The file just sat there on her phone screen.
Untouched. Untapped. But felt like a ticking bomb in her palm.
"Don't open it," Aditya said quietly.
Jaanvi didn't respond. Her eyes hadn't left the title of the video:
Vaidya_Singh_4AM.mov
It was so specific. So clinical. So wrong.
The air between them had turned cold. Not because of the house — but because something had changed.
This wasn't just a creepy message anymore.
This was invasion.
Aditya gently took her phone and set it on the table, flipping it over so they didn't have to see it.
"We were inside," Jaanvi whispered. "There were people everywhere. How did they...?"
Aditya didn't answer.
Because he didn't know.
But his eyes scanned the room now — like maybe if he looked hard enough, he'd find the crack in the wall. The place the fear had slipped through.
He stepped back, pacing once. Then twice.
Then he unlocked his own phone.
"You're texting them again?" Jaanvi asked, voice soft and sharp at once.
Aditya glanced at her. "I'm not letting them think this is a game."
His fingers flew.
4:05 AM
So now you're recording us? You think that makes you powerful? It just makes you sick.
I don't know who you are, but I promise you — I'm going to find out.
They waited.
Seconds ticked.
Buzz.
4:06 AM
Unknown Number
You already know who I am, Aditya.
You just don't want to admit it.
And deep down, neither does she.
Jaanvi's breath hitched.
Aditya stared at the words like he could force them to make sense if he glared hard enough.
He texted again.
4:07 AM
If I knew, I'd already be at their door.
You hide because you're scared. Because you're nothing without secrets.
Let's see how long you can keep yours.
The reply came fast this time.
4:07 AM
Funny coming from the guy who still hasn't told her the whole truth.
You never told her what you did the night she cried herself to sleep.
But I saw.
I remember.
Do you?
Aditya's thumb froze mid-response.
Jaanvi looked up at him, eyes narrowed. "What's it talking about?"
He didn't answer right away.
Jaanvi stepped closer. "Aditya."
His lips parted. He looked like he wanted to say something — but stopped himself.
Buzz.
4:08 AM
You called someone else that night, didn't you? Told them it was better this way. That she wasn't strong enough for you.
*Want me to send the audio? :) *
Jaanvi blinked slowly, like her brain couldn't quite keep up with her heart anymore.
"You—" she started, but stopped. "You called someone?"
Aditya looked at her, guilt flickering behind his eyes. "It was one call. A friend. I was spiraling. I didn't mean—"
"I don't care who you called," she cut in, but her voice cracked. "I care about what you said."
He opened his mouth to speak — but she shook her head and stepped back.
And that hurt more than any message.
"Jaanvi—"
"I'm tired," she whispered, rubbing at her temple. "And this is too much."
Her phone buzzed again. She didn't look.
But Aditya did.
His jaw clenched.
4:09 AM
One more kiss. One more lie. One more secret. She deserves the truth, doesn't she, Singh? Or do I have to show her myself?
Aditya put his hand to his mouth.
He didn't cry.
Didn't shout.
But his body stilled — like something inside had just collapsed in on itself.
And Jaanvi saw it.
Even through her own confusion, fear, and growing ache...
she saw it.
They were both scared now.
But not just of the person texting them.
They were scared of the truth.
Of what came next.
Some fear doesn't shout.
Some secrets don't sleep.
And some invisible threads are no longer just between two people —
but pulled tight by someone watching in the dark.
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