Chapter 5: The Silent Test
The moonlight filtered in through the window, casting a pale glow over the room. Kavin lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing. His thoughts were tangled in knots, and the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest.
There was something wrong — something off about the man in the next room. He could feel it in his bones.
The plan had been simple. A DNA test. That was all. The only way to confirm if the person in the house was truly Dushyant or if they were dealing with an imposter.
Kavin had been given the task of collecting the sample, but he hadn't expected the weight of the decision to settle so heavily on him. The very idea of cutting a lock of his brother's hair, knowing it might be from a stranger, sent a shiver down his spine.
Kavin glanced over at the clock. It was well past midnight, and the house was silent except for the occasional creak of the floorboards.
Dushyant's room was just down the hallway, and Kavin could hear the soft hum of his breathing from here. His brother, or the imposter — it didn't matter now. Kavin had to act.
He quietly slipped out of bed, trying not to make a sound. The floor felt cold against his feet, each step echoing louder than the last.
His hands were cold too, fingers trembling as he pulled on his slippers and slowly crept toward the hallway. His pulse quickened, the fear of discovery making his heart beat louder than the silence surrounding him.
When he reached the door to Dushyant's room, he hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the knob. Was this really the right thing to do? His instincts screamed that something was wrong, but doubt lingered in the back of his mind.
Just then, his phone vibrated. And he backed away. Rushing into the kitchen with calm yet fast footsteps, acting as if he was there to get a glass of water.
When he, heard nothing from Dushyant's room, he retreived his phone from his pocket.
The screen lit up, showing a notification from Ishita.
"Mein bahar khadi hu, darwaza kholo."
As Kavin opened the main gate, exiting his house. He pulled Ishita away from the door. Getting as far away as they can.
Kavin: Dara Diya mujhe tumne... Mein bas Dushyant ke room ka gate kholne hi wala tha... Oh god!
Kavin nervously runs a hand through his hair.
Ishita: Sorry par tumhe ye akele nhi karne de sakti mein...
Kavin: Nahi Ishita... Please... Agar usne tumhe dekh liya toh ham kya kahenge...
Ishita: Mein room k bahar rahungi... Lekin tumhe mein akele ye nhi karne de sakti... Agar vo asli Dushyant nahi hua... Tum samajh rahe ho tumhari jaan ko khatra h...
Kavin: Ha par, Ishita... Dushyant utha toh?
Ishita: Vo sab tum mujh par chod do... I am not taking no for an answer Kavin. I am not only a CID officer but also your sister-in-law. Vo tumhe maar sakta hai... He has a gun!
Kavin: So do I Ishita!
Ishita: But can you really shoot if he has a face of Dushyant?
Kavin was speechless. He didn't even thought about that possibility. Forget about the creeps he's getting for the man, but will the really be able to shoot?
Ishita watched as Kavin's expression shifted—uncertainty flickered in his eyes, his grip tightening on the edge of his shirt. She knew she had hit the nerve he was avoiding. Kavin was a trained officer, skilled in handling weapons, but facing an enemy wearing his brother's face? That was different.
Kavin: Par kya tum shoot kar paogi?
Ishita's breath hitched in her chest. Her expression changed from uncertainty to dread.
Yes, even she can't.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Isliye keh rahi hu, mujhe andar aane do. Agar kuch gadbad hoti hai, toh at least tum akele nahi rahoge."
Kavin exhaled sharply, rubbing his forehead before finally nodding. "Theek hai. Par agar sab theek raha, toh bina awaz kiye nikal jaenge. Samjhi?"
Ishita smirked."Mujhe instructions mat do, Kavin. Mujhe pata hai kya karna hai."
They re-entered the house silently, the air inside thick with tension. Kavin led the way, moving cautiously toward Dushyant's room, while Ishita stayed just outside in the hallway, her back against the wall, ears sharp for the slightest movement.
Kavin's heart pounded in his chest as he reached the door. His fingers trembled as he grasped the handle. Slowly, carefully, he twisted it open.
