Arun's concern

Maya sat at one of the corner tables in the bustling cafeteria, absentmindedly poking at her food. The noise of students chattering and trays clattering around her felt distant, as if she were trapped inside her own thoughts. She could barely focus on her meal, her mind still replaying the strange events from the past few days, the eerie sounds, the unnerving silence, and the weight of the uncertainty that hung in the air around her dorm room. She pushed a spoonful of food to the side, not having the appetite she usually did.

She thought about the nightmares she had been having, the fear that gripped her in the middle of the night, the unsettling feeling that something, or someone, was watching her. She couldn't explain it. It didn't seem real, but it also didn't seem like a coincidence.

"Maya!"

Her name was called from across the cafeteria, pulling her out of her trance. She looked up, blinking as her cousin Arun approached. He smiled warmly, his presence a sudden but comforting distraction.

"You okay?" Arun asked, sitting across from her without waiting for an invitation. He set down his tray, looking at her with concern.

Maya gave him a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."

Arun raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. He had always been able to read her better than anyone else. He noticed the slight furrow of her brows and the way her fingers nervously drummed against her tray. Something was off.

"Doesn't look like it," he said gently, his tone more serious now. "You've been acting a little... different lately. Something going on?"

Maya hesitated. She glanced around the cafeteria, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Her friends, Liya and Sana, weren't here, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to talk about what had been happening. Arun noticed her hesitation and leaned in a little, his expression softening.

"Maya, you know you can tell me anything," he said, his voice low but firm. "I know things have been a little... strange for you lately. But if something's bothering you, I'm here. You don't have to keep it in."

She sighed, pushing her half-eaten food aside. Maya's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but there was a sense of relief in her chest. Arun had always been a calm presence for her, the one person who never judged her.

"I don't know if I'm overthinking things or if I'm just... imagining it all, Arun," she said quietly. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her cup, her grip almost like a lifeline. She lowered her voice, making sure no one else could overhear. "But something strange is happening at the dorm. And I—I'm scared. I don't know what to think anymore."

Arun sat up straighter, his eyes locked on her. "What do you mean? What's been happening?"

Maya took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. The words felt heavy in her chest, but she knew Arun would understand. He always did.

"It started a few days ago. I... I kept hearing strange noises in the room, like something tapping against the wardrobe," Maya explained. Her voice trembled as she spoke, the memory still fresh in her mind. "At first, I thought it was just the wind or something, but... it kept happening, and it felt so real. I woke up in the middle of the night once, and the sound was so clear. I... I couldn't ignore it anymore."

She paused, watching Arun's expression carefully. He didn't interrupt, but his eyes were filled with concern. Maya continued, her voice growing quieter.

"I told Liya and Sana about it, and they didn't really believe me at first. Liya was a bit more understanding, but Sana... she just brushed it off, said I was probably imagining things. But then... last night, it happened again. I heard it again while we were all in the room. It was so real, Arun. So real. I woke them up, but none of them heard anything. I don't know what to think. It's like... like I'm the only one who's noticing it."

Arun took a moment to process what she had said. Maya watched him carefully, searching his face for any sign of disbelief, but instead, he looked thoughtful.

"I know it sounds crazy," Maya added quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I know it could just be my imagination. But it's been happening more and more, and I don't feel safe. It's like there's something wrong with that room... or... or something is trying to tell me something."

Arun didn't speak right away. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of his tray. The noise of the cafeteria around them seemed distant, as if they were in their own little world. He could see how deeply disturbed Maya was, how much this was affecting her. It was more than just a series of strange occurrences, it was shaking her.

"Maya," he finally said, his voice calm but firm, "I don't think you're imagining things. I'm not going to tell you it's just in your head, because I can tell this is real for you. But sometimes, when things start to happen over and over again, they can make us question reality. It's easy to start doubting yourself. But if something's really going on, you don't have to go through it alone."

Maya looked at him, her eyes wide with both relief and confusion. "You... you believe me?"

"I'm not saying I have all the answers," Arun replied honestly. "But I believe you. And if something's wrong, we'll figure it out. Together."

Maya felt a wave of emotion well up in her chest. For the first time in days, she didn't feel so alone in this. Arun's words were a comfort, but they also made her realize just how much she had been holding inside.

"I don't know what to do," Maya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to be paranoid, but I feel like something's going to happen. Like something bad is going to happen if I ignore it."

Arun's face softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "We'll figure it out. Maybe it's just a series of coincidences. Or maybe there's something to it. But you're not alone, okay? You've got me. You've got Liya and Sana too. I'm sure they'll understand once they see how serious you are."

Maya nodded slowly, feeling a sense of relief settle over her. She had finally opened up, and now, for the first time in what felt like forever, she had someone to share her fear with.

"Thanks, Arun," she said, her voice steady but full of gratitude.

"No problem," Arun smiled warmly, his eyes sparkling with genuine care. "Just don't keep things bottled up. Whatever's going on, we'll face it together."

Maya smiled back, a faint sense of hope creeping back into her heart. For the first time in a long while, she felt like maybe things might be okay after all.