Billi Bong

Aryan’s mind raced as he listened to the woman’s tale. Her name, she revealed, was Anaya. Her voice wove a narrative so vivid and uncanny that it felt as though it had been etched into his soul. She spoke of an ancient kingdom where Aryan was a valiant warrior and she, a queen. Their love, though fierce and true, had been doomed by betrayal and greed, leading to their untimely demise. Anaya claimed they had been reincarnated countless times, their souls always finding each other, only to face tragic separation.

Aryan struggled to process her words. Her story, though fantastical, seemed to awaken something dormant within him. He felt flashes of unfamiliar yet strangely familiar images—a battlefield, a palace, a hidden rendezvous under the moonlight. Could these be memories? Or were they merely his imagination running wild, influenced by her enchanting presence?

The warehouse, dimly lit by the flickering candles, seemed to echo with whispers from another time. Shadows danced on the walls, adding an eerie touch to the atmosphere. Despite the strangeness of it all, Aryan found himself captivated, unable to pull away from Anaya’s gaze.

“What do you want from me?” he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Anaya stepped closer, her scent intoxicating and her presence overwhelming. “I want you to remember,” she said, her eyes locking onto his. “To break the curse that keeps tearing us apart.”

Aryan’s heart pounded. A curse? Reincarnated lives? It all sounded like the plot of a fantasy novel, yet standing there before her, it felt disarmingly real. “How do I do that?” he asked, his voice trembling with both fear and hope.

“You must trust me,” she said, reaching out to touch his hand. The moment her skin met his, a jolt of energy surged through him, bringing with it a flood of visions—flashes of a love so profound it brought tears to his eyes, and a heartbreak so devastating it left him gasping.

Anaya’s expression softened as she saw the realization dawn on his face. “Now you understand,” she said. “Our love is eternal, but we must fight for it.”

But Aryan’s logical mind fought against the emotions. “This… this could all be a trick. How do I know any of this is true?” he demanded, his voice rising.

Anaya’s expression darkened, and for the first time, a flicker of sadness crossed her face. “You’ll have to decide whether to believe me or not. But if you walk away now, the cycle will repeat, and we will lose each other once again.”

Her words struck a chord deep within him. He knew she was right. Something inside him whispered that this was his destiny, as implausible as it seemed.

Before he could respond, the candles flickered violently, and a chilling wind swept through the warehouse. The door slammed shut behind him, and shadows began to coalesce around them. Anaya’s eyes widened in fear.

“They’ve found us,” she whispered, grabbing his arm. “We must leave now!”

“Who?” Aryan asked, his voice filled with panic.

“The ones who cursed us,” she replied, pulling him toward a hidden door at the back of the warehouse. “They will stop at nothing to keep us apart.”

As they ran, Aryan’s mind whirled. Could he really believe all of this? And if he did, was he ready to face the unknown dangers that came with it? Anaya led him into the night, her grip firm and her determination unwavering.

The adventure had just begun, and Aryan knew one thing for certain—his life would never be the same again.

-Mr. Pen