eight:who?

---

Room 203

The five men halted outside Room 203, their breaths shallow, their hearts pounding against their ribs. The air smelled of antiseptic, sterile yet suffocating, making their stomachs churn. The soft hum of machines filled the otherwise silent room.

Then they saw her.

Shivani lay motionless on the hospital bed, her skin ashen under the harsh white lights. An IV drip was attached to her wrist, the clear liquid a cruel contrast to the deep red staining the bandages wrapped around her hand.

Her breathing was slow. Too slow.

For a moment, none of them moved. None of them spoke.

Ranvijay was the first to step forward, his fingers gripping the edge of the bed so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His throat bobbed as he swallowed the rising dread. The man who had always faced danger with an unshakable gaze now looked utterly lost.

Rudransh pressed his fists against his forehead, his breathing heavy as he fought to stay composed.

Ayaan ran a hand through his hair, his body trembling. "Ye... ye kya ho gaya usse?" His voice barely came out.

Veer didn't speak. His jaw was clenched, his eyes locked onto Shivani's bandaged hand. His fingers twitched, itching to hit something-or someone.

Kabir took slow, heavy steps toward the bed. Of all of them, he had always been closest to Shivani, always her protector. But now-now she was lying there, lifeless, and he had no idea why.

A heavy silence pressed down on them.

For the first time in years, they were truly terrified.

---

Guilt. Panic. Helplessness.

If they had been there, could they have stopped this?

Why did she do this?

She was always the strongest among them. Then why now?

The last time they had seen her, she had been just a child-ten years old. A chubby, mischievous little girl who ran after them, her bright eyes filled with endless curiosity.

But now...

Her face was sharper. Her body had matured.

Now, she was seventeen.

Her short hair had grown long.

She was taller. Thinner. More fragile.

And she looked... like a woman now. Not the little girl they had left behind.

Something about that realization made their stomachs twist.

But they had no answers.

The doctor was gone for the night. The only person there was the night-duty nurse.

And she was hesitating.

"I can't share details without the doctor's permission," she said, her voice nervous under their burning gazes.

"She's stable but weak," she added quickly. "We don't know the exact reason for her condition yet."

Her words weren't enough. Not even close.

Rudransh was the first to snap. His voice was sharp, laced with frustration. "If you don't know anything, then what the hell are you doing here?!"

The nurse flinched, her eyes widening in fear.

Ayaan exhaled shakily, forcing himself to stay calm. "Please... just tell us something," he pleaded, his tone raw with desperation.

Ranvijay turned away, his frustration boiling over. With a swift motion, he punched the wall. The loud thud echoed through the room, making the nurse jump.

Kabir's hands trembled as he ran them through his hair. "You're telling us nothing? Are you kidding me?!"

Veer exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. He wanted to yell, to demand answers, but even he knew it wasn't the nurse's fault.

The nurse took a step back, her voice shaking. "I-if you keep pushing, I'll have to call security."

The five men exchanged glances.

They were getting nowhere.

Feeling suffocated, they stepped out of the room to collect themselves.

As they stood in the hallway, Kabir exhaled sharply, switching to Hindi out of habit. "Yeh log pagal ho gaye hain kya-"

Rudransh shot him a sharp look. "Kabir."

Realization hit him.

They were in New York.

She wouldn't understand Hindi.

His jaw clenched, frustration bubbling under his skin. "This is bullshit," he muttered under his breath.

---

When they re-entered the room a few minutes later, Shivani stirred.

Her fingers twitched.

Her eyelashes fluttered.

And then... her eyes slowly opened.

Kabir reacted instantly. Relief flooded his features as he rushed forward and leaned over her. "Shivani!" His voice cracked. Without thinking, he reached forward and pulled her into a hug.

But-

Shivani flinched.

Her breath hitched.

Her body tensed.

And then-

"Don't touch me!"

Her voice was weak but sharp-cold, defensive.

She shoved him away, pressing herself against the bed, her eyes wild with confusion and fear.

The room fell into dead silence.

Kabir immediately noticed it-she was uncomfortable.

His stomach twisted painfully, and he instantly stepped back.

The others noticed too.

Ayaan stiffened, his usually calm nature shaken.

Rudransh clenched his jaw, the softness he had always reserved for Shivani now mixed with deep worry.

Veer's expression darkened, his body tense with anger-but not at her. At the situation.

Ranvijay let out a slow breath, trying to contain the dread curling in his chest.

Shivani's hands gripped the bedsheet tightly, her eyes darting between them.

"Kaun ho tum log?!" she demanded.

Silence.

She scanned their faces, eyes narrowing. "Mujhe mat chhuno! Durr raho mujhse!"

Kabir took another step back, his chest tightening. His mind refused to accept what was happening.

"Shivani..." Ayaan's voice was hesitant. "Yeh hum hain."

But she just shook her head, frustrated. "Hum kaun?"

Their hearts dropped.

She didn't recognize them.

Ayaan swallowed hard. "Shivani... tu-"

"Peechhe hatto!" she snapped, her voice dry but firm. "Tum sab raat ke time kisi ladki ke room mein kyun aaye ho?! Tumhe tameez nahi hai?!"

They were frozen.

She still looked slightly familiar, but she wasn't sure.

And then-

"Damn! Tum log bhi wahi ho na jo bade ache log bane firte hain?! Jao yahan se! Warna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga!" Shivani glared, her voice stronger now.

Ayaan raised his hands. "Arrey meri maa-shant ho ja, sun toh le-"

"Abe oye! Maa nahi hun main kisi ki!" she shot back instantly.

Kabir exhaled sharply. "Shivani, please, hum-"

"Arrey 'hum' kuch nahi!" she snapped. "Jaana hai ya security bulaun?"

Rudransh tried stepping forward. "Shivani, suno-"

"WAIT."

Her eyes narrowed at him.

"Tumhe mera naam kaise pata?" Her expression darkened. "Don't tell me you're stalkers?! Damn, tum toh bade lag rahe ho inse. Pakka inke leader hoge. Kaise insaan ho?! Sharam nahi hai?!"

Kabir opened his mouth to speak.

But Shivani was quicker. "Arrey 'par' kuch nahi!" she huffed. "Meri neend kharab mat karo. Mujhe kal kaam hai!"

Veer, who had been silent for too long, finally snapped. "Chup! Sun pehle-"

"Tum chup!" she shot back. "Mera muh hai, jitna bolna hai bolungi!"

Ranvijay had had enough. He stepped forward, voice firm. "Shhhh. Sab ke sab chup!" His commanding tone made everyone still. "Bachon ki tarah behave mat karo."

Shivani's lips parted slightly, her brows furrowing. She finally took a good look at him.

And then-

Something shifted.

Her gaze softened for a moment.

Her lips parted again.

"Pa-" she started. But then she stopped. Hesitated.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed.

And then-

"Mr. Agnihotri," she corrected herself.

Silence.

And then-

They exhaled.

Relief.

Finally.

She remembered.

Or at least, they hoped she did.