Author's pov
The road felt longer than usual.
Vani walked slowly, her steps quieter than before, as if even the sound of her footsteps might disturb something unseen.
The evening sky stretched above her, painted in soft shades of orange and pink. It should have felt peaceful.
But it didn’t.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
That feeling—
It was still there.
Not loud. Not sharp.
Just… present.
Like a shadow that refused to leave.
She tried to shake it off.
“Nothing’s wrong,” she whispered under her breath.
But her heart didn’t agree.
A cool breeze passed by, brushing against her face. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked ahead.
Almost home.
Just a few more steps.
That thought should’ve comforted her.
But instead—
Her chest felt heavier.
As she reached the gate, she paused.
Her hand hovered over it for a second longer than necessary.
Why am I hesitating? she thought.
This is my home.
And yet…
Something felt different.
She pushed the gate open.
It creaked softly.
The sound echoed a little too loudly in her ears.
Inside, everything looked normal.
The lights were on.
The curtains moved slightly with the breeze.
Voices came from the living room.
Laughter.
Familiar.
Warm.
But somehow… distant.
She stepped inside.
“Maa?” she called out.
Her voice sounded small.
Too small.
“I’m home.”
“In here, beta!” her mother’s voice came from the living room.
Vani walked in.
And just like that—
The warmth returned.
Vihaan and Kiara were still there, sitting on the floor, arguing over something meaningless.
“YOU cheated!” Kiara accused.
“I did not!” Vihaan defended himself.
“You always do!”
“That’s because you always lose!”
Vani let out a small laugh.
For a moment—
Everything felt okay again.
“There she is,” Vihaan said, noticing her. “Finally. Took you long enough.”
“School doesn’t end when you want it to,” Vani replied,
placing her bag down.
Kiara stood up immediately and hugged her again.
“How was your day?”
“Normal,” Vani said.
But even as she said it—
It didn’t feel true.
Her mother walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands.
“Go freshen up. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Vani nodded and turned toward the stairs.
But just as she placed her foot on the first step—
She stopped.
A strange chill ran down her spine.
Slowly…
She turned her head.
Her eyes moved toward the main door.
It was closed.
Locked.
Everything was fine.
Then why…
Why did it feel like something was wrong?
“Vani?” Kiara’s voice pulled her back.
She blinked.
“Haan… I’m going,” she said quickly and went upstairs
.
Her room felt the same.
Everything was in place.
Her bed.
Her books.
Her window slightly open.
She walked in slowly, placing her bag on the table.
Silence.
Complete silence.
She exhaled softly and sat down on the bed.
“What is wrong with me…” she muttered.
Her hands rested on her lap, fingers slightly trembling.
She didn’t like this feeling.
Not at all.
It wasn’t fear exactly.
It was worse.
It was…
Uncertainty.
She stood up and walked toward the window.
The sky had darkened now.
Streetlights flickered on one by one.
People were still outside.
Talking.
Walking.
Living.
Normal.
So why couldn’t she feel normal?
Her gaze shifted slightly.
And then—
She froze.
For a second—
She thought she saw someone standing near the corner of the street.
Watching.
Her breath hitched.
She leaned forward slightly, trying to see clearly.
But the next moment—
There was no one there.
Just an empty street.
Her heart started beating faster.
“Stop it,” she whispered. “There’s no one.”
She closed the window quickly.
Pulled the curtains.
Stepped back.
Her chest rising and falling rapidly.
“I’m just overthinking… that’s all…”
But deep inside—
She knew.
This wasn’t just overthinking.
“Vani! Dinner!” her mother called.
Her voice felt like a lifeline.
Vani quickly took a deep breath and walked out of her room.
Downstairs—
Everything was loud again.
Warm again.
Safe again.
She sat down at the table.
Her father was talking about something.
Vihaan interrupted.
Kiara argued.
Her mother scolded them lightly.
Normal.
So normal.
Vani picked up her spoon.
But her hand paused mid-air.
Her eyes moved across the table.
Everyone she loved…
Right here.
Right in front of her.
And suddenly—
That thought returned.
Stronger this time.
What if this doesn’t last?
Her chest tightened.
She looked down quickly, forcing herself to eat.
“Are you okay?” her father asked suddenly.
She looked up.
“Hmm?”
“You seem distracted,” he said.
Vani smiled faintly.
“I’m fine.”
But her voice…
It didn’t convince anyone.
Vihaan leaned back in his chair, observing her.
“You’ve been weird since morning,” he said.
“I’m not weird,” she replied quickly.
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“Okay, stop,” Kiara interrupted. “Let her breathe.”
Vani gave her a small grateful look.
“Thanks.”
Kiara smiled.
But even she seemed slightly concerned.
After dinner, everyone stayed in the living room for a while.
Talking.
Laughing.
Sharing random stories.
Vani sat quietly, listening.
Watching.
Memorizing.
As if…
She was afraid this moment would slip away.
Time passed.
Slowly.
And then—
“Okay, enough for today,” her mother said. “Everyone go to sleep.”
Groans filled the room.
But one by one, everyone got up.
Vani walked upstairs again.
Her steps slower this time.
Heavier.
When she reached her room, she closed the door behind her.
Click.
The sound echoed.
Too loud.
Too final.
She turned the lights off and lay down on her bed.
The room was dark.
Only faint light from outside slipped through the curtains.
Her eyes stayed open.
Staring at the ceiling.
Her heartbeat—
Loud.
Clear.
Restless.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe hours.
She didn’t know.
Sleep didn’t come.
That feeling…
It still hadn’t left.
And then—
A sound.
Soft.
Almost unnoticeable.
Her breath stopped.
She sat up slowly.
Listening.
Silence.
Nothing.
Maybe she imagined it.
She lay back down.
Closed her eyes.
And then—
Again.
A faint sound.
This time—
Closer.
Her heart started racing.
She turned her head slightly toward the window.
The curtains moved gently.
But the window was closed.
Wasn’t it?
Her throat went dry.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
She sat up again.
Her eyes fixed on the window.
The air felt heavier.
Colder.
And then—
For a split second—
She felt it.
That presence.
Not seen.
But felt.
Right there.
Watching.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“Who’s there…?” she whispered.
No answer.
Only silence.
But that silence—
It wasn’t empty.
It was filled with something she couldn’t understand.
Something she couldn’t see.
But could feel.
And in that moment—
Vani realized something.
This wasn’t just a bad feeling anymore.
This wasn’t overthinking.
Something was coming.
And whatever it was—
It was closer than she thought.
To be continued…
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Now I can't write my hand hurts 😞.
So that's the for now and next chapter will come on next Sunday or Saturday.
Your author
Noorie
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