CHAPTER1

                        HER

Pratapgarh Police Station, Indore
Investigation Room
“Sir, I didn’t do anything! Why did you arrest me like this?”
The man’s voice echoed inside the narrow investigation room. 
His hands were clenched, knuckles white, veins visible on his forehead. Anger, fear, and desperation clashed in his eyes.
Across the table sat Police Officer Pradeep, calm and unreadable. He lifted his coffee cup, took a slow sip, and placed it back down as if the scream hadn’t disturbed him at all.
“Neil,” Pradeep said evenly, “you know exactly why you’re here. You’re the only person who knows the whole story.”Neil swallowed hard.

“Y… yes, sir,” he muttered, nodding. His shoulders slumped as if the strength had been sucked out of him. 
His eyes slowly lost focus, drifting away from the cold walls of the room.

The past pulled him in.

A Night Before the Murder

New Gen Technology Pvt. Ltd., Indore

The office floor was unusually quiet. Most of the lights were off, except for a soft glow near the corner cabin.
“Neil, you should go home. I won’t be leaving today.”The voice was gentle, tired—but firm.Neil looked at Shivanshi, seated at her desk, eyes fixed on the computer screen. Strands of her hair had escaped her loose bun, framing her face. She looked exhausted, yet determined.
"But Shivu, sweetheart,” Neil said, stepping closer, “you know it’s my routine to leave the office with you at 7:00 p.m.”
He joined his hands in front of her in mock pleading, trying to lighten the mood. “Just this once, come with me.”
She finally turned to look at him.

“Don’t request me like this,” Shivanshi replied calmly. There was something unreadable in her expression.
 “This time, you’re the reason I’m staying here tonight.”
Neil frowned. “Me? What did I do now?”She sighed, rubbing her temples. “You didn’t go to the hospital today. You promised.”
"I’ll go tomorrow,” he said quickly.
"No,” she replied. “You’ll go now. I’ll finish this report and leave later.”Neil hesitated. 
Something felt off, but he didn’t push further. She rarely insisted like this.“Fine,” he said softly. “But call me when you leave.
”She nodded, already turning back to her screen.Neil stood there for a few seconds longer, watching her—unaware that it would be the last time he’d hear her voice alive.
The Next MorningThe memory shifted.Neil entered the office, balancing a cup of coffee in one hand. The floor was eerily silent.
“Good morning, Shivu… sorry—”His words died in his throat.She was still sitting at her desk.
Same position. Same chair. Same stillness.A strange unease crept into his chest.
"Shivu?” he called softly.No response.He walked closer. Each step felt heavier than the last. Her back was towards him, facing the computer screen.
“Hey,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving it a gentle shake.Nothing.
His heart started pounding.He shook her again—harder this time.Still nothing.Cold fear wrapped around his spine. Slowly, with trembling hands, he reached for the chair and turned it around.
Time stopped.“SHIVANSHI!!!”Her eyes were half-open, lifeless. Her skin was pale. There was no movement. No breath.The coffee cup slipped from Neil’s hand and shattered on the floor.

Present Time“Neil! Neil!”The voice snapped through the darkness.Neil didn’t respond.

“Uth!”A sudden splash of cold water hit his face.

"Ahhh!” Neil gasped, jerking forward.He was back in the investigation room. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. 
Water dripped from his hair onto the table.Officer Pradeep watched him closely.
"You went somewhere far,” Pradeep said. “Care to tell me what you were thinking?”
Neil wiped his face, his hands shaking. “I… I found her like that, sir. I swear.”Pradeep leaned back in his chair. “You loved her, didn’t you?”“Yes,” Neil answered instantly. “More than anything.”
"Then answer me this,” Pradeep said, his voice dropping. He leaned forward, placing a file on the table.

"If Shivanshi was already dead when you found her… then why are your fingerprints on the murder weapon?”
Neil’s breath hitched.Pradeep continued, eyes locked onto his.
"The weapon was used at 3:12 a.m.”Neil’s face drained of color.“At 3:12 a.m.,” Pradeep repeated slowly, 
“you claim you were at home.”Neil opened his mouth, but no sound came out.Because somewhere deep inside, a terrifying thought whispered—At 3:12 

a.m.,his phone was inside the office.And so was he.But he couldn’t remember how…