoughtful look on his face.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the top.
The view was breathtaking, stretching across vast mountains and valleys.
Everyone was taking pictures and admiring the scenery-except Sharayu, who still hadn't processed the incident.
She sat on a rock, staring at the ground, when a shadow fell over her.
She looked up.
Satish.
"Drink water," he said, tossing her a bottle.
Sharayu blinked, catching it awkwardly. "Uh... thanks?"
He nodded, about to walk away, but then paused.
For a moment, he hesitated. Then, in a voice so casual it almost sounded forced, he said,
"Don't be careless. I won't always be there to catch you."
And just like that, he walked away, leaving her staring after him-feeling oddly unsettled.
After spending some time at the peak, soaking in the view, clicking pictures, and attempting to breathe like normal human beings again, it was time to go back down.
Which, in Sharayu's opinion, was just as bad as going up-if not worse.
"I swear to God, if I slip, someone better catch me dramatically again," she muttered, side-eyeing Hriday, who grinned.
"Don't worry, I'll even add background music for extra effect."
Meanwhile, Satish was at the front, leading the group-because of course he was. His steady, confident strides made it clear he was absolutely in his element.
While the rest of them looked like disoriented chickens trying to navigate their way down, he looked as if he'd done this a hundred times before.
Sharayu found herself watching him.
It wasn't just the fact that he was too good-looking for a professor-it was the way he carried himself. Calm, composed, and completely unreadable.
She had spent days trying to figure him out. Satish Singh Rajvanshi wasn't just a professor-he was a puzzle.
He was strict, but fair. Intimidating, but not unapproachable. He rarely gave anyone special attention, and yet, it always felt like he noticed everything.
Like now.
As if he could feel her staring, he turned slightly, locking eyes with her for the briefest moment.
Sharayu immediately looked away, her brain doing emergency shutdown procedures.
Hriday, who had watched the entire thing, smirked. "That's the second time he's caught you today."
"Shut up, Hriday."
The way down was mostly fine-until it wasn't.
It happened in the most cliché way possible.
A loose patch of dirt. A misplaced step. A moment of pure betrayal from physics.
Sharayu slipped.
And this time, no one caught her.
Instead, she landed straight onto Vrushal, who yelped and crashed onto the ground with a loud thud.
"OH MY GOD, GET OFF ME."
"I DIDN'T DO THIS ON PURPOSE."
The rest of the group burst into laughter while Vrushal lay there, dramatically groaning in pain.
"Sharayu, this is the second time today you've decided to defy gravity. Do you just have a personal grudge against staying upright?" Kunal teased.
Sharayu got up, mortified, dusting herself off. "Shut up, I hate all of you."
Arohi was laughing, helping Hriday up, while Rutuja-bless her heart-was too busy clicking pictures of the scene.
Meanwhile, Satish, who'd been further ahead, turned back at the commotion.
He took one look at Sharayu, sighed, and rubbed his temples as if this was physically painful to witness.
"I don't know if I should be concerned or just accept this as a daily occurrence at this point."
"It was ONE TIME," Sharayu protested.
Satish raised an eyebrow. "Twice, actually."
That shut her up.
Meanwhile, Sharayu was surprisingly keeping up, though she was visibly exhausted.
Satish, walking ahead, glanced back at her.
"Not bad. I thought you'd be the first one to give up."
Sharayu, out of breath but grinning, replied, "I like proving people wrong, sir."
Satish just smirked and turned back.
As they reached down, a sudden scream made everyone freeze.
It was Arohi.
She pointed at the ground, panicked. "THERE'S A LEECH ON MY LEG!"
Cue absolute chaos.
Gayatri shrieked, "DON'T MOVE! MAYBE IT'LL LEAVE YOU ALONE."
Hriday panicked more than Arohi. "SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING."
Meanwhile, Kunal and Vrushal? Laughing their hearts out.
Satish just shook his head, walking over. "Oh, for God's sake." He casually removed the leech with a tissue and threw it aside.
"You all act like you've never seen nature before," Satish said, unimpressed.
Arohi glared at him. "Sir, I just had a near-death experience."
Satish cocked an eyebrow. "Sure."
Everyone burst into laughter.
By the time they reached the base, Sharayu had decided she was never trekking again. Ever.
Everyone was exhausted, but adrenaline from the day had them buzzing. Bonfire preparations were underway, and the night promised music, stories, and probably another round of truth and dare-which Sharayu was determined to avoid this time.
Meanwhile, outside the room, Satish was standing near the balcony, scrolling through some messages on his phone. His face was unreadable as always, but there was something... different.
He had noticed everything today.
Every glance. Every little moment.
And despite himself, despite knowing better-
He found himself noticing her.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the group found themselves wandering through the lively local market, the streets glowing under the warm hues of hanging lanterns. The air was filled with a mix of spices, fresh wool, and the faint scent of roasted corn from street vendors.
