Karan slowly turned back.
She was already there.
Ananya stood a few steps away, watching him… smiling.
That same calm, familiar smile.
Without a word, Karan walked up to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as if the world outside no longer mattered.
"We'll go far away from here," he said, his voice low but firm. "Somewhere no one knows us… where no one can disturb us."
He pulled back slightly, still holding her hand.
"Only you and me."
A pause.
"Let's go."
He led her toward the door, his grip tightening around her fingers as he reached for the handle and pulled it open—
A police siren cut through the air.
Sharp. Close.
Karan froze.
For a second, he didn't move.
Then—
Ananya stepped forward.
Gently, she pushed the door shut.
The sound of it closing felt heavier than it should have.
"We can't go anywhere," she said softly.
Karan looked at her.
"This is our safe place… our world."
Her hand rose to his chest, steady and grounding.
"If we go outside… they'll take me away from you."
Before he could respond, she pulled him closer.
His head rested against her chest as she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.
"Stay here," she whispered.
"Just stay with me."
Outside, the siren faded into the distance.
Inside—
Karan didn't move.
Karan returned to Rajveer's house.
A police car was still parked outside.
He stepped inside quietly and stopped at the doorway.
"…from our investigation," a police officer was saying, "we've found that she was in a relationship with someone from her college. Since the day Ananya went missing, that boy has also disappeared."
Karan's eyes lifted slightly.
"His name is Ayush. He comes from a poor family. He got admission through merit—he was the topper of the college. There's a possibility… Ananya is with him."
Silence followed.
Then—
"What nonsense!" Rajveer's voice cut through sharply. "My daughter would never do such a thing. She was focused on her studies. She didn't have time for all this."
A pause.
"Maybe that boy kidnapped her."
The officer nodded slightly. "We've learned he's originally from Bombay. We've informed the Bombay police. If we get any updates, we'll let you know, sir."
With that, they left.
The room fell quiet.
Rajveer turned—and noticed Karan standing there.
"You can go home," he said flatly. "I'm not going anywhere today."
Without waiting, he walked back into his room.
Karan didn't respond.
He simply turned and left.
By the time he reached home, the afternoon sun had begun to soften.
But something felt wrong.
The door—
Was open.
Karan froze for a second.
Then rushed inside.
"A—"
He stopped.
Near the storeroom, his neighbor stood there—pale, trembling, as if she had seen something she shouldn't have.
She turned—
And froze when she saw him.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Then—
Footsteps behind her.
Ananya stepped out of the storeroom.
Calm.
Smiling.
"She saw me," Ananya said softly, her eyes fixed on Karan. "Karan… kill her."
The woman's breath hitched.
"Please… beta…" Her hands folded instantly, trembling. "Let me go. I swear I won't tell anyone… please…"
Ananya's voice came again—quieter, but sharper.
"She's lying."
The silence tightened.
For a brief moment—
Karan didn't move.
Something flickered in his eyes… then disappeared.
As the woman turned, about to scream—
His hand covered her mouth.
He shoved her back—
Her head hit the wall.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
The sound echoed—dull and final.
Her body went still.
Karan's grip loosened slowly.
"She shouldn't have seen this…" he murmured under his breath.