THE CURSE BETWEEN US

Hidden beneath the canopy of ancient trees, an abandoned mansion stood in complete silence.

The moonlight barely reached its cracked walls, as if even the light feared touching the place. Thick vines had wrapped themselves around broken pillars, while the old wooden windows stared into the darkness like lifeless eyes.

Not even the insects dared to make a sound.

The air was unusually cold.

It was the kind of silence that made the heart beat louder.

A lonely wind whispered through the forest, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and forgotten memories.

Standing before the mansion was a young girl.

She didn't move.

Her eyes remained fixed on the ancient building, reflecting something that even the night seemed afraid to witness.

It was Nakshetra.

Her expression was calm, yet her heartbeat betrayed her.

Without warning—

A freezing gust of wind tore through the forest.

The branches shook violently.

Dry leaves swirled around her feet.

The silence shattered.

Nakshetra slowly stepped forward.

"What happened to you?"

A few steps ahead stood another girl.

Kavya slowly lifted her gaze.

Her face looked unusually pale.

"Do you... see the sky?" she whispered.

Nakshetra frowned and looked upward.

Before she could reply—

A voice echoed from behind her.

Soft.

Cold.

Almost like a whisper carried by the wind.

She turned around immediately.

No one.

Only darkness stretched between the trees.

Then...

From the deepest corner of that darkness...

A shadow slowly shifted.

It wasn't walking.

It wasn't floating.

It simply existed.

Watching.

Waiting.

Nakshetra's breathing became uneven.

"I don't know why," she said quietly. "But it feels like something terrible is about to happen."

She looked at the moon once again.

"It has never shone this brightly before."

For a brief second—

The moonlight seemed to glow with an unnatural crimson hue.

Then everything returned to normal.

As if nothing had happened.

---

Far away...

On the other side of the city...

A completely different world existed.

Bright streetlights illuminated the roads.

Cars passed by one after another.

People laughed without knowing what the night was hiding.

Inside a dimly lit room...

A young man sat alone.

Only a small table lamp lit the room.

His fingers moved effortlessly across the strings of a guitar.

Every note carried a strange loneliness.

The melody echoed softly before fading into silence.

This was Rudhra.

His eyes remained closed as he played, completely lost in the music.

Suddenly—

His phone began to ring.

The ringtone shattered the peaceful silence.

Rudhra sighed before glancing at the screen.

"Hey, man," Divy's cheerful voice echoed through the speaker. "Are you coming to Manshi's birthday party or not?"

Rudhra leaned back in his chair.

"You already know, Divy. I'm not into these things."

"I know," Divy replied immediately. "But I already promised her I'd bring you. No excuses this time."

Rudhra rubbed his forehead.

"That's your problem. You promised without asking me."

"Please, Rudhra. Just this once."

"I promised her."

"I'm not coming."

Silence.

Then Divy sighed dramatically.

"What kind of brother are you? She treats you like family."

Before Rudhra could answer—

A familiar voice came from behind him.

"What is this I'm hearing, Rudhra?"

He turned around.

"Ma?"

Ridhima ji stood at the doorway with folded arms.

Her eyes wandered around the room.

The curtains were closed.

The lights were off.

Only darkness surrounded him once again.

"When are you going to stop living like a vampire?" she sighed.

"You've turned your room into a cave."

She walked inside and switched on the lights.

The room instantly brightened.

"Divy has been calling you for so long, and you still haven't moved an inch."

Rudhra sighed.

"So that mutt told you too?"

Ridhima ji shot him a sharp look.

"Where is Divy asking you to go?"

"It's Manshi's birthday party," Rudhra replied. "She invited me too."

"Then go. What's the problem?"

"I just don't feel like going, Ma."

Her expression softened.

"Listen, beta. I don't want you to spend your whole life alone. The only real friend you have is Divy."

Rudhra lowered his eyes.

"Alright, Ma."

"I'll go."

A warm smile appeared on her face.

"That's my son."

"Now go and get ready."

---

A while later...

Rudhra walked downstairs wearing a simple black shirt and dark jeans.

The moment he entered the living room—

He froze.

Divy was already sitting comfortably on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, smiling proudly.

Rudhra narrowed his eyes.

"Wait... you idiot!"

Divy immediately stood up.

"What did I do now?"

"You told Mom."

"I did the right thing," Divy replied confidently. "Otherwise I would've lost my respect."

Rudhra smirked.

"Oh really?"

"So your pride is more important than me?"

Divy folded his arms.

"Exactly."

Rudhra laughed.

"You've become shameless."

"And handsome," Divy added proudly.

Rudhra rolled his eyes.

"You little rascal."

Divy quickly changed the subject.

"Forget that."

"Tell me one thing."

"Why are you looking so handsome today?"

"I swear Isha is going to lose her mind after seeing you."

"Are you coming or not?" Rudhra interrupted.

Divy laughed.

"Alright, alright."

"Let's go."

---

They stepped outside and got into the car.

The engine started with a soft rumble.

The city lights passed one after another through the windows.

After driving for several minutes...

Rudhra suddenly spoke.

"Did you buy anything for Manshi?"

Divy shrugged casually.

"No."

"I already told her."

"My gift is my presence."

"I'm only going there to eat."

Rudhra smiled faintly.

"I need to buy something."

"If you see a toy shop, stop the car."

"A toy?" Divy laughed loudly.

"She's eighteen."

"Not five."

"Maybe," Rudhra replied while looking out the window.

"But to me..."

"She's still a little girl."

"And she loves teddy bears."

Divy smiled.

"There."

"A toy shop."

The car slowly came to a stop.

---

Inside the shop...

Rows of colourful teddy bears filled the shelves.

Stuffed animals of every size and colour surrounded him.

Rudhra looked around quietly.

Then—

His eyes stopped on something.

A porcelain doll sat alone on the highest shelf.

Its pale face looked almost real.

Its glass-like eyes seemed to follow him.

For several seconds...

Neither of them moved.

A strange chill ran down his spine.

A shopkeeper suddenly appeared beside him.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

She smiled faintly.

"It's from a very old era."

"Dolls like this aren't made anymore."

Rudhra forced himself to look away.

"No, thank you."

"I'll take this teddy instead."

As he walked toward the counter...

The uneasy feeling refused to disappear.

It felt...

As though someone was watching him.

He glanced back one last time.

The doll remained exactly where it was.

Smiling.

"Why do I feel..."

"...like I've seen that doll before?"

---

Outside...

Divy waited impatiently inside the car.

He checked the time.

"What's taking him so long?"

Suddenly—

A freezing gust of wind swept through the car.

Divy frowned.

"That's strange..."

"All the windows are closed."

He slowly rolled one window down.

Cold air rushed inside.

This time...

It felt even colder.

Then—

He saw her.

Standing across the road.

A young girl.

She wore a deep red saree that danced gently in the wind.

Her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders.

A tiny black bindi rested perfectly on her forehead.

She looked no older than eighteen.

There was something strangely familiar about her.

Divy couldn't look away.

Then—

She slowly lifted her eyes.

She was looking directly at him.

Everything around him disappeared.

The sounds of the city faded.

Even the wind became silent.

There was only...

Her.

Suddenly—

A hand touched his shoulder.

Divy spun around instantly.

His heart pounded inside his chest.

His breath caught in his throat.