Cursed

Chapter 24

The first rays of morning slid silently into the room, brushing against the curtains, the walls, the floor… and finally reaching the bed where two figures lay entwined.Veeransh opened his eyes slowly.His neck felt stiff, his back slightly sore from staying in the same position all night.

He inhaled ready to stretch, ready to get up but then froze.Something warm was resting against his chest.

Something soft.

Someone.

His eyes dropped.

Aariv.

Curled into him like he belonged there.His cheek was pressed over Veeransh’s heartbeat, one hand fisted gently in the fabric of his shirt. His breath was slow, peaceful, brushing against Veeransh’s skin in faint, warm waves.

Veeransh’s entire body went rigid.

For a moment just a moment his heart softened.He looked down at Aariv, at the way his eyelashes fluttered in sleep, at how utterly innocent and fragile he looked in his arms.

Last night’s fear flickered in Veeransh’s mind the way Aariv trembled, the way he clung, the way he whispered “Will you… stay?”

Veeransh’s throat tightened.

He stayed.

He shouldn’t have.

His fingers had been resting loosely around Aariv’s waist, but now he pulled them back sharply as if burned. He straightened, jaw clenching.

What am I doing?

Why did I...

Damn it.

He slowly tried to untangle himself from Aariv, but the movement made Aariv nuzzle closer, sigh softly, and tighten his hold on Veeransh’s shirt.

Veeransh’s breath hitched

His hand hovered in the air, unsure whether to push him away or…

or hold him again.

He clenched his teeth and forced his hand down.

This was wrong.

This was dangerous.

This.... this softness ,this closeness

it was exactly what he had sworn to avoid.

He slid out of the bed carefully, gently prying Aariv’s fingers from his shirt.

Aariv murmured something in his sleep, brows knitting like a child missing warmth.Veeransh’s chest tightened painfully.He stood at a distance now, watching him breathe.

Watching his fingers curl into the blanket instead of his shirt.

Watching his lips part slightly as he sighed.

He ran a hand through his hair and muttered under his breath:

“This shouldn’t have happened.”

He took a step back.

Then another.

But he couldn’t stop looking at Aariv

as if he was trying to memorize this moment and forget it at the same time.Finally, he tore his gaze away and left the room.He closed the door behind him softly too softly for someone who usually slammed it.

Outside, he leaned back against the wall, eyes closed, breathing hard.

“I have to stay away from him,”

he whispered to himself But even as he said it.

his hand clenched unconsciously remembering the weight of Aariv’s body,the warmth of his breath,the way he whispered "I’m scared" into his chest.

........ .........

The room felt unusually cold when Aariv stirred awake.

A chill ran along his spine even though the sunlight was warm across the bed.He blinked slowly, adjusting to the quiet.Veeransh wasn’t there.

The space beside him on the bed was empty, the sheets already cold.

Aariv’s chest tightened a soft ache he refused to acknowledge.He sat up, rubbing his eyes, trying to steady his breathing.His mind flickered back to last night

the dream

the shadows

the voices

the fear.

And then

Veeransh’s arms around him, pulling him close.

His heartbeat under Aariv’s ear.

His voice whispered, “Main hoon na.”

Aariv brought a hand to his chest, feeling that warmth for a second

Then something stung his neck.

A sharp little ache.He winced and touched the spot lightly.It burned.

“What…?” he whispered.

He slid off the bed and walked toward the mirror across the room.

The light hit him from the side as he leaned in, moving his hair away from his neck.

And then

His breath stopped.

Right there, just below his jawline

a very faint reddish bruise-like mark.

Right where the taller man had kissed the shorter man in his dream.

Aariv’s fingers trembled as they hovered over it.

“No…” he whispered.

He touched it very lightly.

The mark pulsed.

He jerked away, heart hammering wildly.

“This isn’t real… the dream wasn’t real… it can’t be...”

But the mark was too real.

Warm and Fresh.

Like lips had pressed there only hours ago.Aariv’s mind raced.

It was just a dream… right?

But then why... Just why does it ache? Why does it feel...like something touched me?

He swallowed hard, panic slipping into his voice.His throat tightened.

He backed away from the mirror until his back hit the wall.

“M... mere saath kya ho raha hai…?” he whispered, voice shaking.

His eyes darted around the empty room as if expecting someone, something to be watching.The shadows in the corners looked deeper.

Darker.

As if they were listening.

His fingers gripped the curtain beside him, breathing unsteady, and the dream was replayed in his head…

“Ab sab chhodo…

aur hume pyar karo.”

That voice is deep, possessive and familiar.Aariv squeezed his eyes shut.

“No… no no no…”

He grabbed a scarf and wrapped it hurriedly around his neck, hiding the mark as panic clawed up his throat.

He tried to calm himself breathe.

think rationally.But his hands were cold.His legs felt weak.

And the memory of Veeransh holding him last night only confused him more.

Was it him?

Was the dream tied to him?

Or…

someone else?

The mark throbbed again a soft pulse.

Aariv’s breath hitched.

This wasn’t a dream.

..........

Aariv had just finished bathing.

His hair was still damp, droplets sliding down the side of his neck as he sat on the edge of the bed, nervously tugging the scarf higher to hide the mark.

His heart wouldn’t stop racing.

He kept hearing the dream again

the breath on his neck,

the kiss,the whisper:

“Ab sab chhodo… aur hume pyaar karo.”

He shivered.Just then, the door opened.Veeransh stepped inside.

His hair was still wet from his own shower, the sharp cut of his jaw tense, eyes already scanning the room like he sensed something off.

His expression was cold, unreadable until his gaze fell on Aariv.

More specifically

On his neck.

Even though the scarf was loosely wrapped, a faint reddish tint peeked out.Veeransh stopped walking.

