That same evening, just as the sun dipped below the horizon, the Paradine Park was bathed in a warm, dusky glow. Maya was walking beside a boy slightly taller than her, her steps light yet tinged with nervous energy.
She wore a light floral dress that swayed gently with her movements, its pastel pink hues blending seamlessly with the soft hues of twilight. The dress fell just below her knees, its delicate designs exuding innocence and charm. The modest scoop neckline framed her collarbones, and the simple black ballet flats on her feet gave her look an understated elegance. A silver watch jingled softly on her wrist as she moved, her loosely tied hair allowing soft strands to frame her face, highlighting her natural beauty. Over her shoulder hung a dainty purse, the thin strap resting comfortably against her shoulder.
The boy walking beside her had an easy, casual confidence about him. His full-sleeved graphic T-shirt was a subtle charcoal gray, the artistic design across the chest adding a touch of personality without being overbearing. He paired it with slim-fit black jeans, broken in just enough to balance comfort and style. Clean white sneakers grounded his look, and a simple leather bracelet on his wrist hinted at a quiet edginess that matched his laid-back demeanor.
As Maya and the boy walking through the park, Maya's heart raced, her palms growing damp despite the cool breeze brushing past them. She glanced at her watch, it was almost 7 PM. Time felt warped, each moment dragging and speeding by simultaneously, her thoughts spinning in endless loops of anticipation and uncertainty.
"I'm sorry," Ayush's voice broke through Maya's spiraling thoughts. Startled, she looked up at him, her mind scrambling to catch up.
"I know we talked about going to the expo," he continued, his tone soft and sincere. "But just walking and talking here… it feels nice, don't you think?"
"Oh… it's fine, Ayush. It's really nice," Maya replied, her words rushed, a little stiff. She forced a smile, her cheeks warming under his gaze. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest—a mix of excitement and nervous energy coursing through her.
"Thank you," Ayush smiled back, his eyes kind.
After a moment of silence, he added, "Hey, you look really nice today." His voice carried an easy charm. "Casual dresses suit you a lot."
Maya's breath hitched, and she instinctively turned away to hide her embarrassment. Her cheeks burned like fire, and she felt as if the whole world could see her nervousness.
"Th-thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "You… you look good too," she added quickly, avoiding his eyes.
As they walked, the park seemed to wrap them in its quiet charm. The soft glow of lampposts cast golden hues on the path, and couples passed them, holding hands or sitting close on benches. Maya's mind spiraled again, imagining scenarios that made her palms sweat.
'What if he wanted to hold my hand? Should I let him? What if I do it wrong?' Her thoughts raced, the idea both thrilling and terrifying.
"Hey, let's sit over there," Ayush said, pointing to an empty bench beneath the shade of an old tree.
Her heart skipped a beat. Sitting together felt far more intimate than walking side by side. Her steps slowed as a wave of uncertainty gripped her.
Ayush sat first, casually leaning back as though completely at ease. Then he looked up at her. "Maya?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his tone. "You're not going to sit?"
Maya's feet felt glued to the ground. Her gaze flicked to the bench, then back to Ayush. 'Should I sit close to him? Would that be too much? But if I sit too far, will he think I don't like him?'
"Yeah, I'm coming," she said quickly, her voice trembling. She moved forward and sat down—closer than she intended, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
The bench was cool against her palms, grounding her slightly, but her heart still raced. Ayush tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You, okay?"
"Y-yeah," she stammered, glancing anywhere but at him. 'What's wrong with me? can't I just act normal!'
"I'm sorry… I must have made you uncomfortable," Ayush said, his tone gentle as he noticed Maya's unease.
"No, no!" Maya responded, her voice louder than she intended.
Embarrassed, she quickly looked down, fiddling with the hem of her dress. "I'm just… a little shy," she admitted, her voice softening.
"Hey, it's okay," Ayush reassured her, his smile warm and kind. "Just try to be yourself."
The sincerity in his voice eased the tension in her chest.
"So… tell me about your friends," Ayush asked, steering the conversation toward something familiar to help her relax.
"You're asking about Arunika and Vani?" Maya's face brightened slightly at the mention of her friends.
"You tell me," Ayush replied, leaning in a little, his smile encouraging.
"We're really close," Maya said, a spark of enthusiasm breaking through her shyness. "Arunika is amazing. She always helps me when I need her, but…" she paused, a playful grin forming, "she's scary when she gets angry."
Ayush chuckled at her description, his gaze fixed on her animated face.
"And Vani?" he asked, genuinely interested.
"Vani's the sweetest. She's so kind and thoughtful—she's like the mom of our group," Maya continued, her voice glowing with fondness.
"You three seem really close," Ayush remarked, smiling at her enthusiasm. "No wonder I always see you three together during breaks."
"Yeah, we are," Maya nodded, her earlier nervousness melting away as a genuine smile graced her face.
Ayush leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful. "By the way, I heard a new student joined your class?"
"Oh, yes," Maya said, thinking for a moment. "I think his name is… um… Akhil? No, wait, it's Akshay."
