---
That means—
Whoever this person is…
They're definitely linked to the people dealing in drugs.
But who?
There was no name on the notebook page either.
I paused, lost in thought —
"Who could it be? Who wrote this number in their notebook? And how did this page end up in my bag?"
Things were getting even more complicated now.
But one thing was clear — I needed to start looking deeper… much deeper.
---
Next day, at school...
"I need to talk to you. It's important."
"Every time you meet me, it's because you have something urgent to tell me. So go ahead—what is it this time?"
"Okay, fine. I'll tell you later. But first, just tell me—where's Roni? Why hasn't he come today? Where's he been?"
"You really don't know anything about Roni?"
"No. What's going on? Tell me. Why hasn't he been around for days? We need him now more than ever."
"Well, the truth is… Roni's not been well."
"He's sick? But he seemed fine before! How did he suddenly fall ill? No wonder he hasn't been showing up… it must be serious. I should go see him."
"Actually… Roni's parents — you know, the principal couple from the other branch — they're getting divorced. It's a lot for him. Family issues. He's pretty disturbed. That's why he's been missing."
"Oh… then yes, we definitely need to check in on him."
"I thought the same and did go see him. But… maybe he needs some space right now."
"I see… then maybe we should let him be for a few days. Who knows what's going on in his mind."
"By the way… why were you suddenly feeling like you needed Roni today? What did you want to talk to him about?"
"Well… remember how I once helped complete some assignments for our classmates? One of those notebooks—I accidentally tore out a page and stuffed it in my bag. Yesterday, I found that same page in my bag. I was about to throw it away when I noticed—"
"What was on it?"
"A phone number. And… it's the same number that was on the bottom of the business card I got from Khushi's mom. Identical."
"You mean…"
"Yes. Exactly what you're thinking."
"So… whoever it is — they're from our class. One of those few people whose notebooks I had. I distinctly remember one of those was Roni's."
"Roni can't be the one… but he might know whose it was."
"Then it's more important than ever that we meet him."
"Yes, we need to talk to him. Soon… before we miss something crucial."
---
Later that day...
"But how? You said he doesn't want to see anyone."
"Well… I didn't know this then. But now, this is too important. We have to talk to him."
"So how about we go after school?"
"Yes—"
---
Later that evening...
"Akshat, where are you? It's almost 9:30. I've been waiting since school ended. It's getting so late—why aren't you here yet?"
From the other end of the line:
"Oh… sorry. I was in such a rush I forgot to tell you. I had somewhere important to go."
"Where? Tell me."
"For the DNA reports. Yes—DNA reports. From the blood we found under Khushi's nails."
"Because think about it—if Mr. Gupta didn't commit the murder, then how did his DNA match the evidence? That's when I suspected something fishy. What if someone tampered with the original report… to protect the real killer? So I submitted a fresh sample three days ago. I'm on my way to pick it up now."
I think to myself — He's right. Why didn't I think of that before? He's… smart.
"So, when will you be here?"
"I don't know… maybe late. You should just go home."
"No. I'm not going home. I want to see the report too. And we still need to visit Roni. I'll wait in the school library. Come quickly."
"Don't be stubborn—"
"I said come."
"…Fine. But stay in the library. Don't go anywhere. I'll be there."
---
At the hospital…
"Doctor, you said the report would be ready today."
"I'm sorry. Due to some technical issue, it's not printed yet. But you'll receive it online very soon. In the meantime, please sign the paperwork."
"Oh, great… more waiting."
---
Meanwhile...
Akshat doesn't go to school. He heads straight to the jail.
He meets Mr. Gupta, who's sitting silently in a dark corner of his cell. As soon as he sees Akshat, he tries to hide deeper into the shadows.
"How does it feel to be punished for something you didn't do?"
Mr. Gupta flinches, slowly turns back, and walks toward him.
"Does your daughter even know about this?"
"What do you mean?"
"She was supposed to report in months ago. But she's still in that same college, isn't she? And you don't have enough money to support her. So who's paying for her stay? Who's funding her studies? Someone else—someone who told you to take the blame. Isn't that right? You won't speak, but your eyes already have."
Mr. Gupta begins trembling. His breath grows heavy, and he covers his ears.
"You can't shut out the truth. You need to talk. Even if you don't, the truth will come out. I've already submitted the blood sample from Khushi's nails for a fresh DNA test. That report will reveal everything. But I still want you to tell the truth. Maybe then, you'll still have a chance."
