Messing

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CHAPTER ONE

MESSING

♡

A sweet angelic voice resonated in the quiet hallway, "Mom, I'm leaving," she declared with an urgency.

She hurriedly slipped on her shoes, which seemed to be giving her a hard time today. She couldn't bear to stay there for more than a few seconds; she was already late for college, and the person who settled on her nerves is scaring her.

For the last few minutes, she had been wishing that the troubling thoughts swirling in her head would remain just that-thoughts.

At last, her shoes were on, and with a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and car keys, racing towards the door. Her heart pounded in her ears as her fingers tightened around the handle, ready to escape...

Then, she heard it.

Her mother's voice, sharp yet sweet, a sound she cherished but found unbearable in that moment.

Ignoring the call, she unlocked the door, but a warning from her mother halted her in her tracks. "You! Stop right there, or I cannot promise what I might do to you, my dear daughter." She froze, her throat tightening.

She was just a heartbeat away from freedom.

Shutting her eyes, she shook off the anxiety that gripped her, turning to her mother, and said with an overly sweet tone, "Mom, you know I'm already late, and I can't afford to waste any more time. Please, understand my situation as your daughter." She pleaded, attempting to soften her mother's resolve with innocent eyes.

Her mother met her gaze, but her expression remained unchanged. "Please, Mom, I'm begging-" but her mother interrupted, her tone firm, "No, you need to eat first, then you can go wherever you want."

Aayesha echoed her mother's tone, "I can't!" and turned to leave, her heart racing with fear.

Thoughts raced through her mind, "Why isn't she saying or doing anything? Stop it, Aayesha. This isn't the time to dwell on that. You're already late, and if she acts, then you are gone." A shiver coursed through her as she gulped.

Just as she was about to push the door open, a hand suddenly gripped her bag and began to pull her back and drag Aayesha with her.

She thought, 'No...no. She can't do this.'

"Please, Mom, just let me go. I'm already late, and Rhea would kill me if I was late one more second," she pleaded, but her words seemed to have no impact on other women.

All of this was happening because of Rhea. She began to blame her friend, thinking that if Rhea had come to pick her up, she wouldn't have overslept, and this whole situation could never been happened.

However, the reality is that Rhea has already mentioned she can't wake her up anymore herself. Each morning, her brother drops her off at Aayesha's house before they head to college together. But now, her brother's job has transferred him to a different branch, and his route for his office passes through her sister's college, so now he'll directly drops her off there instead. This change means Rhea can no longer come to her house to wake her up.

It's a new routine for Aayesha, and it's not that she hasn't tried to wake her; she has set more than thirteen alarms, but somehow, she doesn't hear any of them.

Ah, the useless technology.

She zoned out, hearing her mother's voice, "I can't, my dear daughter." She fought against being pulled along, but her mother's strength was overwhelming.

She doesn't understand where her mother finds all that energy in the morning. How does she do it? They eat the same meals, yet her mother seems to have so much more vitality. It's not just a one-off; it happens every single day.

Oh shit, did she just exposed herself? It's not a regular occurrence, just happens occasionally.

She closed her eyes, frustrated by her mother's poor timing with her comments. "It's your daily drama." Well, not everyone is perfect, and she certainly wasn't exempt from that.

After countless failed attempts to resist, she finally surrendered and allowed her mother to lead her. She realized she needed to start going to the gym; she couldn't let her mother drag her around so effortlessly every day. She had a reputation to protect.

And finally...

They reached their destination.

Ah, the dinner table.

One day, she would undoubtedly shatter this table with her delicate, bare hand. She allowed herself the comfort of eating while sitting on the floor, but this table, with its frustrating presence, is simply unacceptable.

The other woman settled her into a chair, and before she could utter a word, she stuffed her mouth with 'aaloo ke parathe' and declared, "Now you may leave."

She gulped the mouthing; a frown crossed her face, her mouth still agape, she exclaimed in disbelief, "Just one bite, mumma?" After a brief pause, she added, "You went through all this trouble for just one bite? Please give me two parathas with curd atleast." The other woman smiled and served her a plate as requested, placing it right in front of her.

