Ten deaths in the last three years, and each of them received a painting? When Abhimanyu and Ankush were talking in class, I thought it was rare; only a few must have happened, but when Asher told me, I was shocked.

"Let's go meet Ankush," Advika spoke.

"Yes, let's go." I stood up from my study table and made our way toward the boy's residence.

Walking on the path, I looked around, my eyes wandering around to maybe find him. He stood by a tree, glancing at his watch. A moment later, his gaze lifted and locked with mine. My heart skipped a beat. Those dark eyes-steady, unreadable-burned right through me.

He looked away, folding the sleeves of his shirt, veins flexing, movements casual yet... deliberate. Damn, why did he have to look that good doing the most ordinary things?

And then his eyes found mine again.

I quickly rolled my eyes, remembering the scene with Kiran earlier.

He didn't stop her when she slid closer, didn't even say anything. So why did a strange tightness curl in my chest now? Why did a strange feeling settle inside me when I saw her eye-fucking him? I do the same, but why hint of possessiveness travel inside me?

"Kitni der tak tadegi?" " Advika's teasing voice snapped me back.

(for how long will you stare?)

"I'm not staring at anyone," I said, a little too fast.

"Of course not, sweetheart," she laughed.

I rolled my eyes at her teasing. Before I could reply, Professor Vayne's voice called me, "Miss Mehra, come here."

"Why is he calling me?" I asked Advika.

"Maybe he, too, wants to see you from near."

"Chup rhe!Aaja chalte hai!"

"You go, I am waiting for you here." I nodded and made my way toward him.

"Yes, professor?"

"Can you go and call Simran?"

"Why does she have doubt, too?" I snapped out.

What was wrong with me? Why was I behaving like that?

He frowned and soon a smirk played on his face, "By any chance, Vixi, are you jealous?"

heat crawled inside me, and a feeling of embarrassment and annoyance settled.

"Why would I be?" I snapped back.

"Calm down, Vixi. Go and call Simran. She was caught in the camera with your literature professor in the wrong position," he spoke, and my eyes widened.

"Oh, fuck. So that day, it was Simran?"

"Which day?" He frowned.

"On the very first day, I saw Mr. Rathore kissing a girl, and you know what? When he was teaching, I even saw a hickey on his neck."

His eyes flickered at me, something sparkled inside them at looking at me, "You do love gossip?"

"Oh, yeah. I live for gossip." I snickered.

He smiled, and my heart raced.

"By the way, what will happen to Mr. Rathore?"

"He is suspended." I nodded.

"Go, and call her, Vixi, or do you want to stay for the rest of the gossip?"

"As much as I would love to hear gossip, but now I have to go, Professor, and yeah, I will send Simran to you." He shook his head.

I smiled and made my way to call Simran.

⋆.˚༄

We reached Ankush's room. The air was heavy, still carrying traces of tears and something darker- grief, maybe. Abhimanyu was sitting beside him on the bed, speaking softly until he noticed our presence. He stood up and whispered a hello. We replied, and my eyes found Ankush again -sitting still, staring blankly at the wall.

Advika moved before I could, stepping closer to him and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and forced a faint smile.

"Advika, it's okay. I'm fine." His voice trembled on the last word.

"Stop lying, Ankush. We know you're not fine. You're still breaking inside," I said, taking a small step forward. "It's been only two days -you can grieve. Please don't pretend everything's fine."

Something inside him cracked then - the silence broke with the sound of his sobs echoing through the room.

I walked toward him and wrapped my arms around him, feeling his body shake against mine. Advika joined in a heartbeat later.

We'd only been friends for a few days, but somehow, it already felt like more. Amidst all those in-between-class conversations, we have come closer, becoming part of each other's lives.

Advika pulled out of the hug, looking at Abhimanyu, who was standing near his study table. Her eyes lingered on him longer than necessary and then settled on Ankush.

"I am gonna be fine, guys," Ankush spoke as he broke the hug.

"You will be." I smiled.

"By the way, guys, do you know? Mr. Rathore was found in the wrong position with Simran on camera and was suspended." I spoke, making the situation lighter.

"FUCK." Advika's eyes widened.

"Bro was sick," Ankush spoke.

"For real," Abhimanyu muttered.

"Vaise, Amaira ka bhi dhyan rakhna padega, vo bhi toh Professor Vayne pr galat nazar rakhti hai." Ankush chirped in, smiling a little.

"What? Why would I keep galat nazar at him?" I rolled my eyes.

"uhh-gurl we all notice," Ankush spoke.

"Whatever," and with that, the tension lightens and laughter fills the room.