Fear seeped into her heart. The photo utterly shocked her. Her brain stopped working. The image of that hand with blood was imprinted in her brain.

Her hands trembled, her lips quivered, and her heart pounded. Tears welled in her eyes, and her throat went dry. She was too parched to swallow her saliva, but it felt as if her heart was in her throat.

Another notification popped up. She felt scared to check. She doesn't wish to touch her phone, but she took her phone with her trembling hands.

Before she could read. She heard someone knocking on her door.

She quickly wiped her tears and sobered her face.

She opened the door to find Anirudh.

Anirudh (worried): Rooh, what's wrong?

Ruhi shook her head.

Anirudh: You sure? I felt you were crying.

Ruhi (with trembling voice): Movie...

She spoke one word.

Anirudh (sighed): Fine! Stop watching such movies.

Ruhi just nodded. Her behaviour seems a little weird. But he let her be, knowing she would share by herself if something was serious. He left without much interrogation.

Ruhi sighed and quickly grabbed her phone to see the notification she had received earlier.

Notification: Your brother is coming here. Don't share anything with him, or I will complain. You were forcing me to be physical.

Her eyes went wide, realising her brother just come here. She was trying to make sense of this information.

When again her phone pinged.

Notification: My eyes are on you 24/7. You won't even get to know how. So, better be quiet. Don't let your family know or your Vidyut bhai will be dead. Go out and check. He just went to buy pani puri for you.

Everything was too much for her to process. She was about to run to check out but stopped when her eyes fell on the mirror. She saw her reflection.

Ruhi (touching her cheeks): Everyone will be worried for me. They will ask me why I am crying.

She wiped her face. She went into the washroom and splashed water a few times. She cleared her face and fake smile. She presents herself before stepping out of her room.

Mihika: Ruhi, Vidyut went to buy pani puri and chat. Do you want something special for yourself?

She quickly shook her head, not able to speak.

Anirudh: Rooh, look at your eyes bache. For some stupid movie. What you have done. Come here.

She quickly ran into his arms. Her tears threaten to fall. She shut her eyes tight to control them.

Anirudh (sensing her grip around his torso): Which movie were you watching? What did you see that made you feel emotional?

He patted her head, to calm her. Ruhi shook her head, hiding her face in his chest.

Her phone rang. Anirudh saw her phone to see her friends calling her on group.

Anirudh: Go and talk with them. You will feel good and if there is anything else. Let me know.

He said pecking her forehead. Ruhi nodded and went into her room.

She received the call.

Navya (excitedly): Ruhi, share today's pictures. All my solos are with you.

Ivana (laughing): Ruhi, check your and Dhruv's picture. How you both were glaring at each other.

Navya (dreamily): Have you seen how Nayan bhaiya was staring at you? He is such a cutie! Date him please!!!

Not getting any response from Ruhi's end.

Ivana: Ruhi? Are you there?

Ruhi sobbed, shocking both girls.

Navya: Ruhi, you okay?

Ivana (shocked): Your elder brother got to know about today's bunk?

Ruhi (mumbling): He texted again. He said not to share with family. He is keeping eyes on me, and he... he cut his wrist because I sat with Nayan on the bike.

Ivana, Navya (shout): What?

Navya: Is he serious?

Ivana: He seems dangerous.

Ruhi: I will share his messages and photo.

Both hummed. Ruhi hung up the call. She shared with them.

After reading the text.

In the girls whatsapp group chat:

Ivi 💅👗: Ruhi, he is tracking you.

Navi 💐☘️: Maybe, he has installed cams at your home.

Ivi 💅👗: Don't share this with anyone for now. We will figure it out.

Navi 💐☘️: But how did he do that?

Ivi 💅👗: He cut his hand... tomorrow, we can see who has cut on the wrist. We will get to know.

Navi 💐☘️: But Ruhi, be safe and around family. Cams are all around you.

Ivi 💅👗: Have you discussed this with Nayan? You said you will speak with him.

Navi 💐☘️: Ruhi???

Ivi 💅👗: Don't worry babe... We will figure out something.

Continue texts of these. She felt relieved somewhere.

She calmed her mind.

Niyati came running.

Niyati: Bua, let's go. Chachu is here with Pani Puri.

Ruhi nodded. Niyati ran out. Ruhi went to wash her face and be presentable before stepping out.

As she came in living area. She found everyone already present. Even the little twins were wide awake and sitting on the sofa, giggling.

Ruhi walked in front of Vidyut and sat on his lap.

Vidyut (rolling his eyes): What?

Ruhi (smiling): There is no space around for me. So, adjust with me.

Vidyut (pointing towards a corner of the sofa): You see? There?

Ruhi: That's so far. I won't get pani puri properly. And you are a cheater. You will eat more. So, now I will sit here and you have to adjust.

Vidyut (with tight smile): Don't cry if I push you down, cheater.

Ruhi (complaining to Anirudh): Dada, see bhai is so annoying.

Vidyut (shocked): Am I annoying?

Bantering of two was going on. Saurav, Mihika and Harsha were preparing pani puri. Mihika was with the kids feeding them.

Harsha fed Ruhi, one piece of pani puri.

Saurav forwarded the one to Vidyut.

Ruhi's eyes fell on Saurav's wrist, which was covered with a bandage.

An image of a wrist cut played in her mind, and she choked on her pani puri. She was not able to focus on her throat as she was coughing. Her tearful eyes were roaming between Saurav and his bandaid wrist.

Ruhi's POV: Saurav bhaiya? Did he send me that picture?

Ruhi's POV ends.

To be continued...