Vijay lovingly ate the tikka and, kissing Alka's hands, said,
"Alka, there's magic in your hands. This tikka is so delicious… I feel like I could eat this for the rest of my life."
"Really? You liked it that much?"
"I swear, it's amazing."
Smiling proudly, she said, "Thank you."
"Alright, you sit here and watch TV. I'll just go to the washroom."
"Okay."
Alka went to the washroom and washed her hands thoroughly with soap. Then, while washing her face and looking into the mirror, she suddenly froze.
In the mirror, she saw the half-burnt face of a man.
Startled, she quickly rushed out of the washroom and sat beside Vijay.
Seeing her so scared, Vijay asked,
"What happened, Alka? Are you okay?"
After staying silent for a moment, she said,
"Yes, Vijay, I'm fine… but…"
"But what?"
"Vijay, we haven't gone anywhere together for a long time, right? Let's go somewhere."
"Oh yes, you're right. We should go out. Let's walk till the next crossing."
Alka made an annoyed face.
"Vijay, don't joke. I'm serious."
"What?! Oh God! You're serious? Wait, I'll call an ambulance. You should have told me earlier. What if something happened to you?"
Hearing his joke, Alka got annoyed and walked out to the balcony, leaning against the railing.
Vijay followed her and stood beside her, looking straight ahead.
"You know, someone who's upset looks really cute. I like all your styles… but this angry one, wow…"
"Done? I'm not interested in your nonsense poetry. Got it? I'm leaving. Bye."
Alka turned to leave angrily, but Vijay held her hand.
"Hey, if you're leaving angrily, at least tell me my mistake. Such a big punishment for a small fault? It would've been better if you just killed me."
"I will… but not now. Wait a little."
Vijay laughed.
"I was just joking. Now tell me, where do you want to go? Whenever you say, wherever you say—I'm ready to go even on one leg."
"Fine. We're going to Mussoorie. And now you'll go there on one leg… otherwise I'll break both your legs and make you beg on the street. Understood?"
"What?! One leg?! A-Alka, I was just joking…"
"But I'm not."
Saying this, Alka left Vijay's house.
Just then, Vijay received a call from Ravi.
"Hello, Vijay?"
"Yes, Ravi. Tell me."
Ravi said in a very frightened voice,
"Vijay, come to my house immediately."
"Why? What happened? Is everything okay? Why are you so scared?"
"I'll tell you everything… but first come here. Please."
"Okay, wait. I'm coming."
Hearing Ravi so terrified, Vijay quickly took his car and reached Ravi's house.
Ravi was sitting in his room, wrapped in a blanket, trembling with fear.
Vijay went to him and asked,
"What happened, Ravi? Why are you so scared? Tell me."
Seeing Vijay, Ravi felt a bit relieved. Still wrapped in the blanket, he came close and hugged him, speaking in a shaky voice,
"Vijay… he is alive."
"Who?"
Ravi came closer, looked into Vijay's eyes, and said,
"The same one… whom we…"
Before he could finish, Vijay understood.
"So… did you also get a call or a note from him?"
"You also means?"
"I also got a note two days ago… and a call. But when I showed it to Vishal, the note was blank… and the call recording disappeared."
"That means he is alive, Vijay."
"I didn't get any call or note… he came to my house himself. His face was half-burnt. His eyes were red like blood."
"I tried calling everyone, but no one answered… except you."
"Vijay, I'm very scared. If he can come here, how long will it take for him to kill me?"
"I can't stay here."
"Alright, come stay at my house."
"But before that, call Vishal and tell him everything. He'll find him and handle it."
"You're right."
They both tried calling Vishal again and again, but he didn't answer.
"Vishal is always busy or never picks up calls."
"It's okay. He's a police officer, must be stuck in some case. Don't worry."
"Pack your things for two weeks and come with me to my house."
"Why two weeks?"
"Because Alka and I are going to Mussoorie for two weeks. You should come with us."
"But you two are going on a trip… what if Alka feels bad?"
"Why would she feel bad?"
"Anyone would. She'd want to spend time alone with you, and you're trying to take me along like a third wheel."
"You go and enjoy your time with Alka. I'll stay at Vinay's house."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Go to Vinay's house, and if there's any problem, call me immediately."
"Okay."
Vijay returned home and started packing for the Mussoorie trip.
Just then…