A floorboard creaks outside. Was that her? He doesn’t know. The blindfold is complete darkness. No breeze, no warmth, no scent but his own fear.

She lifts her hands. Steps back. He hears her soft footsteps fade. The door clicks shut.

His breathing quickens. He strains against the cuffs—not to escape, but to feel something solid.

"'Aaruna, I want you to blindfold me, not with silk, but with your hands. Then I want you to leave the room for exactly seven minutes. Tell me nothing. Do not touch me. Just… leave me in the silence.'"