The museum was buzzing with excitement. Prerna Agarwal, a college student, walked through its grand halls . This trip was supposed to be a fun escape, but something about this place felt like it was calling to her.
The highlight of the museum was...
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The morning air was cool, but my body felt unnaturally warm.
Something was wrong.
My senses slowly awakened, and the first thing I noticed was the weight pressing against me. Strong, heavy, unmoving.
I opened my eyes, blinking away the sleep.
And then I saw him.
Viraaj.
He was lying on top of me, his face buried in the crook of my neck, his arms locked around my waist in an unyielding grip. His body was tense, rigid—like he was holding onto me for dear life.
What is he doing here?!
I stilled, trying to process the situation, but then my eyes darted lower.
My breath hitched.
Blood.
There was blood.
It stained his clothes, smeared across his skin. Dark red streaks covered his arms, his chest, even the sheets beneath us. My heart pounded in terror.
"Viraaj!" I gasped, shaking him. "Viraaj, wake up!"
He groaned, shifting slightly but still not letting go. His grip around my waist only tightened.
I panicked.
"Viraaj, you’re hurt! Let go, you need—"
"Shivi..."
His voice was hoarse, thick with exhaustion, but he finally opened his eyes.
I sucked in a breath.
They were red.
Not the sharp, molten gold I had come to adore. His eyes were bloodshot, hollow, exhausted—like he had spent the entire night crying.
My heart clenched painfully.
He reached up, cupping my cheek with a trembling hand. "I brought you the painting."
My body went still.
"What?"
"It’s completed," he rasped. "I—" His voice broke, and he closed his eyes for a brief second before forcing himself to speak. "I brought it… for you."
A deep ache filled my chest.
Why was he like this?
Why did he always push himself to the limit for me?
I swallowed hard. "You’re bleeding."
He didn’t respond.
He just smiled.
That stupid, painful smile that made my heart ache even more.
I forced myself to stay calm. "Come with me," I whispered.
