Kai stepped inside the house.
Without stopping, he moved upstairs and entered his room. He picked up his helmet and turned back immediately.
No hesitation.
---
As he came downstairs, Dev noticed him.
He didn't say anything.
Just watched.
---
Kai walked past him, stepped outside, sat on his bike, wore his helmet—and left the compound.
The sound of the engine faded into the night.
---
Inside, Dev remained in the living room.
Staring at the half-open door.
---
From the kitchen—
"Dev, Nilesh—come. I've served the food," Nikora called.
---
Dev didn't move.
---
A moment later, Nikora stepped into the living room.
"Dev… where is Kai?"
---
No response.
---
"Dev?"
---
He was still staring at the door.
---
Nikora paused, walked closer, and tapped his head lightly.
"Answer me."
---
Dev blinked.
"…Come again?"
---
"I asked—where is Kai?"
---
Dev hesitated.
"…I don't know."
---
At that moment—
a door opened.
---
Both of them turned.
---
Krishna's room.
---
Nilesh stepped out.
---
Nikora looked at him.
"Where is Kai?"
---
Nilesh glanced at Dev.
"Check his room."
---
Nikora's expression shifted slightly.
Something felt wrong.
---
"What?" Nilesh said. "I just said—check his room."
---
Dev stepped forward.
"Mom… I'll go check."
---
He walked upstairs.
Kai's door was slightly open.
Dev pushed it.
Empty.
---
Everything looked normal.
Too normal.
---
He turned and walked back downstairs.
---
"He's not in his room," Dev said.
---
Silence followed.
---
On the other side—
Kai rode through the road, the engine roaring louder than necessary.
He opened the map and searched for the nearest graveyard.
The direction appeared.
He accelerated again.
---
At a signal, he was forced to stop.
---
His eyes shifted—
to a boy in a hoodie.
---
The boy slowly removed his hood.
Revealing his face.
---
Kai looked at him.
Then at the signal.
Green.
---
Kai accelerated.
---
The boy paused, then covered his face again.
Moments later, Kai stopped at a distance.
---
The boy caught up.
Stopped beside him.
---
"Wanna race?" the boy asked.
---
Kai didn't hesitate.
"Same here. It's been a while."
---
Kai started counting.
"3…"
"2…"
"1…"
---
Both engines roared.
They sped forward.
---
The boy won.
But Kai didn't slow down.
He pushed the throttle harder—
and reached the graveyard.
---
The boy was already there.
Standing near the gate.
---
Kai stopped his bike.
Removed his helmet and gloves.
Stepped toward him.
---
"Oi. Wear a helmet while riding," Kai said.
---
"I always do," the boy replied. "It got stolen."
---
"Seriously?" Kai laughed. "Don't make excuses."
---
Kai's gaze shifted to the bike.
Flowers.
---
"You brought flowers for Krishna?" he asked.
---
The boy didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
he picked them up.
---
"Let's go," he said.
---
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Controlled.
---
The boy walked into the graveyard.
---
Kai followed.