The Final Move

The message on Abhishek’s phone sent a jolt of unease through him.

"You have no idea who you’re really dealing with."

Meera, reading over his shoulder, clenched her jaw. "Okay. What the actual hell? If it’s not Aryan, then who is it?"

Virat crossed his arms. "I don’t like this. Someone’s playing a bigger game, and we don’t know the rules."

Abhishek exhaled sharply. "Then let’s change that."

Meera’s mind was already working. "We need to find Aryan again. If he got spooked by someone else, then that means even he’s not in control here."

Ishan, who had just arrived after Meera’s urgent text, leaned against the bar. "So let me get this straight. You thought Aryan was the mastermind, but now it turns out he’s just another pawn?"

Abhishek nodded. "Looks like it."

Ishan smirked. "Damn. This is better than any thriller movie I’ve watched."

Meera glared at him. "Not helping, Ishan."

"Fine, fine." Ishan raised his hands. "Where do we find Aryan?"

Virat was already making calls. "Give me a second. If he’s still in town, I’ll track him down."

A tense silence stretched between them as Virat waited for his source to respond. Then—

His phone beeped.

Virat’s eyes darkened. "Got him."

—

The Chase Begins

Aryan was last seen near an abandoned warehouse outside the city.

It was an odd place for him to be—especially since he had left the bar in such a hurry.

Meera, gripping the steering wheel, looked at Abhishek. "Ready?"

Abhishek nodded. "Let’s end this."

They pulled up near the warehouse, headlights off, moving silently. The place was dark, except for a faint light flickering inside.

Virat, Ishan, and Meera flanked Abhishek as they approached.

Abhishek called out. "Aryan!"

No response.

They stepped inside, the wooden floor creaking under their weight. The smell of dust and damp air filled the space.

Then—

A shadow moved.

Meera grabbed Abhishek’s wrist. "There!"

Aryan was in the corner, his back against the wall, breathing heavily. His eyes were wild with fear.

"Aryan," Abhishek said cautiously. "Who scared you back there?"

Aryan looked at him, sweat dripping down his face. "You don’t understand, Sharma. I was never your enemy."

Virat frowned. "What do you mean?"

Aryan exhaled shakily. "I was just… sent to warn you. But I wasn’t the one behind the messages."

Abhishek’s blood ran cold. "Then who was?"

Aryan swallowed hard. "You won’t believe me."

Meera stepped forward. "Try us."

Aryan hesitated, then whispered a name.

Abhishek’s face went pale.

Meera’s eyes widened. "No way. That’s impossible."

Virat’s jaw tightened. "You’re joking, right?"

Aryan shook his head. "I wish I was."

A silence stretched between them.

Then—

A sudden BANG echoed through the warehouse.

A gunshot.

They all ducked instinctively.

Ishan shouted, "What the hell was that?!"

Another shot rang out, barely missing Aryan, hitting the wall behind him.

Meera grabbed Abhishek. "We need to move!"

Abhishek, heart pounding, pulled Aryan up. "Whoever’s behind this just made their move."

Virat took the lead. "Get to the cars. Now!"

They sprinted out, but just as they reached the exit—

A figure stepped out from the shadows.

Dressed in black, face obscured.

Holding a gun.

The voice was chillingly calm. "I warned you, Sharma."

Abhishek froze. He knew that voice.

Meera whispered, "Who is it?"

Abhishek’s hands clenched into fists. "Arjun."

The name sent shockwaves through the group.

Arjun.

Abhishek’s former best friend.

The one person he had never suspected.

Meera gasped. "Arjun? Are you serious?!"

Arjun smirked. "Oh, come on, Abhi. You didn’t think I’d let you walk away from everything so easily, did you?"

Abhishek took a step forward, fury boiling in his veins. "You’ve been the one behind this? The messages? The stalking?"

Arjun twirled the gun in his hand. "Smart boy. Took you long enough."

Aryan growled. "You used me, you bastard!"

Arjun laughed. "Of course, I did. You were the perfect distraction. And you fell for it beautifully."

Meera’s voice was sharp. "Why, Arjun? What the hell is your problem?"

Arjun’s expression darkened. "Because Abhishek took everything from me. The opening. The spotlight. The respect. I was supposed to be the star, not him."

Abhishek’s chest tightened. "So this was all some sick revenge plan?"

Arjun shrugged. "Revenge is a strong word. I prefer ‘setting things right’."

Virat growled, "You’re insane."

Arjun smirked. "Maybe. But at least I’m winning."

Then, he raised the gun.

A tense second passed.

Then—

BAM!

A chair flew through the air, knocking the gun from Arjun’s hand.

Meera had thrown it.

"RUN!" she yelled.

Chaos erupted.

Arjun lunged for the gun, but Virat tackled him. Abhishek grabbed Meera’s hand, pulling her toward the exit. Ishan and Aryan followed.

"Get to the car!" Abhishek shouted.

They bolted outside, just as sirens blared in the distance.

Meera, breathless, grinned. "Told you my journalist contact would be useful."

The police arrived within seconds, surrounding the warehouse.

Arjun was dragged out in handcuffs, seething. His eyes locked onto Abhishek. "This isn’t over, Sharma."

Abhishek met his gaze, unflinching. "Yeah, it is."

—

The Aftermath

Later that night, as they all sat in Meera’s living room, exhausted but relieved, Virat broke the silence.

"Well. That was dramatic."

Ishan laughed. "Honestly, ten out of ten plot twist."

Meera punched his arm. "Not funny."

Abhishek sighed, leaning back. "I still can’t believe it was Arjun."

Meera squeezed his hand. "But it’s over now."

He looked at her, warmth filling his chest. "Yeah. And I wouldn’t have gotten through it without you."

She smirked. "Obviously."

Abhishek chuckled, finally feeling the weight lift from his shoulders.

For the first time in weeks—

Everything felt right again.

—

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