Mehek : The Desired One

●CHP 25

Author's POV

"Don't cry... here, take this glass of water," Vibhav said gently, placing it into Shivam's trembling hands. "Drink it slowly."

The younger man's fingers shook slightly around the glass. Fear was etched clearly across his face-not just for his sister, but for everything this moment threatened to change. Vibhav could see it in his eyes, the weight of uncertainty and unspoken dread.

He reached out and patted Shivum's back-a small gesture, maybe not enough, but all he could offer for now.

Turning to Erin, who stood nearby with her usual sharp-eyed focus, Vibhav gave a nod of appreciation.

"Thanks to your smartness, Subham-taking the watch to Erin was a good call," he said.

Shivam nodded and began to explain. "Anirban Da dropped me off at the hostel in his car," he began, his voice steady but alert. "The car got stuck and the near the sitting area. Something was behind the seat while he was checking his car"

He paused, clearly visualizing the moment.

"I reached down and pulled it out-it was a watch. At first, I thought it was Di's. But then I noticed the initial... it started with an 'S'."

Vibhav's breath hitched.

"Then I remembered-Di and Soumili had gifted each other matching watches for their birthdays. Only difference was the initials. Di's had an 'M'-Mehu Di. This one had an 'S'... so it must've been Soumili's."

Everything started falling into place. A small detail. A single letter. But in that moment, it felt like a storm. It wasn't Mehu's watch. It was Soumili's.

And that changed everything.

Erin crossed her arms, her tone thoughtful. "Do you know if Soumili and Anirban were... close in any way?"

He hesitated, then shook his head. "They've met at parties, birthdays... but nothing more. Nothing close enough for her watch to end up in his car."

Vibhav glanced at the watch still in Erin's hand, unease settling deeper into his gut.

"Maybe he gave her a lift... and she dropped it there by accident?" he offered, though the words sounded unconvincing, even to himself.

"I don't know..." he murmured. "It still feels wrong. Something's off."

He was right. One forgotten watch shouldn't matter. But in this room, under this weight-it felt like a silent scream for truth.

"Mehu Di is okay... right?" he asked, his voice low.

"Yes. Thanks to your voice note and the video. She's safe. But she's scared. Barely talking, hardly eating. Fear's the only thing keeping her moving right now," Vibhav replied quietly.

He looked down, guilt seeping through his words. "I'm sorry I took her so suddenly... but I had no choice. Something about Anirban doesn't sit right with me. You feel it too, don't you?"

Subham didn't answer-but his silence said everything.

By the window, Satvik stood smoking, quietly absorbing every word. He turned, flicked ash into the tray, and stepped closer.

"Listen carefully," he said, voice steady and firm. "If we want to know who killed Soumili and her boyfriend-if we want the truth-we need your help. We can't do this alone."

His gaze sharpened.

"Because the next target... might be Mehek. She's safe with us for now, but that may not last."