The chaos of the game night had finally died down.
Kind of.
"Okay, we're doing sleeping arrangements," Ron declared, holding a blanket like it was a royal robe. "And before you children start arguing—yes, we are pairing people. Random draw."
Meera groaned. "Ron, you're literally going to pair us based on whatever mess is in your head."
"That is exactly what I'm doing," Ron grinned.
Saachi whispered something into his ear.
His grin widened.
"Aditya. Jaanvi. You're next to each other."
"No," Jaanvi said immediately.
"Yes," Saachi corrected, tossing her a pillow.
"Seriously, I can't sleep next to him," Jaanvi protested. "He snores."
"I do not snore," Aditya muttered.
"Last time you sounded like a dying engine," she shot back.
Rey laughed. "Perfect couple energy."
"Not a couple," both of them chorused—again.
"Sure," Siya said. "Now go. Cuddle up, enemies."
Eventually, under much protest and some strategic blanket placement, Jaanvi and Aditya ended up on two cushions pulled together with a single shared blanket in the far corner of the room.
Everyone else had scattered across sleeping bags, couches, and makeshift nests of pillows and hoodies.
The room dimmed.
Voices quieted.
Breathing slowed.
But not for Jaanvi.
She lay on her side, eyes open, staring at the soft shape of Aditya's back. He was close—but not touching her. His breathing was slow, steady.
He wasn't asleep.
Neither was she.
"Still awake?" she whispered.
A pause.
Then, "Yeah."
She turned toward him slowly. "Can't sleep?"
"Nope."
Another pause.
Then he added, quieter, "You keep moving."
"I'm not used to sharing space."
Aditya chuckled lightly. "You're the one taking up most of the blanket."
"No, I'm not—wait, am I?"
They both laughed softly. It was easy. Unexpectedly easy.
"I almost forgot about the messages," she said after a moment.
He didn't answer right away.
Then, softly: "Good."
But peace is fragile.
Especially when it's borrowed.
Buzz.
The phone on the floor vibrated under Jaanvi's blanket.
She stiffened.
Aditya sat up instantly.
She reached for it, already knowing.
Unknown Number
1:06 AM
"Still awake? I am."
Her heart thudded.
Aditya leaned over. "Another one?"
She nodded.
The screen lit again.
1:07 AM
"You looked happier tonight. He looked at you like he still cares."
Her fingers went cold.
Aditya's whole body tensed beside her. He grabbed the phone and read the words silently.
1:08 AM
"But you should really sleep with one eye open, sweetheart. Not everyone here likes you as much as he does."
Jaanvi's breath caught in her throat.
Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Aditya slowly handed the phone back, then scanned the dark room.
Everyone else was asleep. Peacefully, quietly.
"Jaanvi," he said carefully, "these aren't just random. Someone's watching. Right now."
She nodded, eyes wide.
Aditya exhaled through his nose, low and tense.
"I'm not sleeping tonight," he muttered.
She swallowed hard. "You think it's someone in here?"
"I don't know," he said. "But I'm not taking chances."
He shifted closer. Not touching—but closer. Enough that his presence was like armor.
He glanced at her. "If anything happens, you wake me up. Got it?"
She nodded.
He added, voice soft and serious, "I'm not letting anyone hurt you."
And in that quiet, tense moment—underneath the fear and unsaid things—she believed him.
Some tension is soft.
Some safety feels like silence beside you.
And some invisible threads whisper even in the dark.
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