Ahsan stood inside the gift shop, staring at shelves filled with things that meant nothing to him.
Watches. Bracelets. Necklaces. Trinkets wrapped in shallow shine.
None of them felt right.
He barely knew Noi. How was he supposed to find the perfect gift for someone who existed like a mystery—quiet, distant, unreadable? And yet, he wanted to try. He wanted to see her smile. Wanted her birthday to feel special, even if only for a moment.
He closed his eyes.
What would Noi like?
Not what society said she should like. Not what people expected. What would make her happy?
Time passed.
Then—clarity.
His eyes snapped open.
"Yes," he whispered. "That's it."
He grabbed the items, paid quickly, wrapped them himself with unsteady hands, and headed straight for AZ's office.
The hallway was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ahsan knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again, harder this time.
Still nothing.
That's when he noticed—the door wasn't locked.
It was slightly open.
A chill crept down his spine as he pushed it wider.
And then—
His world was shattered.
Noi's body sat upright on a chair.
Headless.
His breath left him in a strangled gasp. His vision blurred. His heart slammed so hard it felt like it would tear through his chest. There was no blood. No mess. Just a clean, horrifying absence where her head should have been—as if it had been sliced away with surgical precision.
His knees gave out.
He collapsed to the floor.
"N-Noi... no... Noi..."
Tears poured freely as his lips trembled, his voice breaking apart with every breath. He couldn't move. Couldn't think. Couldn't exist.
Why was this happening to him?
Why did every girl who stepped into his life leave him behind—just like Raida?
Just like everyone else?
Footsteps echoed behind him.
"Oh, you're here already," AZ said casually. "Sorry, I was in the toilet."
Ahsan looked up at him with red, desperate eyes.
"AZ... N-Noi..." His voice cracked. "Who did this to her?"
AZ frowned. "Did what?"
Ahsan pointed at the body, shaking violently.
"Who killed her?!" he screamed. "Who took her away from me?!"
He broke down completely.
Then AZ sighed in realization.
"Oh. That. Relax. She's alive."
Ahsan stared at him.
"...What?"
"She's very much alive," AZ continued calmly. "She's just not here yet."
Ahsan's voice rose, hysterical. "She doesn't have a head! Someone murdered her!"
AZ waved dismissively. "Nah."
He glanced toward the window.
"Oh. There she is."
Ahsan turned—
And nearly lost his mind.
Noi's head came flying through the open window, her internal organs trailing behind it like ribbons of nightmare. It floated gently through the air, aligned itself with the body, and reattached seamlessly.
In seconds—
She was whole.
Alive.
Perfectly fine.
Noi looked at Ahsan, her eyes wide—then she lowered her head, shame flooding her face. She braced herself for fear. For disgust. For rejection.
Instead—
Ahsan lunged forward and wrapped his arms around her.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Noi," he choked out. "Thank you... Thank you for not leaving me."
She didn't understand his words. He was speaking Bangla, fast and broken.
But she understood everything.
She melted into the hug.
For the first time, she felt accepted.
Ahsan pulled back suddenly, flustered. "Oh—sorry. I shouldn't have—"
He activated Connect to talk with her.
"I bought you something," he said nervously. "H-happy birthday."
He picked up the wrapped gift from the floor and handed it to her.
Noi opened it.
Inside were art markers. Alcohol markers. High-quality. Carefully chosen.
Ahsan rubbed the back of his neck. "I saw you drawing once. I thought... maybe you'd like these. I know they're not the best gift, so... sorry."
Noi stared.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
She said nothing.
She only stepped forward, rose onto her toes, and kissed his cheek.
Before he could react, she ran off to her room.
Ahsan stood there, stunned.
Then—he smiled.
"Ahem."
AZ cleared his throat. "Mr. Romantic. We have work."
He placed the Gate crystal ball on the floor and crushed it beneath his heel. The portal tore open with a low hum.
"Noi dropped the Gate's exit on the location already," AZ said. "Let's move."
He jumped in.
Ahsan glanced one last time at Noi's closed door.
Then—
He followed.
They arrived in the middle of a dense forest. The air was damp, heavy with the scent of moss and old wood. AZ pulled out his phone, scanning the screen for a moment before nodding to himself.
"Found it. Follow me."
