Monday Morning - The College Canteen
Neel sat alone at a corner table, his usual spot, scrolling through his phone. He was reading his chat with S from last night, a small smile playing on his lips.
"What's got you smiling like that?"
He looked up, startled. Shanaya stood there with a tray, looking genuinely curious rather than confrontational.
"Nothing. Just... a message from a friend," Neel said, quickly locking his phone.
"The online friend you mentioned during practice?"
Neel's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't told her that. Or had he?
"Yeah," he said carefully. "How did you—"
"You mentioned it when we were talking about why we prefer online interactions," Shanaya said, sitting down across from him without asking. "Mind if I sit?"
"You're already sitting," Neel pointed out.
"True." She smiled. "So, this friend. Are they from our college?"
"Maybe. We just found out we go to the same college actually."
Shanaya's hand froze halfway to her coffee cup. "Really? That's... quite a coincidence."
"Yeah. Strange, right?"
They looked at each other, something unspoken passing between them.
"I have an online friend too," Shanaya said suddenly. "We also just discovered we're at the same college."
Neel's heart started beating faster. "That's... that's weird. What are the odds?"
"Pretty slim, I'd think." Shanaya's eyes were searching his face. "Do you know who your friend is? Like, in real life?"
"No. We're keeping it anonymous. You?"
"Same."
The silence stretched between them, loaded with questions neither dared to ask.
"Shanaya," Neel said slowly, "what if—"
"Shanaya! There you are!" Priya appeared, breaking the moment. "We've been looking everywhere for you. The professor wants to discuss the cultural fest proposal."
"Oh. Right." Shanaya stood up reluctantly. "I'll... see you at practice, Neel?"
"Yeah. See you."
As she walked away, Neel pulled out his phone and typed quickly.
The Investigation Begins
A to S:
A: S, this might sound crazy
A: But I think I might know who you are
S: ...
S: You do?
A: Or at least, I have a suspicion
A: Can I ask you something? Don't lie
S: Okay...
A: Are you a girl?
S: ...
S: Yes
S: Are you a boy?
A: Yes
S: A, I need to ask you something too
S: Do you have a fake account where you pretend to be someone else?
A: ...
A: Yes
A: Do you?
S: Yes
A: What gender do you pretend to be?
S: ...
S: The opposite of mine
A: Same
S: ...
A: ...
S: This is insane
A: I know