Asha stands at the doorstep, face drained of color.
In Papa's arms sits the same black pup, Shadow.
The wagging tail and innocent glint in its eyes feel like a cruel joke.
"Asha! Why so breathless? Did you forget to take him this morning?"
Surprise and a faint smile in Papa's voice.
Asha's tongue feels glued to the roof of her mouth.
Before her eyes, the scene from the school corridor—where this creature swallowed a human whole.
She steps inside with trembling feet.
"No Mummy... took him along. He vanished at school. Thought he was gone forever."
Hiding her shivers, she reaches toward the pup.
Shadow tilts his head. That same icy glint in his eyes.
Her throat tightens.
"Sorry Mummy-Papa... couldn't take care of him. I thought..."
"Well, he's back now, isn't he? Stop worrying."
Mummy strokes her hair affectionately.
Asha lowers her tired eyes.
"Mummy, Papa... I want to rest. I'm exhausted."
"Alright, go lie down. But remember, come out for dinner on time."
"Don't fall into a deep sleep, set an alarm on your phone."
With Papa's instruction, Asha turns toward her room.
Behind her on the sofa, Shadow continues to watch.
Tongue out, as if savoring a feast.
Asha closes her room door and slides down against it to the floor.
Her heart still racing in an uncontrollable sprint.
Step inside the room, Asha's eyes scanned every corner.
Her fingers fumbled through drawers and closets, searching for something lost.
Failing there, she crept into her parents' room on tip-toe.
Another dead end.
Finally, her steps led to the dim storeroom.
Hours of toil amidst old memories and dust.
Behind the junk, inside a dusty jar, she found it—the potent rat poison.
Clenching it in her fist, she slinked back to her room like a shadow.
Not a soul suspected a thing.
In her parents' eyes, she lay in a deep slumber.
In reality, she was weaving her next move.
As the evening twilight deepened, she rose from the bed and stood before the mirror.
On her weary eyes and paling face, she forced a hollow smile.
She groomed herself and headed toward the dining table.
Her parents were already there.
Asha's face radiated a practiced excitement.
"Mummy, what's special for snacks today?"
"Your favorite, carrot halwa," her mother replied warmly.
"I figured you'd be upset about the Shadow incident, so I thought of making something sweet."
"Mummy! My absolute favorite!"
A forced chirp in Asha's voice.
While approaching the chair, she interlaced her trembling hands tightly.
Fingers crushing against one another.
The moment she sat, her hands rested on her thighs.
Fists clenched so hard that her nails dug into her palms.
That steady, calculated smile remained.
"Mummy, thank you! Serve it quickly, I'm starving."
In the corner of her vision sat Shadow, wagging its tail, silently watching her every move.
Piping hot carrot halwa paired with steaming potato parathas.
Seeing her favorites laid out on the table, a deep glow appeared on Asha's face.
"Wow Mummy! Parathas too? Today is a real treat!"
Without wasting a moment, she fell upon the plate.
Gulping down morsels in a hurry, as if participating in some unspoken race.
Her actions swinging between excitement and agitation.
Beside her, father remained anchored to his chair.
Unaware of the breakfast, fingers dancing across the laptop screen.
Shoulders weighed down by office burdens.
Mother's temper flared, a sharp edge in her voice.
"Listen! Finish the breakfast first."
"This is a dining table, not your office."
"Did you run out of rooms for work? Come on, move your hands!"
Ignoring the words, father tightened his grip on the screen.
Lost in the files, he kept searching.
Suddenly, his gaze fell on Asha, who was eating with frantic speed.
"Hey beta, why such a rush?"
"I know it's your favorite food, but take it slow."
"Eat calmly, don't let it choke you."
Mother's patience snapping now. Again, that raised voice.
"Why don't you listen to me? Is work always going to be everything?"
Asha lowered her head and took a large bite.
Beneath the table, the packet of medicine tucked in her pocket began to feel heavy against her thigh.
Amidst her father's advice and mother's shouting.
Her eyes locked onto Shadow sitting silently in the corner.
He was still staring at her.
The atmosphere at the dining table grew heavier amidst her parents' bickering.
Father's gaze refused to budge from the laptop.
Pushing her plate aside with a sigh, Asha's voice rang out.
"Mummy, Papa! I'm done. I'll go feed Shadow now."
Mother tossed a sharp jab at Father.
"Yes, at least you feed him! Your father's stomach seems full enough with these files."
Without looking up, Father simply said in a calm tone.
"Go Asha, give him his dog food."
Asha leaned down and scooped the black pup into her arms.
Shadow's body felt icy cold, yet his weight was like a heavy stone.
Pressing him to her chest, she headed toward her room.
Outside the window, a thick darkness had settled.
Tree branches danced like black silhouettes against the wall.
From the neighboring houses to the far-off garden, a terrifying silence reigned.
Amidst this stillness, Asha felt her own breath stifling.
A strange heaviness in the air, as if an invisible force were choking her.
In the corner of the room sat Shadow's bowl, already filled with dog food.
Asha gripped the poisonous packet in her pocket tightly.
Her fingers trembled, but her resolve remained hard as stone.
In the silent room, only the sound of her rapid breathing echoed.
The pup hopped down and moved toward the bowl.
His red eyes glowing like embers in the dark.
To be continue...