Chapter 6 — Before It Begins
Small tensions rise, conversations deepen, and the ordinary begins to shift—just before everything changes.
The classroom felt louder than usual that morning.
Not chaotic—but restless.
Students moved around with folded sheets in their hands, some waving them proudly, others still arguing about convincing their parents.
At the front, Avantika stood near the desk, already irritated.
“One by one!” she snapped. “I’m not taking ten forms at once.”
Amit walked up casually and dropped his paper on the desk.
“Done.”
Avantika glanced at it.
"Take it easy bro.”
Sid leaned against the bench beside Rohan.
“So…?”
Rohan looked at him.
“I’m coming.”
Sid’s face lit up immediately.
“Wait—seriously?”
Amit turned instantly.
“Bro what? You said you weren’t going!”
Rohan shrugged slightly.
“Mom forced me.”
Sid laughed.
“Of course she did.”
Amit slapped his shoulder.
“Good. Now the trip is actually worth going.”
Rohan smiled faintly.
For the first time, the idea of the trip didn’t feel like something distant.
Across the room, Sanvi was organizing her books when she noticed Tanya quietly taking her seat.
She leaned closer.
“So… did you get it signed?”
Tanya paused for a fraction of a second.
Then nodded casually.
“My parents are out of the city. I’ll get it soon.”
Sanvi frowned slightly.
"They shortened the deadline, I think seats are limited. You should just send them the PDF—they can sign it and you print it"
“I know,” Tanya replied, avoiding eye contact. “They’ll manage.”
Sanvi studied her face for a moment.
She feels the tension on Tanya so she didn't force her much and continued.
"Are you good? Is there any problem. You didn’t reply to me last night."
Tanya seeing the face of Sanvi she lightly smile and said gettign her mood up “What would even happen to me? I’m fine. Don’t worry.” "I also can't wait to get to teh trip. Ahh it will be amazing i hope."
Sanvi after seeign her light up she aslo said "Thank god. Your also excited. This is goging to be fun i guess"
"Yea yea. it will be of course. I mean someone will live with her prince charming in the same resort zzz." Tanya said teasingly.
Sanvi gettign shy and playfully angry said " Shut up you. i can see your totally fine. I was worry for nothing"
When the bell rang for break, the classroom emptied quickly.
Sanvi stepped into the corridor, stretching her arms slightly as she walked.
Before she could even check her phone—
“Sanvi.”
She turned.
Faizal.
Leaning against the wall like he had been waiting.
She stiffened slightly.
“Yes?”
Faizal smiled—too casually.
“You’re going on the trip, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
He stepped a little closer.
“It’ll be boring without decent people.”
Sanvi raised an eyebrow.
“I already have friends.”
Faizal chuckled.
“Friends are temporary.”
“That’s your experience, not mine.”
Faizal smirked.
“You talk a lot for someone who avoids me.”
Sanvi crossed her arms.
“I don’t avoid you. I just don’t have a reason to talk to you.”
“Ouch.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice slightly.
“You should hang out with us during the trip.”
Sanvi didn’t move.
“No.”
Faizal tilted his head.
“You didn’t even think about it.”
“I don’t need to.”
A brief silence.
Then—
“You know,” Faizal said slowly, “you’re not like the others.”
Sanvi’s expression hardened.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t try that line on me.”
Faizal smiled.
“Which line?”
“The one you use on everyone.”
For a moment, his smile faded.
But only for a second.
Not far from there—
Near the stairway, just outside the washroom corridor—
Zavian walked quietly, holding a folded permission letter in his hand.
He hadn’t attended the last lecture.
No one really noticed.
He glanced at the paper briefly.
The signature.
Clean.
Controlled.
Convincing.
He folded it again and walked toward the office.
At that same moment—
Tanya stepped out of the washroom, adjusting her sleeve while walking quickly.
Her attention elsewhere—
She didn’t see him.
And walked straight into him.
“Oh—sorry!”
She stepped back immediately.
Zavian steadied himself slightly.
“It’s fine.”
Tanya’s eyes dropped instinctively—
To the paper in his hand.
The permission letter.
Signed.
Her gaze lingered just a second longer than normal.
Zavian noticed.
“You’re coming on the trip?” he asked.
Tanya looked up.
“Yeah… I guess.”
A small pause.
“I’m trying to.”
Then she glanced at the paper again.
“I see you got parents signature too.”
Zavian tilted his head slightly.
“Yeah.”
A faint smirk appeared.
“Pretty neat signature, right?”
Tanya understood immediately.
Her lips parted slightly—about to respond—
Behind them, near the wall—
Mahir stood with Raghav.
Both watching.
Mahir smirked.
“Look at that.”
Raghav followed his gaze.
