The rain came down harder that night.
Aarav stood under the small shade outside the fellowship building, staring at Rishan.
"The kind that destroys careers… and sometimes lives?" Aarav repeated. "Stop talking in riddles and just tell me clearly."
Rishan studied him for a moment.
"You love her?" he asked.
Aarav didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"Then you should know the truth," Rishan said quietly.
They moved to a quieter corner near the parking area.
Rishan pulled out his phone and showed Aarav a set of documents.
Emails.
Names.
Internal notes.
Aarav's eyes moved quickly across the screen.
"This… this is about the fellowship?" he asked.
Rishan nodded.
"It's not just a writing program. It's controlled by a small group of people who decide who rises… and who disappears quietly."
Aarav frowned.
"And Meher?"
"She's on their radar," Rishan said seriously.
"Why?"
"Because she doesn't play by their rules. She writes what she believes. That makes her unpredictable… and dangerous for them."
Aarav's jaw tightened.
"And Reyaan?" he asked.
Rishan's expression darkened.
"He's part of the system."
At the same time, inside the building…
Meher sat in an empty conference room, staring at her phone.
Three unread messages.
All from unknown numbers.
"You're not listening."
"Stay away from the files."
"Last warning."
Her hands trembled.
Before she could react, the door opened.
Reyaan walked in.
"You shouldn't be alone right now," he said calmly.
She stood up immediately.
"Why are they messaging me?" she demanded. "Who are 'they'?"
Reyaan didn't answer directly.
"I told you to stay out of it," he said quietly.
"I can't!" she snapped. "This is my career, my life!"
Reyaan stepped closer.
"And that's exactly why you need to be careful."
Outside, Aarav clenched his fists.
"So what do we do?" he asked Rishan.
Rishan looked toward the building.
"We protect her."
Aarav nodded.
"From them?"
Rishan shook his head slowly.
"From everyone… until we know who's really behind this."
Thunder cracked loudly across the sky.
The storm had reached its peak.
And for the first time—
Aarav realized something terrifying.
This wasn't just about Meher anymore.
He was already part of the game.