"What? You don't remember your classmate's name?" Ayush teased, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.
"No, no!" Maya protested, laughing softly. "He's new, so I must have just forgotten."
As the two laughed, the mood between them grew lighter, more comfortable. But just as the conversation began to flow naturally, Ayush's phone buzzed sharply, cutting through the moment.
He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted in an instant. The light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something serious—almost grim.
"Give me a second," Ayush said, standing up to answer the call. Maya nodded, her curiosity piqued, though she hesitated to ask who might be calling him now.
Ayush stepped a few paces away, holding the phone to his ear. Oddly, he didn't say a word, simply listening in silence. After a moment, he glanced back at Maya, a small smile appearing on his face as he tucked the phone into his pocket.
"Hey, I've got something I need to take care of," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Let me drop you home, okay?"
"You don't have to," Maya replied, sensing that something important had come up. "I can manage on my own."
"No way," Ayush insisted, his concern evident. "It's already late, and I've called a cab. Let me make sure you get home safe."
Touched by his genuine care, Maya relented, nodding softly. "Okay… thank you."
Ayush's gentle smile eased her nerves, and the two began walking toward the park entrance. A cab was already waiting for them, its headlights cutting through the growing darkness.
As they approached, the driver stepped out. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, wearing a simple shirt with the top two buttons undone and a pair of worn jeans. His hair was slightly disheveled, and the flicker of a cigarette glowed between his lips.
But what caught Maya's attention—and sent a shiver down her spine—was the scar on his face. It wasn't a faint scratch or an accidental scrape; it was deep and jagged, the kind that hinted at something far more violent.
The man inhaled deeply from his cigarette, the smoke curling from his nose in slow spirals. His dark eyes flicked toward Maya, and for a moment, she felt exposed, as though he could see straight through her.
"Uncle, there's a girl here," Ayush said, his voice cutting through the tension. "Don't smoke in front of her."
The man paused, then flicked the cigarette to the ground, grinding it under his shoe. "Ah, sorry about that," he said, his voice rough but polite. He gave Maya a smile, revealing uneven teeth. "Just a bad habit, you know."
Despite the scar, his smile seemed almost kind, and hearing Ayush call him "uncle" made Maya feel a pang of guilt for her earlier unease. She nodded, forcing herself to relax.
"Hey, Ayush," the man said, glancing between them with a teasing grin. "You've got a beautiful girlfriend here, huh?"
Maya's cheeks burned, and she looked away, unsure how to respond. Ayush, unfazed, simply smiled and stepped forward to open the back door for her.
"Come on, let's go," Ayush said softly.
Maya slid into the backseat, her thoughts racing. Ayush followed, settling in beside her as the man climbed into the driver's seat.
The engine hummed to life, and as the cab pulled away, Maya and Ayush sitting on the back, Ayush was sitting quietly, Maya didn't see his playful smile now.
The driver's gruff voice broke the silence. "Ayush, what class is she in?"
"She's in Class 12," Ayush replied. His tone had shifted—no longer light-hearted, but guarded.
"So... is she 18 yet?" the man asked, glancing at them through the rearview mirror, his gaze lingering on Maya.
"I don't think she is," Ayush answered, his expression darkening.
Maya's heart skipped a beat. Confusion washed over her. Why were they talking about her age?
As she shifted uneasily in her seat, something jabbed at her side. Startled, she reached down and pulled out an object wedged between the seats. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw what it was, a woman's undergarment.
"Um… excuse me," Maya said, her voice trembling as she addressed the driver. "I found this... stuck between the seats."
The man glanced at it through the mirror. A wide grin spread across his scarred face. "Oh, how embarrassing," he muttered, but his tone held no embarrassment.
Maya stared at the object in her hand, feeling a wave of discomfort. It was pristine white, unnervingly clean, and out of place. Her instincts screamed at her that something was wrong.
The driver's grin twisted into something more sinister. "Don't mind that," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Souvenir from the last one... isn't that right, Ayush?"
Maya's blood ran cold. The words hit her like a slap, leaving her paralyzed with fear. Her mind raced as she processed the horrifying implication.
Before she could act, Ayush lunged at her. In one swift motion, he pressed a cloth over her face.
Maya's eyes widened in terror. A sickly sweet, chemical smell flooded her senses. She kicked and thrashed, her hands clawing at Ayush's arms, but his grip was unyielding.
"Shh... stop struggling. It's easier that way," Ayush whispered, his voice devoid of the warmth it once held.
Her movements grew weaker as her body betrayed her, succumbing to the overpowering fumes. Darkness closed in, swallowing her vision. Her limbs went limp, her struggles fading to nothing.
Ayush released her lifeless form, letting her slump against the seat. His once-kind eyes now gleamed with twisted intent as he looked at her unconscious body. The man smirked, glancing at poor Maya through his mirror, his eyes gleaming with malice.
After all this struggle, the cab just rolled on, its tires humming against the road. To the outside world, it was just another car in the night. But for Maya, it was the beginning of a nightmare she had never imagined.