Aryaman went all the way to the school, but Nakshatra was nowhere in sight.Rubbing his hands together, he muttered —"Where the hell do I look now? She could've at least told me… stupid… idiot…"
He turned to leave."To hell with it. She came by herself, she'll come back herself…"Saying that, he hopped on his bicycle and rode quickly through the streets of Kullu.
He was hungry, the sun had set, and night had fallen.The tourist markets had started buzzing.He stopped at a local noodle shop.
"Bhaiya, one tea and one plate noodles,"he ordered and sat at an empty table, scrolling through his phone.
Behind him sat a group of girls, chatting.
"Wow, these noodles are so good,"one said.
"Yes, right!" another chimed in.
"Guys, look! I got a new sweater!"a girl squealed, showing it off.
"My dad got it specially from Paris — new collection!"
Another girl suddenly exclaimed —"Wait… I saw the exact same sweater with Nakshatra!"
"What the hell?! That beggar girl wearing something branded?"Someone laughed."Must be a cheap knock-off, worth 200 bucks at most…"
"No, seriously! It was the same one! I saw it myself…"
"Wait, guys… Nakshatra…"
"What about her?"
"We locked her in the washroom… and we never went back to open it!"
"Oh my god!"One of them jumped up."That means she's still…?"
Aryaman's hand froze on his phone screen.He wanted to shake them and scream — "Where is she?!"But fear of being questioned held him back. His fists clenched.
"What do we do now? Should we go back to school?"
"Are you mad? I'm not going!"
"Me neither…"
"Let her stay there tonight… she never complains anyway…"
"Hmm… right…"
Aryaman gripped his phone tighter.Without saying a word, he stormed out.
"Bhaiya, your noodles!"the vendor called behind him.But Aryaman didn't stop.
His bicycle cut through the cold wind, racing toward the school in the dark.
The school gate was locked.
Aryaman looked around, then without thinking, climbed over the boundary wall.
He sprinted straight to the girls' washroom, knocking on every door —"Nakshatra…? Are you in there? Nakshatra…?"
No response.But then — he heard faint, shaky breaths from behind one door.He ran back to it and called again —"Nakshatra!"
There was a soft knock from inside.Aryaman immediately turned the latch — it was locked from the outside.With one yank, the door swung open.
Inside, Nakshatra was soaked in water, shivering from cold.
Seeing her like that, Aryaman's voice sharpened —"Stupid! If you were trapped, why didn't you call someone for help?! Do you know what I hate the most? People who can fight but still depend on others. Who silently suffer.I hate you, Nakshatra."
Nakshatra didn't look at him.She began walking unsteadily out of the washroom.
Aryaman clenched his fists.
But instead of leaving, Nakshatra turned toward the classroom and sat down on a bench.
"Hey, stupid! Where are you going? Stop with the drama, let's go home!"Aryaman shouted behind her."Just wait till I tell Dadu — you'll get a good scolding today!"
Nakshatra said nothing.She picked up her bag and walked out.
Her wet clothes were ice-cold. Her body was trembling, and her legs barely held her up.
Aryaman was growing more irritated.
He snatched her bag and grabbed her wrist, dragging her outside forcefully.
She was already exhausted, and her slow steps annoyed him further.
Now he was nearly pulling her.
Outside, Aryaman was walking briskly, holding Nakshatra's bag in one hand and dragging her with the other.
The cold wind was sharp against their skin.Silence enveloped them.
The moon was slowly emerging from behind the clouds, its light spilling across the ground.
In that silver light, Aryaman felt Nakshatra's hand begin to stiffen.
Her grip was loosening.Strange, gasping sounds escaped her lips.
He turned — and froze.
Nakshatra's eyes were burning red, like glowing embers.Her limbs were rigid, and her body trembled violently.
"Nakshatra!" he cried out.
Dropping her bag, he held her with both hands."What's happening?! Hey! Don't joke like this!"
He was panicking."Is it the cold?" he mumbled, quickly removing his jacket and wrapping it around her.
But just then — moonlight fell fully on her face.
Nakshatra screamed — like the light was burning her alive.
"Damn it!" Aryaman stood still, shocked.His mind went numb — What the hell is happening? Is it just the cold? Or… something else?
The moon again slipped behind the clouds.Slowly, Nakshatra's breathing eased.The redness in her eyes faded. Her body relaxed.
"Nakshatra…"Aryaman gently held her face, peering into her eyes.
But she didn't look at him.She pushed his hands away, stood up, picked up her bag, and began walking.
Aryaman was stunned."What the hell just happened…? She was nearly unconscious… now she's fine?"
But Nakshatra's eyes remained fixed on the sky — on the moon.She knew as soon as it came out again, she'd be in pain.She had to escape its light. At any cost.
"Hey, stupid! Snap out of it! What is going on?!" Aryaman shouted and ran after her.
But by then, Nakshatra had already scaled the boundary wall and left the school.
It was evening. Several taxis were parked outside.
Nakshatra rushed to one, said something quickly to the driver, and got in.
Aryaman grabbed his cycle and sped toward the taxi —But it took off before he could reach.
He stood there, gripping the handlebars, muttering under his breath —
"Come home… I'll deal with you then… stupid…"
Angrily, Aryaman turned his bicycle and headed home.
As soon as Nakshatra reached home, she ran to her room.
She locked the door, shut the windows, drew the heavy curtains —
as if hiding herself from someone's gaze.
Then, slowly, she removed her clothes.Red marks like rose petals bloomed on her hands and neck — not burns, but signs of something boiling deep within.
She had already filled the bathtub with cold water.
She slipped into it,then lowered her face beneath the surface.
And slowly… her entire body.As if she was trying to end herself,or perhaps… conceal her true form.
Back at the cottage, Aryaman burst in yelling —"Nakshatra!"
Govardhan came out and asked —"What happened, bābā?"
"Where is that stupid girl?" Aryaman was still fuming.
"She's in her room…"
Aryaman stormed toward her room.
Govardhan tried to stop him —"Bābā… not now—"
But Aryaman wouldn't listen.
He pounded on the door —"Hey Nakshatra! Open the door!""What drama are you pulling now?!"
When no response came even after several knocks,he stepped back, quietly muttered —
"How long will you hide…"
"You'll have to come out eventually…"
His eyes were cold with frustration."I'll deal with you…"he said, and walked away.