"Happy birthday, my sister!"
The voices echoed through the house, filled with excitement and joy.
Upstairs, Ashura sat alone in his room.
The door was locked. Silence surrounded him.
It's been a week…
He sighed slowly, leaning back in his chair.
"Shina decided to stay with us…"
Flashback
The graveyard was quiet.
Shina cried uncontrollably in front of Mr. John's grave.
"Dad…!" her voice shattered as she fell to her knees.
Ruhi held her tightly. "Don't cry… please…"
Ashura stood beside them, watching silently.
Aryan gently caressed her hair. "Stop… my sister…"
"Dad…" her voice broke even more.
Present
Ashura opened his eyes slowly.
"…But now, she doesn't seem as sad anymore."
A faint breath escaped him.
"We tried our best… to make her smile every day…"
His gaze shifted toward the calendar.
6th June.
"…Another unlucky day is coming…"
He sighed again.
His eyes moved toward the clock.
11:59
The ticking sound filled the room.
A minute passed.
12:00
Suddenly, loud cheers exploded from downstairs.
"Happy birthday, sister!"
"Happy birthday, Ruhi!"
Laughter and excitement echoed through the house.
Ashura straightened his posture slowly.
"…I'm 17 now…"
His voice was low.
A faint, empty smile appeared.
"…I wish I would never…"
Ashura leaned back again in his chair.
A slow sigh escaped his lips.
"I hate birthdays…"
His voice was low, almost empty.
"…not because they're childish."
He lowered his head and buried his face into his knees.
"…but because…"
His voice trembled slightly.
"Something always ruins it."
Silence filled the room.
"I never get to celebrate it…"
His fingers tightened slowly.
"It's a buried past…"
His voice cracked faintly.
"…but it hurts more than a fresh wound."
He didn't move.
"Others celebrate birthdays… like royals."
Ashura's voice was calm… but empty.
"While me…"
He sighed quietly.
Flashback
"It's my 7th birthday today…" little Ashura smiled brightly.
Boiling water.
It spilled across his back.
"AHHHHHHH—!"
His scream echoed in pure agony.
Scene Shift
"It's my 8th birthday…"
A car crash.
"Ashura!"
Voices surrounded him in chaos.
Scene Shift
"It's my 9th birthday…"
Rivaan grabbed his hand and threw him outside.
"You murderer… don't live in this house!"
The door slammed shut.
Ashura crawled weakly on the cold ground.
The night was freezing.
Scene Shift
"It's my 10th birthday…"
"Mom…"
Ashura stood in front of a grave.
His trembling hand pressed against the tombstone.
"You left me… right…"
Tears slipped down silently.
"I'm sorry…"
Present
The memories hit him all at once.
"Huhhh—!"
Ashura suddenly gasped.
His body trembled as he clutched his chest tightly.
"That was…"
His voice broke completely.
"…That's why I hate birthdays."
soft knock echoed on the door.
Ruhi's gentle voice followed.
"Ashura… open the door."
She smiled faintly outside.
"Don't you want to wish me?"
A soft chuckle escaped her lips.
Inside, Ashura froze for a second.
He gulped quietly.
"I'm… changing, Ruhi."
"Wait a minute…"
His voice was calm, but slightly strained.
Ruhi chuckled softly.
"Ohh… new clothes on your birthday?"
She teased lightly.
"It's fine…"
She turned a little, her voice soft and caring.
"Come downstairs, brother…"
Ashura wiped his tears quickly.
The back of his hand felt slightly cold against his damp cheeks.
His breathing was uneven.
A faint tremor still lingered in his chest.
"Don't cry… Ashura…"
He whispered under his breath, almost like begging himself.
"They'll get worried… they'll feel sad…"
His fingers curled slightly as he tried to steady himself.
He closed his eyes tightly for a second.
A deep, shaky sigh escaped his lips.
"Smile…"
His voice was low.
"Just… smile…"
He forced his lips to curve upward.
A weak smile appeared.
It looked fragile… like it could break any moment.
His eyes, however, stayed dull.
The redness around them refused to hide.
Slowly, he stood up.
The chair creaked softly behind him.
His steps felt heavy.
Each step toward the door felt slower than the last.
His hand reached the handle.
Cold metal touched his fingers.
He paused.
Just for a second.
"…Don't let them know you were crying…"
His voice was calm.
…but it trembled faintly at the end.
He inhaled deeply.
Then opened the door.
Ruhi stepped forward slowly.
Her footsteps echoed softly on the stairs.
Ashura followed behind her.
A quiet sigh slipped from his lips.
Please… don't let them see me like this…
His thoughts trembled slightly.
Avni notices everything… too easily…
He swallowed nervously.
He stepped down the last stair.
His pace slowed for a second.
Then he walked toward the hall.
A faint smile forced its way onto his face.
He entered the hallway quietly.
The lights felt warmer downstairs.
BOOM 💥
A paper cracker exploded right in front of him.
Ashura flinched slightly.
His eyes widened for a moment in surprise.
Colorful paper pieces scattered across his clothes.
They slowly drifted down around him.
Avni stood there laughing.
"U didn't get scared? Why?" she teased happily.
"Happy birthday!" she smiled brightly.
Her eyes were full of warmth.
For a moment…
Ashura forgot everything.
The pain… the memories… the loneliness…
All went silent.
The colorful particles rested on his shoulders.
Some stuck lightly in his hair.
Ashura let out a small chuckle.
"You think this can scare me, sissy?"
"Happy birthdayyy!"
Ruhi smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Twin…"
She stepped closer and hugged him tightly.
Ashura froze for a moment.
His hands stayed still in the air.
Then slowly…
He placed his hand on her head.
His fingers gently moved through her hair.
