The auto-rickshaw drops me two lanes away from Professor Mehra’s house in the quiet faculty colony. It’s 6:55 PM. My dupatta is pulled tight over my chest, heart thudding so loud I’m scared the whole mohalla can hear it. The monsoon sky is dark again, thunder rumbling like it knows what I’m about to do.

I walk the last bit on shaky legs. Every shadow makes me jump. What if someone from department sees me? What if that nosy Mrs Sharma from the library is out for her evening walk? My phone buzzes — Priya, my roommate.