The world felt quieter after that.
Not peaceful—
Just… waiting.
Tanvir sat beside Tanzila.
Neither of them spoke.
Because words would make it real.
And reality was already unstable.
"Do you regret it?" she asked softly.
"No."
"Even knowing what you are?"
Tanvir looked at his hands.
"They don't feel like mine anymore."
Tanzila held them anyway.
"They are."
"For now."
That hurt her.
But she didn't let go.
"You're fighting it," she said.
Tanvir didn't answer.
Because he wasn't.
Not anymore.
"I can feel it," he finally admitted.
"The power."
"The hunger."
"And?"
He looked at her.
Eyes darker now.
"I don't hate it."
Silence.
Tanzila's grip tightened.
"Then hate me," she whispered.
"Why?"
"Because I'll try to stop you."
Tanvir smiled faintly.
"That won't work."
"I know."
"Then why try?"
Tanzila leaned closer.
Tears forming—but not falling.
"Because I love you."
Tanvir closed his eyes.
For a brief moment—
He almost felt human again.
Almost.