Her pov:

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"Yaar, let’s go home. I’m really not feeling good here. It’s so scary and creepy. Why did you have to choose this place for our girls' night? I just don’t understand what’s so special about it. It feels chilling and horrifying, and I’m genuinely scared. Please, let’s go back."

But she ignored me and kept walking. I was warning Nisha and Anu for the second time as she unlocked the door, and the three of us stepped inside the house. I had been telling them from the very beginning that we shouldn’t come to this place for our night out. Anu had discovered this location from some dark corner of the internet, and I had no idea what had drawn her to it. It seemed like Anu knew everything, but as usual, she wasn’t sharing any details with me. It’s not that Anu and Nisha have suddenly become inseparable; it’s more like there’s something they’re both hiding from me. God knows what’s going on in their minds. I just don’t want to die so soon, yaar.

I can’t predict what the future holds, but I desperately want to make amends for my past mistakes. I lost my virginity before marriage to a guy who, honestly, doesn’t even love me. I don’t regret it, but I wish he could love me the way I love him. Deep down, I know that’s impossible; he will never be mine. Yet, I can’t shake off this longing for him, even if it’s just for a fleeting moment.

I was in a daze for two years after that incident between us. When I returned to my hometown, I was bombarded with shocking news that I didn’t know how to process. I had left town because of him, and now that I’m back, I find out that I can’t bear to see him with anyone else—especially not with my own best friend. The thought twists my heart in knots, and I feel a wave of despair wash over me. How did everything get so complicated...

I was so lost in my thoughts that I completely forgot we were stuck in this house—whose house, I couldn't even say. Nisha suddenly jerked me by the hands, pulling me back to reality. I looked into her eyes, which were filled with a whirlwind of questions. I knew what she wanted to ask. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice breaking the heavy silence that had settled in the room since Anu had left to check her own room.

"So, you're still going to hide it from me? I know you haven't moved on, and honestly, it makes no sense why you’re just sitting here, doing nothing. Are you really going to let this happen? I know you still..."

Before she could finish, I interrupted her, my voice trembling with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. "Please, don’t complete that thought. Just... don’t say another word. I won’t deny that I need him, that I would do anything to be with him. But as long as I know he doesn’t feel the same way, I can’t interfere in a life that doesn’t include me. Silence is often the best answer to unasked questions, and letting go is the purest form of love. I would do anything for him, even if it means hurting myself or remaining stuck in this limbo of unrequited feelings."

Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as I spoke, the weight of my emotions pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. I could feel Nisha’s gaze piercing through me, searching for the strength I was trying to muster. I wanted to scream, to let the world know how deeply I felt, but instead, I felt trapped in a cage of my own making, where love was both my sanctuary and my prison.

Taking a deep breath, I finally mastered the courage to say the thing I had been holding back for so long. If it had been anyone else, I might have lied about my feelings, but this was Nisha. I knew she understood me better than anyone else, and she would never judge me for loving her brother. She was my confidante, my living secret diary, the one person I could share anything with, knowing she would listen with unwavering attention.

"I love him, and I will love him the same way until my last breath," I confessed, my heart racing as the words left my lips.

Nisha fell silent for a moment, her expression thoughtful. Finally, she spoke, her voice gentle yet firm. "If you believe this is the right path for you, I won’t say anything to dissuade you. Do what you feel is best. But remember, there are misunderstandings between you two that need to be addressed. I hope they get cleared up soon."

I brushed aside her words, my gaze wandering around the haunted place we had chosen to escape ,my mind was elsewhere. Nisha opened her mouth to say something, but I interrupted her, my voice tinged with a mix of determination and distraction.

"I guess you won't leave the topic about your brother .. I should go explore this place a bit. You can check in on what Anu is up to," I suggested, trying to mask the turmoil within me.

As I turned away, I felt a pang of uncertainty. The surroundings felt distant compared to the storm of emotions swirling inside me. I longed for clarity, for understanding, but most of all, I yearned for the love that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. Would I find the courage to confront the misunderstandings that loomed between us? Or would I remain lost in the shadows of my own heart?

I went to check the house for some acknowledgment of where we were. The house was shrouded in a pale mist that leaked from its cracked panels and splintered beams. With every cloud of swirling vapor, the house seemed to be breathing deeply, like a vampire with smoking nostrils. I noticed that outside the house, clumps of rotten leaves clung to its base, and a few clawed hands scraped out of the dirt and up the wall. This implied that the house had been deserted for years.

