They reached a quiet street corner.
Far from people.
Far from noise.
But the tension between them…
It only grew stronger.
Aarya kept looking at Kabir.
Observing him.
Every step.
Every movement.
Every breath.
"Say something…" she said softly.
Kabir looked at her.
His expression calm.
Too calm.
"What do you want me to say?"
Aarya frowned.
His tone felt different.
Flat.
Emotionless.
"That you're okay."
Kabir nodded slowly.
"I told you… I'm fine."
But Aarya didn't believe it.
Not completely.
She stepped closer.
Looking directly into his eyes.
"Look at me properly."
Kabir did.
Their eyes met.
And for a moment—
Everything felt normal again.
That same Kabir.
Same softness.
Same confusion.
Aarya felt a small relief.
Maybe…
He was still in control.
But then—
Kabir suddenly held his head.
Hard.
Like something hit him.
"Aah—!"
He stumbled back.
His breathing got heavier.
"No… not again…"
The mark on his wrist started glowing faintly.
Dark energy spreading from it.
Aarya's eyes widened.
"It's taking over again!"
Kabir fell to his knees.
Gripping his arm tightly.
His voice breaking.
"Make it stop…!"
Aarya rushed toward him.
But stopped halfway.
Her hands froze in the air.
Because she knew—
If she got too close…
It would get worse.
Her eyes filled with conflict.
Fear.
Pain.
"I can't… help him like this…"
Kabir looked up at her.
Desperate.
"Please… Aarya…"
That one word…
Broke something inside her.
She stepped forward.
Without thinking.
And held his face.
Her hands trembling.
"Stay with me…" she whispered.
Kabir's eyes softened.
For a moment—
Everything slowed down.
The pain.
The chaos.
The darkness.
And then—
The mark pulsed violently.
Stronger than ever.
Aarya gasped.
"No—!"
Kabir's body went still.
Completely still.
Then slowly—
He stood up.
But this time…
Something was different.
Very different.
His posture.
His presence.
His aura.
Cold.
Heavy.
Unfamiliar.
Aarya stepped back slowly.
Fear rising again.
"Kabir…?"
He tilted his head slightly.
Looking at her.
Like he was seeing her for the first time.
And then—
He smiled.
Not Kabir's smile.
Something darker.
Something deeper.
"So… you're the reason…"
Aarya's heart stopped.
Because that voice…
It wasn't Kabir anymore.
Chapter 16 Suspense:
Kabir took one step toward her.
Slow.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
Aarya's breathing became uneven.
"No… this isn't him…"
And then—
He spoke again.
"Now I understand… why I want to destroy you first."
Aarya froze.
Because now—
The thing inside Kabir…
Had fully awakened.
And this time—
It wasn't targeting him anymore.
It was targeting her.