The call ended.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Terrifying.
Ananya grabbed Aarav's shirt.
"What did he say?!"
Aarav looked at her.
"He wants me."
Her breath stopped.
"No… no, we'll call the police—"
"They're already involved," Aarav said.
"But this isn't something they can fix fast enough."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Then what do we do?"
Aarav didn't hesitate.
"I go."
"No!" she shouted immediately.
"You can't just walk into a trap!"
"I don't have a choice."
"Yes, you do!" she cried.
"You have us!"
The words hit him hard.
But his voice remained steady.
"And I'm doing this for us."
She shook her head.
"I won't let you risk your life again!"
Aarav stepped closer.
His voice softened.
"I won't let anything happen to him."
Tears streamed down her face.
"And what about you?"
Silence.
Because this time—
He didn't have an answer.