Keeping Secrets

Chapter 13

As the sun swiftly sank into the horizon beyond the valley, Gaurav found himself going through Nikki's phone in a desperate frenzy for answers again.

He had spent the last few hours with the tech team, looking through all chats from a year ago on Arushi's account. They were looking for anyone whom she had agreed to meet in Sliam exactly a year ago.

It wasn't long before a Zayn1304 emerged as a clear contender. Arushi and Zayn had indeed, decided to meet on the exact day that Ryan had mentioned. In fact, Nikki had sent a couple of irksome messages to him until a few days later, but Zayn had never replied to her again.

Gaurav wondered who Zayn was, and what had silenced the man overnight after being seemingly too excited to finally meet the girl he had been chatting with for months now.

As Gaurav scrolled further into the history of their chats, the messages got more and more revolting. The same night that they had decided to meet, Nikki seemed to have reached out to Zayn. His reply too, was instant.

A: "Are you around?"

Z: "Always.. around and at your service, princess!"

A: "Ugh! You know how that irks me."

Z: C'mon, you know how hard it is to find a real girl around here. Let me cop a feel, at least.

A: BOOORRRED!!

Z: "Fine bitch... on your knees."

A: "That's more like it. Yeah, I'd do that and more for you, but it really depends."

Z: "On how hard I can hurt you?"

A: "Exactly."

Z: "Any limits?"

A: "None that you have the stomach for. Safeword: Dandelion."

Z: Looks like you might need the safeword tonight.

A: Looks like your balls have finally descended.

Z: I'm going to put you over my knee for just being such a brat.

A: Mmhmm... and what would the weapon of your choice be?

This was followed by a view-once image sent by Arushi that was no longer visible.

Z: That's quite a collection. Let's see. I'd have preferred the hairbrush, but just for your insolence, I'm going to pick the leather belt.

A: Good choice. Tonight, I'm dying to be hurt.

Z: Good! Let's make your dreams come true, but first, let me see you?

This was followed by another view-once image from Arushi that was no longer visible.

Z: That is so hot! Why do you even want to hurt that beauty?

A: Apologies for believing they've descended, and goodbye.

Z: Look at you, running your mouth like you're not going to be punished for it. I would have you kneel before me and whip your breasts pink and tender just for this.

Z: It's time for your first 20 lashes. After each one, you're going to thank me.

This time, Arushi's response was an audio recording. Gaurav could hear the belt lashing and swooshing before cracking against her skin. He could hear her moaning for the mic at first, but it only got more real with every progressive lash.

This just continued as Zayn picked one item after another, and Arushi or Nikki sent audio notes of hurting herself on a body part of his choice. Zayn did pause to check on her every once in a while, but that, of course, wasn't very well-received by the Princess of Pain. She seemed to be on a mission to be hurt. She kept reminding Zayn to hurt her more anytime he fell short, and say things that made Gaurav's stomach twist in knots. She had said it multiple times. She wanted to be broken mentally and physically. Anytime Zayn uttered a caring word, she would threaten to leave the chat.