The market was buzzing with life-locals bargaining effortlessly, tourists admiring handcrafted souvenirs, and shopkeepers calling out with enticing deals. It was exactly the kind of chaos that made Sharayu's heart race with excitement.
Sharayu had one mission-to find something in the local attire that suited her perfectly.
She stopped at nearly every stall that displayed shawls, jackets, or anything remotely traditional. Her friends trailed behind, some genuinely interested, others just there for the drama.
"Sharayu, just buy something and let us live," Kunal complained, draping himself against a stall dramatically.
"Excuse me," Sharayu shot back, flipping her hair, "You don't just pick something. It has to feel right."
Arohi chuckled, nudging Rutuja. "She acts like she's choosing a life partner, not an outfit."
Finally, after what felt like ages, she found it.
A deep maroon Pashmina shawl embroidered with delicate gold thread. It was simple yet elegant-exactly what she had been searching for.
She draped it around herself, turning to the group. "How does it look?"
For a second, nobody said anything.
Hriday, who had been testing a wooden flute, glanced up and froze. "Uhh..."
Kunal clutched his heart. "Sharayu, if you don't buy this, I will personally riot."
"It's perfect," Rutuja agreed with a smile.
Vrushal and Gayatri gave thumbs-up, clearly relieved that the shopping torture was over.
Satisfied, Sharayu turned to the shopkeeper. "Bhaiya, pack this!"
Satish, who had wandered into the market on his own, happened to be standing a few shops away, observing quietly.
He hadn't planned on keeping an eye on them, but somehow, his gaze had been drawn to Sharayu.
The way she lit up over small things, the dramatic debates with her friends, the genuine excitement in her eyes when she found something she loved-
It was annoying how effortlessly she stood out.
And yet...
Why wasn't he looking away?
Sharayu wasn't about to hand over her money without a fight. Bargaining was an art, and she had mastered it over years of shopping with her mom.
She narrowed her eyes at the shopkeeper. "Bhaiya, ₹2,500 for a shawl? Matlab kya? This is daylight robbery!"
The shopkeeper smiled patiently, years of dealing with tough customers shining in his eyes. "Didi, yeh pure Pashmina hai. Ekdum original! Itna mehenga nahi hai, sahi price hai."
Hriday and Kunal exchanged amused glances. "And here we go," Kunal muttered, crossing his arms.
"Haan toh, sahi price ₹1,200 hai," Sharayu returned confidently.
The shopkeeper gave a practiced, theatrical sigh. "Didi, aap toh mera ghar tod dengi!"
"Aap pehle hi mera dil tod chuke ho price sunake!" Sharayu shot back, hands on hips.
Rutuja gave an exaggerated sigh. "Bas Bhagwan, isko aur power do, warna yeh poora market uthake ghar le jaayegi!"
While the group was thoroughly entertained by the battle, someone else was pretending not to watch.
Satish had been passing by when he heard the heated exchange and, despite himself, stole a glance in their direction.
There she was-Sharayu in full warrior mode, hands on her hips, refusing to back down.
He should've just kept walking.
But for some reason, he found himself lingering for a second too long.
She is impossible.
Realizing he had stopped, he mentally shook himself and turned away.
Whatever this was-this weird curiosity, this subtle awareness-he wasn't entertaining it.
Not now. Not ever.
And so, he walked ahead, leaving behind the sound of Sharayu's dramatic gasps and Kunal's laughter.
Sharayu wasn't about to lose this battle. She had come too far, argued too much, and created too much drama to back down now.
She leaned forward, lowering her voice as if she was about to reveal a classified secret. "Bhaiya, dekho, hum college ke students hain. Koi Ambani ke waris nahi. Aapke shop ka goodwill bana rahega agar aap hume discount doge."
The shopkeeper sighed, pretending to think. "Acha chalo, ₹2,000 final."
Sharayu gasped. "₹1,500 warna hum ja rahe hain!" She dramatically turned around, dragging Rutuja with her.
The shopkeeper panicked. "Arey didi ruko! Theek hai, ₹1,500."
Sharayu basked in victory and turned back with a proud smirk. "Bas! Yeh toh pehle hi de sakte the na, tension kyun diya!"
Her friends burst into laughter, while Hriday shook his head. "Sharayu, agar tere upar ek reality show bana toh TRP record tod dega."
Kunal wiped fake tears. "Bhaiya, aaj aapne ek legend se deal kiya hai. Mubarak ho."
The shopkeeper laughed, handing her the packed shawl, probably relieved to have survived the encounter.
A little ahead, Satish pretended not to have witnessed the entire spectacle.
His face was neutral, but somewhere in the depths of his mind, a single thought surfaced:
This girl is something else.
He shook his head, as if trying to push away the absurdity of his own curiosity, and kept walking ahead-because whatever this was, he was not interested in finding out.
At least, that's what he told himself.
The sun had long set behind the majestic hills of Mussoorie, and the air had turned chilly, wrapping the town in a blanket of mist. After a long day of traveling, exploring, and shopping (or in Sharayu's case, battling shopkeepers), exhaustion had finally settled in.