Ahsan walked beside him, crunching leaves beneath his boots. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke.
"Um... AZ?"
"Yes?"
"Is Noi... human?"
AZ didn't look back. "Yes. Just not like us."
Ahsan frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
"She's a Krasue."
"A... krasue?" Ahsan repeated, confused.
AZ nodded. "Creatures that can detach their heads and internal organs from their bodies to hunt and feed. They're mostly found in Thailand—just like Noi."
Ahsan swallowed. "So... was she born that way? Or—where did you find her?"
AZ stopped walking for a moment, then sighed.
"Have you ever been to a zoo?"
Ahsan blinked. "Uh... yeah. But why?"
AZ resumed walking. "Just like humans have zoos, demons have them too."
Ahsan's steps slowed.
"They capture humans," AZ continued, his voice steady but cold, "and forcibly turn them into beings that are neither fully human nor demon. Entertainment. Curiosity pieces."
Ahsan clenched his fists.
"Noi was taken when she was seven. They made her drink a krasue's blood. That's how she became what she is now." AZ paused briefly before continuing. "They kept her in a glass cage. Watched. Mocked. Pointed at."
Ahsan's chest tightened.
"I went to that zoo two years ago," AZ said quietly. "I slaughtered every demon there."
Ahsan didn't speak.
"I found her in that cage," AZ went on. "Alone. Terrified. She had been trapped there for almost ten years."
Ten years.
"I took her home," AZ said. "At first, she was scared of me. Refused to speak. Refused to eat. But slowly... she started talking. Slowly... she started living again."
Ahsan let out a shaky breath.
"That's horrible," he said softly. "No one deserves something like that."
AZ nodded once.
"I should thank you, though," he added. "I never told you the truth because I thought you'd fear her real form."
Ahsan smiled faintly. "Fear? No. She's still Noi."
AZ glanced back at him for a second, surprised—then smiled.
"Good."
Ahsan looked ahead. "So... are we there yet?"
AZ pointed forward. "Yes. That's the house."
Ahsan took a long breath, steadying himself, and followed AZ toward their destination.
For the first time in a long while—
He felt free.
And ready.
AZ and Ahsan entered the house.
It was small, traditional, unmistakably Brahmin—mud walls carefully plastered, faint sandalwood incense lingering in the air, shelves lined with old brass utensils. Simplicity ruled the place.
A man approached them. He had a thick moustache and neatly trimmed hair, his expression polite yet tense.
"Welcome," he said, folding his hands briefly. "My name is Pradeep Roy. Thank you for coming to our house."
AZ nodded. "Tell us how we can help."
"Please, sit first," Pradeep replied. "Let me explain everything."
They settled onto a hand-woven mat laid across the floor. Pradeep inhaled deeply, as if gathering courage.
"My wife has been... different these past few days," he began. "She takes excessive care of herself now. Spends a lot of time on her appearance. Eats far more than she used to. And finishes household chores at an unnatural speed."
AZ raised an eyebrow. "And that's a problem?"
Ahsan nodded in agreement. "Most husbands would be happy. She's eating well, looking after herself, and managing the house."
AZ added casually, "Unless you're facing financial trouble and can't afford the food—"
"No, no," Pradeep interrupted quickly. "That's not it."
He rubbed his palms together nervously. "My wife was always shy. She never cared much about herself. She barely ate. This change—it's sudden."
Ahsan tilted his head. "People change sometimes."
"But that's not the worst part," Pradeep continued. His voice dropped. "She keeps bringing fish from the pond. Even at night. She loves fish. A lot... nowadays."
Ahsan asked, "Is the pond yours?"
"Yes," Pradeep replied, confused. "Why?"
AZ shrugged. "Then what's the issue? She enjoys fishing."
"Yes!" Ahsan added lightly. "Sounds harmless."
Pradeep's composure finally cracked. "That's not it!" he snapped. "She doesn't feel like herself anymore. I don't know how to explain it. I just need to know what's wrong with my wife."
Before either of them could reply, footsteps echoed from inside.
A woman emerged from the inner room.
She wore a traditional red saree, her hair neatly braided, skin glowing unnaturally in the dim light. Beautiful—almost strikingly so.
Pradeep stiffened.
"Ananya," he said carefully, "these are our guests. Could you arrange some food for them?"
