I fell asleep peacefully after a period of intense happiness.
I couldn't stop thinking about the date all night.
Then I realized it was the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to me: falling in love.
As I woke up the following morning, I got a message demanding the ransom from an anonymous number.
When I awoke the next morning, I received an SMS requesting the ransom from an unknown number.
He gave me a picture of me and Pritam kissing after I replied to that text, and I had no idea why.
That rocked me to my core.
I asked for some time, and he gave me two days, or the picture would go viral, as he had warned me.
My heart started beating rapidly, and I left everything behind, preparing for college.
I immediately called Pratam and asked him to meet me at the canteen as soon as possible.
I rushed to the college very early, like never before, and started to wait for Pritam.
Pritam arrived after twenty minutes, and that made me mad.
"What happened, Shristi?" "Is everything okay?" Pritam asked.
"What?" "Why would I ask you to meet this early if everything is alright?" I yelled at Pritam.
"Relax, first tell me what's wrong," Pritam asked.
"There is no more relaxing." My life is going to be ruined. "I don't know what to do," I cried.
"Ssh...ssh...calm down. Everyone is watching us; please, Shrisiti, stop crying and tell me what happened now. I'm really worried," he said.
I kept crying for a few minutes.
When I looked at Pratam, I noticed how concerned he was.
I opted not to inform him about it, and I sugar-coated the matter.
"Could you kindly tell me what happened so that we can resolve it together?" he said.
"Nothing," I explained. "I had a nightmare and don't want to talk about it, so I need your presence to make me feel better; that's why I phoned."
"Is that all?" Is this your primary concern? However, I've heard you remark that your life is doomed. "I'm not sure if that's it," he admitted.
"Would you like to watch me run over?" I inquired cynically.
"No, I would never wish that, not even in my wildest fantasies," he replied.
I was perplexed at the time, and I had a fleeting doubt about pritam.
"I'm feeling better now; may we please leave now?" I inquired.
I'm frightened of revealing the truth if I stay, so we went to Cass.
"Are you sure?" "Or do you want some medicine?" he inquired, taking my hand in his.
I felt nervous and took his hand away from mine.
Pritam was disappointed when I moved away from him.
"What's the matter?" he asked. "Oh, I guess it's the thing about yesterday," he explained.
"No, not at all; could you please leave me some space?" I inquired.
"As you wish," he responded, "but remember, I'm here for you."
We both grinned as we walked out of the classroom.
I sat with Kavery and held her hand as she processed the experience emotionally.
"Is everything all right, babe?" Kaveri inquired.
"Nothing's wrong; just give me some time," I said calmly.
"What does Pritam have to do staring at you like that?" Kaveri was curious.
Pritam was dissatisfied with my reaction; he appeared anxious.
I didn't mind paying the ransom, but I'm not sure he'll stop, so I sought to figure out who he or she was.
Even though the class was going on, I was completely focused on the picture I received.
I started writing down the names of my opponents in the paper, and I had a suspicion about Arun. I also wanted to make sure it wasn't Pritam or Kaveri's plot.
I asked Kaveri respectfully about her relationship with Arun to double-check and clarify that wasn't her plan.
She replied everything joyfully and honestly, claiming she doesn't need money right now.
Kaveri told the truth. I had not expected Arun's financial necessity.
I felt like I had a hint and began to keep a watch on Arun.
He noticed and appeared uneasy while watching Arun several times.
But I didn't realize Pritam was staring at me.
Pritam appeared confused at the time.
I had intended to confirm whether or not that guy was Arun.
I texted the person and asked how much he needed right now.
After I texted Arun, he looked at his phone, and I almost thought it was him.
He walked to the restroom with a concerned expression after seeing the text.
I received a response a few minutes after he left for the washroom stating that the man required 5,000 for tomorrow so that he could prolong the time for the remaining money.
I waited till the class was over before taking Arun to the corner.
I discovered these texts after taking his phone and checking it.
"Arun, what happened?" "How come Shristi is staring at you like that?" Pritam asked Arun a question.
"I'm not sure, man; she seemed annoyed; why don't you ask her directly?" Arun responded.
Then I realized it wasn't Arun, so I apologized and hurriedly left, although he had asked numerous questions.
Then I realized it wasn't Arun, so I apologized and hurriedly left, even though he had asked numerous questions.
After erasing all doubts in my mind regarding my buddies, I credited the amount to extend the time for the remaining amount.
That feeling was very lonely and low. I felt like everything started to fall apart suddenly. My brain got heated from those worries from the morning.
I lost trust in everyone and used all my power to find out who it was.
After resting my body as much as I could, I heard my mother call out, saying that someone had come to get me.
My heart dropped for a moment after hearing that.
I was panicking that that might be the person who sent the picture to me.
I dashed down the hall to find out who it was, but I slipped and hit my head on the ground, knocking me out.
After the blackout, I tried opening my eyes, and, surprisingly to me, I was in a hospital.