Saturday afternoons at Ron's house were always loud, messy, and borderline unhinged.
Snacks were everywhere. Music thumped low from someone's speaker. Someone had spilled soda on the carpet (probably Aryan), and Meera was yelling about it while Rey and Kiara pretended not to notice. Saachi and Siya had claimed the beanbags in the corner, already mid-gossip. And in the middle of it all, Jaanvi was trying her best to feel normal.
She sat on the couch, knees tucked up to her chest, her phone hidden behind a throw pillow like it might bite her.
Next to her—without announcement or reason—Aditya had dropped onto the cushion. Not touching her. Not even really looking at her. But close.
His arm brushed hers.
That alone was enough to make her heart race.
"You're quiet," he murmured.
She gave him a sidelong glance. "Maybe I just don't feel like yelling over Rey and Aryan arguing about cricket rankings."
Aditya smirked. "Fair."
Their shoulders were still pressed lightly together, the tiniest touch of warmth grounding her—until her phone buzzed.
Buzz.
Buzz.
Buzz.
Three messages. Fast. Back to back.
Jaanvi's body went still.
She pulled the phone closer, thumb hovering over the screen.
Aditya noticed immediately. "Who is it?"
She didn't answer.
Her eyes scanned the screen:
Unknown Number
8:41 PM
"Pretty house. So cozy. Must be fun pretending you belong there."
8:41 PM
"Wonder what your friends would say if they knew everything."
8:42 PM
"Better keep those curtains closed tonight. Some things are better left unseen."
Jaanvi's heart dropped.
Her hands trembled slightly as she turned the screen away.
But Aditya caught the edge of the first message.
His entire body tensed beside her.
"Jaanvi," he said quietly, "show me."
She shook her head. "It's nothing. Just—"
He took her phone gently but firmly, not snatching, not demanding—just deciding.
The light from the screen lit his face as his eyes moved across the words.
His expression didn't change much.
But his jaw clenched.
Hard.
He handed the phone back carefully, not saying anything.
Their friends were still in the kitchen—laughing, raiding Ron's pantry, none the wiser. The laughter felt far away.
"Was this the first time it sounded like... that?" Aditya asked.
Jaanvi nodded slowly, still staring at the messages. "Before it was just... mean. Now it's—creepy."
Aditya didn't move for a second.
Then he reached forward, plucked a blanket from the back of the couch, and draped it casually over her legs like it meant nothing.
But then his voice lowered. Quiet. Firm.
"Do not leave the group tonight."
She looked at him. "What?"
"You don't go outside alone. You don't leave this house without someone with you. Promise me."
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She wasn't used to him sounding like this—steady, protective, dead serious.
"I'm not trying to scare you," he added, softer now. "But I've got this weird feeling, and I trust it."
He didn't wait for her to argue.
He just handed her a water bottle from the table like nothing happened.
But Jaanvi couldn't shake the chill under her skin. Couldn't stop replaying that last text.
Better keep those curtains closed tonight.
She glanced at Ron's giant living room windows—closed, but the curtains were slightly parted.
Aditya followed her gaze.
Without a word, he stood, walked over, and drew the curtains tightly shut.
The moment felt small, but not meaningless.
Jaanvi stared at him.
"You don't have to—"
"I know," he cut in, without looking at her. "I want to."
The group returned, laughing, shouting about movie options. Siya plopped down between Meera and Kiara. Aryan shoved chips in his mouth mid-sentence. Rey was already cueing up something dumb.
And through it all, Aditya stayed at her side.
He didn't hold her hand.
He didn't ask if she was okay again.
He didn't draw attention.
But his shoulder stayed against hers.
And she didn't move away.
Some fear is silent.
Some protection is quiet.
And some invisible threads are stronger than any scream.
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