Seeing her mother's smile, her anger melted away, and all her worries seemed to vanish. She realized that her mother's smile had the power to erase every problem she faced.

And that was her vulnerability!

She thought to herself, "Oh God, how her smile makes me weak every single time."

After finishing her meal, she embraced her mother tightly, planting a kiss on her cheek before departing. She stepped outside, unlocked her car, and slid into the driver's seat. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel, and as the engine roared to life, she drove away, leaving the moment behind.

♡༻༺❁༻༺♡

As time passed, she found herself parked outside her university, stepping out of her car with a sense of purpose. With a gentle click, she secured the door behind her and turned, making her way toward the entrance.

Upon entering, the first thing that captured her attention was...

Her heart,

Her joy,

Her everything.

Her BESTIE!

She knew that even if she hadn't arrived today, her friend would have waited, forgoing every class in her absence. With a joyful shout of "RHEA," she rushed toward her, enveloping her in an embrace that felt as if her world depended on it.

In her life, there were only two individuals with whom she felt comfortable with touching and closeness.

But Rhea playfully pushed her away, saying, "Well, Miss Aayesha, congratulations! You've officially broken your old record for being late today."

With a grin, Aayesha replied, "It's my pleasure, Miss!" embracing the teasing.

Rhea continued in the same teasing tone, "So, what brings you here now, hmm?"

Aayesha opened her mouth to offer an apology, but Rhea interrupted, her voice tinged with mock sorrow, "You know, because of you, I missed my lecture today." She pretended to wipe away invisible tears and added, "I asked you yesterday to please arrive on time; I practically begged you."

Rhea had genuinely begged her for forty-five minutes.

She took a deep breath, trying to explain why she was late. And here is nothing. She just overslept, and if she said her that then, no. Her heart raced, and she quickly dismissed it.

Rhea shot her a playful glare and said, "But look at you." Students around them watched with interest, cause they were the second most popular duo in university.

With a forced laugh, she remarked, "You can't make it." Suddenly, her tone changed, startling her, Rhea barked at her. "It's just one day, and you can't even show up for your best friend? I pity myself for having a friend like you and the rest of the days I'm going to suffer."

Aayesh looked at her in shock, her mouth open and eyes widen in disbelief.How could she say such things directly to her? It was one thing to have those thoughts in her mind, but to express them so openly felt like a deeper betrayal. Aayesha know that she unintentionally going make her suffer, especially since her need for sleep was more crucial than anything else.

Rhea took a moment to catch her breath after her outburst.

She thought she was done, but other women continued, "Just because I didn't able to come over your house anymore, you're going to treat me like this? Seriously?" Aayesh rolled my eyes at her theatrics; it was becoming a bit much.

Aayesha, clearly annoyed, asked, "Are you finished?"

Rhea quickly replied, "Yes."

The other women glanced around, avoiding eye contact with her. She said, "So, shall we head to the lecture now?"

Rhea shot her gaze at her, laughing, and said, "Which lecture are you referring to, madam? Have you checked the time?"

She shifted her gaze to her phone screen and realized it was 9:45, meaning the lecture had ended 15 minutes ago. I squeezed my eyes shut and muttered, "Oh shit," but the other woman caught it and said, "Let's just forget it."

She smiled and replied, "You're right. Since the next class isn't for a while, how about we head to the canteen?" Other woman hummed in agreement and they walked off toward the canteen.

♡༻༺❁༻༺♡

They entered the canteen with Abhinav, whom they had encountered on their way there. He was the only male friend among them. While they chatted with other boys, none of them shared the same closeness as they did with him.

There are two reasons for this:

1. He is genuinely nice to all of them, and

2. He happens to be Aayesha's crush.

However, this is not the kind of crush that one dreams of spending a lifetime with; rather, he is simply someone she admires. She enjoys talking to him, sharing meals, playing, studying, and chatting with him. She has never considered him in any other light, not even in her dreams.

As the two girls were deep in conversation, Abhinav arrived with their food, placing them on the table and inquiring with a hint of curiosity, "What are you discussing, ladies?" A smile danced on his lips.

