Amidst the chaos surrounding Shumaila and Hamza, something else had been unfolding—something quieter but just as intense.
Komal and Siddarth had been spending more time together, their so-called "fake relationship" evolving into something that was beginning to blur the lines between pretense and reality.
It had started as a necessary move. Despite Siddarth's public declaration that they were dating, Raghav refused to back down. He still lingered around Komal, still tried to corner her into conversations, still sent her messages as if Siddarth's words had been a joke.
So, they had decided to take it up a notch.
Hanging out in more public spaces together. Walking across campus side by side. Sitting closer than necessary. Casual touches that lingered a little longer than they should. Whispered conversations that made onlookers assume they were sharing secrets meant only for them.
And, of course, the flirting.
"So, be honest," Komal said one afternoon as they sat outside the library, pretending to work on an assignment together. "Are you actually enjoying this fake dating thing?"
Siddarth smirked, glancing up from his laptop. "Oh, absolutely. Walking around with a gorgeous woman, making guys jealous, and getting free coffee because people think I'm a devoted boyfriend? Best deal ever."
Komal rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible."
He leaned in slightly. "And yet, you keep spending time with me. What does that say about you?"
Komal scoffed, pushing his shoulder playfully. "It says I'm committed to the bit."
"Mmm," Siddarth hummed, tilting his head. "Or maybe, just maybe, you like it too."
Komal opened her mouth to reply but was cut off when a familiar presence loomed nearby.
Raghav.
She stiffened instinctively, but before she could react, Siddarth reached over, casually slipping an arm around her shoulder.
"Hey babe," he said smoothly, loud enough for Raghav to hear. "Want to grab dinner later? My treat."
Komal blinked but recovered quickly. "Only if you let me pick the place."
Siddarth chuckled. "Anything for you."
They didn't need to look to know Raghav had clenched his jaw before turning and walking away.
Komal exhaled, shaking her head. "You're way too good at this."
Siddarth grinned. "What can I say? I'm a man of many talents."
While Komal and Siddarth played their game, Sneha and Aarav were playing a much riskier one—unraveling the truth behind the voice note that had damned Shumaila.
They had barely sat with the group since the night Aarav had pulled Sneha aside. Every free moment had been spent trying to track down how the recording had made its way to Hamza.
But so far, they had nothing.
"There's no trace of the original sender," Aarav muttered as he scrolled through his phone. "Hamza wouldn't tell us who sent it, and the number that messaged him isn't in the university database. Could be a burner."
Sneha let out a frustrated sigh, tapping her nails against the table they were sitting at in the library. "Whoever did this, they planned it well. It's almost too clean. Like they knew how to cover their tracks."
"Which means it's someone who knew what they were doing," Aarav said. "This isn't just some random rumor—it was meant to be a final nail in the coffin."
Sneha nodded. "And we're running out of time."
At the cafeteria, Komal, Siddarth, and Shumaila sat together, watching Sneha and Aarav sitting at another table, heads close together, deep in conversation.
Komal raised an eyebrow. "Okay, is it just me, or are they practically in their own world lately?"
"Not just you," Shumaila muttered. "I don't think I've had a proper conversation with either of them in days."
Siddarth smirked. "Maybe they finally realized they're into each other."
Shumaila snorted. "Please. If Sneha had feelings for someone, we'd know. She's the worst at keeping secrets."
"And Aarav?" Komal asked, eyeing them curiously.
Siddarth shrugged. "Hard to say. He's always been the quiet, thoughtful type."
As they continued watching, Akansha and Rudra sat nearby, neither of them participating in the conversation.
Akansha stared at Sneha and Aarav, her lips pressed into a thin line. Something about the way they had been acting wasn't sitting right with her.
And Rudra? He was trying—really trying—not to feel annoyed at how Sneha had been spending all her time with Aarav lately.
But it was starting to get to him.
Two days passed, and the much-awaited business competition had finally arrived. The university was buzzing with excitement, but amidst the thrill of the event, Sneha and Aarav were growing frustrated.
They still had nothing.
Sitting outside near the campus garden, Sneha ran a hand through her hair. "I hate to say this, but… we might be stuck. We've hit a wall."
Aarav leaned back, crossing his arms. "There has to be something we're missing. A clue, a pattern, anything—"
They didn't realize someone was nearby.
Akansha had been passing when she overheard part of their conversation. She frowned as she caught the tail end of Sneha's words.
"The voice note just appeared out of nowhere. There has to be a way to trace it."
Akansha's brows furrowed, and she stepped forward. "Wait. What voice note? What are you talking about?"
Sneha and Aarav's heads snapped toward her, eyes widening.
Akansha crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "Tell me the truth. What's going on?"
The weight of her question hung heavily in the air.
And that was where everything changed.