Chapter 1
Silent Girl
January 15, 2:47 a.m.
“Did you get the news? No matter what, we need to catch that girl,” Aran said to his partner Sayak through his Bluetooth headset.
“No, I’ve searched everywhere. It’s like she vanished into the darkness,” Sayak replied, frustrated.
“I never imagined a girl would make us wander the jungle like this at night. We were here to catch the leader of the drug racket, and she came out of nowhere and ruined everything,” chimed in Hakim, another officer on the Bluetooth line.
“I think she’s escaped,” Sayak guessed.
“What do you think, Aran? You’re awfully quiet,” Hakim pressed.
“She’s still here, around us somewhere. We need to be cautious. By the way, where’s the item?” Aran asked, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
“I have it,” Hakim confirmed.
“Keep it safe. It’s important,” Aran instructed.
“Relax, man. Whatever’s with me is always safe,” Hakim boasted proudly.
Despite the tension, Aran and Sayak chuckled at Hakim’s overconfidence. But before the laugh could fade, a terrifying scream erupted from Hakim’s end of the line.
“Hey! Who’s there? Let go of me! What are you doing? Stop it! Aahhh!” Hakim’s desperate cries were cut off.
“Hakim! Are you alright? We’re coming! Don’t let the girl escape! Hello? Hello?” Aran shouted, tracking Hakim’s GPS signal. He directed Sayak to search the area around Hakim’s last location.
When Aran arrived, it was too late. Hakim was lying on the ground, badly beaten. Even in the dim light, Aran could tell how much damage had been done. Kneeling beside him, Aran asked, “Was it a girl or a boy?”
“Girl...” Hakim managed to say, rubbing his injured cheek.
“Did she take it?” Aran asked, his tone grave.
Hakim nodded weakly.
By then, Sayak had arrived, barely suppressing a laugh at Hakim’s battered state. However, seeing Aran’s stern expression, he quickly fell silent. The night’s mission had ended in failure. They helped Hakim back to the car, but Aran stayed behind, thinking about the girl who had ruined his meticulously planned operation.
As he turned to leave, something beneath his foot caught his attention. He bent down and picked up the object, illuminating it with his flashlight. It was a bracelet. Without saying a word, Aran slipped it into his pocket and headed for the car.
---
January 18, 8:30 a.m.
At the knock on the door, Meher stepped out. She was wearing a long kurti, carrying a backpack, and holding her medical apron.
“Ready?” Mrs. Chowdhury asked.
“Yes,” Meher replied softly.
“Why the long face? Have a good breakfast and get going. Your father is waiting to drop you off at college,” Mrs. Chowdhury said, walking down the stairs with her daughter.
Meher remained silent, sitting down at the dining table.
“Maya, ready to go? I’ll drop you off today,” Mr. Chowdhury said with a warm smile.
Meher managed a faint smile as she began eating. Mr. and Mrs. Chowdhury exchanged a glance. They didn’t know why their daughter was like this—always so quiet and serious when girls her age were usually lively and cheerful.
After breakfast, Meher headed out with her father. Twenty-five minutes later, they arrived at her college.
As Meher got out of the car, Mr. Chowdhury said, “Meher… I know you don’t like me using your name, but if there’s any problem, let me know, okay? The driver will be there on time to pick you up. Take care.”
“Hmm,” Meher replied, walking toward the college gates.
As she entered, a cool breeze brushed past her, making her pause for a moment. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then pulled out a black mask from her bag, covering her face before heading to her class.
Finding the class was easy. The room was already buzzing with students. Meher took a seat at the very back, preferring to stay unnoticed—just the way she liked it.
---
First Class
The first professor walked in, and everyone stood up.
“Good morning, students. I’m Dr. Amena Ahmed Khan, a senior neurologist from this institution. Let’s begin with introductions. I’d love to know each of you personally,” Dr. Amena said with a warm smile.
The class was surprised; it was rare for medical professors to be so approachable.
One by one, the students introduced themselves. When it was Meher’s turn, Dr. Amena walked to the back of the room.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Meher,” she replied, omitting her surname.
“Why are you wearing a mask in class?” Dr. Amena asked, puzzled.
Meher removed the mask, smiled faintly, and said, “I prefer to keep my face covered, Professor.” Her cold, piercing gaze unsettled Dr. Amena.
“Alright, you may sit,” Dr. Amena said, feeling oddly affected by Meher’s presence.
---
Break Time
Tuk-tuk-tuk.
“Yes, come in,” Dr. Amena called.
“Hi, Mom!” Aran entered the room.
“Hello! I’ve been waiting for you. You’re late today. Busy with patients?” she asked.
“Patients? Hardly. People barely visit psychiatrists; they think it means they’re crazy. I help Dad with business sometimes, or else I’d be kicked out of the house,” Aran replied with a smirk.
“Aran, don’t lose hope. It’s a good sign fewer people have psychological problems. And remember, this is your home, too,” Dr. Amena said, her tone firm yet comforting.
“Okay, Mom,” Aran said, smiling.
“By the way, why were you late?”
“Just some errands,” Aran replied casually.
“Fine. At least keep tabs on your brother. I barely have time to breathe, let alone manage everything,” Dr. Amena sighed.
“Fair point. Aryan should return from Canada already. Anyway, how was your first-year class today? Any interesting students?”
“Yes, very interesting. There’s a girl named Meher, 19 or 20 years old, sitting in the last bench. She wore a mask during class. When I asked why, her simple answer seemed oddly abnormal. It might have been her cold, deep gaze—it felt like looking into an icy ocean. She’s just… different. A Silent Girl,” Dr. Amena said thoughtfully.
Hearing this, Aran asked, “Mom, by any chance, was she wearing a blue kurti?”
“Yes, I think so. Why?”
“I bumped into a girl like that near the emergency exit earlier. She didn’t even say sorry, just disappeared. If she’d been a patient, it could’ve been a disaster. Lucky for her, the hallway was empty,” Aran said, annoyed.
Dr. Amena didn’t respond, but she couldn’t shake off the strange impression Meher had left on her. Meanwhile, Aran thought to himself, I need to meet this Silent Girl.
