Ch.4

Divesh arrived with a driver to pick Ansh up from the market. Ansh was clutching a rabbit plushie tightly to his chest, sweat dripping from his forehead down his cheeks and neck. Divesh was shocked to see him like that. He hurried over and asked, "Ansh! What happened? Hey... come on-"

He guided Ansh to the waiting car. Ansh sat silently in the backseat, still hugging the plushie, while Divesh settled beside him. The driver started the engine. Ansh held the toy even tighter now, crushing the bouquet of roses in his hands; the flowers had already begun to wither. He was trembling uncontrollably.

Divesh leaned in and asked in a softer voice, careful because of the driver, "Hey... what happened? Can you please tell me? You're scaring me, yaar..."

Ansh glanced at him but didn't say anything about the letter or the stalker who had followed him all the way from Mumbai. Swallowing hard, he whispered, "Oh... it's nothing. I... I'm just... tired."

Divesh narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced, but didn't press further. Ansh continued to clutch the plushie and the crushed bouquet. Divesh gently took the flowers from his hands.

They soon reached the mansion. Divesh helped Ansh to his room. Ansh sat on the bed and thanked him, insisting he should go and not worry.

Divesh sighed and looked at him with concern but said nothing. He patted Ansh's shoulder before quietly leaving the room.

Alone now, Ansh exhaled shakily. He pulled a letter from his pocket-hidden inside the bouquet-and with trembling fingers, unfolded it. His eyes widened in horror as he read:

"Did you think I wouldn't follow you here? I told you-I've always loved you and always will. You are mine."

Ansh froze. It was the second letter from the same stalker who had haunted him in Mumbai. And again-it was written in blood.

Nausea churned in his stomach.

With a shaking hand, he opened the second letter, the one he had found inside the plushie.

"Why did you run away? I hate it! Don't make me angry, my love..."

Ansh felt bile rise in his throat. The metallic stench of blood hit him hard. He stumbled into the bathroom and vomited. Splashing water on his face, he returned to his bed and shoved the letters into the drawer beside him.

He lay down, heart pounding, but sleep didn't come. Midnight passed.

Suddenly, there was a knock on his door.

He sat up, confused. When he opened the door-no one was there.

He stepped into the hallway, looking left and right. Silence. Stillness. He went back inside, locked the door, and lay down again.

Knock knock.

He flinched.

Heart pounding, he got up again. "Who-? Who's there?" he called.

No reply.

Another knock.

This time, he jumped. Panic gripped him. He called Divesh, voice trembling, and told him everything.

Within minutes, Divesh came to his room and knocked. "Ansh? It's me. Open the door."

Ansh flung the door open and threw his arms around him, crying softly as he explained everything-the knocking, the emptiness behind the door.

Divesh looked around, tense, shocked by how terrified Ansh was. He guided him to the bed, handed him a glass of water, and gently said, "I've already spoken to Ayansh. We're moving to a hotel tomorrow morning. He didn't say anything for a while... but in the end, he agreed."

Ansh nodded, relieved, and drank the water.

Divesh looked at him and added, "Sleep now. I'll sleep on the couch."

Ansh nodded silently. They both went to sleep, though unease still lingered in the room.

---

[The Next Morning]

Divesh and Ansh woke up early. Ansh washed up, packed his bag, and placed the letters carefully inside his diary. Divesh entered and picked up the bag. Other staff had packed too, and they all went downstairs.

The Rajputs stood silently, watching them with puzzled expressions. Divesh politely said, "We don't want to burden you anymore."

No one objected. They simply nodded with quiet understanding.

Divesh smiled. Ansh bowed respectfully and whispered goodbye.

Just then, Ayansh approached and placed a hand on Ansh's shoulder. Ansh flinched, his eyes filled with discomfort. He tried to step away, but Ayansh held on a bit tighter and said, "Let my driver take you all to your hotel."

Divesh noticed the unease on Ansh's face. He quickly stepped in, nodding. "Okay, Master," he said.

He took Ansh's hand and gently pulled him toward the exit. They walked to the main door, smiling politely. Ayansh didn't like the interruption, but he said nothing, only watching silently as the car sped away from the mansion.

---

[At the Hotel]

As soon as they arrived, Ansh felt a wave of relief. He unpacked his things and lay down for a moment.

Divesh messaged him: Let's go eat breakfast. After that, you can practice for your upcoming performances.

Ansh washed his face and headed to the hallway. The staff and Divesh were waiting for him. They all went downstairs to the hotel's restaurant, laughing and chatting.

The atmosphere was finally light.

But as Ansh laughed with the others, he suddenly felt... watched.

He turned around-but no one was looking at him.

He shook it off. Maybe I'm just tired, he told himself.

After breakfast, Divesh took him to the hotel's grand music room. Ansh began to play the piano and sing. Divesh guided him, giving feedback, encouraging improvement.

Hours passed. One of the staff brought him tea and warm water. Ansh thanked her and took a sip.

Later, Divesh stepped out to take a phone call. Ansh kept practicing until-

A sound.

He paused.

Got up.

Walked toward the door cautiously.

Just then, Divesh returned. He saw Ansh's pale face and furrowed his brows. "What happened? You look like you saw a ghost."

Ansh shook his head. "Nothing..."

They returned to the piano.

But then Divesh noticed something-an envelope sitting on top of the piano.

Ansh followed his gaze and his blood ran cold.

He rushed forward, but Divesh had already picked it up.