As the moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the quiet streets of the city, Vaani’s mind raced. The cryptic message lingered in her thoughts, casting a shadow over the thrilling prospect of an internship with Aviraj. Who could know her? And why should she be cautious? She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her heart drumming a nervous rhythm.

The following morning, Vaani decided to confide in Riya. They met over breakfast in the small cafeteria on campus, the smell of coffee and fresh pastries filling the air. Riya, still skeptical about Aviraj, listened carefully as Vaani recounted the message she received.

“Do you think it’s just a prank?” Riya asked, her brow furrowed with concern. “Or someone trying to scare you away from Aviraj?”

“I don’t know,” Vaani replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “But it feels real. I can’t shake this feeling that something is off.”

Riya tapped her fingers nervously against the table, her protective instincts flaring. “We should investigate. Maybe ask around. See if anyone else has received similar messages.”

As they finished their meal, Vaani’s phone buzzed again. She glanced down, her heart racing. This time it was a message from Aviraj: “Have you thought about my offer? I’d love to discuss it further.”

“I don’t know if I should respond,” she admitted, biting her lip. “What if this is all part of some game?”

“Just be careful,” Riya cautioned. “He might seem charming, but you can never be too sure. I’ll help you look into this.”

Vaani nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. She couldn’t deny the magnetic pull she felt towards Aviraj, but she also couldn’t ignore the warning signs.

As they left the cafeteria, the two friends spotted a tall figure standing by the entrance. It was Arjun, a fellow student known for his intelligence and connections. He was also Vaani’s lab partner in biology class, and she knew he often had his ear to the ground when it came to campus gossip.

“Hey, Vaani! Riya!” Arjun called out, his voice brightening the gloomy atmosphere. “What’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“We were just talking about Aviraj Malhotra,” Riya said, her eyes darting to Vaani. “Have you heard anything about him? Or about weird messages?”

Arjun’s expression shifted, a hint of seriousness creeping into his demeanor. “Why do you ask? He’s a pretty big deal around here. Why would you want to know?”

Vaani hesitated but decided to be honest. “I got a message from someone warning me about him. I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.”

Arjun’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Vaani could see the wheels turning in his mind. “You’ve got to be careful. Aviraj can come off as charming, but he’s involved in some intense stuff. Not everything is as it seems with him.”

“What do you mean?” Vaani pressed, her curiosity piqued.

“He’s got connections—powerful ones. Some people say he’s not just a businessman; he’s involved in things that you wouldn’t want to get mixed up in,” Arjun replied, glancing around as if to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

Riya’s brows knitted tighter. “What kind of things?”

“I can’t say much,” Arjun continued, lowering his voice. “But there are whispers about his family’s business dealings. Some say they’re not all legal. Just… tread carefully, okay?”

Vaani felt a chill run down her spine. The allure of Aviraj was now tangled with a web of danger and intrigue. “Thank you, Arjun. I’ll keep that in mind.”

As they walked away, Riya looked at Vaani, concern etched on her face. “This is getting complicated. Are you still considering the internship?”

“I need to think about it,” Vaani replied, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

That afternoon, she found herself wandering the campus, lost in thought. The allure of ambition and the thrill of stepping into Aviraj’s world danced in her mind, but so did the warnings of Riya and Arjun.

Suddenly, she heard a voice call out to her. “Vaani!” It was Aviraj, striding toward her with purpose, his dark eyes glinting in the afternoon sun.

“Hey, I was just thinking about your offer,” she said, trying to sound casual while her heart raced.

“Good! I was hoping to hear from you,” he replied, a charming smile gracing his lips. “Can we talk? I have some exciting plans for the internship that I’d love to share with you.”

As they walked together, Vaani felt the tension in the air. She was drawn to him, but the weight of the unknown bore down on her. Could she trust him? And what lay ahead in this new chapter of her life?

As they approached a secluded part of the campus, Vaani glanced back at Riya, who watched from a distance. Vaani felt a surge of determination. This was her choice to make, but she needed to tread carefully. The lines between ambition, trust, and danger were about to blur, and she was standing at the precipice of it all.

With each step alongside Aviraj, Vaani knew she was unraveling more than just her ties to her past—she was weaving herself into a complex tapestry of choices and consequences, where every decision could change the course of her life forever.