RED DAY ORIGINAL

"Attention passengers. Train number 12*** [Prayagraj Express] from [Prayagraj] to [New Delhi] has been arrived on platform number 3," announced the voice over the speakers at Delhi's main station.

Suru stood near the platform, holding her phone to her ear.

"Hey, Mumma, I'm at the station... Yeah, I just arrived. Actually, I called because I think I forgot my toothbrush there. The blue one... Yes, that one, Mumma.

It's okay, I'll just buy a new one here. I'll call you once I reach my hostel," she said quickly before ending the call.

Her life was back to its usual busy schedule. The past few days had been exhausting, and now, she was heading back to her routine. She hailed a taxi and reached her hostel soon after.

As she opened the door to her room, a cheerful voice greeted her.

"Hey, Suru! Welcome back, buddy! I missed you so much, my cute little heart," said Sneha, her roommate, grinning widely.

Suru smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, Sneha, I missed you too. And look, I'm finally back to this room," she said, trying to sound enthusiastic as she walked toward Sneha for a hug.

But as soon as their arms wrapped around each other, something hit her.

"F*** off! I don't want you in my life, you bloody idiot!"

"I hate you so much, Manish! How dare you record those videos!"

"Just stay away from me!"

The screams echoed loudly in her head, making her gasp. The voices were vivid, raw, and terrifying. She pushed Sneha away abruptly, her body trembling.

"Wh-what was that?" she stammered, her breathing uneven. "Those voices... I heard them... They were so loud."

Sneha took a step back, startled. "Suru, relax! Babe, just calm down. What happened? What voices are you talking about? Are you okay?" she asked, her concern growing as she watched Suru shake uncontrollably.

Suru stood frozen, clutching her head, her mind overwhelmed by the sounds that didn't seem to belong to this moment.

"Maybe it was just my imagination... or I'm sick," Suru muttered, touching her forehead. Her skin felt burning hot.

"Oh no, I think I have a high fever," she said weakly, looking at Sneha.

Sneha immediately rushed to her side and helped her to the bed. "You rest here. I'll get some medicine," she said, grabbing her purse and leaving the room in a hurry.

Suru lay down, clutching her head. The pain was sharp, and the strange voices was echoing in her thoughts.

"It's like someone is yelling... arguing... but why? Who are they?" she thought, scratching her head in frustration.

Meanwhile, at New Delhi station, Manik had just arrived. As he stepped out of the train, a voice called out to him from the crowd.

"Manik sir! Manik sir! Over here, sir!"

A young man waved excitedly, rushing toward him.

"Hello, Manik sir. I'm Chetan... Chetan Swami! Full name, sir," the man said, beaming as he reached him.

Manik nodded. "Hello, Chetan. Chaudhary Uncle told me about you," he said, shaking hands with him.

"Yes, sir! Please come this way. The car is ready," Chetan said eagerly, taking Manik's bag and leading him outside.

They both got into the car, and Manik leaned back in his seat.

"In which hotel is my room booked?" he asked, his tone calm.

"Crowne Plaza, sir. You'll be safe there. No one will recognize you," Chetan replied confidently.

"Good," Manik said, closing his eyes. "Let's hurry. I have work to do."

The car sped off, leaving the bustling station behind.

When they arrived at the hotel, Chetan helped Manik settle into his room, organizing his belongings neatly.

"Thanks, Chetan. You've done a lot for me. Chaudhary Uncle was right about you," Manik said, smiling warmly.

"It's just my responsibility, sir. I'm always here to help. This is my number," Chetan said, handing Manik a small card. "Call me anytime if you need anything."

Manik nodded and thanked him again before Chetan left. The sun was setting, and the day was almost over. After freshening up and having dinner, Manik decided to rest. The journey had been tiring, and he needed sleep.

Meanwhile, back at the hostel, Sneha gave Suru her medicines and told her to rest. Suru, still feeling weak, quickly drifted off to sleep.

Around 2:30 AM, Suru was startled awake by muffled crying and a voice.

"I don't have anything for you! Just leave me alone!" Sneha's voice trembled with desperation. "I already gave you a lot of cash, and now I'm so frustrated. Please, I'm begging you—just leave me alone!"

