The Pull

The rest of the day felt longer than it should have.

Aarushi tried to focus on her work. Files, emails, small tasks that did not require much thinking. But her mind refused to stay still.

Every few minutes, her thoughts drifted back to him.

Veeransh Raudra Pratap.

Even his name carried a strange weight.

She had never believed in things like fate or past connections. Life, for her, had always been simple. You study, you work, you build something stable.

That was it.

But today, something felt… different.

Unfamiliar.

As if she had stepped into a story she did not remember being part of.

By evening, most people had started leaving.

Rhea packed her bag and looked at Aarushi.

Coming?

Aarushi glanced at the screen in front of her.

You go ahead. I just need to finish this.

Rhea nodded.

Do not stay too late. This place feels even more strange at night.

Aarushi smiled lightly.

I will be fine.

Rhea left, and slowly, the office grew quieter.

The lights seemed softer now. The silence deeper.

Aarushi exhaled slowly and leaned back in her chair.

Just a little more work, she told herself.

Then she would leave.

Minutes passed.

Or maybe more.

She did not notice the time.

Until she felt it again.

That strange feeling.

Like someone was there.

Watching.

Aarushi’s fingers paused over the keyboard.

Her heartbeat slowed… then picked up again.

She turned her head slightly.

The corridor outside was empty.

Everything looked normal.

Still, the feeling did not go away.

Aarushi stood up slowly.

This is getting ridiculous, she murmured.

She picked up her bag.

Time to leave.

As she walked towards the elevator, her steps echoed softly in the quiet hallway.

The sound felt louder than it should have.

She pressed the button.

Waited.

The elevator doors opened.

She stepped inside.

The moment the doors closed, the air changed.

It was subtle.

But real.

Aarushi frowned slightly.

Then, without warning, the lights flickered.

Once.

Twice.

And went out.

Darkness.

Complete.

Aarushi’s breath caught in her throat.

Hello?

No response.

Her heart started beating faster.

This is just a power issue, she told herself.

Nothing else.

She reached for her phone, her fingers slightly unsteady.

Before she could turn on the flashlight, the lights came back.

Soft.

Dim.

But enough to see.

Aarushi let out a small breath.

You are overreacting, she whispered.

Then she noticed it.

The elevator was not moving.

Her eyes shifted to the panel.

Nineteenth floor.

Still there.

It had not gone down.

Aarushi pressed the button again.

Nothing.

A faint uneasiness crept in.

Hello? Is anyone there?

Silence.

Then…

A soft sound.

Not from the elevator.

From behind her.

Aarushi froze.

Slowly, very slowly, she turned around.

There was no one.

But the feeling was stronger now.

Like something was standing right behind her.

Close enough to touch.

Her breath became shallow.

This is not real, she told herself.

But her body refused to relax.

And then she heard it.

A whisper.

So faint that it almost felt like imagination.

Aarushi.

Her name.

Aarushi’s eyes widened.

Who is there?

No answer.

Just silence.

And that presence.

Cold.

Unseen.

Watching.

Her hand tightened around her phone.

Say something, she said, her voice barely steady.

Another whisper.

Closer this time.

You should not be here.

Aarushi felt a chill run down her spine.

Before fear could fully take over, the elevator jerked suddenly.

The lights flickered again.

And then everything went normal.

The elevator started moving.

As if nothing had happened.

Aarushi stood there, frozen, trying to process it.

Was that real?

Or had she imagined it?

The elevator reached the ground floor.

The doors opened.

Bright lights from the lobby flooded in.

Aarushi stepped out quickly, her steps faster than usual.

She did not look back.

Not once.

Outside, the night air felt different.

Colder.

She wrapped her arms around herself and walked towards the gate.

Her mind was racing now.

That voice.

It felt real.

Too real.

As she reached the road, she stopped for a second.

A strange thought crossed her mind.

Without knowing why, she turned back.

And looked up.

The building stood tall behind her.

Silent.

Still.

But one window on the nineteenth floor was lit.

Aarushi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

She could not see clearly from this distance.

But she felt it.

Someone was standing there.

Watching her.

Her breath slowed.

Her heart beat unevenly.

And deep inside, something whispered again.

This is not the beginning.

This is something that has already happened before.

Aarushi shook her head and quickly looked away.

No.

She was not going to think like that.

Not now.

Not ever.

She turned and walked away.

But the feeling stayed with her.

And somewhere above, behind that glass window, Veeransh stood in silence.

His gaze fixed on the road where she had just disappeared.

His expression unreadable.

But his eyes…

They were not calm anymore.

They were darker.

Deeper.

Possessive.

As if something inside him had just awakened.

Slowly, he spoke.

It has started.

Kabir stood behind him, quiet as always.

Yes, he said.

And this time… it feels stronger.

Veeransh’s gaze did not move.

It was never weak, he replied.

There was a pause.

Then, almost like a promise, he added quietly,

She is remembering.

And this time, nothing will stop what is meant to happen.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***