The sky had turned dark by the time they stepped out of the school.
Street lights flickered on one by one.
But even with the light…
Kabir felt uneasy.
Like darkness was still following him.
They walked in silence for a few minutes.
Side by side.
But distant.
Finally, Kabir spoke.
"So what should I do now?"
Aarya stopped walking.
He stopped too.
She didn't look at him.
"Leave."
Kabir frowned.
"Leave…?"
"Transfer schools. Change your life. Forget me."
Her words were simple.
Clear.
Final.
Kabir stared at her.
"You're serious…?"
Aarya nodded.
"This is the only way you might survive."
"Might?" Kabir repeated.
Aarya didn't respond.
Because even she knew—
There were no guarantees.
Kabir let out a small breath.
Then suddenly…
He laughed.
Aarya turned to him, confused.
"Do you really think it's that easy?" he said.
"Kabir, this isn't a joke—"
"I know it's not."
His voice became steady.
For the first time…
There was no hesitation.
No fear.
"Something tried to kill me today."
"I heard that voice."
"I felt that… thing."
He took a step closer to her.
"But even after all that…"
He paused.
Looking straight into her eyes.
"I'm still standing here."
Aarya's expression hardened.
"That's exactly why you need to leave!"
Kabir shook his head.
"No."
Silence.
Aarya's eyes widened slightly.
"What do you mean 'no'?"
Kabir's heart was still racing.
But this time…
It wasn't fear.
It was determination.
"I'm not leaving."
Aarya stepped closer.
Her voice sharp again.
"Are you crazy?"
"Maybe."
Kabir smiled faintly.
"But I'm not a coward."
Her expression froze.
Because those words…
They weren't weak.
They weren't unsure.
They were strong.
Unexpectedly strong.
Kabir continued.
"If something is coming after me…"
"…then I'll face it."
Aarya clenched her fists.
"You don't understand—"
"Then make me understand."
Silence again.
But this time…
It was different.
Because Kabir wasn't backing down.
Not anymore.
Aarya looked at him.
Really looked at him.
For the first time…
She saw something she had never noticed before.
Not weakness.
Not fear.
But courage.
And that scared her more than anything else.
"You'll die…" she whispered.
Kabir's expression softened.
"Then I'll die trying."
Those words hit her hard.
Because deep inside…
She knew—
This boy wasn't going to leave.
No matter what she said.
And that meant…
The curse would only get stronger.
Suspense Ending .....
The wind suddenly grew colder.
Stronger.
Unnatural.
Aarya's eyes widened instantly.
"No…" she whispered.
Kabir looked around.
"What happened?"
But before she could answer—
A streetlight above them flickered violently.
Then burst.
Glass shattered.
Darkness spread.
And from that darkness…
A shadow slowly formed.
Tall.
Distorted.
Unclear.
But real.
Kabir's body froze.
His breath stopped.
Because this time—
He could see it.
Clearly.
Watching them.
Waiting.
Aarya stepped in front of him instantly.
Protecting him.
Her voice trembling for the first time.
"Run… Kabir…"
But Kabir didn't move.
Because now—
Running didn't feel like an option anymore.
The shadow moved closer.
Slowly.
Like it was enjoying this moment.
And then—
That same distorted voice echoed again.
"You chose… wrong…"
Kabir clenched his fists.
His fear rising again.
But so was something else.
Something stronger.
And this time…
He didn't look away.
What will Kabir do now… face the shadow or finally run?