For a moment, he didn’t blink.

Then his eyes darkened.

He stepped closer.Aariv stiffened.

Veeransh didn’t speak. He simply came to stand right in front of him, so close that Aariv could feel the heat radiating from his body.

And then

He lifted his hand.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

His fingers brushed the edge of Aariv’s scarf and pushed it down.

The mark appeared.The dark red imprint.Right where a mouth had touched him in the dream.Veeransh’s entire body went rigid.His jaw clenched.His nostrils flared.

He dipped closer, his face just inches from the bruise as if inspecting it breathing growing heavier.

Aariv’s breath caught.Veeransh lifted his eyes to Aariv’s face.They were not angry.They were livid, wild, burning with something darkersomething raw and dangerous.Without warning

He grabbed Aariv by the waist and pulled him sharply closer.

Aariv gasped loudly, hands going to Veeransh’s chest instinctively.

Veeransh (voice low, trembling with fury):“What happened here?”

Aariv’s lips parted, but his voice cracked.

Aariv:

“I… I… maine...”

Veeransh’s grip on his waist tightened, breath brushing Aariv’s cheek.

Veeransh (roaring):

“Tell me.

WHAT.

HAPPENED.

HERE?”

Aariv flinched so hard his shoulders jerked.His eyes immediately filled with tears, lower lip trembling.

Seeing that Veeransh froze.

His hold softened, as if guilt hit him like a blow.Aariv sniffed, voice tiny:

Aariv:V…vo… k...kal sapne me…

He broke.

Completely.

He started explaining everything

the corridor,

the shadows,

the taller man,

the kiss,

the whispers,

the fear,

the choking darkness.

Every detail spilled out of him like he was confessing a crime.Veeransh just stared at him.His expression was no longer anger.

It was a shock.

Deep, bone-deep shock.

Fear.Recognition.As if he had heard this dream before.

...

as if he knew exactly what it meant.

Aariv’s voice cracked mid sentence.

He let out a sob.

And he fell forward...

into Veeransh’s chest.

His arms wrapped around Veeransh’s torso tightly, face pressing into his shirt.Veeransh’s hands automatically rose, catching him, holding him.

Aariv sobbed harder.

Aariv:I… I don’t know why… it felt so real…why does it hurt…

why....”

Veeransh’s eyes drifted to the mark again.It pulsed faintly.Just like the curse.His heartbeat slammed against his ribs.His arms tightened around Aariv, pulling him instinctively, protectively.

For the first time in his life

Veeransh Rathore was scared.

Not of spirits.

Not of curse.

Not even of death.

But of losing the boy crying in his arms.

He pressed his chin lightly against Aariv’s forehead, voice low and shaken.

Veeransh: Bas.

Rona band karo…

Aariv’s sobs quieted only slightly, but he didn’t let go.Veeransh’s hand slid up and cradled the back of Aariv’s head.

............

After what felt like hours of trembling, crying, and holding onto Veeransh like a lifeline, Aariv finally calmed.

His breathing steadied. His fingers loosened on Veeransh’s shirt.

Veeransh looked down at him eyes still dark, still haunted, but softer than ever.Then, without saying anything, he stood up.

And gently so gently slipped his hand into Aariv’s.Aariv blinked, startled.

But Veeransh didn’t let go.

He didn’t even ask permission.

He just held his hand… and began walking.

Aariv followed, nearly tripping once because

(1) he was still emotional and

(2) Veeransh’s grip was warm. Firm. Safe.

The dining room was alive with morning chatter.Shanti, Rajnath, Ridha, Rudra, and Yug were already seated.

The moment Veeransh and Aariv walked in hand in hand the entire table fell silent.

And then...

Rudra whistled loudly.

Rudra:WAH BHAI WAH! Btw Nice hold bhaiya.

Aariv immediately tried to pull his hand free, face turning red instantly.

But Veeransh?

He tightened his grip.

Didn’t even look at Aariv.

Didn’t even pretend it was accidental.

Ridha clutched her heart dramatically.

Ridha:Oh. My. God.

Finally mere gadhe bhai ko thodi AKAL aa hi gayi!

Shanti and Rajnath exchanged soft smiles, amused but happy.

Yug, meanwhile, looked like someone watching a dream sequence.

Yug (dramatically sighing):

“Awwww… how romantic.”

Rudra leaned toward him, voice dropping into a mischievous whisper.

Rudra:Mauka to do kabhi…

you’ll see how romantic I am.

Yug turned to him, eyes narrowed.

Then..

Yug kicked him.

Right on the foot.

Rudra jerked in pain.

Rudra:Uff...ye nakhre!

Yug (rolling eyes):

“Idiot.”

Rudra grinned, eyes sparkling.

Rudra:SIRF. Tumhara. Idiot.

Yug choked on air.

Yug:Oh god, stoppp.

Shanti clapped her hands lightly.

Shanti:Aao beta, tum log khade kyun ho? Nashta kar lo.

Veeransh pulled a chair for Aariv yes, pulled it and made him sit before taking the seat beside him.

Aariv’s ears were flaming.

Every few minutes Rudra would whisper something teasing.

Rudra:

“Hands check?”

“Eye contact check!”

"Chemistry check"

“Ahem, ahem, Mr. and Mrs. Veeransh!”

Yug kept elbowing him.

Ridha kept sighing dramatically like a mother-in-law ready for grandchildren.

Shanti served them extra parathas with a smile.Rajnath just drank tea silently, hiding a tiny smirk behind the cup.

And throughout it all Veeransh never once let go of Aariv’s hand under the table.His thumb occasionally tracing soft circles possessive, protective and claiming.

And Aariv even through all the teasing…

didn’t pull away again.

.

.

.

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