The tension was rising like steam in a pressure cooker. After their strange encounter with Meenal Ma'am, Prajwal and Swara rushed back to share everything with the others. They gathered in the back benches of their classroom, keeping their voices low.
"She definitely knows more than she said," Swara whispered.
"Yeah," Prajwal agreed. "Her face changed the moment we mentioned Niyati Sharma."
Akshada looked thoughtful. "So what's next? We can't just stop now."
"I say we search her desk," said Srushti boldly.
"Are you mad?" Darshana said, eyes wide. "That's a staff room!"
"Well, if we want answers, we can't just sit here," Rutuja said, backing up Srushti.
Apurva added, "She always leaves early on Thursdays, right?"
"Tomorrow is Thursday," Swarali said. "Perfect chance."
"But it has to be quick and clean," Swara reminded everyone. "We can't get caught."
—
The Next Day – After Meenal Ma'am Leaves
The girls waited patiently until they saw Meenal Ma'am leave the school gates. Then, they made their move.
Swarali kept watch outside while Apurva picked the staff room lock with a hairpin. (Don't ask how she learned that.)
Inside, Prajwal, Swara, and Rutuja checked the drawers. Akshada opened a file cabinet labeled "Personal Records."
"Here!" she whispered, pulling out a yellowing envelope. "It has her name."
Inside were handwritten letters. One had Niyati's name.
Swara read aloud:
> "I regret what happened. But I can't speak. They're watching. If I talk, I'll lose everything. I tried to warn her… but she still went down there."
"Who's they?" Anushka asked, peering over her shoulder.
"No idea," Prajwal replied, "but this confirms it—she knew."
Suddenly, the door creaked.
They all froze.
"It's the principal!" hissed Akshara.
The girls dropped the file and scrambled. Srushti closed the drawer, Apurva locked the door back, and they ran back to class just as the principal passed the hallway.
Their hearts were pounding.
"Too close," Darshana breathed.
"But we've got proof now," Swara said. "Meenal Ma'am knew Niyati. She knew she was being followed… maybe even threatened."
"And there's more to the basement than we thought," Rutuja added.
Prajwal nodded. "Let's go back there. Tonight."
Everyone looked at her.
"Tonight?" Akshada repeated.
"Yes," Prajwal said firmly. "We started this together. We end it together."
And so it was decided.
Tonight, they would return to the basement. One last time.
---