The door creaked slightly, and he froze, glancing back at Ishita. She gave him a slight nod, signaling him to proceed.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by the faint glow of the night lamp on the bedside table. The figure on the bed was still, breathing steadily. The sight was almost enough to make Kavin second-guess himself. Almost.
Kavin tightened his grip on the scissors in his pocket. His heart pounded against his ribs as he took slow, cautious steps toward the bed. The imposter's face was half-buried in the pillow, his breathing even, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. But Kavin didn't let his guard down. This wasn't Dushyant. It couldn't be.
A single mistake, a slight misstep, and the man could wake up. And then what? Kavin wasn't sure. The weight of his gun at his back reminded him that he had an option, but could he really pull the trigger on someone who looked exactly like his brother?
Focus, Kavin.
As he reached the bedside, his foot brushed against something on the floor—a metallic clink echoed softly in the silence.
Kavin's blood ran cold.
He glanced down. A gun.
It was lying beside the bed, almost as if Dushyant had kept it close, ready to use at a moment's notice.
A lump formed in Kavin's throat. He really is dangerous.
His fingers trembled slightly as he reached for a lock of hair near the imposter's temple. The scissors felt heavier than ever as he positioned them and—snip.
The sound was barely audible, but to Kavin, it was deafening. He held his breath, eyes locked on the man's face.
Just then, Dushyant stirred.
Kavin stiffened, his breath caught in his throat. He clenched the small clump of hair in his hand, willing his breathing to stay steady.
The imposter mumbled something inaudible, shifting slightly before settling again.
Kavin exhaled slowly, moving away with measured steps. Done.
Now, he had to get out.
Steadying himself, he slipped out of the room and closed the door with careful precision. The moment he turned around, Ishita was there, eyes sharp with silent questions.
He handed her the small packet of hair, his grip a little too tight. He motioned to her to exit the house.
They entered the hallway, barefoot.
"Jaldi le jao. Aur suno… uske bed ke paas gun hai."
Ishita's jaw clenched. "Mujhe pata tha. Kuch toh gadbad hai."
Kavin inhaled deeply, the weight of the night pressing down on him. "Agar vo asli Dushyant hota, toh mujhe kabhi aise feel nahi hota. Vo ghar ka hissa lagta. Ye aadmi… alag lagta hai, Ishita." He hesitated "Uski aankhon mein kuch alag tha."
Ishita frowned. "Kya matlab?"
Kavin swallowed hard, rubbing the back of his neck. "Vo nazar jaani-pehchani thi. Par sath hi… bilkul ajnabi jaisi bhi." His voice dropped. "Jab Dushyant mujhe dekhata tha, uski aankhon mein hamari purani yaadein hoti thi. Par is aadmi ki aankhon mein bas…"
He struggled to find the right word.
"Bas kya, Kavin?"
Kavin met her gaze, his own filled with unease.
"Curiosity. Jaise mujhe samajhne ki koshish kar raha ho."
Ishita's grip tightened around the small packet of hair. This wasn't just about proving an imposter's existence anymore. This was something much deeper, much more dangerous.
Ishita stared at him for a moment before gripping his shoulder firmly. "Bas thodi der aur Kavin. DNA results aane do. Uske baad jo bhi karna hoga, hum karenge."
She gave Kavin one last nod before slipping into the darkness, leaving him standing at the doorway with a terrible realization settling in his chest.
He wasn't just living with an imposter.
He was being watched by one!
Kavin gave a stiff nod, watching as Ishita disappeared into the night with the sample.
As he shut the door behind her, an eerie chill crept up his spine. He turned toward Dushyant's room once more.
The silence felt heavier now.
Something told him that the imposter wasn't as asleep as he seemed.
The house was no longer safe, and the truth was far more dangerous than they'd anticipated.
Hey, everyone. I tried following a pattern so that you all don't get bored. Idk hiw it worked out. I guess I'll just work on it more. Thanks for reading.