The world went still. Vashti Dhiman's pulse raced as the words on her phone replayed in her mind. Someone knew. Someone had been watching them. The quiet whispers between her and Shabd—the way he touched her hand in public, how they laughed like no one else existed.
It was all out in the open now.
For someone to use it as a weapon.
Shabd's face went pale. "Who would do this? Why now?"
Her eyes locked on the message again, narrowing. "I don't know. But I'll make sure I find out."
"I'm not letting you do this alone."
Vashti turned to him, fury in her eyes. "Don't you get it? This is my mess now. I have to fix it. And I'm not letting you be dragged into it again."
But Shabd wasn't backing down. "You think I'm going to stand back while someone tries to destroy everything we've built? No way. You're not alone, Vashti."
She bit back a response, but the truth was, her heart raced—not from the fear of the threat, but because he was still here. Despite everything. Still standing beside her.
---
The Next Morning
The hospital was buzzing, but it felt wrong. The usual chatter, the hum of equipment, the clattering of nurses' shoes—it all felt distant, like a fog settled over the building.
Vashti couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her, waiting for the right moment to strike. The message had shaken her more than she admitted. It wasn't just a threat. It was a declaration. Whoever this was, they knew too much.
And now, they had an ally—Armaan.
It was his face she saw as she stepped out of the elevator.
"Vashti," he said, catching up to her, his voice too calm, too knowing. "I got the same message you did."
Her heart dropped. "You were sent the picture too?"
He nodded, a cold smile curving his lips. "I don't know who's behind this, but they're playing a dangerous game."
Her fists clenched. "How do you know that?"
Armaan stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Because if they know about you and Shabd, they know more than we think. And I can't help but wonder if this is someone inside the hospital."
Vashti froze. "You think one of us is behind this?"
"Possibly," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I have my suspicions. I've been keeping an eye on certain people."
She swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "Do you have a name?"
Armaan hesitated, then leaned in, whispering in her ear. "Dr. Maya Kapoor."
Vashti recoiled. "Maya? But she's been a friend to both of us—she's worked with Shabd for years!"
Armaan's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Everyone has secrets, Vashti. Even her."
---
Later That Evening
Vashti stood at the edge of the hospital parking lot, staring at her phone, trying to steady her shaking hands. She needed answers. She couldn't trust anyone—not even her closest allies.
As she stepped into her car, the phone buzzed again.
A new message.
This time, no picture. Just words.
"You think you're safe, but you're not. Maya isn't who you think she is."
It was then that she realized—the true threat was closer than she thought. Whoever was sending these messages wasn't just playing games.
They were watching her every move.
---