Evil within - Part 4

 

The night grew quieter as he ate the warm upma his mother had lovingly prepared. The exhaustion of the day still clung to his shoulders, but the comfort of home softened the edges of his tired thoughts.

His mother watched over him for a while, making sure he ate enough. When he finished, she took the plate away without a word, sensing he didn’t have the energy to talk.

He got up after a moment.
“Amma… I’ll just sit outside for some air,” he said softly.

She nodded. “Don’t be long. The night air is getting cold.”

He stepped out into the balcony again, this time with the street lights flickering in the distance. The darkness felt calmer than the blazing afternoon sun. He took a deep breath.

But his mind wasn’t calm.
Something inside him kept twisting—anxiety, fear, self-doubt.
The evil within, as he used to call it.
The silent enemy that attacked when he was already weak.

He stared at the sky, battling the thoughts rising again.

Just then, the gate creaked.

He looked down.

A man stepped in—tall, lean, carrying a backpack slung over one shoulder. His cousin, Raghav, who stayed in the next street. He often visited late evenings, but tonight his timing felt strange… almost too perfect.

Raghav looked up and saw him seated in the balcony.

“Hey,” he called out, walking towards the steps. “Aunty said you came home tired. Thought I’d drop by.”

He forced a small smile and nodded.

Raghav climbed the stairs and joined him on the balcony.

“Interview didn’t go well?” Raghav asked, settling into the plastic chair beside him.

He shook his head.

Raghav exhaled sharply. “These people don’t know how to judge real talent. You’re smart, you just… you overthink.”

The words stung—not because they were wrong, but because they were too true.

Raghav continued, “But you know what? Sitting and worrying won’t help. Tomorrow, I’m taking you somewhere. A place where we can fix this… together.”

He frowned a little.
“Where?”

Raghav smiled mysteriously. “You’ll see. Trust me.”

There was something in Raghav’s eyes—confidence, determination… and something else. A hint of secrecy.

Before he could ask more, his mother called from inside.

“Both of you come and sleep! Enough talking.”

Raghav got up. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Big day.”

He nodded slowly, unsure yet curious.

As he closed the balcony door behind him, a strange chill slid down his spine.

Something was coming.
Something that would change everything.

And he wasn’t sure if it was good…
or another challenge waiting to break him.