She smiled—a soft, affectionate smile—and walked over to him.
"Of course, my honey," she said sweetly.
She pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek and returned inside.
Ahsan blinked. "Such a loving wife," he muttered. "I really don't see what you're worried about, Mr. Pradeep."
AZ nodded in agreement.
Pradeep lowered his head, defeated. Perhaps the exorcists thought he was imagining things, too.
As Ahsan rose and moved slightly toward the doorway, his gaze drifted toward the pond outside—
And his breath caught.
From the dark water, a long, unnatural hand stretched out.
It seized a large fish in one smooth, silent motion.
Ahsan slowly turned his head toward AZ.
AZ lifted a finger to his lips.
Stay silent.
Before coming here, AZ had warned him: Act normal. Let her believe they were harmless. Let her believe they knew nothing.
Because whatever Ananya truly was—
She was watching.
AZ and Ahsan sat on the mat in the kitchen.
One dish after another appeared before them. Ananya moved swiftly—too swiftly. Three different kinds of fish curry. Crispy fish fries. Steaming rice. How she managed to cook so much food in such a short time was a mystery only she knew.
They began eating.
Normally, Ahsan disliked fish. The smell, the texture—he avoided it whenever possible. But this was different. The curry was rich, perfectly spiced, almost addictive.
"This is phenomenal," he muttered.
AZ nodded in agreement. Then he glanced at Pradeep.
"Mr. Pradeep, you should join us."
Usually, Pradeep never ate fish in front of guests. It was a rule he followed strictly. But these weren't ordinary guests. Reluctantly, he agreed.
Ananya sat down with them.
She piled her plate high with rice, drowning it in every curry available. Then she began to eat.
Greedily.
She grabbed huge handfuls of food and shoved them into her mouth as if someone might snatch them away. Rice spilled from the corners of her lips. Her jaw moved fast—too fast. Like a predator devouring prey.
She finished first.
Even though she had started after them.
Even though she had eaten far more.
AZ and Ahsan remained silent.
After the meal, Pradeep escorted them outside. Night had begun to settle in.
"We'll return after two days," AZ said calmly. "Wait for us. We'll take our leave now."
As they walked away from the house, Ahsan finally spoke.
"Do you know what happened to Ananya?" he asked quietly. "Is she possessed by a djinn or something?"
AZ shook his head.
"It would've been easier if she were. I could've solved it in minutes."
Ahsan frowned. "Then what is it?"
AZ stopped walking.
"She's not Ananya at all."
Ahsan stared at him. "What do you mean—not Ananya?"
AZ resumed walking. "That thing is a shakchunni. You know what that is?"
Ahsan nodded slowly. "Yeah. From stories. A spirit that traps a Brahmin man by taking his wife's form."
"Close," AZ replied. "But shakchunnis aren't ghosts. They aren't demons either."
Ahsan's steps slowed. "Then what are they?"
"A shakchunni," AZ said quietly, "is a human girl."
Ahsan stopped completely. "Human?"
AZ sighed. "Let me explain it simply."
"Imagine a girl abandoned on her wedding day. The groom never comes. Society doesn't blame the man who ran away—they blame the girl. Call her cursed. Incompetent. Shameful."
"She's thrown out by her own family. Forced into the jungle. Left to grieve a love she never received."
AZ's voice hardened.
"The curses of society warp her body. Her beauty rots into something green and twisted. She's denied death and cursed with immortality."
"And that," he finished, "is how a shakchunni is born."
Ahsan swallowed. "So she's... an immortal, cursed woman."
"More or less," AZ nodded. "And they survive by trapping married Brahmin men. They imprison the real wife somewhere hidden—and steal her appearance."
Ahsan clenched his fists. "Then how do we save Ananya?"
"We go back in two days," AZ said. "If the shakchunni gets suspicious, she'll move Ananya to another location. We can't risk that."
"First, we save Ananya," he continued. "Then we deal with the shakchunni."
Ahsan nodded grimly and followed him.
Two days later—
Ananya would be saved.
One way or another.
The day finally came.
It was noon. The sun stood directly above their heads, blazing mercilessly. This was the perfect time—when the shakchunni would be at her weakest.
