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Chapter 8 - “The Accusation”

"Where? I can't see anything."

Hearing this, Alka suddenly bursts into loud laughter.

"Why are you laughing? Is this the time to joke?"

"Let's just sit somewhere. Turn on your phone's flashlight."

"But… I didn't bring my phone."

"What?! Are you crazy?"

"I'm not crazy. Actually… my phone broke while I was cutting a dead body into pieces. I've given it for repair. By the time I return, it'll be fixed."

"And anyway, I thought—you're with me, so why would I need a phone? I only get your calls. And if you're with me, then whether I have a phone or not, what difference does it make?"

"This is the difference—it matters right now! A phone isn't just for calling people. It's useful in emergencies too."

"And stop talking about dead bodies like that. You're so thin—you couldn't even kill a fly, forget a human."

"Wow, so much anger? Instead of lecturing me, turn on your phone's flashlight."

"Well…"

"What?"

Vijay lowers his head awkwardly.

"I… left my phone at the hotel."

"Wow, that's great! You were just giving me such a big lecture about phones."

"Okay fine, but before it gets too dark, let's stay in one of these houses. We'll leave in the morning."

"Hmm."

They decide to stay in a nearby house and go inside.

Vijay lights a small oil lamp lying there, bringing a little light into the room.

"Vijay, it's so silent here…"

"What happened? Are you scared?"

"No… why would I be scared?"

"Okay then, you sleep here. I'll sleep over there."

As Vijay starts to move away, Alka suddenly grabs his hand and pulls him close.

"I'm not very scared… but a little."

"Then stay here with me."

Alka hugs Vijay, and after some time, she falls asleep on his shoulder.

Vijay feels very happy.

The night passes like this, and morning arrives.

When they wake up… they find themselves standing near their car.

"What?! We were in that house in the village… then how did we end up here near the car?!"

"Vijay, I don't understand either. But instead of trying to understand, it's better we leave this strange place."

Though Vijay has many questions in his mind, he agrees.

After a long journey, they finally reach Mussoorie and stay in a hotel.

For the next two days, they spend all their time together exploring Mussoorie.

Meanwhile, Ravi's condition becomes very bad.

He starts seeing that burnt face everywhere.

Since Vijay is a doctor, Vinay tries calling him many times, but Vijay's phone is left at the previous hotel, so he doesn't receive the calls.

Ravi keeps screaming again and again after seeing that burnt face—but only he can see it.

Vinay tries calling Vishal too, but he doesn't answer… because Vishal is already dead.

One day, some police officers arrive at the hotel where Vijay is staying and start asking about him.

When Vijay and Alka return from outing, the hotel manager says:

"Excuse me, sir. Some police officers are here to meet you."

"Police? Why do they want to meet me?"

"Sorry sir, no idea."

Vijay goes to them.

The inspector introduces himself.

"Hello, Vijay."

"Hello, sir."

"I'm here to ask you some questions about your friend Vishal."

"About Vishal?! What kind of questions?"

"When was the last time you met him?"

"Umm… around five or six days ago."

"For what reason?"

"He's my friend. All of us friends met just to talk and spend time together."

"Where is your phone?"

"I left it at the hotel. I asked the manager to keep it safe—I'll collect it later."

"Did you and Vishal have any argument that day?"

"No, sir."

"Do you know where Vishal is now?"

"Where would he be, sir? He's a police officer. Either at the station or working on a case."

"Then why are you asking me all this?"

"Because we received a video recorded in your house… in which someone shoots Vishal."

"And in another video, someone is cutting his body into small pieces."

"When we traced it… the videos were sent from your mobile."

"Vishal hasn't reported to duty for the last six days."

"And when we tracked his phone's last location… it showed your house."

"So… would you like to tell us anything about this?"

Vijay is shocked.

"What are you saying, sir?! I don't understand anything."

"There's nothing to understand."

"Vishal is dead… and we suspect that you killed him."

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