Chapter 5: Mine or No One’s

Aarav wasn't sleeping anymore.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her… with him.

That man. That stranger. That cousin.

Touching her shoulder.

Talking into her ear.

Standing too close.

Aarav's fingers dug into the arms of his chair, leaving red marks behind.

She doesn't belong to him.

She belongs to me.

Only me.

The voice in his head was louder now. It didn't whisper. It screamed.

And tonight, he was going to listen.

---

Elsewhere…

Avni sat curled up on Kabir's couch.

She hadn't gone back to the hostel.

Not after the video.

Not after that voice.

"I still don't understand how he got those clips," she said, hugging a pillow. "They're not from my phone. Or college cameras. Some are… so close."

Kabir clenched his jaw. "He's following you everywhere. Probably has hidden cameras. This guy is sick."

Avni shivered. "I feel like I'm being watched all the time. Even now."

Kabir glanced at the window. "We're safe here. I checked everything. Door's locked. Curtains closed. He won't find you here."

Avni nodded — but her heart wasn't convinced.

Because obsession doesn't need keys.

It only needs motive.

---

That night... 2:43 a.m.

The doorbell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Kabir grabbed a baseball bat and signaled Avni to stay back. He tiptoed to the door.

"Who is it?" he asked.

No response.

Just silence.

He opened the door quickly.

Empty porch.

No one.

Just a small, flat box on the floor.

Kabir picked it up slowly, cautiously. Brought it inside. Opened it.

Inside was a USB drive.

And a note:

> She's not yours to protect. You don't know what I've done for her. What I've given up. But you… you're in the way.

Kabir inserted the USB into his laptop.

Video opened.

No music. No background noise. Just grainy footage.

Avni sleeping.

In her hostel bed.

Face visible.

Clearly filmed through her window.

Kabir slammed the laptop shut.

Avni's face went pale. Her lips trembled.

"He's been that close… even when I thought I was safe…"

Kabir stood up. "That's it. I'm done playing smart. I'm going to the police. Right now."

---

But before they could leave...

The lights went out.

Not just in the room.

In the entire building.

Darkness.

Kabir grabbed his phone. No signal.

Avni whispered, "He's here, isn't he?"

Kabir didn't answer.

Because somewhere inside — he felt it too.

---

Outside, in the shadows...

Aarav stood in a black hoodie, watching their flat window from the alley.

He smiled.

They thought they could hide?

Avni didn't understand. She was confused. Scared.

But he was going to fix everything.

She was his.

She just didn't know it yet.

And if someone tried to take her away…

He'd make sure no one had her.

---

The next morning

Avni and Kabir went straight to the police.

Filed an official stalking complaint. Handed over every message, video, note.

Inspector Sharma looked grim. "We'll take immediate action. Do you have any proof this boy—Aarav—was behind it all?"

Kabir nodded. "Not direct. But it all points to him."

The inspector tapped his pen. "We'll need his background check. College records. Address. Everything."

Avni finally felt a small breath of relief.

For the first time, someone in power was taking this seriously.

But relief never lasts long when obsession is chasing you.

---

That evening

Aarav sat in a cyber café, logged into a burner account.

He saw the police report spreading through local student groups. His name. His face.

They were turning her against him.

She had gone to the police.

She had betrayed him.

His heart cracked.

But his mind snapped.

He stood up abruptly. Left without logging out.

It was over.

No more notes.

No more watching.

It was time to act.

---

Midnight

Avni was back at Kabir's apartment. Police had promised they'd track Aarav down by morning.

She lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

What if he never stops?

What if he's watching right now?

Suddenly—

Window cracked.

Softly. Like it had been tampered with.

Kabir heard it too. Grabbed the bat.

They ran to the living room.

Window half-open.

Curtain moving.

But no one in sight.

Just a final letter… taped to the glass.

Avni slowly peeled it off with shaking hands.

> You told the world. You made me the villain.

But you forget, Avni—villains don't knock. They take.

You smiled once. I bled forever.

So now… it's your turn.

Her breath caught in her throat.

At the bottom of the letter, something was scribbled in red ink:

"See you soon.

Love, A."

---

To Be Continued…