Rhea casually took a sip of her drink and bit into her sandwich, responding, "What do you think we'd talk about when you're around?" He chuckled and settled into the seat opposite them, while Aayesha shot Rhea a wide-eyed, warning glance.

Abhinav had been Aayesha's crush for three years, and indeed, they often spoke of him whenever he was nearby. Only Rhea was aware of this secret, and she delighted in teasing her friend playfully.

Best friend code.

He asked, "Oh, really?" with his eyebrows raised, and other woman nodded without a hint of embarrassment. He pressed on, "what exactly are you saying about me?" His tone was a mix of seriousness and curiosity. Deep down, he suspected she wouldn't share much, as she had repeated similar lines before, often just to irritate him.

Rhea responded, "The girl you're going to end up with in the future is going to be so..." She paused, and he leaned in, his eyes silently urging her to continue, air tensed between them.

Other woman finished with a playful smirk, "so unlucky." The light in his eyes dimmed, excitement replaced by disappointment, prompting Rhea to laugh, while Aayesha shared a knowing smile.

He turned his gaze to Aayesha, narrowing his eyes. "Why are you smiling? Do you think the same?" He flicked his attention between her and the other woman.

Aayesha's smile quickly vanished; she shook her head vigorously. "No, why would I think that? I know you're going to be the dream man for your girl," she said, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Abhinav sighed, a smile breaking through, while Rhea rolled her eyes at her friend's sentiment. She felt a wave of nausea at the contradiction, thinking, "On one hand, she sees him as a mere crush, yet her words are utterly ridiculous."

With confidence, he declared, "I think exactly the same ."

Rhea shot back, "You speak as if you've already found her and know her thoughts."

Abhinav thought before replied, "Actually, I think I've found my girl." Both women turned to him in unison.

In unison, they asked, "Did you find someone? Who is she?" Curious glances from those around them turned toward the trio.

He was taken aback by their unexpected behavior, raising his hand in a gesture of disbelief as he exclaimed, "Easy there, ladies! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

The two girls exchanged glances before settling back into their seats. Aayesha cleared her throat, her voice heavy as she inquired, "Who is she? Is she a student at our university?" Rhea regarded her with sorrowful eyes.

Abhinav nodded, confirming, "Yes, she's studying at our university too, and you both know her. She was in the same course as you."

The ladies surprise was palpable, and in unison, they demanded, "We know her? Who is she? We want her name!" Their gazes pierced through him with intensity.

He felt a wave of fear wash over him. ""Please, stop! You're frightening me. What's going on with you two? Why this reaction? Do you both have some secret feelings for me?" His gaze stop on Rhea.

Aayesha's breath caught in her throat as she gripped her dress beneath the table, trying to steady her emotions. She remained silent.

But upon hearing his words and seeing his expression, Rhea made a face of disgust and declared, "Chiii... the thought of liking you is the last thing I would ever consider, even in death." Aayesha merely stared at Abhinav, her heart heavy while attempting to process his statements.

He shot back, "And I wouldn't expect anything less. If I had known this, I would have killed you out first, then myself."

Rhea's eyes blazed with anger. "How dare you think I would ever like you! If you ever say that again, just know that if you want to end it all, go ahead. You end, and the problem ends."

Abhinav responded in the same tone, "Because I knew you had feelings for me, and even after I'm gone, the thought of it makes my soul feel revolting. That's why I would end your life first, so my spirit could find some peace." His words left her speechless, and anger simmered within her.

Fuming, she shouted, "You-" ready to confront him, but Aayesha's commanding voice interrupted, "Both of you, shut the fvcking your mouths! And Rhea, remain silent until I finish-"

Abhinav chuckled, drawing the girls toward him. Rhea shot him a glare filled with venom, while Aayesha warned, "You dare laugh at my friend-" Rhea smirked and she added, "-and tell me the name of the girl, right now," slamming her hand on the table.

Taking a deep breath, she looked at him intently. He hesitated, stammering, "Aayesha--"

They turned to him in disbelief, exclaiming, "What?" Rhea echoed the sentiment under her breath.

