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Sanaya stood at the edge of the school courtyard, her eyes scanning the crowd like a hunter watching its prey. It wasn't difficult to spot Tushar in the throng of students-he was surrounded by his usual group, his laughter carrying over the noise. He didn't notice her watching, and that suited her just fine.

Over the past week, her sessions with Tushar had become routine. He'd begun to see her as someone who genuinely needed his help, someone who looked up to him. The groundwork was laid. Now it was time to weave the web.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Maya. Again. Sanaya let it ring, irritation flickering across her face. Maya had been asking too many questions lately, and Sanaya knew it was only a matter of time before her friend became a real problem. But for now, she had bigger priorities.

She walked into the classroom where Tushar sat, waiting for their scheduled session. He looked up and smiled. "Hey, Sanaya. Ready for another crash course in business studies?"

Sanaya returned the smile, sliding into the seat across from him. "Always."

The session began, but this time Sanaya let her focus waver. She scribbled half-hearted notes, occasionally letting out exaggerated sighs of frustration.

"What's wrong?" Tushar finally asked, leaning forward, concern etching his face.

Sanaya hesitated just long enough to make her next words seem unplanned. "It's nothing... I just-it's home stuff. You don't need to worry about it."

Tushar frowned. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me. Maybe I can help."

Hook. Line. Sinker.

Sanaya lowered her eyes, playing the part of someone reluctant to open up. "It's just... my dad. He's been putting a lot of pressure on me about school. He's always comparing me to my older brother, saying I'll never measure up. It's exhausting."

Tushar's expression softened. "That sucks, Sanaya. Parents can be tough sometimes."

She shrugged, her tone carefully controlled to sound vulnerable but not desperate. "I guess. I just feel like no matter what I do, it's never enough."

For a moment, there was silence. Tushar seemed to be processing her words, his usual bravado replaced by a rare moment of empathy.

"Hey," he said finally, "you're doing great. Seriously. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Sanaya looked up at him, her eyes wide and grateful. "Thanks, Tushar. That means a lot."

As they packed up for the day, Tushar offered her a ride home. She declined, knowing that accepting too much too soon could upset the balance. "You've done enough for me already," she said, her smile disarming.

That evening, Sanaya's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a text from Maya.

We need to talk. Call me.

Sanaya stared at the message, her mind racing. Maya's suspicions were growing faster than she'd anticipated. If she didn't find a way to redirect her attention soon, Maya could unravel everything.

Instead of replying, Sanaya opened her photo gallery. She scrolled to a picture she'd taken of Tushar and his friends at lunch-a candid shot, taken from a distance. She sent it to an anonymous number, along with a single message:

"It's starting. Keep watch."

The next day, rumors began to circulate. Someone had seen Tushar arguing with another student after practice. Someone else claimed they'd overheard him talking about a fight he'd been in months ago. By lunchtime, whispers about Tushar's temper were spreading like wildfire.

Sanaya listened to the gossip with quiet satisfaction, her expression carefully neutral. She'd planted the seeds with just enough subtlety to avoid suspicion.

Maya, however, was less convinced. She cornered Sanaya outside the library, her eyes sharp and probing.

"Sanaya, can you tell me what's going on?"

Sanaya blinked, feigning confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb. I know you've been spending a lot of time with Tushar, and now all these rumors are popping up about him. It's weird, don't you think?"

Sanaya laughed, a light, dismissive sound. "Maya, you're reading too much into this. Tushar's popular. People talk. It doesn't mean anything."

Maya didn't look convinced. "I don't know, Sanaya. Something feels off. And you've been... different lately. Distant."

Sanaya's smile faltered, but only for a moment. She placed a hand on Maya's shoulder, her grip firm. "You're my best friend, Maya. You know me better than anyone. Do you really think I'd do something shady?"

Maya hesitated, her resolve wavering. "I guess not."

Sanaya smiled again, her tone warm. "Good. Now stop worrying so much. Everything's fine."

But as Maya walked away, a knot of unease tightened in her chest.

That night, Sanaya stood in front of her mirror. Her reflection stared back at her, the girl in the glass smiling faintly.

"You're getting sloppy," she whispered to herself. "Fix it before it's too late."

And as the smile grew sharper, darker, the reflection seemed to nod in agreement.

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