tormenting temptation

•'𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐄'•

I woke up to the first light of dawn creeping through the curtains. As I slowly came to my senses, I felt an odd pressure on my bare chest. Confused, I looked down and saw a small piece of paper resting there, half-hidden under the edge of my quilt. My heart raced as I quickly grabbed the note, my fingers trembling.

The paper was rough and torn, as if it had been ripped in a hurry. The handwriting was messy and shaky. I read the words:

“Don’t trust the mirror.”

A chill went through me. I sat up quickly, my heart pounding. I looked around the room. Everything seemed normal, but the mirror on the wall reflected my scared face. The room was quiet, but the note made it clear that someone—or something—had been in here while I slept.

I glanced back at the mirror, feeling a knot of fear in my stomach. Who had left this note? And what did it mean? Was it a warning or something worse? Is Yasharth back home? He must be since it's morning. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching me, and maybe they still were.

As I tried to calm myself, I noticed something else. My wrists and ankles felt sore, as if they’d been bound. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that I had been tied up with pink ribbons, neatly tied in bows. I could still see faint marks on my skin. The ribbons had been loose enough for me to escape.

But then, I glanced at the clock on my nightstand—and my breath caught. It wasn’t morning; it was only 8 p.m., the same night. I hadn’t slept through the night. I had only been out for a few hours. The light creeping through the curtains wasn’t the dawn; it was just the street lamp outside, casting an eerie glow into the room.

I shivered, realizing that whatever had happened, it had occurred in the few short hours since I’d fallen asleep. The realization made my fear even more intense. The mirror seemed to shimmer ominously in the dim light, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was watching me, holding secrets I wasn’t ready to uncover.

I knew I couldn’t stay in this room any longer. I had to leave Serenity Estates before whatever left the note came back. Even though this was Yasharth’s house, I couldn’t stay here with him. If he found out the truth, I didn’t know what he might do. I couldn’t risk it.

As I tried to get out of bed, a sudden, sharp creek echoed through the room, making me freeze. I glanced back at the mirror again and thought I saw something—a flicker of movement or a shadow that wasn’t mine. The words on the note echoed in my mind: Don't trust the mirror.

With shaking hands, I wore my clothes and shoved the note into my pocket and hurried to the door. I had to get out, away from the mirror and whatever was haunting me. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I couldn’t stay here.

As I reached for the door handle, I glanced back one last time. The mirror stood silent, reflecting only the empty bed and the darkened room behind me. But I knew the reflection wasn’t just a reflection—something dangerous was behind it, waiting for me to let my guard down.

With a final, fearful glance, I turned the handle and slipped out of the room, leaving the mirror and its secrets behind. Even if it meant leaving Yasharth’s house, I had no choice. I had to run away. I couldn’t stay here and risk what might happen if he knew the truth. Deep down, I knew this wasn’t over. The note was just the beginning, and whatever was haunting Serenity Estates wasn’t finished with me yet.

I hurried down the hallway, my footsteps echoing in the cold, silent house. Every shadow seemed to move, and every creak of the floorboards felt like something—or someone—was following me. I had to get out of the house, but the fear in my heart told me that no matter where I went, the danger was close behind.

As I reached the stairs, I glanced back up the hallway one last time. The darkness seemed endless, and a shiver ran down my spine. I had to find safety, but the feeling of being watched never left me.

With a final burst of urgency, I raced down the stairs, the note still crumpled in my pocket, and the chilling warning still echoing in my mind: “Don’t trust the mirror.”

Am I again overreacting? Or is it just a prank? Should I leave this place or stay here and talk about it to Yasharth? What if it's somehow connected to the truth?

“Stop…stop…just stop” I yelled and sat on the sofa knowing I can't go anywhere. I’ll have to talk about it to him, what if he finds out the truth? What if he knows I am involved in–urghhh. Shut up Isha.

My final answer is to run away from here, I won't care about anything and just run away. I’ll fucking run away. I can't stay with him and get his life damn fucking, life in danger.

I stood up from the sofa and moved towards the exit, opening the wooden door with a creak, I got out and closed the door. My brother didn't send his guards here as well and I am thankful for it whereas Yasharth doesn't need guards, afterall he is just a—professor.

Fearing he might arrive any moment, I started walking, not caring where I ended up. My only goal was to get as far away as possible. Just as I was about to reach the main entrance, a car pulled up, making me stop in my tracks. I stood there, breathless and frozen.

Before I could even think of escaping, the car door opened, and Yasharth stepped out. He stood right in front of me, his tall frame towering over my own. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, his voice firm and authoritative.

“Why do you care? Let me go!” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady despite the panic rising inside me.

“Aap kahi nahi jaa rahi hai, ishq.” I shivered without realising it and looked up at him, my eyes scanning his face. We were so close that I could see every detail of his expression, and I could feel his breath gently brushing against my forehead. The distance between us was minimal, making the encounter even more intense.

I stood on my tiptoes, leaned in, and softly brushed my lips against his. Without waiting for a reaction, I turned and started to walk back toward the house, realising I was still barefoot.