Chapter 4: The Trap Tightens

Avni didn't sleep that night.

Again.

The note under her door had crossed a line.

Not just emotionally—but physically.

Someone had reached her room. Her space.

And there was only one person she suspected now.

Aarav.

The quiet boy with the haunting eyes.

The boy who knew too much.

The boy who called obsession love.

---

Next morning, Avni skipped college.

Instead, she visited the counselor's office.

"Is it serious?" the woman asked, adjusting her glasses.

Avni hesitated. "Someone is… watching me. Following. Leaving messages. I think they know where I live."

"Have they threatened you?"

"No. But it feels... wrong. Uncomfortable. Too much."

The counselor nodded slowly, her face tightening. "Do you know who it might be?"

Avni didn't speak for a long moment.

Then she whispered, "His name is Aarav."

---

Back at college, Aarav sat under the tree where Avni usually had lunch. But today, she wasn't there.

He already knew she hadn't come.

He had waited near the gate since morning.

He had seen her leave in a cab, alone.

Where had she gone?

His fingers clenched the edge of his book. His mind spiraled. Was she avoiding him now?

Or worse…

Was someone turning her against him?

---

Meanwhile…

Tanya noticed the change.

Avni was quieter now. She jumped at sudden sounds. She kept checking over her shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't wanna talk to the dean?" Tanya asked.

Avni shook her head. "Not yet. I want to be sure."

Tanya leaned closer. "Then let me help. I've seen him too. He always watches. He's always… too close."

Avni looked up, eyes wide. "You believe me?"

"Of course I do," Tanya said firmly. "And I'm not letting you face this alone."

---

That evening, as the sun dipped behind the college buildings, Avni opened her hostel room door and froze.

Inside, on her desk, was a single black envelope.

No one had the key to her room except her.

She walked toward it, her fingers trembling.

Inside the envelope was a photo.

Her.

In the rain.

From a week ago.

The photo was taken from behind — mid-step, her hair flying, her books clutched to her chest.

And on the back, in neat handwriting:

> This is the moment I knew I couldn't let you go.

Avni dropped the photo.

Her breaths turned short.

This wasn't a crush.

This wasn't admiration.

This was a fixation.

---

That night, she did what she had been avoiding.

She called her cousin, Kabir, a law student two years older, living just thirty minutes away.

"Kabir bhaiya… I need your help."

---

Next Day

Kabir arrived early, wearing a black jacket, his jaw tense as he listened to Avni explain everything.

"The texts. The photos. The notes. The way he watches. I'm scared."

Kabir didn't blink. "He sounds dangerous."

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to make it worse."

"Don't worry," Kabir said. "Leave him to me."

---

Aarav noticed it immediately.

A new boy. Walking with Avni. Protective. Talking close.

A threat.

A crack formed in Aarav's perfect calm.

He walked away from the library that day — straight to the hidden alley behind the north gate where no one came after 5 p.m.

He stood there, fists clenched, breathing hard.

"She's mine," he muttered.

"She doesn't need protection. Not from me."

The voices in his head grew louder.

---

That night, Kabir received a text.

From an unknown number.

> She doesn't need you. Back off before you disappear too.

Kabir smiled coldly and typed back:

> Come try me, freak. I'm not scared of rats hiding in shadows.

No reply came.

But somewhere, deep in his room, Aarav stared at the phone screen. His hands were shaking. Not from fear.

From rage.

Someone was trying to take her from him.

He couldn't let that happen. Not again.

Not like Rhea.

---

Flashback: 3 years ago

Rhea's laughter had echoed in Aarav's ears for days.

He could still see her mocking eyes. The way she had looked at him like he was pathetic. A joke.

He had tried to confess his love that day.

Instead, she told everyone.

Laughed in front of the class.

And then… she vanished.

The school never spoke about it. No one asked too many questions.

But Aarav had remembered her words till this day:

> "You need help. This isn't love. This is madness."

She was right.

It was madness.

But it was his.

---

Present Day

Avni sat on her bed with Kabir nearby.

Suddenly, her phone lit up.

A video message. No sender name. Just a thumbnail.

Her fingers hovered over the play button.

Kabir grabbed the phone. "Let me."

He tapped it.

And the video played.

It was Avni — walking to her class.

Then sitting in the library.

Then leaving the building in the rain.

All stitched together like a documentary.

But the worst part?

Aarav's voice in the background. Whispering.

> "She walks like the world belongs to her. And it should. But only if I'm the one holding it with her. She's mine. She doesn't even know it yet... but she will. Soon."

Avni covered her mouth, tears pricking her eyes.

Kabir's jaw tightened.

"That's it," he growled. "We're going to the dean. And if that doesn't work — I'll go to the police myself."

Avni nodded.

For the first time, she knew—

This wasn't going to end on its own.

She had to fight back.

Even if it meant breaking the heart of someone…

Who never really had hers.

---

To Be Continued...