AZ and Ahsan arrived at Pradeep's house. As planned, Pradeep informed everyone that he was going out for a walk with his friends. Once outside, he discreetly handed AZ an old garment belonging to Ananya.
Ahsan tied the black blindfold around AZ's eyes.
AZ held Ananya's cloth tightly in his right hand and closed his eyes beneath the blindfold. He activated the principles of Revert. The forest unfolded in his mind—roots, soil, insects, trees, every living thing etched like chalk on a blackboard.
"Go a different way," AZ told Pradeep calmly. "The shakchunni will follow your scent."
Pradeep nodded and headed toward the market.
AZ started walking.
With every step, the presence grew stronger. Denser. Heavier. Like a pulse beating beneath the forest floor.
Then he stopped.
He removed the blindfold.
Ahsan frowned. "Why did you take it off? We haven't found her yet."
AZ pointed ahead.
"There."
Ahsan followed his gaze.
A massive mango tree stood before them—ancient, thick, and ordinary.
"That's just a tree," Ahsan said. "Where is she?"
AZ replied quietly, "Inside it."
Ahsan froze. "Inside… the tree?"
"The shakchunni pulled her into it," AZ said. "Merged her body with the tree itself. She's alive. Conscious. Trapped."
Ahsan's throat tightened. "Then how do we get her out?"
"An extraction spell," AZ replied. "But I won't get the chance to use it."
"Why not?" Ahsan asked sharply.
AZ exhaled.
"Because she's coming."
Footsteps echoed through the forest—fast, furious, heavy.
The shakchunni burst into the clearing.
She still wore Ananya's face—but it was wrong now. Her nails were long and curved like claws. Her teeth were sharp. Her eyes burned red. Her hair writhed unnaturally, as if alive.
"GET AWAY FROM THE TREE!" she screamed.
"I'LL KILL YOU BOTH!"
She lunged.
AZ drew his black blade and deflected her attack effortlessly, sparks slicing through the air.
She tried to move toward the tree, but AZ stepped in front of it.
He raised his blade.
The shakchunni screamed in terror.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! IF YOU CUT THE TREE, SHE WILL DIE!"
AZ smiled coldly.
"Yes," he said. "But you'll lose your disguise too. You can only wear the face of the one you trap. If she dies—your lie dies with her."
He tilted his head.
"I'll just tell Pradeep you killed his wife. Then he'll see you for what you really are."
The shakchunni staggered back.
She could already imagine it—the disgust, the horror, the rejection.
"PLEASE!" she cried.
"DON'T DO THIS! I CAN'T BE REJECTED AGAIN! JUST—JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT!"
AZ lowered his blade.
"Release her," he said. "Let her go home."
Trembling, the shakchunni nodded.
The bark of the mango tree began to crack and split. Slowly, Ananya's body emerged, as if being reborn. She collapsed onto the ground.
Ahsan rushed forward and caught her in his arms.
Behind them, the disguise dissolved.
The shakchunni's skin turned dark green, like swamp water. Wrinkles formed rapidly. Her beauty rotted away, leaving behind a twisted, cursed form. She collapsed beneath a tree and began to weep silently.
AZ gave Ahsan a thumbs-up.
"Mission accomplished," he said calmly.
"Call Pradeep."
As Ahsan stepped aside to call Pradeep, AZ slowly sat down in front of the shakchunni.
She was crouched beneath the tree, her shoulders shaking, nails digging into the soil as if she wanted to tear the earth apart.
AZ gently reached out to wipe her tears.
She hissed violently and slapped his hand away.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" she screamed."YOU TOOK AWAY MY HAPPINESS! I CURSE YOU! I CURSE YOU TO DEATH!"
AZ didn't flinch.
He let out a tired sigh and spoke softly, "Happiness?"He looked at her steadily."You were wearing another woman's face. Living another woman's life. Loving another woman's husband. Tell me—how was that happiness?"
She trembled, baring her teeth.
"THEN WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?!" she screamed."WHO WOULD EVER MARRY A MONSTER LIKE ME?! AN UGLY, CURSED THING LIKE ME?!"
Her voice cracked.
AZ replied calmly, "Did you ever try to find someone?""Someone who would accept you for who you really are?"
She laughed—loud, broken, hysterical.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!""WHO WOULD MARRY AN ABOMINATION LIKE ME?!"
