The next morning, Isha decided: it was all in her head.
The photo, the overheard call, the temple sketch — it could all be explained.
Sort of.
Probably.
She cranked up her music, threw on her oversized hoodie, and told herself, It's fine. Life is normal. Chill.
---
🏫 At School
"Okay, but hear me out," Riya said, balancing her tiffin on her lap during break. "What if the board exams are just simulations to weed out potential threats to society?"
Isha rolled her eyes. "You need a hobby."
"I have one. Uncovering lies."
"Sure. Just don't go full tin-foil hat."
They laughed. Riya laughed a little too hard.
---
🧬 4th Period — Biology
Mrs. Fernandes was unusually focused that day. No cardamom scent. No jokes. Just cold precision.
"Open your books to the endocrine system," she said.
Isha's stomach twisted — hadn't they already done this?
"We did this last week," Nina whispered.
Mrs. Fernandes looked up. "Isha, can you list the glands?"
Isha blinked. "The... hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid..."
Her voice trailed off as the teacher's gaze sharpened.
Riya watched from her desk — too quiet, not even pretending to doodle.
Mrs. Fernandes smiled. "Excellent. Keep going."
Her voice was sweet.
Almost too sweet.
---
🚌 After School
Isha shook it off. A weird class. An off day. It happens.
She and Riya walked to the bus stand. The sun was hot. The air smelled like dust and sugarcane.
"You okay today?" Riya asked.
"Yeah. Just tired."
"Hmm." Riya reached into her bag and handed her a cold bottle of mango juice. "For the memory."
"What?"
"Vitamin B helps."
"…Thanks?"
Riya smiled.
Isha didn't see her glance over at a parked scooter — where Mrs. Fernandes sat waiting, helmet in hand, eyes hidden behind sunglasses.
---
🌒 That Night
No dreams.
No whis
pers.
No temples.
Just silence.
Almost like someone had pressed mute on her soul.