The group walked back toward their hotel, their once-enthusiastic chatter now replaced by lazy murmurs and the occasional yawn.
Sharayu stretched, arms high above her head. "Guys, I swear, I have never been this tired in my life. Even my thoughts are too tired to think!"
Rutuja groaned. "Same! I feel like I could sleep for three days straight."
Kunal smirked. "And yet, I bet in five minutes, you'll be scrolling on your phone, stalking random influencers."
Arohi chuckled. "We should give an award to whoever crashes first."
As they entered the hotel lobby, the warmth felt like a hug compared to the freezing air outside. The receptionist smiled, greeting them as they made their way toward the elevators.
Hriday checked his phone. "So, are we sleeping early or are we meeting in someone's room for a midnight gossip session?"
Sharayu raised her finger. "Listen, my soul is gossip-ready, but my body is shutting down. I'm going to sleep!"
Kunal smirked. "Yeah, sure, let's see how long that lasts."
Meanwhile...
Satish had just returned to his own room after a long day of overseeing the students, preventing trouble (which was ironic considering who was in his department). He took off his coat, running a hand through his hair, before checking his phone.
The faculty group chat was flooded with messages about tomorrow's itinerary, last-minute student concerns, and general check-ins.
But his mind wandered elsewhere.
Sharayu.
Not because he wanted to think about her, but because she had the audacity to be the most chaotic person he had ever met.
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This trip is going to be longer than I thought."
As soon as the girls reached their room, a sudden burst of energy hit them.
Arohi flopped onto the bed. "Why is the bed so comfortable? I might actually cry."
Gayatri laughed. "So much for 'I'm going straight to sleep,' huh, Sharayu?"
Sharayu, already wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito, peeked out. "Listen, I am in bed. That's step one. Sleep is step two. Let me transition."
The girls burst into laughter as they all settled into their beds, talking about the day, the places they had visited, and of course... the people they had encountered.
And just like that, exhaustion won, and one by one, they drifted off to sleep, their conversations fading into the quiet hum of the night.
The morning air was crisp as the students gathered in the hotel's dining area, enjoying a hearty breakfast before their industrial visit. The room was full of laughter and chatter, energy at an all-time high. Everyone was buzzing with excitement, eager to explore something new.
Sharayu and Rutuja sat together, munching on sandwiches while comparing notes about the industry they were about to see.
"I hope we don't just stand there and listen to long boring explanations," Rutuja sighed, stirring her coffee.
Sharayu smirked. "I know right? We should totally sneak around and explore on our own."
"You both better behave," Kunal warned, raising an eyebrow at them. "Don't get yourselves into trouble."
Sharayu waved him off. "Oh, please. What's the worst that could happen?"
The bus ride was filled with excitement. Students were shouting, laughing, and singing as they reached the location. The factory was massive, with tall chimneys releasing light smoke into the sky, large machines working tirelessly, and workers moving around in perfect synchronization.
Professor Hrishikesh led them inside, his tone serious. "Pay attention. You all need to understand this process in detail because your reports will be graded."
Everyone quickly took out their notebooks, their enthusiasm slightly dimming at the mention of marks.
But Sharayu and Rutuja?
They had other plans.
Instead of staying glued to the main group, they began strolling around, making small notes from whatever information they could gather from the workers they talked to. While others were standing in one place, writing down word-for-word what the professor was explaining, they were exploring.
As they moved toward the quieter section of the industry, the energy around them changed. It was darker, the humming sound of machines louder, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal.
That's when they noticed them.
Two men.
Standing by the side, their eyes locked onto Sharayu and Rutuja.
At first, the girls ignored them. But as they took another step forward, the men moved too.
Something felt off.
Sharayu glanced at Rutuja, who subtly nodded. They needed to get back.
But before they could turn around, a strong hand grabbed Sharayu's wrist.
Her heart stopped.
Before she could react, another hand gripped Rutuja's arm, pulling her toward the darker end of the hall.
Panic set in.
"Leave us!" Sharayu hissed, trying to pull away.
Rutuja struggled just as hard, but the men were stronger. Much stronger.
The more they fought, the tighter the grip became. Their hearts pounded, their breathing uneven. The industrial sounds drowned out their muffled cries for help.
Sharayu's mind raced.
Think, think, think!
She stomped her foot hard on the man's foot, but he barely flinched.
Rutuja tried to elbow the other one, but he just grinned.
The realization hit them. They were in trouble.
Sharayu exchanged a quick glance with Rutuja, their eyes filled with fear-but also determination.
The atmosphere inside the factory had changed. What was once an exciting and educational visit had now turned into a nightmare for Sharayu and Rutuja.
The factory's large machines rumbled loudly, their heavy gears clanking against each other. The faint smell of burnt metal and grease filled the air, making it harder to breathe. The dim lighting in the secluded section of the factory cast long shadows on the walls, making everything feel eerily deserted.
Sharayu's heartbeat pounded in her ears.
How had they ended up here?
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