Tears suddenly roll down Mr. Gupta's eyes. He starts sobbing.
"No… please, don't drag my daughter into this. She doesn't know anything. It's my fault. I… I took the blame. I did it…"
"Kirti always dreamed of going to that university. She was so sure she'd win a scholarship like she did for this school. But she was eliminated in the first round. She broke down… tried to take her life. I stopped her. And then I thought — if I could get her in, I'd do anything."
"So… you killed Khushi?"
"No! No… I swear I didn't. Someone approached me. They said if I took the blame, they'd get Kirti admitted and cover all her expenses. And they've been doing it. But please, don't tell her… she's happy now. And I'd rather serve time than see her broken."
"You know you let the real killer go, right?"
"I… I know. I was blinded. What else could I do? I'm a father…"
"Do you really think Kirti would want her father to be in jail, protecting a murderer? That's not the kind of happiness she'd want."
"I… I'm sorry. I realize now. But they forced me…"
"Who? Who are they?" Akshat grabs the bars, his voice firm.
Mr. Gupta stays quiet, then looks up, wiping his tears.
"It was… it was—"
Trin Trin!
Akshat's phone buzzes.
DNA REPORT.
He quickly unlocks it.
As soon as he reads the report, his eyes widen in shock.
Everything just became crystal clear.
"…!"
"Yes! Yes… that's exactly who it was!" Mr. Gupta cries.
Akshat starts running. As fast as he can.
---
Meanwhile...
"I don't know where he is… I'm getting bored just waiting here. When will he arrive? When will we go?"
I finally step out of the library. Akshat had told me to wait there, but I couldn't anymore. Most of the other kids had already gone home. The school felt deserted. Quiet. Uneasy.
Wandering through the corridors, I found myself near the other principal's office. I climbed the stairs. The room was usually locked. No one was allowed in. But tonight—the light was on.
'Is someone inside?'
I hesitated.
Suddenly, a phone rang inside the room. Someone picked it up and opened the door. I panicked and hid behind a pillar. A shadow passed by. I stayed hidden until it was gone.
I peeked inside.
The room was open. I wasn't planning to snoop around… but why was the door open this late? And who just walked out?
I stood by the door, peering in. Nothing unusual. But then, my eyes landed on something on the table—
A business card. The same kind that Khushi's mom gave me.
I stepped inside and picked it up.
Same card. Same chemical name on the back.
Now I couldn't resist. I started searching the room. Looking under files, behind books. Nothing.
Until… I noticed a drawer.
I pulled it open.
Just more files… but something told me — check them properly.
I did.
My eyes widened.
Drugs.
Different packets. Various kinds.
I felt a chill down my spine.
And then… inside the drawer — a gun.
Everything was making sense now.
"It's him… the principal."
"He's the one Chhavi was talking about…"
PING PING.
My phone buzzed.
"Damn it! Why's the volume so loud?"
Akshat calling.
I answered quickly, trying not to make any noise.
"I need to tell you something—"
We both spoke at the same time.
His breathing was heavy. He must've been running.
"No, wait. Listen to me first!" I interrupted.
"It's the principal. He's the one we've been looking for!"
Akshat tried to speak. "But—just listen—"
But I didn't stop.
"Do you know how I found out? I came to this office while waiting for you. And guess what I found? Drugs. That same card. And even a gun. Maybe Khushi found all this too. Maybe… to silence her, to protect his name—he killed her."
Akshat suddenly stopped running.
"Wait—WHAT? Are you in the principal's office right now?"
"Oh God. Get out of there! Now! I told you to stay in the library!"
"Why do you always run toward danger?"
"Why are you yelling? If I hadn't come here, how would we know the truth?"
"You found only half the truth…"
"What do you mean—half the truth? What are you talking about?"
"The principal… he did help hide the body…"
"But the one who actually killed Khushi… was—"
"Who, Akshat? Tell me!"
---
"Roni."
---
I felt the ground slip from beneath my feet.
And before I could even react—
I sensed someone standing behind me.
My breath caught in my throat.
I swallowed hard, turned around slowly—
Roni was standing right there.
"Roni… you?"
The phone slipped from my hand.
"Hello? Hello? Riya?,is someone there? Why aren't you saying anything? What's going on?" Akshat's voice was still coming from the phone.
But how could I speak?,
All I do is to turning into frozen ice by seeing this
I can even rarely breath
I couldn't believe… this was real.
---