She pointed at herself, shaking.
"WOULD YOU?!""WOULD YOU MARRY AN UGLY PIECE OF TRASH LIKE ME?!"
Without hesitation, AZ answered,"Yes."
The forest fell silent.
The shakchunni froze.
"...What?" she whispered.
"Yes," AZ repeated. "Without a second thought."
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"WHY?" she demanded."I'M HIDEOUS! YOU COULD HAVE ANYONE YOU WANT! YOU'RE PERFECT—WHY ME?!"
AZ smiled—not proudly, not mockingly—but gently.
"I don't believe in outer beauty," he said."Most people wear masks to hide who they truly are—just to survive, to be accepted."
He met her eyes.
"But you?""You wore a mask to show who you really were."
Her breath hitched.
"You were loving. Caring. Loyal. Devoted.""That wasn't a disguise—it was your truth."
He leaned closer.
"That's beautiful."
She stared at him.
For the first time in her cursed existence, someone wasn't afraid.Wasn't disgusted.Wasn't lying.
She saw it in his eyes—raw sincerity.
Her knees buckled.
"H-hold… me…" she whispered.
AZ caught her just as she collapsed.
As she fell into his arms, her body began to glow softly. The green, decayed skin peeled away like dead bark. Wrinkles smoothed. The curse unraveled.
Ahsan watched in stunned silence as the shakchunni transformed.
Where the monster once stood was now a girl—radiant, serene, breathtakingly beautiful. Her face was gentle, her skin clear, her lips soft and rose-colored. She was more beautiful than Ananya ever was—not because of appearance, but because the curse was finally gone.
AZ held her close, gently stroking her hair.
"Don't worry," he whispered."I've got you."
He tightened his embrace slightly.
"I'll hold you… for as long as you want."
Pradeep arrived at the clearing a few minutes later.
His eyes immediately found Ananya lying safely on the ground. Relief washed over his face, and he let out a shaky breath.
"She's… okay," he murmured.
Then his gaze shifted.
His relief froze into shock.
A beautiful young woman was sleeping peacefully on AZ's lap, her chest rising and falling softly as AZ gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Pradeep swallowed.
"H-how is Ananya?" he asked carefully.
"And… who is this girl?"
AZ didn't look up.
"Ananya is safe," he replied calmly.
"She was trapped inside that mango tree. A shakchunni did it."
Pradeep flinched.
"But now," AZ continued, "Ananya is free. And so is this girl—from her curse."
Pradeep stared.
The girl was flawless. Youthful. Serene.
More beautiful than Ananya had ever been.
He took a long, conflicted breath.
"C-can I ask for a favor?" he said hesitantly.
AZ and Ahsan both looked at him.
AZ replied, "Go on."
Pradeep scratched the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact.
"Well… you see…"
"Ananya was always very shy. Not very romantic. And—uh—"
Ahsan's eyes narrowed.
"And this girl is…?" AZ prompted coolly.
Pradeep swallowed.
"Well… she's beautiful… and she cooks amazingly… and she's romantic too…"
"So I was thinking—maybe you could put Ananya back into the tree or something?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Ahsan's jaw dropped.
"W—WHAT?!"
"Why would you want your WIFE back in a TREE?!"
AZ slowly lifted his head.
His voice was quiet. Too quiet.
"Say. That. Again."
Pradeep panicked.
"N-no, I didn't mean—"
AZ cut him off instantly.
"Say one more word," AZ said flatly,
"And I'll make sure Ananya hears every single thought you just had."
Pradeep went pale.
"Y-you can't—"
Ahsan stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"My father's a divorce lawyer," he said cheerfully.
"I'll personally make sure you don't even get visitation rights, you fucking asshole."
Pradeep broke instantly.
"I-I WAS JOKING!"
"JUST KIDDING! OF COURSE I WANT MY LOVING WIFE!"
"I WOULD NEVER TRADE HER FOR SOMEONE BETTER—!"
AZ facepalmed.
Ahsan burst out laughing.
"Men," Ahsan said, shaking his head.
"Absolute idiots. No matter the century."
AZ sighed deeply.
"Mission accomplished," he muttered.
The girl slept peacefully in his arms.
Ananya breathed safely beside the tree.
And Pradeep learned—very briefly—how close he came to losing everything.