He cleared his throat, "I mean, Aayesha, please calm down; you're scaring me." She complied but kept her gaze fixed on him, silently demanding, 'Now spill it.' He sighed, "Nitya Mehra, the new girl who joined us a month and a half ago."

Aayesha felt a pang in her heart, staring at him blankly, her emotions hidden even from Rhea. She clenched aayesha fists under the table, unsure of how to respond, feeling the ache within her. Aayesha glanced at Rhea with moist eyes and a sad smile, silently assuring her, "I'm okay, don't worry," as Rhea squeezed her hand in support.

Their attention returned to him, who continued with an amused grin, painting a picture of Nitya, "She captivated me at first glance, and I began to notice her more. I started searching for her around the university, and one day, I stumbled upon her with you two. Seeing you both with her made me realize she must be a good person, as you never associate with any bitch for that long." He paused, leaving the air thick with tension.

Aayesha's hand tightened on her thigh, while Rhea's grip on her hand grew firmer. Summoning her courage, she asked, "And then...?"

He met her gaze, his eyes carry a depth of emotion, before he spoke, "Two weeks ago, I discovered that she also resides in the university hostel like me. One day, I approached her, and we began to converse regularly. She expressed her interest in me. Now, I believe SHE IS THE ONE."

Aayesha's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she blinked them away and replied, "We know her; she truly is a lovely girl. I'm happy for you-finally, you've found someone special. I'm certain she feels the same about you because you're genuinely a remarkable and attractive guy." Rhea glanced at her, then at Abhinav with rage.

He chuckled at her compliment, accepting it. "Thank you. I plan to propose to her once our this year initial semester ends" he declared, just as his phone rang, prompting him to step aside to take the call.

Aayesha sighed and looked down, a tear slipping down onto Rhea's hand. Concerned, Rhea turned to her and said, "Oh no, please don't cry, Aayesha. You said you didn't feel that strongly for him. So why-"

Aayesha nodded, "Yes, I don't feel or think of him as more than a crush, but I can't explain why I'm feeling this way. I never imagined him as my boyfriend or life partner, yet it still hurts. I can't find the words to describe it."

Rhea responded with understanding, "And you don't need to. I can understand you without those words." She hugged Aayesha, but Aayesha didn't return the embrace. Rhea gently stroked her back to comfort her.

Suddenly, Aayesha broke the hug and stood up, leaving Rhea confused. She gathered her things and started to walk away, but Rhea grasped her hand and asked, "Where are you going?"

She responded briefly, "Home."

The other woman offered, "Let me give you a ride."

But Aayesha firmly rejected, her voice cutting through the air, "No," and walked away from them.

Rhea's anger reached its peak as she declared, "Because of him, my friend is hurt and crying. I won't abandon him." Just then, the sound of a notification from her phone caught her attention. She unlocked it to find a message from Aayesha.

Aayesha: - Don't do anything with him.

With a heavy heart, she murmured, "How can she still defend him?" Her gaze shifted to Abhinav, who inquired about Aayesha, "Where is Aayesha?"

A rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins, but she maintained her composure for her friend's sake, responding firmly, "She has works and cannot waste her time on pointless things," her piercing gaze fixed on him.

"What?" He looked puzzled.

Gathering her belongings, she stated, "Nothing, I'm running late for my class," and exited, leaving him in a state of confusion.

♡༻༺❁༻༺♡

In a random hospital room,

Aayesh slowly opened her eyes, her gaze landing on the white ceiling above. Blinking a few times to clear her vision, she took in her surroundings and realized she was in a hospital, lying on its bed.

The room was far more luxurious than a typical ward; everything was impeccably clean and organized, and then it hit her-this was a VIP ward. It was not just luxurious; it was excessively so.

With a sudden jolt, she sat up in bed. How had she arrived here? What had happened to her? Who had brought her to this place? When had it all happened? So many questions flooded her mind.

She closed her eyes, attempting to piece together the events that led her to this moment and the identity of the person responsible for her presence here. When she opened her eyes again, shock washed over her, her expression wide with disbelief as she covered her mouth in astonishment. "Today, I was on the edge of death, but he saved me," she whispered, pausing to reflect, "but who is he? I never even glimpsed his face."