I started my footsteps. With every step, I heard a creak from underneath the floorboards. The creaking seemed to get louder with each step. I saw a room that was calling to me. I don't know why it seemed to be calling me, but I wrapped my hands around the dusty door handle and slowly pulled open the unlocked door. The inside looked nothing like I had expected. It was different from the outside view; it was clean and more like a place for witchcraft. I could tell that someone had just performed magic here; I could feel it. I don't know why, but I sensed that something was odd—some dark energy was summoning this place. Suddenly, I heard some words I didn't recognize, and I had no idea where they came from.

"I know you can feel it don't deny it.. don't you remember those dreams they are all real.. you are not hallucinating but it's real..You don't belong here .. just go and attempt suicide..You are a murderer..you killed your 6 brothers and sisters..You don't deserve to be alive.."

Fuck off this voice was similar to me those words were never new to me I have heard this I don't know what's happening.why I am hearing this.I tired to calm myself and put my hands on ears I left the room ...

I calm myself.. this things are happening again..

"I..I..I .......I have to leave this place as soon as possible this is all creepy..I just wanna leave..where is Nisha..I have to find her and tell her to leave.. Those things.. those things are happening again ..and it's not my panic or anxiety attack they are real..I have to leave this place..it is no good.."

I ran towards the direction where I have left Nisha ...I have to find anu and Nisha ..I want to leave..

Shiver run throw my spine... this things are repeating.. what I will tell them ..they will think I am doing some stunt to go back but no I don't care if they don't agree I will go back alone..this things can't repeat..I will not allow them to repeat..I keep on running till I reach the place but I didn't find them..

Suddenly I heard a gun shot ..Gosh what just happened..am I again hallucinating things or is it real..But before i could think anything I heard one more gun shot and as like that those gun shots kept on repeating..I went to the direction only to see my deepest pain of all..the person who I wanted to forget was right infront of me with gun in his hands ..he was shooting on some goons looking guy in red and blue it seems like some gang coded dresses..

Finally our eye's met and my heart shattered into pieces again..I have thought I will never ever gone see his face but  ...God why just why can't you do me just one last favour and just brain wash all those memories of his pls na god pls..I console myself ..he moved his gaze away from me..

I saw anu was hiding behind the walls but I couldn't see Nisha..I reached out for anu and there I saw Nisha lying on the ground..I felt the ground disappearing under my feet..I swallowed hard and asked in trembling voice I sat down beside her,

"Ni..nis..Nisha what just happened to you..wake up ..pls tell me she is ok Anu ?..

Anu spoke up finally after some minutes of silence,

"She is ok just got fainted because of  hypering but ansh is there I know everything will be fine ..."

She completed her sentence, and I heard footsteps approaching from behind. My heart began to race, pounding as if it were about to leap from my chest and join an athlete in a fierce competition. He didn’t even glance my way; instead, he took Nisha into his embrace and led her away, his footsteps trailing behind him like a lost echo. I didn’t dare to follow them, nor did I possess the courage to look at him. The memories of what had transpired in that room faded into a blur, overshadowed by the haunting thoughts of us—our laughter, our shared moments, now tainted by an unbearable ache.

Suddenly, something hard collided with my body, and a sharp pain erupted in my abdomen. I glanced down, my heart sinking at the sight of crimson blood seeping from my wound. A goon had fired at me, his gun still smoking, but he fled the moment our eyes met. The pain was unlike anything I had ever experienced; it wasn’t the dramatic, swift end portrayed in movies. No, this was agonizingly real, a slow, torturous consumption of my life. With each passing moment, I struggled to remain upright, my body betraying me as the pain intensified. My vision began to blur, the world around me fading into a haze.

I recalled the voice that had whispered to me in my darkest moments, “It’s better that you die.” Perhaps it was right; perhaps this was the only ending I deserved. Yet, even in this moment of despair, I clung to the words I had spoken to Nisha, words that echoed in my mind like a desperate prayer.

"I love him... I love you, Ansh. I love you more than anyone. I don’t hate you, nor will I ever. I can’t hate you after everything you’ve done to me. I choose to forgive you. I hope you find a better ending than mine, and I hope you discover the love of your life."

With those final words, I slowly closed my eyes, surrendering to the pain that surged through me like a relentless tide. I was counting my last breaths, each one drenched in blood that showed me no mercy, daring to linger as I slipped away from this world. The darkness beckoned, and I felt myself drifting, the weight of my love and loss intertwining with the shadows that enveloped me.

Author's note

Hi my sweetheart hope you all are doing well..I would have not posted until I got voted but luckily I got votes so I posted it..and also thanks for reading my book..I will keep on updating when I get time pls do follow me on instagram pls guys ..as I posted this prologue finally from now I will be posting spoiler of this chapter on my Instagram account pls do follow share my story and vote pls 😭😭