“Anamika!”

  Calling her name, Saaniya stepped inside the room.

  The whole place was filled with shadows of the past.

  On the wall hung a large family photograph— taken fourteen years ago.

  Anamika stood between her parents, smiling, while in the corner, a little away from them, stood young Saaniya— like she never truly belonged.

  Another wall was covered with paintings, childhood sketches Anamika once made with innocent hands.

  A bookshelf stood near it, packed with books and albums, their pages sleeping beneath time.

  A couple of tables held dust-covered decorations— things untouched for years.

  As Saaniya scanned the room, she called again— a trembling whisper this time.

  And that’s when she heard it— A faint sob.

  She turned her gaze and found Anamika… curled up under a table, hugging her knees to her chest— just like she used to as a child whenever fear swallowed her whole.

  Whenever loneliness felt like a knife, she hid here… under a table, far from the world.

  Saaniya moved closer. “Anu… Anu, listen to me.”

  Anamika raised her face.

  Her eyes were not seeing this room anymore— they were drowning in some dark, bottomless ocean.

  To her, Saaniya standing there was no longer a friend— just a blurred stranger, a voice too distant to reach her locked senses.

  “Stay away from me!” Anamika’s voice trembled.

  She got up slowly, backing toward the door.

  Her voice cracked as she spoke—“I don’t need anyone… and no one should need me.."

  The words sliced through Saaniya.

  She wanted to move closer— but froze, because Anamika was holding a large piece of broken glass.

  Saaniya wasn’t afraid of her own blood— but she couldn’t risk Anamika hurting herself.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  So she spoke softly, carefully: “Anu… please. Listen to me.

  We can start again—even with the same broken pieces. Just… give life one more chance.”

  But Anamika kept repeating, like a haunting echo— “No one should come near me.

  No one can be happy because of me. I am a curse. My smile is a curse.”

  Saaniya took tiny, cautious steps forward.

  “Anu, we are not curses. You are not a curse. We deserve to live… to breathe… to be happy.”

  Anamika’s breath shook. “They thought the same… didn’t they?”

  She screamed— and Saaniya fell silent.

  “Why me? Why is it always me who becomes the reason for pain and suffering?”

  Anamika’s voice shattered like glass.

  “Why did you push me into their lives? Their world is still dark because of me— because I exist in this world. Do I really deserve happiness?”

  She laughed hollowly.

  “People like me… who burn others’ happiness just by existing— don’t deserve happiness.”

  Before Saaniya could move, Anamika pushed her aside, ran out of the room and slammed the door shut.

  Saaniya banged on it desperately.

  “Anu, please! Listen first! Even if Aditya learns the truth—he will still choose you! He loves you… more than anything!”

  But from the other side came Anamika’s broken voice— “Then why didn’t you tell him the truth? Why start a relationship built on lies?

  He still hasn’t forgotten that night from six years ago… And you think he’ll love me after knowing who I truly am?”

  She choked, almost laughing— “People like us—stained with blood— no one loves us. No one should.”

  And with those final words, she left.

  Saaniya heard her footsteps fade— and something inside her broke.

  She kicked the door with all her strength.

  Twice— and it crashed open.

  But Anamika was gone.

  Saaniya ran outside, breathless. No sign of her anywhere.

  She rushed toward her car— and froze.

  A flat tire.

  “When… when did this happen?”

  There was no time to think.

  She ran into the street, calling Anamika’s name— her voice echoing through the dead silence of midnight.

  Then

  She spotted Anamika crossing the road, heading toward a deserted lane.

  Her steps fast, like she was running from her own heartbeat.

  Saaniya sprinted after her, shouting— but Anamika’s ears were drowning in old voices, whispers of memories that stabbed like knives.

  She crossed the road without turning back.

  And at that moment— a speeding truck came rushing toward Saaniya.

  Impact.

  Her body crashed to the ground— blood spreading beneath her like a blooming red flower.

  Her fading eyes searched for Anamika— for the silhouette she could still see disappearing into darkness.

  Her heartbeat slowed.

  "Is there still hope? Even after this?"

  Footsteps approached.

  A man.

  He stepped out of the truck, kneeling beside her.

  A wicked smile stretched across his lips.

  “I wanted to strangle you with my own hands,” he whispered, “But what can I do? You were Master’s favourite. I’m not even allowed to touch you.”

  He chuckled darkly.

  “Well then— Congratulations on your death.”

  He left the truck behind and walked toward the path Anamika took.

  Rain began to fall.

  Blood mixed with the flowing water— washing away like a silent goodbye.

  On the other side of the city…

  At an ice cream shop, Aditya and Rivan laughed as they ate.

  Aniket sat with them, but his eyes were on the dark sky.

  “What’s wrong?” Aditya asked.

  Aniket smiled faintly.

  “Nothing… it’s just— Today's rain feels unusually sad.”

  Aditya exhaled slowly.

  “Hmm… I don’t like this day either. It always takes away people I care about.”

  Rivan pouted. “Both of you sound so depressing!”

  Aniket laughed. “Don’t talk too much, kid.”

  “Don’t call me kid!” Rivan frowned.

  Aditya stood up.

  “Finish it quickly, we need to leave. The rain might get heavier.”

  “Okay, Big Bro!”

  Rivan finished his ice cream in just two bites. Aditya and Aniket quickly followed.

  They stepped out together into the rainy night— Unaware of the blood washed away behind them.

  Unaware of the storm already born.

  Because tonight… Something darker was taking shape.