The day passed slowly.
Kabir tried to focus on his studies.
Tried to act normal.
But his mind refused to calm down.
Every little thing felt strange.
Every sound felt louder.
Every shadow felt… suspicious.
After school ended, Kabir decided to leave early.
He didn't want to take risks.
Not today.
As he walked through the corridor, it was unusually empty.
The silence felt heavy.
Uncomfortable.
His footsteps echoed softly.
Tap… tap… tap…
Suddenly—
The lights flickered.
Kabir stopped.
His heart skipped a beat.
"Not again…"
The flickering continued.
On… off… on… off…
And then—
Everything went dark.
Complete darkness.
Kabir's breathing became uneven.
"Hello…? Anyone here?"
No response.
Just silence.
Cold.
Deep silence.
He quickly took out his phone and turned on the flashlight.
The weak light barely covered the path ahead.
He started walking faster.
"I just need to get out…"
But then—
A sound.
Footsteps.
Behind him.
Slow.
Heavy.
Not matching his own.
Kabir froze.
His heart pounded loudly.
"Someone's there…"
He slowly turned back.
Flashlight shaking in his hand.
Nothing.
Empty corridor.
But the feeling didn't go away.
Someone was there.
Watching him.
He turned forward again and started walking faster.
The footsteps followed.
Closer this time.
Step…
Step…
Step…
Kabir broke into a run.
His breath heavy.
His heart racing.
"This isn't real… this isn't real…"
Suddenly—
A strong force pushed him from behind.
Hard.
Kabir lost balance and fell forward.
His phone slipped from his hand, sliding across the floor.
The flashlight spun wildly, creating moving shadows on the walls.
Kabir tried to get up.
But something felt… wrong.
Like pressure.
Like invisible hands holding him down.
His chest tightened.
He couldn't breathe properly.
"What… is this…?"
His eyes widened in fear.
Because now…
He could feel it clearly.
Something was there.
Right behind him.
Cold.
Heavy.
Breathing… near his neck.
Kabir shut his eyes tightly.
"This can't be happening…"
Just when it felt like he would lose consciousness—
"Kabir!"
A voice echoed.
Familiar.
Strong.
And suddenly—
The pressure disappeared.
Like it was never there.
Kabir gasped for air, quickly turning around.
Standing at the end of the corridor…
Was Aarya.
Her eyes intense.
Her expression serious.
Kabir tried to speak, his voice shaking.
"T-there was something—"
"I know."
She walked toward him.
Fast.
Without hesitation.
For the first time…
There was no distance between them.
No cold attitude.
Only urgency.
She picked up his phone and handed it back.
Her fingers brushed his slightly.
Cold.
But real.
"Now do you understand?"
Kabir looked at her.
His fear still fresh.
"That… wasn't normal…"
Aarya nodded slowly.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you."
Her voice softened.
Just a little.
"This isn't a joke, Kabir."
He swallowed hard.
"What… was that?"
Aarya looked away for a moment.
Like she was deciding something.
Fighting something inside her.
Then finally—
She looked back at him.
Her eyes no longer cold.
But filled with something deeper.
Something painful.
"It's because of me."
Suspense Ending
Kabir stood frozen.
Her words echoing in his mind.
"It's because of me."
His heart beat faster.
Confusion.
Fear.
And something else…
Something pulling him closer to the truth.
"What do you mean…?" he asked slowly.
Aarya didn't answer immediately.
Instead…
She looked around the empty corridor.
Like she was making sure…
No one else was there.
Then she stepped closer to him.
So close that her voice became almost a whisper.
"If you want to live…"
Kabir held his breath.
"…stop caring about me."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unbearable silence.
But before Kabir could respond—
A sudden loud crash echoed from somewhere nearby.
Both of them turned instantly.
The lights flickered again.
And this time—
A deep, distorted voice echoed through the corridor.
Not human.
Not normal.
"Too late…"
Aarya's eyes widened in shock.
For the first time—
She looked… scared.
And Kabir realized—
Whatever this is…
It's getting stronger.
And it's not going to let him go.
What exactly is attached to Aarya… and why is it targeting Kabir now?