Episode 4: A Hike Through Fire

[Morning – sport Camp]
[Golden sunlight filters through the pine trees. Students gather in front of the instructor.]
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
Today’s challenge: 🔥 Paired Survival Hike 🔥
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
You’ll get a map, compass, one water bottle, and minimal gear. Stick with your partner. Reach Point B and return by sunset.
[Crowd murmurs excitedly.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(thinking): Please… anyone but him. Anyone but—
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
Team 2: Sakshi and Vikram.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
What?! There has to be a mistake.
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
Nope. You’re both leads. Leads lead by example. Good luck.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(sighs): You’ve got to be kidding me.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(muttering): This is going to be the longest day of my life.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
You think I wanted this?
---
[Forest Trail – 11:30 AM]
[They hike in total silence. Leaves crunch. Wind whistles.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
If you’re gonna keep breathing like you hate the world, I’d rather hike alone.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
Rules say we stick together. Too bad for you.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Do you always sound like you’re above everyone?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
I just don’t fake it like you do.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(stops): Okay—what’s your deal with me? Seriously?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
You act like you’re better than the rest of us. Like the whole place revolves around your perfect little image.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(blinking): I’ve barely even spoken to you. That’s what you think of me?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
You don’t need to speak. You walk like you own every room. You know everything.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
You know what hurts more than your insults? How wrong you are.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(quieter now): I don’t care about the spotlight. I just want to make my parents proud. I work hard. I stay away from drama. But somehow, people like you hate that.
[Vikram says nothing. His pace slows.]
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(thinking): That wasn’t arrogance. That was...honesty.
---
[Stream Crossing – 1:00 PM]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Log bridge ahead. I’ll go first.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
You sure?
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Yeah. I’ve got it.
[She steps carefully. Midway—slip!]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Ahh—!
[In a blur, Vikram grabs her wrist. One hand on her waist. Holds her steady.]
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(stunned): You… caught me.
[Their faces are inches apart. Her breath quickens. His eyes flicker.]
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(thinking): Why does her skin feel like fire? Why can’t I look away?
[He clears his throat. Steps back fast.]
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
Be careful.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(heart pounding): Yeah… thanks.
---
[Camp – Late Afternoon]
Instructor🎖️
Instructor🎖️
Team 2: First to finish!
[Students cheer. Vikram walks away without looking back.]
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
(approaching): Hey—back in one piece! I wouldn’t trust Vikram with a compass, to be honest 😅
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
(smiling faintly): We didn’t exactly bond.
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Bonfire dinner tonight. Saved a spot for you. Come if you feel like escaping drama.
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Sakshi👩🏻‍🎓:
Maybe… yeah. Not promising anything
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Vinit🧑‍💼:
Cool. I’ll wait.
---
[Inside Tent 7 – Vikram’s POV]
[He watches them through a narrow flap opening.]
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
(thinking): Why is she always with him?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
Why does it feel like something’s… twisting in my chest?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
Why do I care?
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
This is not jealousy.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
It’s not.
Vikram🕶️:
Vikram🕶️:
I don’t even like her.
...
Right?
---

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