The late afternoon on the college campus was awash in a mellow golden glow, the sun filtering softly through fluttering leaves and dappling the paved walkways with gentle light. Shreya navigated the familiar corridors, clutching her books tightly as she made her way toward the lockers. Her heart was heavy with a mix of anticipation and unease—hoping beyond hope that Shikha had read the note she’d slipped secretly into her jeans pocket earlier. Every step was watched, shadowed by the silent presence of her two female bodyguards, their sharp, alert eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of danger.
Dressed in a plain but comfortable ensemble—simple blue jeans and a soft, pastel-hued blouse—Shreya’s dark hair was loosely tied back, strands brushing the delicate curves of her face, softened more
