can I reach him?

★ Sara's POV ★

I hadn't slept a wink last night.

The anonymous voicemail haunted every corner of my mind like a dark fog. The synthetic voice still rang in my ears—threatening, calculated, personal. But even through the fear, one truth refused to be buried:

I have to talk to Asif.

No matter what.

Even if someone was watching. Even if I was being threatened. Even if it meant digging up a past I wanted to bury.

"I can't just scream at him in the hallway—'Hey! I'm your stepsister!'" I muttered to myself, staring blankly at the cracked ceiling of my small apartment.

That would be stupid. And humiliating—for both of us.

And worst of all—it would make Tithi's life harder. I couldn't do that to her.

So I needed to be careful. Quiet. Private.

Somewhere no one else could hear.

The only place that came to mind was… the school rooftop.

I got up early—way earlier than usual. Took a quick shower, dressed in uniform, grabbed a piece of bread, and bolted out the door before the morning sun even fully stretched across the streets.

By the time I reached the school, it was still sleepy. No crowd, no teachers—just the echoes of my own footsteps in the empty corridor.

I made my way to Asif's classroom. It felt surreal, like sneaking into a sacred temple of someone's personal world. The room was cold, desks untouched.

I didn't know which seat was his—of course not.

But then I noticed a printed seat plan tacked to the back wall near the door. Bingo.

Asif — Seat 3C, second row from the window.

I moved quietly, counting rows, and finally stood at his desk. Neat, untouched. No stickers, no messy handwriting, just… plain.

Like him.

I pulled out a folded paper from my pocket—the note I wrote last night after replaying the voicemail for the hundredth time.

"Come to the rooftop during lunch. Alone. It's important. No need to tell anyone about it."

Short. No names. No hints. Just enough.

I left the note under the corner of his pencil box and left the room silently.

If Asif found it and came—great.

If the anonymous creep found it—then good. I'd finally meet the snake in the shadows.

Win-win, I told myself.

But reality… isn't that fair.

When lunch finally came, I rushed upstairs.

The rooftop was empty—sun blazing above like a spotlight.

I walked to the far side near the water tank and waited. The spot where we first met.

Minutes passed.

Ten. Fifteen. Twenty.

No footsteps. No voices. No Asif.

Just wind. Just silence.

I sat down beside the tank, knees hugged to my chest. My stomach rumbled but my chest felt heavier.

Maybe… he didn't read it.

Maybe… he thought it was a prank.

Maybe… he just didn't care.

I waited until my patience ran over. Also I was starving at that point.

I stood up slowly and walked back down. Part of me wanted to cry, but the other part was used to disappointment by now.

Classes resumed. I didn't see him in the hallways.

So, I waited by the school gate after the final bell rang.

He finally appeared.

There he was, walking beside another guy. Tall, loud, grinning like an idiot. Probably a friend. They looked close.

I hid behind the notice board. Just watched.

For a second, I wanted to walk up and just say it. Tell him everything. But… something held me back.

Maybe it was fear.

Maybe it was shame.

Maybe it was the simple fact that he looked happier than he did before. And I didn't want to ruin that.

After they left, I slowly made my way back toward the neighborhood.

On a whim, I stopped near the local grocery store. The same one where I first bumped into him. Maybe fate would do its thing again.

I waited. Ten minutes. Fifteen.

No Asif.

Guess fate was taking a break today.

With a sigh, I went inside, grabbed two cup noodles for dinner, and paid quietly. The cashier gave me a blank look like always.

Back in my apartment, I heated the noodles, slumped onto my small table, and poked at the steaming cup.

I failed.

Again.

But I couldn't keep this secret forever.

I have to try again.

Because one way or another, the truth is going to come out. And I'd rather it come from me than from someone hiding behind a fake voice and a threat.

Asif deserves that.

And so does Tithi.

I looked at my phone. No new messages.

Just steam rising from the cup.

Quiet.

Lonely.

But not for long.