Kabir didn't sleep that night.
The whisper on the phone kept echoing in his ears.
"Stay… away… from… her…"
It didn't sound human.
It sounded… cold.
Empty.
Like something that didn't belong to this world.
He sat on his bed, staring at his phone again and again.
Unknown number.
No history.
No trace.
"Was it a prank?" he tried to convince himself.
But his heart didn't agree.
Because everything was connecting now—
Aarya's warning.
The sudden accident.
And now… this call.
"This isn't normal…" he whispered.
The next morning, Kabir looked tired.
Dark circles under his eyes.
Slow steps.
Heavy thoughts.
As he entered the classroom, the usual noise filled the air.
But today…
Something felt different.
People were whispering more than usual.
"Did you hear? Kabir almost got hit yesterday…"
"Seriously? Damn…"
"Bad luck, I guess…"
Kabir ignored them and walked to his seat.
But before he could sit—
"You're still alive."
That voice.
He froze.
Slowly turning his head…
He saw Aarya standing near his desk.
Her expression calm.
But her eyes…
They were searching him.
Almost… checking him.
Kabir looked at her, confused.
"You… knew?"
For a second, Aarya didn't reply.
Then she looked away slightly.
"I told you to stay away."
Her voice was low.
Not angry.
Not rude.
Just… serious.
Kabir stood up.
"Was that… because of you?"
Aarya's eyes snapped back to him.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"Don't say things you don't understand."
"But everything is happening after I—"
"Stop."
Her voice cut him off instantly.
Silence filled the space between them.
Then she leaned slightly closer.
"This is your last warning, Kabir."
Hearing his name from her lips felt strange.
Heavy.
"If you don't stay away from me…"
She paused.
For a moment…
Her expression cracked.
Just a little.
"…you'll regret it."
Kabir's heart tightened.
Because this time…
It didn't feel like she was threatening him.
It felt like…
She was scared.
Before he could respond, Aarya stepped back.
Her face returned to its usual cold mask.
And she walked away.
Leaving Kabir standing there.
Confused.
Shaken.
And even more drawn toward her.
"Why… does it feel like she's trying to protect me?" he thought.