prologue

It's not every Saturday that you get called into the staff room and find the police waiting for you.

"Ma'am, I'm Risa Mathur. You called for me?" I speak in a low voice. It's the first time I'm speaking directly to an officer. I make the mistake of looking straight at her.

"Risa from class ZA1?" She looks at me with piercing eyes. Her entire body language screams authority.

I'm petrified. No one's ever said my name like that before - like I've done something terrible.

"Y-Yes ma'am." I manage to choke out.

"I see," She takes a file from the desk. "Do you know why you've been called?"

"I have no clue."

Another officer speaks up. "Sarayu Sharma. Class ZA1. Do you know her?"

My eyes, which were awkwardly lingering on the boring floor now shoot up to look at the new source of voice. It's another woman now, younger than the previous one.

Her voice is softer too. I feel comfort surging through me.

Why are they asking me about Sarayu? She just had an accident yesterday.

"Yes, she's my classmate. She had an accident yesterday. Falling from the emergency stairs, I think."

The first officer laughs. "You're right. But it wasn't an accident. Sarayu's family has filed a complaint stating it was attempted murder."

"W-What?" I say, my voice hoarse.

Attempted murder? Who would do such a thing?

Oh. Oh.

My eyes widen as the realisation washes over me as to why I've been called.

My eyes move on their own and I make eye contact with the first officer. "I'm a suspect, right?"

She laughs at my face. Lowering ber face on her elbows and leaning towards me, say sneers. “No. You’re the accused. Sarayu herself gave a statement.”

hey !! so this is the

prologue