Author's Note
Birthdays are a beautiful mix of joy and vulnerability. In this chapter, Ryu's special day is filled with gifts, laughter, and friendship — yet small moments hint that not everything is as simple as it seems. Sometimes, the brightest lights hide the deepest shadows.
Thank you for celebrating alongside Ryu. Let's see where her journey takes us next.
— With love,
[AD RATURI]
Blurb
The night sparkles with fairy lights, teasing laughter, and thoughtful gifts — but Rey's strange behavior catches Ryu's attention. As the celebration turns to quiet midnight talks, Rey's world is revealed to be far darker than she knows. And in her dreams, a shadowed figure calls from the forest...
Ryu's POV
The moment she stepped into Maya's living room, the noise hit her — warm, cheerful, alive.
"All of Section C's here!" Maya shouted over the music.
Her eyes darted around — Maya, Rey, Kabir, Avyan, Aakash, Ravi, even Arjun. All smiling, all waiting.
"Happy Birthday, Ryu!" they called in unison.
Kabir and Avyan stepped forward first, grinning like mischievous brothers.
"We made something for you," Kabir said, handing her a packet. Inside was a ridiculous collage of her most awkward photos, arranged like a comedy poster.
Ryu frowned. "This is not funny."
Avyan chuckled. "Then you'll hate this." He pulled out a soft cream teddy bear.
Her glare melted. "Okay... maybe you're forgiven."
Ravi handed her a neatly wrapped box — a delicate silver bracelet inside.
Maya gave her a scrapbook filled with photos and notes, each page a burst of color and memory.
Then Rey stepped forward, holding a tiny box. Inside were two delicate rings — pale gold, set with tiny stones that matched her dress perfectly.
"They suit you," he said simply.
Her smile softened. "Thank you."
Maya's POV
She couldn't help grinning. Ryu looked happier than she'd been in weeks. And Rey — she noticed the way his eyes followed Ryu, even when he tried not to.
Rey's POV
The rings had been chosen weeks ago. He wanted them to be perfect.
But then his phone buzzed — the name flashing on the screen made his jaw tighten. He stepped outside to answer.
"Yes?" His tone was cold. "Handle it quietly."
When he returned, Ryu was laughing with Kabir and Avyan, posing for selfies. The sight left a strange ache in his chest.
Ryu's POV
The cake was soft, sweet, melting on her tongue. The music was loud, the dance floor alive with movement. She spun once with Maya, twice with Kabir, laughed when Avyan almost tripped.
But her eyes kept drifting back to Rey. He was smiling at times, but there was something distant in his gaze.
Kabir's POV
This was the kind of night you remembered — laughter spilling over the music, teasing that made everyone grin, and far too many slices of cake. He loved seeing Ryu smile, especially when she tried to pretend she was annoyed at his jokes. Between the dancing, the silly selfies, and the way everyone seemed lighter tonight, he thought — yeah, birthdays like this didn't happen often.
Nightfall
Her aunt and uncle arrived a little after the music had faded to a softer hum. They stood in the doorway, smiling but clearly expecting to take Ryu home.
"Come on, beta," her aunt said gently. "It's getting late."
Before Ryu could even respond, Maya stepped forward with a quick, persuasive smile. "Please, let her stay tonight. It's her birthday, and we've planned more fun. I promise we'll take care of her — she's safe here."
Her uncle glanced at her aunt, and after a brief silent exchange, they both nodded. "Alright," her aunt said, "but make sure she eats something before bed."
Ryu's shoulders relaxed. "Thank you," she said softly.
The agreement sparked more excitement — Kabir and Avyan immediately claimed they'd stay too. "What's a birthday sleepover without us?" Kabir grinned.
Rey, Ravi, Aakash, and Arjun were already gathering their jackets. Rey's gaze lingered on Ryu for a moment, unreadable, before he turned and followed the others out into the cool night.
Once the door closed, the house seemed to hum with a softer kind of energy. The music was off, replaced by the rustle of snack wrappers and the clink of mugs. Maya sprawled across the couch with a blanket draped over her legs, Avyan sat cross-legged on the carpet, and Kabir leaned back against a cushion, scrolling through his phone.
They launched into planning mode for their upcoming trip — tossing around ideas for routes, hotels, and what snacks to pack. "We have to stop for momos at that tiny shop in Srinagar," Avyan insisted.
"And jalebis in Pauri!" Kabir added.
Ryu laughed faintly, but mostly listened, her mind drifting elsewhere. She smiled at the right moments, but her thoughts kept circling around something she couldn't name.
Maya noticed. She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "You okay?"
Ryu straightened a little. "I'm fine," she replied too quickly.
Maya didn't press, but the way her eyes lingered said she didn't quite believe her.
By the time yawns started replacing conversation, the living room had grown still. Maya and Ryu slipped into the guest room, the air faintly scented with lavender from the bedsheets. Kabir and Avyan claimed the other room, their muffled laughter carrying faintly through the wall.
Ryu curled up beside Maya, the blanket soft against her skin. The day's noise faded into a gentle hush. Sleep came in slow waves, pulling her deeper until the warmth of the room was replaced by something far colder.
Rey's POV
The night air was thick with the scent of smoke and damp stone as Rey walked down the narrow alley, his polished shoes striking against the pavement in steady, unhurried beats. The dark suit he wore clung to him like a second skin — sharp, deliberate, and unmistakable.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of movement — a boy standing at the mouth of the alley, wide-eyed, frozen like prey that had just seen the hunter.
Before Rey could speak, the boy bolted into the shadows.
One of his men stepped forward quickly. "Ash," he said — the name they used when speaking to him in this world, "a boy saw you."
Rey's steps didn't falter. "Find him," he said, his tone flat, controlled. "Make sure he can't talk."
The men scattered into the night, but none of them had gotten a good look at the boy's face.
Ryu's Dream –
Ryu's POV
The forest was black and breathless, the kind of darkness that swallowed sound. Mist curled around her ankles like cold fingers, clinging and pulling with every step.
Somewhere ahead, a figure stood — tall, shoulders squared, dressed in dark clothes that seemed to merge with the shadows. She couldn't see his face, but something in the way he stood made her chest tighten in recognition.
She tried to call out, but her voice caught in her throat. The figure turned slightly, and for a heartbeat, she thought she saw a glint of light — the shine of a ring, or maybe the cold gleam of watch metal.
Her foot came down on a dry branch. Snap.
The figure's head lifted sharply. The air around her shifted — colder, heavier — and the mist seemed to move like it had a mind of its own.
She blinked, and the forest warped. The trees stretched, shadows lengthened, and in the space where the figure had been, only a pair of dark eyes remained, watching her... too close.
Her breath hitched — and the world collapsed into black.
Ryu jolted awake, heart pounding so hard it hurt. Beside her, Maya stirred, mumbling something in her sleep.
Just a dream, she told herself, forcing her eyes shut. But the weight in her chest whispered otherwise — that somewhere, in some shadow, those eyes were still watching.
Author's Comment for Readers
Sometimes, dreams are nothing more than fragments of the mind — fleeting shadows that fade with morning light.
But sometimes... they're warnings.
What do you think Ryu's dream means? Was it just her imagination after an emotional day, or did her heart recognize something her mind can't yet name? Keep reading — the shadows may hold more answers than you expect
Next Chapter Spoiler – The Trip
The trip to Srinagar, Pauri, and Pithoragarh begins with laughter, music, and winding mountain roads. But strange glances from strangers, quiet conversations behind closed doors, and footsteps outside at night hint that danger might be closer than anyone realizes.
Hey readers!Thank you for reading! Can't wait to meet you again next week for the next chapter. Stay tuned!