The next day dragged on for Natasha. Classes felt meaningless, the discussions on political theory a blur as her mind replayed Aryan’s warnings. Every time she closed her eyes, she could hear Rajvir’s haunting voice calling to her, drawing her closer to an abyss she wasn’t sure she wanted to explore.
After her last class, Natasha found herself wandering through the campus, aimlessly drifting from building to building. Aisha caught up with her, her energy a stark contrast to Natasha’s brooding silence.
“Hey! You’ve been so quiet lately. You still thinking about that dark prince?” Aisha teased, nudging her shoulder playfully.
Natasha forced a smile but couldn’t shake the weight in her chest. “It’s not just that. I’ve been... I don’t know. Distracted.”
Aisha frowned, concern etching her features. “Distracted? More like you’re in a different world. You’re not even listening to me when I talk about the party this weekend. Come on, we need to have some fun before we get buried in assignments.”
“I know, I know,” Natasha replied, glancing at her friend. “But it’s just... everything feels so heavy right now.”
Aisha studied her for a moment before pulling her into a side hug. “Okay, how about this: let’s go to that café again tonight. Just you and me. No dark princes allowed. We can grab some pastries, and I’ll even let you talk about your ‘complex’ villain crush if it helps.”
Natasha laughed softly, the tension in her shoulders easing a little. “Alright, you win. I’ll try to focus on being present.”
As they walked to the parking lot, Natasha’s thoughts drifted back to Rajvir and the strange encounter with Aryan. Was there really danger lurking in the shadows, or was she merely letting her imagination run wild?
When night fell, they arrived at the café, its warm lights inviting and cozy. Natasha settled into their favorite corner booth, taking a deep breath as the familiar aroma of freshly baked goods enveloped her.
“What do you want?” Aisha asked, scanning the menu.
“Surprise me,” Natasha said, absently stirring her hot chocolate, her mind still half on the events of the past few days.
Aisha returned shortly, a chocolate croissant in hand. “Here, try this. I guarantee it’ll help you feel better.”
Natasha took a bite, savoring the flaky pastry. “Okay, this is amazing. You were right.”
“Of course I am. Now, tell me what’s really going on in that head of yours,” Aisha pressed, leaning in with curiosity.
Natasha hesitated, then took a deep breath. “It’s Rajvir. Ever since I finished that book, I’ve felt this strange connection to him. It’s almost like he’s alive, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is about to happen.”
Aisha raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of concern. “Nat, you know he’s just a character, right? He can’t hurt you.”
“I know,” Natasha replied, frustration bubbling up. “But it doesn’t feel that way. And then there’s Aryan. He said Rajvir has been trying to reach me and that there’s a danger to this connection. What if it’s more than just a fantasy?”
“Okay, wait. Who’s Aryan?” Aisha asked, her tone shifting to one of confusion.
“A guy I met at college. He claims to be some sort of ‘middleman’ and says I’m in danger because of my connection to Rajvir,” Natasha explained, her heart racing as she recalled the encounter.
Aisha looked incredulous. “Are you serious? This sounds like something out of one of your books. What if he’s just messing with you?”
“I thought that too, but it felt real, Aisha. I don’t know how to explain it,” Natasha said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “What if Rajvir really is reaching out to me?”
Aisha sighed, concern furrowing her brow. “You need to take a step back, Nat. It’s easy to get lost in those stories, but you can’t let them consume your life. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
Natasha nodded, but deep inside, she felt a pull toward the darkness that she couldn’t ignore. It was thrilling, dangerous, and intoxicating—a combination that kept her on the edge of something she couldn’t quite name.
Later that night, as she lay in bed, the shadows of her room danced eerily around her. The air felt thick with anticipation, and the faint sound of the rain pattering against her window echoed in her ears. Just as she was about to close her eyes, she heard it again.
“Natasha…”
The whisper was louder this time, more demanding. She sat up, heart racing as she searched the dimly lit room. “Who’s there?” she called, her voice echoing against the walls.
“Come to me,” Rajvir’s voice called, resonating with a dark, alluring promise that sent shivers down her spine.
In that moment, Natasha felt a deep yearning that pulled her closer to the unknown. Her heart raced with fear and excitement, the allure of the darkness overwhelming her senses. She knew she should resist, but the connection felt too powerful to deny.
Before she could think twice, she grabbed her phone, her fingers trembling as she opened the last chapter of the book. The words swirled on the page, and just as she was about to lose herself in them, a flash of light flickered in the corner of her eye.
The shadows deepened, swirling together to form a shape that materialized in the room before her. Natasha gasped, eyes widening as she took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Rajvir?” she whispered, uncertainty flooding her thoughts.
In the flickering darkness, his figure emerged, cloaked in shadows, his piercing eyes locked onto hers. “You’ve finally heeded my call, Natasha.”
The air crackled with tension, and Natasha’s heart raced at the realization that the line between her world and his was no longer just a fantasy.
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YOU ARE READING
Bound by Fate
FantasíaThe novel follows a young reader, Natasha, who is fascinated by a dark fantasy series centered around a mysterious and powerful villain, Rajvir. Rajvir is feared in his world- ruthless, cunning, and the ruler of a dangerous kingdom. He has no place...
