Chapter 5: Drawing Lots and New Betrayals

"What? Still have to go to the nawab’s haveli?"

"Ananya died in one day! I’m not going. Bhai, don’t drag me into this!"

Amit, the sports captain, snapped, his voice cracking. He clenched his fists, pen tapping nervously against his notebook.

"Go if you want. If not, stay and wait to die. Simple."

The room fell silent, only pigeons cooing in the rafters.

The system broke the hush:

[Reminder: The young nawab likes gentle personalities.]

Rohan pushed up his glasses, "Ananya was arrogant—maybe that’s why she died. Let’s keep our heads down in the haveli and not attract attention. We’ll get 5 points every time we see the nawab. Saavdhaani mein hi bhalayi hai. Getting close is risky, but I won’t force anyone."

But in my heart, dread twisted. The system never said this was a team game. What if only one survives in the end? The thought chilled me, despite the sun’s warmth outside.

Everyone began to draw lots. The folded slips stuck to sweaty palms, pens tapping against notebooks. The order was by roll number. I was last—typical. I unfolded my slip: [Go to the nawab’s haveli.]

Classmates’ faces showed everything—some happy, some sly. Rohan appeared behind me, too friendly:

"Meera, kya nikla?"

I flinched, hairs on my neck rising. I answered, "Go to the nawab’s haveli."

Rohan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "…Hope we get home alive, yaar. Sab theek hoga."

Then we started counting. There was one extra girl. Silence, the air thick as pre-monsoon humidity.

"Someone’s lying."

Rohan said, "Those who drew for the haveli, show your slips. No cheating."

I opened my slip. Now it said: [Stay in the broken mandir.]

Shock hit me—my heart dropped, vision blurred. Someone had switched my slip.