Zavian. Tanya.
“Damn,” Mahir muttered. “Loner got taste.”
Raghav let out a short laugh.
“Didn’t expect that.”
They both chuckled quietly.
Unnoticed.
Back near the stairs—
Tanya’s attention shifted suddenly.
Down the corridor—
Sanvi.
Still standing with Faizal.
Too close.
Too long.
Tanya’s expression changed instantly.
She turned back to Zavian quickly.
“Sorry—we’ll talk later.”
“I’m in a hurry.”
And before he could reply—
She was already moving.
Zavian watched her go.
A small pause.
“…Always in a hurry,” he murmured.
Then glanced at the paper again.
“She noticed that.”
Tanya reached Sanvi and grabbed her wrist lightly.
“I was looking for you. Come—we’ll be late for lunch.”
She started pulling her away.
Faizal stepped forward.
“I’m talking to her.”
His tone sharper now.
Tanya stopped.
Turned slightly.
Sanvi spoke first.
“I’m not talking to you.”
Faizal looked at her.
Then smiled again.
“You’re interesting.”
“I’m not interested.”
He took a step closer.
“You should be.”
Sanvi’s voice dropped, firm.
“Move.”
Mahir stepped forward suddenly, blocking their path.
“Where’s the hurry?”
Sanvi didn’t hesitate.
Her heel came down hard on his knee.
“Move.”
Mahir winced and stepped back instantly.
“Fuck—!”
Tanya burst out laughing.
“Deserved.”
Without another word—
They walked past them.
Leaving Faizal standing still.
Watching.
Still smiling.
The cafeteria was loud as usual.
But for Sanvi—
Everything felt quieter now.
She dropped into a chair.
“I didn’t expect that.”
Tanya sat across from her, placing a juice bottle on the table.
“Why was he targeting you?”
Sanvi shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
She exhaled.
“We barely even talk.”
A pause.
“For a second… I actually froze.”
Tanya leaned back.
“Good thing you showed up.”
Tanya smiled.
“Yeah.”
“Seriously.”
“You saved me.”
Tanya waved it off.
“Relax.”
Then leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing playfully.
“But if you want a stronger bodyguard…”
Sanvi sighed.
“Here we go.”
Tanya smirked.
“I can talk to Dev for you.”
Sanvi immediately looked away.
“Shut up.”
“He doesn’t even notice me.”
Tanya raised an eyebrow.
“You’re literally top five every exam.”
“So?”
“So he definitely knows you exist.”
Sanvi hesitated.
“You think so?”
Tanya leaned back again.
“You should try.”
“Try what?”
“Talking to him.”
A pause.
“Maybe more.”
Sanvi thought for a moment.
“…Do you think it’ll work?”
Tanya smiled mischievously.
“Of course.”
“Before that so-called queen bee gets him.”
Sanvi laughed.
“Don’t say that.”
Both of them laughed.
The tension from earlier slowly fading.
For now.
The laughter between Sanvi and Tanya lingered for a few seconds longer before settling into a comfortable silence.
Around them, the cafeteria buzzed as usual—voices overlapping, trays clinking, chairs dragging across the floor.
But not everyone was relaxed.
At the far end of the canteen—
Faizal sat with Mahir and Rahul, sipping from a cold drink, his gaze still fixed in Sanvi’s direction.
Rahul leaned back in his chair casually.
“I guess you’re going to lose this time.”
Faizal let out a short laugh.
“Lose? I never lose a bet. You know my streak.”
Mahir rolled his eyes.
“Yeah yeah… 7 out of 10.”
Rahul smirked.
“So… you lose 30%.”
Faizal’s expression tightened slightly, but before he could snap—
Mahir leaned forward.
“Hey Faizal, I think I know why she’s acting like that.”
Faizal looked at him.
“Why?”
Mahir pointed toward Sanvi and Tanya.
“They’re like twins, bro. Always together. Literally always.”
Rahul nodded.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that.”
Mahir smirked.
“Exactly. No space. No opening. Like those stupid three idiots over there.”
He tilted his head toward Sid’s group.
“We need to divide them. Let me have the other one”
Faizal raised his eyebrows slightly.
“Ohh… so you’ve got your eyes on Tanya?”
Mahir shook his head quickly.
“Nah, not like that”
Then his tone shifted—more deliberate.
“But she was talking to that loner. I saw his face he definately has thing for her.”
Faizal frowned.
“Which one?”
Mahir scoffed.
“Come on… the window seat guy. Always lost. Dark guy. Zavian.”
Rahul let out a small laugh.
“Ohhh, that one.”
Mahir smirked.
“Yeah. I think I’ll have some fun with him.”
Faizal looked amused now.
“Personal problem?”
