haunted.

anger

Few days later.

The mansion was eerily silent as the evening settled in. Shadows danced on the walls, cast by the flickering candlelight. Virat was busy in the kitchen, his mind preoccupied with preparing a simple dinner. He hummed softly to himself, trying to distract his thoughts from the lingering unease he felt ever since they moved into this ancient mansion. Rohit walked in, looking exhausted from his day, his mood sour.

"Rohit, I made your favorite curry for dinner," Virat said, trying to lighten the mood.

Rohit barely glanced at him. "Did you remember to add the spices I like?" he asked, his tone sharp.

"Yes, I did," Virat replied, his voice tinged with a hopeful note.

They sat down for dinner, and Rohit took a bite, his face contorting into a frown. "This is too bland, Virat. You know how I like my food."

Virat's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, Rohit. I thought I added enough spices. I can make it again if you want."

Rohit's temper flared. "You can't even get a simple thing like this right! What's the point of you being here if you can't even make a decent meal?"

Virat's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm trying, Rohit. I really am."

"Trying isn't enough!" Rohit shouted, slamming his hand on the table. "I have enough stress at work. The least you can do is make sure things are perfect at home."

Virat flinched at Rohit's harsh words, feeling his heart break. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Rohit stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "I don't have time for this. I have to leave for the next city for work. I'll be gone for three days," he said coldly, not meeting Virat's eyes.

Virat looked up at him, his eyes pleading. "Rohit, please don't go like this. I'm sorry. I'll do better. Just don't leave like this."

Rohit's expression hardened. "I need space, Virat. Maybe a few days away will help me clear my head."

Without another word, Rohit stormed out of the room, leaving Virat alone, vulnerable, and heartbroken. The mansion seemed to grow colder and darker in his absence. Virat sat there, staring at the untouched dinner, tears streaming down his face. The sense of dread that had been lurking at the back of his mind now engulfed him entirely.

As the night deepened, the mansion's shadows grew longer and more menacing. Virat tried to keep himself busy, cleaning up the kitchen and tidying the living room. But the feeling of being watched, of not being alone, persisted. He chalked it up to his imagination, refusing to let his fears get the better of him.

However, he couldn't shake the sensation that something, or someone, was observing him. Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind outside, seemed amplified in the empty mansion. Virat decided to retreat to their bedroom, hoping that sleep would offer some respite from his troubled thoughts.

As he lay in bed, the silence of the mansion pressed down on him. He curled up under the covers, clutching Rohit's pillow to his chest. The scent of his husband was faint but comforting. Despite the harsh words, Virat missed him deeply. He replayed the argument in his mind, wondering how things had escalated so quickly. He knew Rohit was under immense pressure at work, but the way he had lashed out had left Virat feeling utterly shattered.

The darkness in the room seemed to thicken, and the temperature dropped noticeably. Virat shivered, pulling the blanket tighter around himself. His eyes darted around the room, half-expecting to see something lurking in the shadows. He closed his eyes tightly, willing himself to calm down.