Chapter 2 Fire and Shadow

The morning after felt like she was walking in a fog

Nandi woke up before the sun. She had hardly slept. Her body was heavy with guilt, her mind racing with what she had done with Ben. She was a wife. She was supposed to be loyal, even if her husband treated her like furniture in his own house.

Still, last night didn't feel like a mistake. It felt alive. It was the best day of her life. It felt like something she had been starving for.

She tried to shake it off as she prepared for work. Black skirt, cream blouse, her usual neat bun. She packed her books into her bag and reminded herself, I am Professor Nandi. I have a reputation. Last night didn't happen. Forget it.

But life has a way of laughing at you when you think you're in control.

The classroom was full of chatter when she entered the lecture hall. Dozens of young faces turned to her, notebooks open, laptops humming. She forced a smile, dropped her bag on the table, and opened her notes.

Then her heart stopped.

Ben.

He was sitting right there, at the third row from the front, his eyes fixed on her. That same calm, unreadable look from the beach, from Camila's house, from the night her body betrayed her loyalty.

Her throat went dry. She almost dropped the marker in her hand.

He didn't smile. He didn't even flinch. He just sat there, arms folded, like a man holding a secret that could burn her entire world down.

The lecture was a blur. Words left her mouth but her mind wasn't there. She kept catching his eyes, and each time, it felt like a silent reminder: I know. I was there. We crossed a line.

By the end of the class, she packed her things fast, almost running out of the hall. She couldn't breathe until she locked herself in her office. She sat there with her head in her hands.

The she picked up her phone and text Camila, "the guy from yesterday is my student "

But there was no reply. Hours passed. Nothing.

So, she left for her house. She went home uneasy, she was settling down when a knock came on the door.

Two police officers stood outside.

"Mrs. Nandi Mahati?" one of them asked.

"Yes?" Her chest tightened.

"We'd like you to come with us to the station. Just to answer a few questions."

Her mind raced. She thought immediately about Ben. Did someone find out? Did he say something?

At the station, she was led to a small room with a metal table. Her palms were sweaty. She sat there, waiting, heart pounding.

Then one of the officers came in, his face grim.

"I'm sorry to inform you... your friend, Camila, is dead. Suicide. We need to know how many people were at her house yesterday."

The words hit her like a slap. Camila. Dead. Just like that.

Nandi swallowed hard. "It was just the two of us," she lied quickly.

Her husband, Judge Mahati and Vincenzo was standing right there, so she dare not tell them the truth.

Because if she mentioned Ben, everything would collapse. Her marriage, her career, her reputation. Nobody would see a grieving woman anymore, they'd only see a professor sleeping with her student.

The officer nodded, jotting things down. "We'll be in touch."

When she walked out of the station, the air felt different. Heavy, like shadows had followed her out.

She went home with her husband, curious what might have happened to her best friend. Everybody was wondering who could have killed Camila.

The following day, she picked up her bag as usual and went to work as usual. She wasn't herself and she look so down and distracted while in class, Ben noticed this. The class ended early. As she was trying to run to her class, so has not to catch up with Ben, he was already outside waiting to talk to her.

She entered her car, but it wouldn't start. She got down to check what is wrong with it, but she didn't even know what to touch. Then Ben approached her, he said "professor" what's wrong with the car. She muttered...it just wouldn't start. He has an autoshop where he fixed cars. Apart from being a law student, he is also a mechanic and also good at drawing.

He was able to fixed the car and she left. Leaving Ben alone there. On her way, she was stopped by Vicenzo.

Nandi, didn't you get my call, he asked.

Nandi replied, I've been busy and my car broke down, so I was unable to check my phone.

"Is that so?" Vicenzo asked

She nodded, words stuck in her throat.

"Thing is," he said slowly, eyes narrowing, "Camila called me last night before it happened. Her voice was... strange. She sounded broken. I can't shake the feeling there's more to this story."

So, I wanted to ask who was the other guy with you last night. The police officers found two used condom at her house. "I want to know who she fucked" he said.

Nandi forced a weak smile. "She was going through a lot. Maybe it was too much for her."

Is there anything you're not telling me, Nandi, secrets don't stay buried for long.

Then she said, "she didn't fuck anyone, I did"

Vicenzo was shocked....couldn't say anything more.

He left with those words echoing in his mind.

Nandi went home, curious what will happen next.

That night, lying beside her husband's cold body in their bed, Nandi stared into the dark.

Camila was gone. Ben was her student. The police were asking questions. And Vincenzo... Vincenzo was watching her.

The shadows in her life were growing, and fire was coming.