The nightmare came without warning.

Aarohia was running.

Her feet felt heavy, like the floor was pulling her down.

A gate appeared in front of her—tall, black, locked.

She turned.

Someone was behind her.

Breathing.

Too close.

She woke up with a sharp inhale.

Sweat covered her skin.

Across the room, Siyara stirred at the exact same moment.

She sat up, clutching her chest.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.

They never did.

Because some dreams didn’t need words.

Saira finally exhaled slowly.

“Phir se.”

Aarohia nodded, staring at the ceiling.

“Same ending.”

Silence returned.

Morning would wash everything away.

At least, that’s what the world believed.

Hotel – Morning

The hotel lobby looked calm.

Elegant.

Safe.

Aarohia stood behind the reception desk, her posture perfect, her expression neutral.

Guests came and went.

Then—

“Good morning.”

That voice.

She looked up.

The businessman stood there again.

Tailored suit.

Sharp eyes.

A presence that didn’t ask for attention—it commanded it.

“Good morning, sir,” Aarohia replied politely.

“Back so soon?”

He smiled faintly.

“Something pulled me back.”

A pause.

“Same room?” she asked.

“No,” he said after a second.

“This time, I want a room with fewer windows.”

Aarohia’s fingers paused on the keyboard—just for a fraction of a second.

Then she nodded.

“I’ll arrange it.”

As she handed him the key card, their fingers brushed.

Unintentional.

Yet neither of them moved away immediately.

“You work night shifts too?” he asked casually.

“Sometimes.”

His eyes lingered on her face.

As if trying to read something written beneath her skin.

“Interesting,” he murmured before walking away.

From a distance, Anita watched everything.

The eye contact.

The calm confidence.

Her nails dug into her palm.

Why does everyone feel comfortable around her?

Like she belongs… everywhere.

An idea slowly formed.

Hospital – Midday

Saira walked through the corridor, files tucked under her arm.

Her steps were steady.

Controlled.

Doctors nodded at her.

Nurses followed her instructions without question.

Except Megha.

“Senior nurse banna itni jaldi… luck achha hai,” Megha said sweetly, blocking her path.

“Hard work,” Saira replied calmly.

Megha smiled—but her eyes were sharp.

“Night shift phir se?”

“Yes.”

Megha tilted her head.

“You don’t get tired?”

Saira met her gaze.

“Not easily.”

That answer unsettled Megha more than anger would have.

As Siyara walked away, Megha’s phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

Message: Tonight. Make it clean.

Her throat tightened.

This was it.

Hotel – Staff Room

Riya sat alone, scrolling endlessly on her phone.

Her smile was gone.

Aarohia entered quietly.

She didn’t speak at first.

She never forced conversations.

But today—

“Tum avoid kar rahi ho,” Aarohia said softly.

Riya scoffed.

“Tumhe sab notice hota hai na?”

Aarohia leaned against the table.

“Tumhara boyfriend—”

“Please,” Riya snapped.

“Tumhe lagta hai tum sab samajhti ho.”

“Main sirf jo dekhti hoon—”

“Bas karo!” Riya stood up.

“Tum jealous ho. That’s it.”

The words hit harder than expected.

Aarohia’s expression didn’t change—but something inside her shut down.

“Fine,” she said calmly.

“Your life.”

Outside the door, Anita listened carefully.

She stepped in moments later, fake concern painted on her face.

“Riya… tum theek ho?”

Riya nodded, frustrated.

Anita sighed dramatically.

“Kuch logon ko dusron ki happiness bardasht nahi hoti.”

Riya looked up.

And just like that— a seed was planted.

Hospital – Night Shift

The emergency wing was unusually quiet.

Too quiet.

Megha adjusted her mask, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

A patient was wheeled in—unconscious.

“Vitals unstable,” a doctor called out.

Saira stepped forward.

“Prep injection.”

Megha grabbed the tray instantly.

“I’ll do it,” she said.

Saira hesitated.

Just a moment.

Megha injected the medication.

The patient’s body relaxed almost immediately.

Too immediately.

Saira’s eyes narrowed.

She checked the vitals again.

Everything looked… perfect.

That bothered her.

Megha removed her gloves slowly and met Siyara’s gaze.

She smiled.

Not nervous.

Not relieved.

Confident.

Hotel – Late Evening

Anita pushed the housekeeping cart down the corridor.

She stopped near a storage room.

Slipped something small into the cleaning supplies.

Her phone buzzed.

Unknown: “Good.”

Anita: “She suspects nothing.”

Unknown: “Keep her distracted.”

Anita glanced toward the reception desk.

Aarohia stood there, focused, composed.

For now, Anita thought.

Hospital – Doctor’s Cabin

A senior doctor sat alone, reviewing reports.

His pen stopped.

One patient file stood out.

Too clean.

Too smooth.

He leaned back, thoughtful.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

Mansion – Night

Rain returned.

Again.

Aarohia sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.

Saira entered, removing her jacket.

“Tum bhi soyi nahi?” Saira asked quietly.

Aarohia shook her head.

“Same dream.”

Saira nodded.

“Mujhe bhi.”

They stood on the balcony together.

City lights shimmered below.

“Log samajhte hain hum simple hain,” Aarohia said softly.

Saira’s lips

curved slightly.

“Unki sabse badi misunderstanding.”

Thunder echoed.

Somewhere—

moves had been made.

Lines had been crossed.

And neither the hotel nor the hospital

was as safe as it pretended to be.

You like my story then please vote and comment and also follow me