"Happy birthday… sister…"
Ruhi instantly puffed her cheeks.
"Only sister…?"
She pulled back slightly and glared playfully.
"We are twins, idiot!"
She pinched his cheek lightly.
"Ouch…"
Ashura flinched and held his cheek.
"Sorry… sorry…"
He acted like it actually hurt.
Ruhi burst into laughter.
"Hehehehehe…"
"Happy birthday, twin…"
She smiled warmly again.
Ashura looked at her quietly.
A real smile slowly appeared this time.
He gently caressed her hair again.
This time… without forcing it.
From behind, Shina suddenly forced a smile.
"Happy birthday… both of you…" her voice carried a hint of excitement.
Ruhi giggled softly. "Thanks…"
"Don't you want a hug?" she blinked playfully.
Shina chuckled faintly and stepped forward. She slowly pulled Ruhi into a hug.
For a moment… the pain disappeared.
From behind, Nyra patted Ashura's back.
"Our birthday boy… where's the party?" she teased, holding his shoulder.
Ashura smiled calmly. "Tomorrow… okay?"
"It better be big," Nyra giggled. "We need a huge party."
Ashura nodded lightly. "Of course, sissy…"
He raised his hand slightly. "My gift?"
Nyra tilted her head. "Tomorrow," she replied casually.
"…Okay, sis," Ashura sighed.
Ruhi leaned toward Avni and whispered something softly.
Avni held her shoulders gently. "Go on… don't be afraid…"
Ruhi nodded nervously.
Ashura watched them curiously. "…What are you planning?"
He sighed lightly, still confused.
Ruhi slowly walked toward him.
Her steps were small… a little hesitant.
Then she lifted her hands.
A small present rested between them.
She raised it with a soft smile.
"Ashura… your birthday gift."
Ashura looked at it, slightly amused.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Ashura took the gift quietly.
He glanced at it with calm curiosity.
"…What is this?" he asked, slightly amused.
Slowly, he unwrapped the box.
Inside… was a watch.
A smart watch.
Ashura's eyes widened slightly.
"…This is the latest edition…"
"And limited…" his voice lowered in surprise.
"How did you get this…?" he asked, staring at her.
Ruhi chuckled softly. "Do you like it?"
From behind, Shina giggled faintly.
"Ruhi has been saving money for a month… just for your gift…"
Ashura froze for a second.
Then… he smiled.
"Thanks… sister…"
Avni spoke calmly from the side.
"Why are you thanking her, Ashura…?"
"You brought something too, right?" she smiled knowingly.
Ashura gulped.
"…Huh?"
His body stiffened instantly.
Nyra narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"…You did bring something, right?"
"…No…" Ashura lowered his head slowly.
"Sorry, Ruhi…" his hands trembled slightly.
"I… forgot…"
Ruhi covered her lips.
"…You again…" her voice broke softly.
Her eyes slowly filled with tears.
"…Didn't you love me…?.
Ashura gulped slightly.
"How much did this cost you?" he asked quietly.
Avni puffed her cheeks. "26,000 rupees…"
Ashura's hands trembled faintly. His fingers slowly clenched.
She bought something this expensive… for me…
And I forgot everything…
He lowered his head silently.
Ruhi lowered her gaze, wiping her tears. She sniffed softly.
"I don't want anything…" her lips parted slightly.
Her voice broke again.
"But Ashura…"
She held his hands tightly.
"Please promise me…"
"You won't kill anyone…"
She smiled through her tears.
The moment froze.
Ashura stared at her silently.
What should I do…?
His teeth clenched slightly.
"I promise… Ruhi…" his voice came out as a whisper.
"I won't kill anyone."
Ruhi hugged him tightly.
"Stay on your promise…" her voice trembled again.
Ashura hugged her back slowly.
"But I promise…" he spoke softly.
"I'll bring an expensive gift for you…"
He exhaled quietly.
Ruhi sniffed and shook her head.
"I don't want expensive things…"
"I want a simple gift… from my brother."
She smiled faintly.
Ashura looked at her calmly.
"…Okay."
He gently wiped her tears.
Avni clapped her hands playfully.
"Now Ashura made a promise!" she chuckled.
"Let's see what he brings tomorrow…"
From behind, Shina smiled faintly.
"You look so cute when you make promises, Ashura…"
Ashura blinked in surprise.
"I'm… cute?" his cheeks turned slightly red.
"Idiot…" Nyra chuckled from the side.
"Yeahhh… our cute baby…" she teased playfully.
"Noooo—!" Ashura shouted in embarrassment.
Avni sat on the sofa calmly.
Her gaze moved around the room.
"Where's Rishabh bhaiyya… and dad?" she asked.
Nyra looked at her quietly.
"They went out… some business work," she replied.
Ashura tilted his head slightly.
"What does your husband do…?" he asked curiously.
Nyra placed her hand on her forehead.
"Idiot… you don't even know that?" she sighed.
Avni spoke calmly from the side.
"Rishabh bhaiyya has his own business…"
She glanced at Ashura.
Shina smiled softly.
"Ashura… do you want coffee?"
Ashura looked at her for a second.
"No… my sleep will die," he replied casually.
Ashura glanced at everyone one last time.
"Goodnight… girls. Sweet dreams."
He turned slowly and walked toward the hallway.
His steps were calm… but something felt heavy.
Before leaving, he paused for a moment.
He glanced back at Ruhi.
A small smile appeared on his lips.
Thanks… Ruhi…
His eyes shifted toward his wrist.
The smartwatch reflected a faint light.
He chuckled softly.
For this gift…
Then he walked away quietly.
His figure slowly disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.
Far away…
Somewhere unseen…
Something was watching Ashura.