There was no answer, only the haunting sound of her labored breathing.
Arjun's mind raced into the hallway, his phone pressed tightly against his ear. He sprinted toward the elevators, trying to recall the layout of the hotel grounds.
"Hold on," he muttered as he get in elevator, his voice softer now, as though trying to will her to hear him. "Just hold on."
When the elevator doors opened, Arjun stepped into the dimly lit lobby, his long strides carrying him swiftly toward Room 112. Aisha's weak words still echoed in his ears, urging him to move faster.
He reached the door and immediately tried to open it, but it was locked. Cursing under his breath, he pounded on the door. "Aisha!" But there was no response.
By now, he had already called the others, and it wasn't long before they arrived. 
"Stand back," Saad said curtly, assessing the lock. Both he and Arjun exchanged a glance, their silent communication clear. Together, they braced themselves and rammed against the door.
The thud echoed down the empty hallway. This floor of the hotel had no other bookings, leaving the atmosphere heavy with an eerie silence. With a second forceful shove, the lock gave way, and the door flew open.
A wave of darkness greeted them. The sharp smell of fresh paint hit their noses immediately. They quickly switched on their phone flashlights, the beams cutting through the gloom.
Their movements froze as the light fell on Aisha, lying unconscious on the cold floor.
"Aisha!" Arjun's voice broke the silence as he sprinted toward her, dropping to his knees beside her motionless form. Panic surged in his chest as he tapped her pale cheeks. "Aisha? Wake up! Can you hear me?"
Veer stepped closer. "Bhaiya, we need to get her out of here—now," he said firmly. "The paint smell is too strong. Remember, she can't breathe properly in places like this."
Without a second thought, he slid one arm beneath Aisha's back and the other under her knees, lifting her effortlessly.
The group moved swiftly through the hallway, their footsteps echoing against the marble floors. By the time they reached her room upstairs. He gently placed Aisha on the bed, brushing her hair back from her clammy forehead.
"Come on, Aisha," he whispered, his voice softer now. "Wake up."
Veer crouched beside her, checking her pulse and breathing. "She's stable," he announced, though his tone remained serious. "But she needs fresh air. Open the windows."
Ayush hurried to the balcony door, throwing it open to let the cool night air flood the room. Radhika handed a bottle of water to Saad, who wet a cloth and pressed it gently against Aisha's forehead.
Finally, Aisha let out a small cough, her eyelids fluttering weakly.
"Aisha," Arjun called her name softly, leaning closer. Relief coursed through him as her grey eyes slowly opened.
"Bhaiya..." she whispered, her voice hoarse and barely audible.
"You're safe," Arjun assured her, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him. "We've got you." She nodded.
Arjun sharply turned to the group, his eyes blazing with fury. "THAT'S HOW YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AFTER HER?"
The group froze, heads hanging low, unable to meet his eyes.
He turned toward Saad, his expression hard. "Saad, you, of all people? Are you serious?"
Saad, usually confident and composed, faltered. For the first time, he looked uneasy. "I was texting someone about security for tomorrow," he stammered. "I didn't think—"