After leaving the university, she had chosen not to take her car; her mind was too clouded to drive, so she had left it behind and started walking.

Lost in thoughts about abhinav, she had wandered onto the main road, unaware until a passerby collided with her, jolting her from her thoughts.

She quickly apologized to the stranger and looked around, confused. She found herself standing in the middle of the road, panic rising as she realized she was alone, questioning how she had ended up there.

As she tried to move, the traffic light shifted from red to green, vehicles began to surge past her, intensifying her anxiety. Tears welled in her eyes, and her body trembled with fear.

She was desperately trying to escape the chaos around her, moving back and forth in desperate attempt to find a way out. The constant stream of cars made it impossible for her to break free from her spot. She scanned her surroundings for an escape route, but her panicked mind clouded her judgment, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

As the weight of anxiety settled in, she bent over, resting her hands on her knees, struggling to catch her breath. The air was thick with dust from the vehicles, making it even harder to breathe. She rubbed her chest. Her eyes began to be heavy.

Her heart raced when she heard a car horn blaring. She turned her head just in time to see a vehicle speeding toward her. Her eyes widened in terror. A rush of adrenaline coursed through her veins. It felt as if her heart might stop at any moment seeing the scene.

In a whisper, she murmured, "I don't want to die. Not before I see my mother one last time." Yet, she felt utterly powerless as the vehicle drew closer. Overwhelmed by fear, she shut her eyes tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Suddenly, a firm hand grasped her arm, pulling her away from danger. She collided with something solid yet warm, a source of comfort she desperately needed. Burying her tear-streaked face into it, she clung tightly, sobbing uncontrollably, not daring to open her eyes.

A deep, cold voice broke through her panic, "You're safe. Nothing has happened to you. So stop crying like a fool." Gradually, she began to regain her senses, realizing that she was unharmed. But when she noticed she was clinging to a stranger, a shiver ran through her, and she instinctively pulled away, looking down in embarrassment.

However, the stranger quickly tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her back toward him with a commanding tone, "Are you mad? Can't you see or hear what's happening around you?" His voice, laced with concern and frustration, rose above the chaos.

She felt a shiver run through her body, unable to understand his words until the blaring of car horns snapped her back to reality. Surrounded by her belongings, she realized she was still standing in the middle of the road. Thankfully, she wasn't alone; a stranger stood nearby, who saved her, offering her a sense of comfort.

He tilted his head, captivated by her innocent eyes and delicate features. As their faces drew closer, she glanced around, her head turning both sides as her wet lashes fluttered like fragile wings. He was enchanted by her beauty and the warmth of her brown eyes.

As her vision began to blur, and confusion washed over her. Gradually, she gently pulled his hand away from her waist, unable to endure the intensity of his warmth any longer. She tilted her head upward to meet his gaze, but black spots clouded her sight, and before she could react, she fainted. He caught her limp form in his strong arms, brushing her hair away from her face as he attempted to rouse her with gentle taps, but her eyes remained closed.

Thoughts of him flooded her mind. Who was this man? Who had saved her? Had he brought her here? Was he a man of weath? What did his face look like? She shook her head, thought, "Why was I'm so preoccupied with thoughts of him? Cause he had saved my life, and I'm felt a deep gratitude, even though I hadn't truly seen him."

She heart knows it's all are just excuse.

Rising from the bed, she slipped on her shoes just as a nurse entered the room. "I'm feeling better," she declared. "I wish to discharge myself. Where do I settle the bill?"

The nurse approached her with a reassuring smile. "Your medicine, ma'am, and the gentleman has already taken care of the bill."

Curiosity raised, she inquired, "Do you know him? Is he waiting outside?" She longed to express her gratitude to the man who had saved her.

The nurse shook her head gently, replying, "No, ma'am. I don't know him, and he left after you were admitted."

As the nurse exited, she hummed softly, lost in thought. After a moment, she sighed, gathered her belongings, and stood up to leave.

