Nitya couldn't sleep that night.
Her mind spun in endless circles, replaying every detail about that girl—Anaya. The one always seen with Aarav lately. The same girl who had stared at Nitya with wary eyes, as though she already knew something wasn't right.
Who is she really? Nitya thought, lying in bed with eyes wide open in the dark.
By dawn, she had answers. Her friend—tech-savvy and curious—had dug out the history Nitya needed. Every little detail unraveled: how Anaya had chased Aarav back in school, how her diary got exposed, the public rejection, the heartbreak, and now… somehow, she was back in his life.
Nitya sat up with a new purpose burning in her chest.
"Let's ruin that sweet little date."
The next morning, a day before Anaya's planned outing with Aarav, Nitya made her way to Anaya's college. It wasn't hard to find. She knew Anaya's college name because of the tech fest, where she had seen her before.
Her fingers dialed a number she had secretly noted from Aarav's phone the night before.
Unknown Number Calling
Anaya glanced at the screen during her class and frowned. She declined the call.
Moments later, the phone buzzed again.
This time, the voice on the other end was low but urgent.
> "If you want to know a secret—one no one else will tell you—you need to come downstairs."
Anaya's brows furrowed. The voice was unfamiliar, but as the caller added—
> "I know you have a date with Aarav tomorrow…"
Her breath hitched. That name alone stirred every buried emotion. Without thinking further, she grabbed her bag and rushed out.
Standing near the campus gate was the last person she expected.
Nitya.
The girl who always seemed to linger around Aarav.
Anaya approached cautiously. "It was you who called?"
Nitya smiled politely. "Yes. I just… I had to come. I was worried about you, Anaya."
Anaya's voice hardened. "Worried? Why?"
Nitya tilted her head and folded her arms, feigning concern. "Don't you think it's strange? Aarav ignored you for years. And now, suddenly, he's sweet and caring?"
Anaya's throat dried. "What do you mean?"
Nitya held up her phone. "You should see this."
She played the video without another word.
The screen lit up with a scene from Aarav's recent college party. Laughter, clinking glasses—and then, the voice:
> "I dare you to get close to a girl and make her your girlfriend in one month."
And aarav accepted that dare.
Anaya's face turned pale.
She couldn't hear the rest. Her heartbeat roared in her ears. It was as if the ground beneath her feet had cracked open, threatening to swallow her whole.
But Nitya wasn't done.
She leaned in and whispered, "You see, Anaya… it wasn't love. It was never love. It was just a game. A dare."
A hollow silence fell between them.
Then Nitya straightened, brushing imaginary dust off her jeans. "I just thought you deserved to know the truth—before you embarrass yourself again."
She turned and walked away, her heels clicking sharply on the pavement. The smile on her face never wavered.
Anaya stood frozen for a moment. Then she turned and ran—past the trees, up the stairs, into her hostel room. She locked the bathroom door and sank to the cold floor tiles, her chest heaving.
She cried.
Cried until her voice was hoarse.
> "Why me?"
"Why does it always have to be me?"
She whispered these words like a prayer no one would answer.
Tomorrow was supposed to be her date with Aarav.
But now… nothing felt the same.Now, everything felt like a lie.
But tomorrow was still waiting.
Will Anaya still go to the date? Or will this heartbreak shatter everything again?