Mahir nodded slightly.
“That bastard didn’t show me his answer sheet last exam.”
Rahul chuckled.
“Petty.”
Mahir shrugged.
“Fun. I wanted to see him being disappointed.”
Then leaned back.
“You handle Sanvi.”
“I’ll handle the other one.”
Faizal smiled slowly.
“Fine.”
“But by the end of this trip…”
His eyes drifted again toward Sanvi.
“She’s coming with us.”
Rahul shook his head.
“You’re insane.”
Faizal smirked.
“And still winning.”
A small pause.
Then Faizal looked around.
“Where’s Dev?”
Rahul shrugged.
“No idea. Haven’t seen him with us lately.”
Faizal clicked his tongue.
“Call him. Someone has to pay the bill.”
Mahir forced a smile.
“Yeah… doing it.”
But inside—
Why don’t you call him yourself? You'r loaded too.
He didn’t say it.
Just pulled out his phone.
Meanwhile—
On the other side of the canteen—
Sid suddenly sneezed.
“—aaachoo!”
Amit looked at him instantly.
“Damn. Someone’s definitely swearing at you right now.”
Sid wiped his nose.
“Feels like it.”
Rohan smiled faintly.
“Probably true.”
Sid leaned forward.
“Anyway—let’s plan the trip.”
“What are we bringing? Camera, cards, snacks—”
Amit nodded immediately.
"Camera is compulsory.”
Rohan raised an eyebrow.
“You both remember we have a math test tomorrow, right?”
Amit froze.
Sid blinked.
“…oh.”
Rohan sighed.
“Let’s not do this today.”
“Focus on the test first.”
Amit groaned.
“Come on yaar…”
Rohan looked at him seriously.
“Just one day.” Sid said.
Rohan raised his hands giving up.
“Okay okay, fine.”
Sid nodded.
“Tomorrow we make a full list. Today just some rough list”
Rohan smiled slightly.
“That works.”
For a moment—
Everything felt normal again.
Near the sports room corridor—
Dev stepped out, running his hand through his messy hair, shirt slightly creased.
A few seconds later—
Nisha stepped out behind him, quickly fixing her hair and looking around.
Then she looked at Dev.
“Not a word to a soul.”
Dev mimed zipping his lips.
“Sealed.”
Nisha smirked slightly.
“Good.”
They exchanged a brief look—
Then walked in opposite directions.
Like nothing happened.
The final bell rang.
Students slowly began returning to the classroom.
Some still chatting.
Some already tired.
Some still excited about the trip.
A few minutes later—
The class teacher walked in.
“Everyone sit down.”
The noise slowly settled.
“I know college time is over,” he continued, “but I need five minutes.”
“No one leaves until I finish.”
The class quieted.
Even Faizal stopped talking.
“For those who are planning to go on the trip, there are some important rules.”
He looked around.
“So listen carefully.”
“First—only 100 students can go.”
“So apply fast. First come, first serve.”
Murmurs spread across the class.
“Second—deadline is Monday.”
“No extensions.”
At that—
Sanvi immediately looked at Tanya.
Tanya met her eyes.
“I’ll bring it tomorrow,” she whispered.
Sanvi nodded, relieved.
Tanya forced a small smile—
But her fingers tightened slightly.
“Third—the location is a forest resort.”
“It’s fully booked for our college.”
“Surrounded by jungle.”
A few students reacted.
“Sir… is it safe?” someone asked.
The teacher raised his hand.
“Relax. Only safe and non-harmful animals are near the main area.”
“Nothing dangerous.”
Some students laughed nervously.
“Fourth—there is a wildlife sanctuary nearby.”
“We will take you there.”
“But listen carefully—”
“NO ONE goes there without permission.”
“Punishment will be severe.”
Faizal leaned back.
“Sounds fun already.”
Mahir smirked.
“Fifth—attendance is mandatory.”
“Morning 7 AM.”
“Night 10 PM.”
“Everyone must be in their rooms by then.”
“Sixth—NO alcohol.”
His tone sharpened.
“I repeat—NO alcohol.”
“If I find anything—”
“I will call your parents immediately.”
“And you will face strict consequences.”
A few students shifted uncomfortably.
Faizal muttered under his breath—
“Killjoy.”
A couple of boys laughed quietly.
The teacher ignored it.
“Seventh—boys and girls will have separate rooms.”
Faizal leaned back dramatically.
“Ohhh noooo… what a tragedy.”
Some laughter spread across the class.
The teacher didn’t react.
“And finally—”
He looked around once more.
“Be responsible.”
“And enjoy.”
“That’s all.”
“Class dismissed.”
The room instantly filled with energy again.
Chairs scraped.
Voices rose.
Plans began forming again.