Anika stepped out of the dean's office first, her pace brisk but controlled.
Vikram followed a few steps behind, his footfalls slow, deliberate, almost predatory.
Neither spoke.
The quiet between them was heavy, pressing against her back like an unwanted shadow.
Then his voice came, deep and rich, sliding into her ears like the edge of a blade.
"Anu, you've changed in the past three years."
Her pupils contracted, but she kept her gaze fixed on the pathway ahead. Her tone was cool, controlled.
"Professor, I think you've mistaken me for someone else. We've never met before this. This is our first meeting, so…" She paused, her voice tightening just enough to hint at warning. "Please call me by my full name. If others hear you using a nickname on your first day, it could create a deep misunderstanding."
The corner of Vikram's mouth curled, his chuckle quiet yet dripping with something that made her skin crawl.
"Never met before? Are you sure?"
Her step faltered for the briefest moment, but she steadied herself, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
"Professor, I'm very sure," she said, her voice calm, almost bored.
Vikram didn't argue. He simply nodded, as though accepting her words—but she knew from the shift in the air that he wasn't letting it go.
When she thought the conversation was over, his voice reached her again.
"Anu, have you heard a proverb?"
She didn't glance at him. She knew that if she met his eyes, he might catch that fleeting crack in her calm. So she kept walking, saying nothing.
"Those who drink milk with their eyes closed," Vikram continued smoothly, "see only darkness in the world. Don't you agree?"
Her fingers curled into her palm. She almost couldn't keep her expression neutral. Luckily, the classroom door was only a few steps away. She gritted her teeth and forced a level voice.
"Professor, pardon me, I'm not as eloquent as you. I can't quite understand your words."
She turned to step inside, but his voice followed her like a whisper of smoke.
"Never mind… we've got all the time we need."
She didn't reply. Didn't turn around. She went straight to her seat beside Vennila.
Vennila's eyes widened the moment she saw her face.
"Anu, are… are you okay? Why do you look like this?"
Anika touched her cheek as if to check herself. "Like what?"
Vennila frowned. "Like you've seen a ghost!"
Anika forced a small smile. "Mm… I really have seen a ghost, just now."
Vennila faked a laugh, though concern lingered. "Hehe, very funny. What did the dean say?"
Anika shook her head. "He didn't agree."
"I told you, no? The dean is especially strict about this field trip. Who knows what's gotten into him suddenly!" Vennila said thoughtfully.
Anika pressed her lips together but didn't answer.
"So… are you coming?" Vennila asked gently.
Shaking her head, Anika replied softly, "I'm not coming. Let's see if there's any other way."
Vennila frowned. "Anu, it's just two days. What's so inconvenient about it? Just come—it'll be fun!"
Anika forced another faint smile, offering no reply.
The chatter in the classroom hushed as Vikram entered.
"Hi everyone, I'm Vikram Shakthivel. I'm your anatomy lecturer, and also your head lecturer from now on. So, feel free to find me if you encounter any difficulties."
His gaze brushed over the class, pausing on Anika for a fraction of a second before moving on. She didn't look at him.
"Wow, he's so handsome," Vennila whispered, eyes sparkling. "I'd definitely pass this module just by looking at him."
Anika wasn't listening. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying Vikram's words from their earlier conversation.
Oh my god… can't you have some mercy on me?
My life's already a mess. Now this man—this pervert—has reappeared in my life.
What did he mean?
That day he was drunk… isn't it normal to forget after sobering up? Did he remember me as Aadhi's sister? Is he hinting that I haven't acknowledged him after he offered me shelter? But I stayed only for a day, and our interactions lasted no more than ten minutes. How could he remember?
Her chest tightened at the thought. If he remembered everything, it would be unbearable. Her stomach churned at the possibility. As a head professor who had once taken advantage of her… would he ever let her go so easily? Her academic future rested entirely in his hands.
No matter what, she couldn't acknowledge him.
It would be the end of her life.
Even when he was drunk, she hadn't been able to resist him. When sober? She didn't dare imagine.
And now… she had a child to protect.
Her brows furrowed deeply. She didn't know how long she had been lost in thought until Vennila nudged her gently, pulling her back to the present. "Focus. You've been zoning out for a long time. Vikram sir is watching."
Anika forced her gaze toward the podium. Vikram's lecture continued, but his eyes flicked to her intermittently, assessing, testing. Her stomach lurched each time she caught his gaze, and she forced her attention on the lesson, struggling to suppress the memories threatening to surface.
When the lesson ended, his voice took on a lighter edge.
"Well, that's all for today's lesson. Let's talk about something interesting. Everyone should know about your field trip by now, right?"
"Yes, sir!" the class replied in unison.
"Good. This is a mandatory trip—no exceptions, no excuses. There are still three days left, so be prepared. This is my first event here, so as your head professor, I expect everyone to be proactive. If you have any issues, make sure to let me know beforehand."
His gaze lingered on Anika again. She tightened her fists under the desk.
"Class dismissed."
Anika was the first to pack her bag. She had to go to the baby care center to tend to her child.
Vennila noticed her movement and asked, "Are you going out for lunch?"
Shaking her head, Anika replied briskly, "No. I have some personal matters to attend to. See you later."
Without waiting for further questions, she left.
Vennila murmured to herself as she packed her bag. What's the hurry?
Outside, Karthik and Sidharth caught up with her.
"Hey, what's wrong with her? Is she dating someone?" Karthik asked.
Vennila waved him off. "I don't know. Maybe."
"Dating? Anika?" Sidharth snorted.
Karthik frowned. "Haven't you noticed her yesterday lunch break too?"
Sidharth murmured, "We've been friends for almost three years, yet we know nothing about her."
Vennila shrugged. "Maybe she's married to some dominating CEO and hides her relationship."
Karthik rolled his eyes. "Nila, you're still reading those useless novels?"
Vennila glared at him. "What's wrong with that? What do you even know?"
Sidharth interjected, "Alright, let's stop. I'm starving—guys, you're still bickering."
They walked out together, still bickering lightly.
Passing nearby, Vikram's expression darkened as he overheard. Dating someone? Is that why she won't acknowledge me? Is that why she refuses to admit what happened?
Even if I had forced her… it still happened. I touched her… so intimately. Could she really just move on and accept someone else?
He returned to his office, the words gnawing at him.
Sliding into his chair, he opened the university database. As head professor for the third and fourth years, he had full access to student records. He searched her name.
Anika Rajan – Third Year
No family information.
No village listed.
No guardian name.
No emergency contact.
Her file was the shortest he'd ever seen.
And the address section… was blank.
He leaned back, fingers tapping on the desk. Only someone with authority could protect this information. Only the dean. Why would the dean want to keep her identity hidden?
Why?
He stared at the screen, her name glowing against the dark background. Anika Rajan… what are you hiding? And why is the dean helping you hide it?
Interesting. Very interesting.