Suru sat up, confused and worried. "Why is Sneha crying? Is she in trouble? Should I ask her about it? But maybe it's personal," she thought, torn between wanting to help and respecting her roommate's privacy.

But before she could decide, Sneha's voice grew louder.

"Delete those things! I'm not going to repeat myself. Just delete them, you bastard, please!" she cried out, her sobs echoing through the quiet hostel.

Suru couldn't hold herself back anymore. "I have to see what's going on," she muttered, getting up and opening the door.

There, on the stairs, she found Sneha sitting with her phone in hand, tears streaming down her face. She was shaking as she ended her call.

Sneha noticed Suru and quickly wiped her face. "Suru, babe, I'm sorry I woke you up," she said, forcing a weak smile. "I was just rehearsing with my friends for a drama show. That's all. You can go back and rest now."

Before Suru could reply, Sneha turned to close the door, but Suru stopped her by placing a hand on the door.

"Sneha, stop lying," Suru said firmly, her gaze locking onto her roommate's face. "I know something's wrong. You don't have to hide it from me."

Sneha froze, her hand gripping the door tightly. The room fell silent, except for the faint sound of her trembling breaths.

After a moment, she whispered, "I don't want to talk about it, Suru... not now."

"But you can't keep crying alone like this," Suru said softly, stepping closer, her voice filled with concern.

Sneha looked up at her, tears pooling in her eyes again. She didn't say anything but stepped aside, leaving the door open.

"Relax, Sneha. Just tell me what's wrong," Suru said gently, holding Sneha's hand and resting her other hand on her shoulder.

Sneha broke down, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I made a huge mistake, Suru. A big one. Three months ago, I fell in love with a guy. I was so obsessed with him. I couldn't go a day without seeing him; it felt like I'd get sick if I didn't."

Her sobs grew louder, but she continued, "But over time, I realized it wasn't love—it was just an attraction. So I told him I couldn't be in the relationship anymore. And that's when everything went wrong. He started blackmailing me. He has some pictures... weird pictures of me. Now he keeps demanding money. If I don't pay, he's going to leak those pictures and ruin my life."

Sneha's words dissolved into uncontrollable sobs, and she buried her face in her hands.

Suru tightened her grip on Sneha's shoulder, trying to steady her. "Calm down, Sneha. Please, take a deep breath," she said, her voice soothing.

But in her mind, Suru was piecing it together. Those voices I heard earlier... it was her. She was yelling at someone. Kunal... I think that was his name. This has to be about him.

She looked at Sneha, determined to help. "We'll figure this out. You're not alone," she whispered.

The next morning at the police station, a young boy walked up to the inspector's desk, carefully placing a cup of tea in front of him.

"Sir, here's your tea. Do you need anything else?" the boy asked politely.

Inspector Jadhaw took a sip before replying, "Get me some bread. I missed breakfast today."

Just as the boy nodded and hurried off, a man came rushing into the station, clearly distressed.

"Sir! Sir! Inspector Jadhaw, I've lost my chain!" the man exclaimed, almost out of breath. "I was having tea at the stall outside, and suddenly I realized my chain was gone. It's so precious to me—please help, sir!"

Inspector Jadhaw raised a hand to calm him. "Relax. First, drink some water," he said, handing the man a glass.

The man hesitated but took the glass and gulped it down. "You know where it is, sir? Please, help me!" he begged, his voice desperate.

Jadhaw leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but stern. "Ram Lal, you're a hawaldar at this station, aren't you?"

The man froze, startled by the question. "Y-yes, sir."

"And yet, you let your chain go missing? If your own belongings aren't safe, how do you expect the public to trust you to protect theirs?" Jadhaw asked, his tone sharp but laced with irony.

Ram Lal's face turned red with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, sir. I'll be more alert next time, I promise. But please, help me this time!" he pleaded, joining his hands in desperation.

Jadhaw sighed, picking up his phone. "Fine. Let me call the chor bazar. That's where your chain is most likely to turn up."

As Jadhaw started dialing, a sudden voice came from the main door.

"Inspector Jadhaw, we need your help!"

The voice was deep but trembling. Everyone turned to see a young woman standing at the entrance, holding another girl's hand tightly.

Jadhaw stood up, his eyes narrowing in surprise. "Suru!!What are you doing here?........