Desire and sins

Chapter 6 : The Warning Bell

It was exactly 11:17 PM. The apartment was wrapped in deep silence. Priya had already fallen asleep—her breathing steady, face buried in the pillow. Arjun quietly slipped out of bed, tiptoed out of the room, and stepped onto the balcony. The night air was cool, but his body was burning from within. The phone was in his hand. The screen's glow illuminated his face in the darkness.

WhatsApp was open. Riya's chat. The last message from the previous night still sat at the top:

"Your desire... I can control it. But can you...?"

Arjun took a deep breath. His fingers trembled. He began typing—slowly, deliberately, every word weighed.

Arjun: Riya... are you asleep?

Arjun: I can't sleep. Your thoughts won't leave me.

Arjun: Your smile... your eyes... I keep thinking about them.

A minute passed. Three dots appeared. Riya was online.

Riya: Not asleep. I can't sleep either.

Riya: Reading your message... my heart is racing.

Riya: Tell me... what are you thinking?

Arjun's breathing quickened. He leaned against the balcony railing, gripping the phone tightly.

Arjun: I'm imagining... if you were here right now... I would look at you for a long time. Just look.

Arjun: Then I would come closer... hold your hand... feel your warmth.

Arjun: Your breathing would change... you would smile that smile of yours...

Riya: Arjun...

Riya: Your words... they're making me feel things I haven't felt in a long time.

Riya: I'm lying here... thinking about you.

Riya: Tell me more... what else?

The night deepened. Messages kept coming. Arjun described how he would hold her close, how he would whisper in her ear, how he would make her feel safe and wanted. Riya replied—how she would lean into him, how she would let him see the real her, how she would make him forget everything else.

Arjun: Riya... I want to be near you. Really near.

Arjun: I want to feel everything... your presence... your warmth.

Arjun: I want to make you feel things... all night.

Riya: I'm... already feeling it.

Riya: Your messages... they're pulling me in.

Riya: You've made me feel alive tonight... completely.

Arjun's breathing was ragged. He stood on the balcony, body tense.

Arjun: Riya... I'm... right now... lost in you...

Arjun: You've made me... completely...

A long pause.

Riya: Arjun...

Riya: I'm ready.

Riya: For whatever comes next.

Riya: But... this stays between us. Physical only. Okay?

Arjun's eyes welled up.

Arjun: Yes... just physical.

Arjun: But... I can't promise anything more.

Riya: Neither can I.

Riya: But... I can't wait anymore.

Riya: Good night... my shy boy.

Riya: Meet me in dreams.

Arjun: Good night... my fire.

Phone off.

The night grew even deeper.

Arjun stood on the balcony. The rain had stopped outside.

But inside... the fire was still smoldering.

And now that fire... was only one step away.

The next morning at 9:12 AM, the office clock ticked forward. Arjun sat at his desk, pretending to work. His eyes kept drifting toward Riya's cabin. The glass door was closed. Lights off. Chair empty. Her desk was spotless—no files, no coffee mug, no sign of life. It looked like no one had been there in days.

Arjun's heart pounded harder with every passing minute. Last night's messages... the promises... the intensity... everything suddenly felt fragile, like a dream fading in daylight. He pulled out his phone under the desk. Dialed Riya's number. First ring—went on for too long, then voicemail. Second time—same. Third time—the automated message: "The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off."

His face paled. A cold sweat formed on his forehead.

"What happened? Why isn't she here? Did something go wrong after last night? Did I push too far? Or... is she avoiding me?"

He glanced around the office. Colleagues were busy—phones ringing, keyboards clicking, coffee machines humming. Everything normal. Except for him. He felt exposed, like everyone could see the storm inside.

During the morning team huddle, Mr. Gupta asked for updates. Arjun mumbled a few words about a report. His voice cracked slightly. Gupta frowned but moved on. After the meeting, Arjun lingered near the cabin door. He knocked lightly. No answer. He pushed the door—locked.

He walked to the reception.

Arjun: Hi... has Riya come in today?

Receptionist: No, sir. She messaged early morning—said she's not feeling well. Taking the day off.

(tilting her head)

Everything okay? You look worried.

Arjun: Yeah... just checking. Thanks.

He returned to his desk. The day dragged. Every hour felt like ten. Coffee break came. He stood alone near the machine, staring at nothing. A colleague asked if he was alright. He nodded. Lied. Said he was fine.

Lunchtime. He didn't eat. Just stared at his phone. No new messages. No call. Nothing. His mind raced with worst-case scenarios: Did she regret it? Did she block him? Was she hurt? Was she gone for good?

By 6 PM, the office was emptying. Lights dimming. Arjun packed his bag slowly. His steps felt heavy as he walked to the elevator. In the parking lot, he sat in his car for a long time—engine off, just breathing.

He drove home. Traffic was thick. Horns blared. But inside his head, only silence... and questions.

He reached home. Door opened. Priya was in the kitchen, stirring something on the stove. The smell of home-cooked food filled the air—comforting, familiar.

Priya turned. Saw his face—red eyes, slumped shoulders, heavy walk. Tension was written all over him.

Priya (worried, stepping closer): Arjun... what happened? You look completely drained.

Arjun (placing bag down, voice low and shaky): Nothing... just tired. Long day.

Priya came closer. Placed her hand on his cheek. Her touch was gentle, searching.

Priya (softly): You're lying. I can see it in your eyes. Something is wrong. Really wrong.

Arjun (eyes down, avoiding her gaze): No... really nothing.

But inside, everything was breaking. Last night's conversation—the closeness, the promises, the fire—all wasted. His hopes had crumbled. He couldn't tell Priya anything. How could he explain, "I spent the whole night talking to someone else, and now she's vanished"?

Priya tried to hug him.

Priya (whispering): Tell me... please. I'm yours. You can share anything with me.

Arjun (pulling away slightly): Later... I'm exhausted. Need some rest.

He walked into the bedroom. Closed the door softly. Alone. Took out his phone. Dialed Riya again. Switched off. Sent one last message:

"Riya... are you okay? You didn't come to the office. Please... just one message. I'm worried."

Message sent.

Delivered: No.

Seen: No.

Blocked? Or phone off forever?

Arjun's heart sank completely. He lay on the bed. Eyes open. Staring at the ceiling. One single thought echoed in his mind:

"I have to find her."

The next morning.

Arjun made up his mind. No office today. He would go to Riya's house. He remembered the address—one time during an office party she had casually mentioned it. Bandra, near Linking Road.

He started getting ready. Priya watched from the doorway.

Priya (quietly): Holiday today?

Arjun (lying, voice flat): Yes... some personal work.

He left the house. Fear in his heart. Hope. And a fire that refused to die.

Riya's house... just a few hours away.

And after that... what would happen, no one knew.