Harmonic Echoes

Chapter 4: Unseen Warnings

Ananya's Pov

The eerie message had left me rattled, but I did my best to shake it off. Maybe it was just a prankster who got hold of my number. Still, the words lingered in my mind: "Be careful, Ananya." I couldn’t shake the feeling that this might be connected to Aarav. After all, his life was still shrouded in mystery, and I was beginning to realize there might be more to him than I first thought.

Days passed, and while Aarav and I exchanged a few texts, something felt off. He seemed distant, and although I was curious about his life, I didn’t want to press him too much. Aisha and Diya continued to tease me about him, but even they noticed my waning enthusiasm.

One evening, as I was scrolling through my phone, another message popped up from an unknown number: "Stop digging where you don’t belong."

My heart raced. This wasn’t just a prank—it felt like a real threat. I hadn’t even been asking probing questions. I quickly messaged Aarav: "Aarav, we need to talk."

He responded almost immediately, suggesting we meet at the café again. I agreed, but unease settled in as I headed there.

When I arrived, Aarav was already seated, a shadow of tension in his usually calm demeanor. As I slid into the seat, I blurted out, “I got another message. Someone’s telling me to be careful and to stop digging. Aarav, what’s going on?”

His expression shifted from calm to serious. “Ananya, there’s something you should know, but it’s complicated. There are aspects of my family’s business that are sensitive. People don’t want certain things exposed.”

I frowned, pressing, “Sensitive how?”

“There are risks,” Aarav said quietly, glancing around as if checking for eavesdroppers. “The messages are a warning. I didn’t want to involve you, but it seems you’ve caught someone’s attention. They’re not to be taken lightly.”

A chill ran down my spine. “Who are these people?”

“I can’t give you all the details now,” he said, his voice low. “But please, don’t engage with these messages. It’s dangerous.”

The idea of distancing myself from him was painful, but I nodded. “Alright. But will you keep me informed?”

He offered a sad smile. “I’ll do my best.”

As I left the café, I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. Aarav’s world was more complex and perilous than I’d imagined, and now, I was ensnared in it. The lingering question was: How deep was this entanglement, and was I ready to uncover what lay beneath?

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Later that night, after I’d settled in at home, my phone rang. The caller ID showed Aarav’s name. My heart skipped a beat as I answered.

“Ananya,” Aarav’s voice was strained. “I’m sorry to call so late, but there’s something you need to know. The people who sent those messages—they’re not just trying to scare you. They’re trying to keep you away from me for a reason.”

I felt a rush of anxiety. “What do you mean?”

“There’s more at stake here than you realize. I’m trying to protect you, but it’s getting harder,” Aarav said urgently. “Just stay safe and don’t talk to anyone about this. I’ll explain more when I can.”

The line went dead, leaving me staring at my phone, my pulse racing. Aarav’s warning had just made everything even more unclear and dangerous. The shadow of fear had settled deeper, and now, I was left to grapple with a mystery that seemed to grow darker with each passing moment.

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Author’s note:

Hey lovely readers! 🫶🏻 I know the last chapter didn't had a great response, but I truly appreciate those who voted and left comments! But I’ve got to be honest… this time, we only received 3 votes and 4 comments 😭. Your support keeps me going, so let’s hit a new target! Let’s aim for 10 votes and 10 comments on this chapter 🫴🏻. It would mean the world to me if you could take a second to drop your thoughts! 🪻 Love you all!