As soon as Shaurya finished talking on the phone, he came back from the balcony. His footsteps were slow, measured, like he was lost in his own thoughts. He reached for the door and closed it carefully behind him, his long fingers wrapping around the handles. He locked them securely-click-the sound echoing softly in the quiet room. Then his hands moved to the curtains, and he pulled them shut, one side first, then the other, blocking out the world completely.

The room was immediately swallowed by darkness.