While she opening the door, she unlocked her phone and noticed a flurry of missed calls and messages from her mom and Rhea. Glancing at the time, her eyes widened in shock. "Oh no! It's 10:15! How long have I been unconscious? I need to get home fast. Shit! She's definitely not going to kill me today."

Had she really been unconscious for six hours, or had they given her something?

As she stepped out, she collided with someone, exclaiming, "Oh my goodness, why wasn't anything good happening with me today?"

The individual called out her name, "Miss Aayesha," and she turned to see a doctor standing before her.

She inquired with curiosity, "How do you know my name?"

How did she know her name?

The doctor gestured towards something, and she noticed her ID card. "I saw your name there," the doctor explained.

Understanding, she nodded and asked, "Okay, but why did you call me?" Her expression shifted slightly as the doctor replied, "I need to discuss something regarding your health."

A frown crossed her face. What could be wrong with her health? Was her phobia getting worse?

With confusion, she asked, "About my health?" The doctor nodded, prompting her to inquire further, "What is it that you wish to discuss?"

The doctor began to speak, her phone rang. Glancing at the screen, she saw her mom's name and felt a wave of terror wash over her. She knew she had to get home right away.

Turning to the doctor, she offered a sincere apology, "I'm sorry, doctor, but I must leave."

The doctor pressed on, "But this is important..."

Once more, she expressed her regret, "I truly apologize, doctor. I promise to return tomorrow, but I cannot stay to talk right now," and she began to walk away.

But, she froze in her tracks as the doctor's words pierced through her, "You have cancer."

Her mind raced with disbelief. "This can't be true. How could this be real? Maybe I misheard. Yes, I must have misheard." She thought.

Turning back, she asked with a hopeful smile, "Could you please repeat what you just said? I think I might have misunderstood,"

The doctor reiterated, "You have cancer, Ms. Aayesha." A chill ran down her spine.

In shock, she stammered, "What? How? I mean-"

The doctor, maintaining a calm demeanor, reassured her, "Please, don't panic. It is treatable. It's only in the first stage, so there is hope. However, I need to discuss some important matters with you. Can we?"

She nodded, following the doctor to her office. There, the doctor inquired about her medical history and explained her current health status in detail.

After a thorough discussion, she left the doctor's office and the hospital, carrying the weight of her diagnosis.

♡༻༺❁༻༺♡

It was one o'clock in the morning.

She sat alone on a bench in the dark, empty park near her home. She had texted her mom, saying she was with Rhea and would return home late, yet her mother had called her nine times over the past three hours, with no response from her.

After leaving the hospital, she had come straight to this park. It had been empty then, but not as dark as it was now. A cold breeze swept through the area, and the tall trees cast long shadows across the ground. In the center of the park, a pond reflected the faint light of the hidden moon.

Her eyes burning because of continues crying, now there is no trash of tears left on them; they are dried up. She gazed upward, captivated by the moon, which peeked shyly through the veil of clouds, emerging only occasionally. The stars were absent tonight, hidden away by the thick blanket of gray.

She whispered softly, "The moon is lonely tonight," allowing herself a moment to appreciate its presence before her thoughts spiraled back into the depths of her sorrow.

Now, she stared at the moon, no longer admiring but lost in the weight of today's events. So much had unfolded in a single day.

1.] The shocking revelation that her crush had his crush to, she reciprocate the same feeling; he intended to propose to her in a few weeks.

2.] A stranger had saved her life when she almost lost it, yet she hadn't even seen him and express her gratitude.

3.] The most devastating blow: the recent diagnosis of cancer, a truth she had only just uncovered.

4.] And now, she was left wondering if her night of tragedy had come to an end or if there was more to come.

In a mere span of a day, her world was turned completely upside down. While she may have predicted something regarding her crush, the rest of the events felt utterly unbelievable and unimaginable. Her existence took a sharp turn from joy to sorrow, as if she were plummeting into a void where everything seemed to go awry. She felt helpless, questioning why she always had to make sacrifices. Why did it have to be this way?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the glow of her phone, lighting up the dark night. It was her mom calling again. How could she share the truth about her health? She lacked the courage to do so, and she doubted she would ever find it. Her mother had already endured so much; she couldn't bear to see her lose her smile.

