A Truth That Should Stay Hidden
718 Words
The next morning felt strangely normal.
Too normal.
Anaya sat at the dining table, staring at the untouched food in front of her. Sunlight filled the room, making everything look calm… peaceful.
But inside her, nothing was calm.
Her mind kept going back to one word.
Accident.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Was it just a coincidence?
Or something more?
“Eat.”
Arjun’s voice broke her thoughts.
She looked up.
He was already seated across from her, reading the newspaper like nothing had happened.
Like last night didn’t exist.
Like he didn’t have secrets hidden behind that calm face.
“I’m not hungry,” she said softly.
“That wasn’t a question.”
His tone was firm.
Cold.
Anaya picked up the spoon slowly.
But her eyes stayed on him.
Studying him.
Trying to understand.
“Can I ask you something?” she said suddenly.
Arjun didn’t look up immediately.
Then he folded the newspaper and placed it aside.
“What is it?”
His gaze met hers.
Direct.
Sharp.
Anaya’s heartbeat increased.
But she didn’t stop.
“Do you believe… people should pay for what they’ve done?”
A small silence followed.
But it felt heavy.
Arjun leaned back slightly.
“Everyone pays,” he said calmly.
“Sooner or later.”
Her grip tightened.
“What if it was an accident?”
This time, his expression changed.
Not much.
But enough.
His eyes darkened.
“Some accidents,” he said slowly, “are not accidents.”
Anaya felt a chill run through her body.
The air between them turned heavy.
Dangerous.
“Why are you asking this?” he added.
His voice softer now.
But more dangerous than before.
Anaya hesitated.
Then forced a small smile.
“Just… a random thought.”
A lie.
Again.
Arjun stood up.
Walked toward her.
Each step echoing in the silence.
He stopped right beside her.
Close enough to make her breath uneven.
“Careful with your thoughts,” he said quietly.
“They can lead you to places you won’t like.”
Her heart pounded.
But this time—
She didn’t look away.
Instead, she met his gaze.
Steady.
Strong.
“Maybe,” she said softly, “I’m not afraid anymore.”
For a brief second—
Something changed in his eyes.
Surprise.
Or interest.
It disappeared quickly.
But she saw it.
Then suddenly—
A phone rang.
Arjun’s phone.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression hardened instantly.
“I’ll be back,” he said shortly.
And walked away.
Anaya watched him leave.
Something felt off.
Different.
Her eyes moved toward the table.
His phone.
He had left it behind.
By mistake.
Or…
Carelessly.
Her heart started racing.
This was her chance.
She shouldn’t.
She knew she shouldn’t.
But—
She reached for it.
Her fingers slightly trembling.
The screen lit up.
A message.
From an unknown number.
“The hospital file is still safe. No one suspects you yet.”
Anaya’s breath stopped.
Hospital.
File.
Suspects.
Her vision blurred for a second.
Her mind connected everything instantly.
The accident.
The call.
The warning.
Her hands started shaking.
Then suddenly—
A shadow fell over her.
She froze.
Slowly—
She turned.
Arjun was standing behind her.
Closer than she expected.
His eyes locked onto the phone in her hand.
Dark.
Cold.
Dangerous.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then—
He took the phone from her hand.
Calmly.
Silently.
But his grip was tight.
Very tight.
“I warned you,” he said quietly.
No anger.
No shouting.
Just that calm tone.
Which felt worse.
Anaya stood up slowly.
Her heart racing.
“What is that message?” she asked.
This time, she didn’t hide.
Didn’t lie.
Arjun looked at her.
Long.
Silent.
Then he stepped closer.
Too close.
“You’re asking questions again,” he said.
Her voice didn’t shake this time.
“Yes.”
Silence.
Tension.
Then suddenly—
He smiled.
A slow, dangerous smile.
“Good,” he said.
Her brows furrowed.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
His eyes held hers.
Because now…
“You’re finally becoming interesting.”
Anaya’s breath caught.
That wasn’t the reaction she expected.
At all.
And in that moment—
She understood something terrifying.
He wasn’t afraid of her finding the truth.
He was waiting for it.
- Writer
