After Life: Embracing the Depth of Darkness

Prepare yourself, for sorrow awaits you

"That strange man must be the one who framed me," I whispered, my suspicion taking shape.

 Suddenly, a voice emerged from behind, causing me to startle. 

I turned, and there stood Dheeran on the steps leading to the upper floor. "What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone laced with uncertainty. 

Dheeran responded with a knowing smile, his eyes fixed on me. "Don't tell me... you are that strange man," I cautiously uttered. 

 With a hint of amusement, he replied, "Brilliant deduction, my dear. You've finally realized." Baffled and desperate for answers, I confronted him, demanding to know why he had framed me. Dheeran's expression turned serious as he denied the accusation. 

"I didn't frame you. I was attempting to help you," he insisted. 

 My voice filled with disbelief, I retorted, "Help me? I never asked for your help."

 Undeterred, he calmly explained, "I glimpsed into your fate, and I believed I could offer assistance." 

Skeptical yet intrigued, I pressed for more information. "If you truly want to assist me, then tell me what you saw," I implored. 

 Dheeran's gaze met mine, his words ominous. "Prepare yourself, for sorrow awaits you," he forewarned. 

 Confusion etched on my face, I questioned, "What do you mean?" 

 His response only deepened the mystery. "Someone dear to you is destined to meet their demise very soon," he revealed. My heart sank at the mention of loss. 

Determined, I sought clarity. "Who? Tell me, please," I pleaded. 

But Dheeran held back, his tone filled with restraint. "Discover the truth within the pages of Fatebook; I am not permitted to disclose more," he cryptically replied.

 "Why did you steal that book?" I questioned, my confusion mixing with a hint of frustration.

 Dheeran's response surprised me. "I was curious about the fate of a half-celestial," he admitted.

 My eyes widened at his revelation. "You only knew I was a half-celestial after you stole the book," I pointed out. 

"Your existence has been a topic of many discussions, Sara. Countless eyes are fixated on you," he explained. I couldn't help but feel wary about Dheeran's intentions.

 "How can I trust that you're telling the truth?" I inquired, needing some reassurance.

 Dheeran responded in a manner that left little room for uncertainty. "You don't have to trust me. Verify it for yourself, so you can save your loved one; otherwise, you'll be left with no choice but to witness their demise," he asserted.

Thoughts of those I cherished flooded my mind. My parents, Rani, Deepa, Nethra, Lakshmi, KK—each one held a significant place in my heart. The weight of the situation was overwhelming, and I felt torn about what to do. The only path left was to face my own fate, to see what the book held for me. With a heavy sigh, I accepted my fate.

 "And," Dheeran continued, drawing my attention. I turned to look at him, awaiting his next words. "If you expose my involvement, you'll lose the chance to save your loved one. Keep in mind, they won't allow you to alter the destinies of others," he warned. The truth of his statement resonated within me. With a final glance at him, I made my decision and left for the hall, my mind filled with thoughts of what lay ahead. I knocked on the door to the Chairman's office, the sound of KK's voice reaching my ears from within. With a sense of anticipation, I entered the room.