Taking a few deep breaths, she reached for her phone to answer the call, but her focus shifted a shadow that suddenly appeared before her, making the surroundings feel even darker and chilling the air. Fear gripped her as her heart raced and her arms trembled.

She couldn't see his face, nor could she gauge his height as he bent down, resting his hands on his knees, inhaling deeply. It felt as if he was stealing her breath away, leaving her lungs feeling empty. She was captivated by him, unable to blink or look away.

Dressed in a black shirt, trousers, and a loosely tied tie which loose to take breaths, he seemed to embody darkness itself. His presence was more darker than his attire, as if the color black was crafted to serve him.

His messy hair fell over his forehead, and with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, she could see his veins hands. She was so mesmerized by him that she momentarily forgot she was alone in the dark, empty park.

As her phone stop to ring, the last flicker of light vanished, leaving her enveloped in his consuming darkness.

She stood frozen in place, her gaze locked onto him without a hint of movement.

As his breath steadied, his cold and seductive voice reverberated through the stillness, "I know I'm handsome and perfect, but..."

He straightened his posture, his eyes searching for her face, trying to catch a glimpse of her, but its obscured by the shadows of the night. His piercing, icy gaze locked onto hers. She was dressed in a blue top and black trouser jeans, she felt a shiver course through her at the mere connection of their eyes; it was a mix of fear and danger that her mind recognized, yet her body betrayed her, refusing to move.

He began to twirl the ring on his index finger with his other hand. Noticing her unwavering stare, he remarked with a smirk, "Staring at me isn't good for you, darling," his voice rich and deep.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, turning them a deep crimson as she felt her body ignite with warmth. Quickly, she averted her eyes and swallowed hard, trying to soothe her dry throat, the resonance of his chilling voice still echoing in her ears, especially the way he had addressed her.

Darling!

He was the first man to ever use that term with her. No, not just the first man-he was the very first person in her life to call her that.

She took a moment to regain her composure, feeling both astonished and angered by his words. Meeting his gaze once more, she reminded herself that she wasn't weak, that she wouldn't be intimidated by a stranger, she would do the same thing with him as she had with others in her past.

but there is a different between him and them, he wasn't trying to came close her and doing anything wrong which harm her, just staring at her with a safe distances. He was managing to send shiver down her spine by his dark eyes only.

She still couldn't make out his facial features due to the black mask he wore. Gathering her courage, she shot him a sharp look and demanded, "Who are you? How dare you address me in such a manner?" Her lips quivered, but her anger fueled her resolve.

He growled in response, "How dare you speak to-" but his words faltered as her phone lit up again, the ringing sound echoing in the stillness around them. Her face glow in that light.

Raising an eyebrow and tilting his head, he appeared taken aback, a smirk playing beneath his mask. She silenced her phone, maintaining their intense gaze. With the same fiery, she retorted, "Who are you to dictate how I need to speak?" She grasped the meaning behind his unfinished sentence.

Amusement danced in his eyes as he observe her, and in a deep, resonant voice, he asked, "Do you wish to know me right?" He shook his head as he spoke.

He began to advance toward her, his voice chilling and laced with temptation, "I'm someone you shouldn't have encountered tonight, yet here we are, darling." He emphasized the word "darling," sent a shiver down her spine. Though his face was covered, she could sense the smile beneath the mask.

Again the same word, and it's bubble her anger, but she is in a fvcking situation everywhere she need to control her. It was midnight, and she was alone in this eerie park since he had arrived. If anything were to happen to her, no one would know. Looking at him, she recognized the danger; he was not a good person-definitely someone capable of murder, who would dispose of her without a trace.

She had to keep her mind in sense.

Her heart raced, palms slick with sweat as he drew nearer. Now she could see his eyes-what she initially thought were dark, were in fact a deep, forest green, both beautiful and terrifying. Her legs trembled as she instinctively took a step back, and without a moment's hesitation, she turned to flee.

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CHAPTER ONE

MESSING

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