Rayyan walked back to the hostel with a kind of happiness he hadn't felt in years.
A happiness that felt delicate… like it could fade if he breathed too loudly.
His friends had celebrated him.
Monica had surprised him.
There had been music, laughter, dancing, warmth… all for him.
After weeks of fear, threats, accusations, sleepless nights —for one night, he had felt alive.
It felt like a dream he didn't want to wake from.
As he lay on his bed later that night, staring at the faint shadows on the ceiling, he smiled without even realizing it.
For the first time in so long, Rayyan slept peacefully.
No nightmares.No fear.Just warmth.
Morning — A Rare Peace
Rayyan woke up to sunlight directly on his face.
He squinted, confused.
Why is the sun so bright now?
Then he glanced at the clock.
10:40 AM.
He shot upright."Wha— I slept this long?"
His roommates, Amir and Sumesh, laughed.
"Bro, yesterday's party must have reset your entire nervous system," Amir teased.
Rayyan rubbed his eyes, still dazed. "First time in months I slept without thinking of problems."
He washed up, grabbed a simple breakfast, and made a firm decision.
This weekend, he would study.No stress. No drama. Just revision.
His final exams were just around the corner, and yesterday's peace felt like a sign to focus on himself again.
He spent the morning and noon with his books, notes, highlighters — everything neatly set on his study table.
Even his mind felt clearer.
Later in the evening, he packed his bag and went to teach his tuition class. The kid were lively as always, and their chaotic energy gave him a strange comfort.
When he boarded the bus back to campus, he leaned back and inhaled deeply.
Today… was peaceful.
But peace, in Rayyan's life, rarely lasted long.
His phone rang.
He checked the caller ID.
Sergeant Zack — the police officer.
Rayyan's heart dropped.
No… not again.
He hesitated before answering.
"Hello, Rayyan here."
"Rayyan," the sergeant said, "can you come to the station? We need to see you."
Rayyan's stomach tightened.
"Is… is something wrong again, sir?"
"No. Nothing bad. Just come."
The tone wasn't threatening, but Rayyan's anxiety already spiraled.
He typed a quick message to Monica:
Rayyan:Sergeant called. Going to police station now.
Almost immediately, her reply came.
Monica:Okay. I'll try to come if I can. Don't worry, Rayyan.
Her message steadied him a little.
At the Police Station
Rayyan reached the station after a tense 20-minute bus ride.
Sergeant Kumar was waiting near the entrance.
"Rayyan," he said, guiding him to the room, "take a seat."
Rayyan did, though his hands were cold.
The sergeant opened a file and leaned forward.
"We have good news for you."
Rayyan's breath left his lungs in relief.
The sergeant continued,
"We caught the person who has been threatening you."
Rayyan's eyes widened. "Sir… really?"
"Yes. We interrogated him. He confessed."
Rayyan swallowed hard. "But… who is he? Why target me?"
The sergeant took a deep breath.
"The man is responsible for Lisa's pregnancy. He was in a relationship with her before Ayden came into her life. When Lisa left him and got close to Ayden, he became angry."
Rayyan listened carefully.
What came next shook him.
"He blackmailed Lisa with… photographs," the sergeant said carefully. "Private photos. He forced her to stay with him overnight during a trip. She didn't consent. She was trapped."
Rayyan felt sick.
Lisa had been suffering silently — stuck between lies, fear, and threats.
"That's why she got pregnant," the sergeant continued. "It wasn't by choice. It wasn't by love. It was fear."
Rayyan stared at the floor as the truth sank in.
"And after Lisa cut ties with him," the sergeant added, "he blamed both of you — you and Monica — for helping her. That's why he threatened you."
Rayyan exhaled shakily.
Everything finally made sense.
Then he asked softly, "Sir… who is he? Do I know him?"
The sergeant pulled out a photograph from the file and placed it on the table.
Rayyan leaned forward.
A man in a neat shirt. Clean-shaven. Short hair. A polite smile.
Someone Rayyan had never seen before.
"I… I don't know him," Rayyan said.
Before the sergeant could respond, the door opened.
Monica walked in.
Her eyes landed on the photograph.
And she froze.
The color drained from her face.
"Oh my God… it's him."
Rayyan turned to her immediately. "Monica? You know him?"
Her voice trembled. "Yes… of course I know him."
She looked at Rayyan with a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Rayyan… remember my father's friend? The one who came with the marriage proposal?"
Rayyan's stomach dropped.
"The doctor guy?" he asked.
Monica nodded slowly.
Horror reflected in her eyes.
"That's him."
Rayyan felt the room tilt.
That polite, charming doctor who came to propose to Monica…
That same man was the one threatening him?The one who destroyed Lisa's life?The one who followed Monica at the hospital?The one who fought with Lisa before?
Monica clenched her fists.
"I can't believe this," she whispered. "My father wanted me to marry him. This horrible man…"
Rayyan placed a hand on her arm gently. "Monica… I'm so sorry."
The sergeant raised his hand calmly. "Both of you — listen to me."
They both turned toward him.
"You're safe now," he said firmly. "We have him under custody. He won't be able to harm either of you."
Rayyan let out a slow breath.
Monica, however, was still visibly shaken. "I need to tell my father. He needs to know who this man really is."
The sergeant shook his head. "You can tell him, but do it calmly. We are filing charges. Let us handle the legal side."
He looked at both of them with stern kindness.
"And my advice — don't interfere in Lisa's case now. She needs professional support. Not more students getting dragged into danger."
They nodded.
"Thank you, sir," Rayyan said sincerely.
They walked out of the room together.
Outside the Station
The air outside felt heavier, colder.
Monica stood still for a moment, hugging her own arms.
"I can't believe it, Rayyan," she whispered. "I almost got engaged to that monster."
Rayyan's heart tightened painfully.
"It's not your fault, Monica."
She looked at him, eyes emotional. "What if I had said yes? What if I had married him someday and never knew what he really is?"
Rayyan shook his head gently. "You didn't. And now you know. That's what matters."
Her gaze softened.
"You… you always say the right thing," she whispered.
Rayyan didn't reply — he just looked at her with quiet concern, silently promising she would never go through anything alone again.
Monica exhaled slowly. "I need to tell my dad. He must know the truth."
Rayyan nodded.
"I'll be here… if you need me."
She gave a small, grateful smile.
And they walked away from the station side by side —closer, stronger, and finally free from the shadows that had chased them for weeks.
But neither of them knew…
This truth was only the beginning of a new storm.