The rest of the afternoon passed like a blur.
Haniya stayed in her room, curtains drawn, lights off, as if darkness could somehow keep the past from finding her again. Kashvi sat beside her on the bed, not saying much—just being there. Sometimes presence mattered more than words.
Haniya's phone lay switched off on the bedside table.
For the first time in a long while, she was scared of sound.
Outside, life continued. Laughter echoed faintly from the common area. Vivaan and Harsh argued about something trivial—probably food, probably loudly. It felt wrong, how normal everything sounded when her world felt like it was cracking open again.
"You should tell Aarav," Kashvi said softly after a long silence.
Haniya flinched.
"I will," she replied, but the words felt heavy. "Just… not yet."
Kashvi studied her face. "You don't have to protect everyone by hurting yourself."
Haniya gave a sad smile. "I've been doing that my whole life."
There was a knock at the door.
Both of them froze.
"Haniya?" Aarav's voice came from outside—careful, restrained. "Can I come in?"
Haniya closed her eyes briefly, then nodded. Kashvi got up and opened the door.
Aarav stepped inside, his gaze immediately going to Haniya. One look was enough to tell him she wasn't okay—not even close. Her shoulders were tense, her eyes dull, like she'd cried until she had nothing left.
"What happened?" he asked quietly.
Haniya tried to brush it off. "Nothing. Just tired."
Aarav didn't buy it. He never did.
He turned to Kashvi. "Can you give us a minute?"
Kashvi hesitated, then nodded. "I'll be right outside."
The door closed.
Silence settled again—but this time it was heavier.
Aarav sat on the edge of the bed, close enough that their knees almost touched. "You don't look tired," he said gently. "You look scared."
That word broke something.
Haniya looked down at her hands. "He called me."
Aarav's jaw tightened. "Who?"
"The man from before," she whispered. "The one I told you about… a little."
Aarav inhaled slowly, keeping his voice calm even though something dark flashed through his eyes. "What did he say?"
She hesitated, then repeated it. "He said I can't move on from blood."
Aarav went still.
"That's a threat," he said.
"I know."
"Did he say where he is?"
"No."
"Did you save the number?"
"No."
Aarav ran a hand through his hair, frustration visible. "Haniya, this isn't something you face alone."
She looked up at him then, eyes shining with unshed tears. "I'm scared that if I say everything out loud, it'll become real again."
Aarav's expression softened. He reached out, carefully taking her hand in his. "It was already real. Surviving it doesn't make you weak. Hiding it doesn't make you strong."
Her lips trembled.
"I thought I buried it," she said. "I thought it was over."
He squeezed her hand. "The past has a habit of knocking when we finally start to heal."
Outside the room, Kashvi leaned against the wall. Aryan stood a little distance away, watching the closed door like it held answers he wasn't allowed to hear.
"She okay?" he asked quietly.
Kashvi nodded, though her face didn't match the gesture. "She will be."
Aryan frowned. "Something's wrong. I can feel it."
"You're not wrong," Kashvi replied. "But it's not my story to tell."
Aryan accepted that—but unease settled deeper in his chest.
Evening arrived slowly.
Dinner was announced, but Haniya didn't move. Aarav brought a tray instead, setting it on the desk.
"Eat a little," he said.
She shook her head. "Not hungry."
"Still," he insisted softly. "For me."
She managed a few bites. Aarav stayed until she finished, talking about random things—practice, Vivaan's jokes, how Harsh almost tripped during drills. He was deliberately normal, grounding her in the present.
Later, when he finally left, Haniya lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Her phone buzzed again.
She bolted upright, heart racing—then realized it was Kashvi's message.
I'm here. Anytime.
She exhaled.
But somewhere deep inside, fear was growing roots.
The next morning felt wrong from the start.
Haniya woke before her alarm, a tight knot in her chest. She got ready mechanically and joined the others for breakfast.
Vivaan noticed first. "Why does everyone look like they're attending a funeral?"
Harsh shrugged. "Monday energy."
Haniya forced a smile, sitting beside Kashvi again. Aarav sat across from her, watching closely. Aryan barely touched his food, eyes distant.
Practice was cancelled that day—unexpectedly.
The coach gathered them and spoke in a low, serious tone. "There's been a security concern in the area. Until further notice, you'll stay within campus grounds."
Haniya's blood ran cold.
Security concern.
Her mind went straight back to that voice on the phone.
Aarav noticed her reaction instantly. "Hey," he murmured, leaning closer. "Breathe."
She nodded, but fear coiled tighter.
Later, as everyone dispersed, Haniya felt a sudden, overwhelming certainty.
This wasn't coincidence.
He wasn't just calling.
He was getting closer.
And this time, running from the past wasn't going to be enough.