New Year's Eve at Evan's Family Home
Evan's car stopped in front of his parents' house. He turned around to look at Raka, who was sitting in the back seat, his eyes sparkling after a full day of play.
"We're here," Evan said, unbuckling Raka's seatbelt.
Raka jumped down eagerly. But when he saw the large house in front of him, he hesitated. "Is this your house, Uncle Evan?"
"Yes," Evan nodded, then took Raka's small hand in his. "Come on, there are some important people who want to meet you."
They walked to the front door, and before Evan could knock, it opened. Evan's mom stood there with a warm smile, followed by his dad standing behind her with his hands in his pockets.
"Here he is," Evan said with a smile. He knelt beside Raka and said gently, "Kiddo, this is Grandma and Grandpa. Call them Grandma and Grandpa, okay?"
Raka looked at Evan, then turned to Evan's parents. He hesitated for a moment, then smiled shyly. "G-Grandma? Grandpa?"
Evan's mom immediately bent down and opened her arms. "Oh my goodness, come here, sweetheart!"
Raka was startled at first, but once in her embrace, he felt the same warmth as when Ayla hugged him. Slowly, he returned the hug.
Evan's dad didn't say much, just looked at the boy with sharp eyes that held hidden emotion. "Do you like playing soccer, Raka?" he finally asked.
Raka nodded enthusiastically. "I do, Grandpa!"
Evan held back a smile, watching his dad try to act casual.
Evan's mom wrapped an arm around Raka. "Come in! Grandma's made lots of yummy food for us."
Evan smiled in relief. Tonight, for the first time, he felt complete.
A Different New Year's Eve
On the dinner table, the food was neatly laid out. The smell of roast chicken, cream soup, and mashed potatoes filled the room, mixed with the sweet scent of birthday cake placed on the coffee table. A simple cake with candles shaped as the number 26.
Evan glanced at the cake, his heart sinking. Last year, the same number had stood on his birthday cake. And if the curse was still real, tomorrow morning that number would mean nothing.
"Raka, come sit next to Grandma," Evan's mom said.
The little boy happily climbed into his seat while Evan sat across from him. Evan's dad took his place at the head of the table, leading the prayer before the meal.
During dinner, the atmosphere was warm and intimate. Raka excitedly told stories about his day with Evan—how they played in the park, tried rides at the game center, and had ice cream.
"Grandpa," Raka said innocently, "Uncle Evan taught me how to dribble using the side of my foot."
Evan's dad raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh really? Then tomorrow, let's try it in the backyard."
Evan smiled faintly, trying to suppress the turmoil inside him. He wanted to believe that there would still be a tomorrow, that he could still be here for Raka—but who could say for sure?
After dinner, they moved to the living room. The TV was on, showing New Year's celebrations from around the world. Outside, the sound of fireworks occasionally echoed from the neighbors' homes.
In the middle of the room, Evan's birthday cake waited. The 26 candle still stood firm on top.
Evan's mom clapped her hands. "It's almost midnight. Come on, Evan, let's light the candles!"
Evan swallowed hard. It felt heavy.
Raka ran over and grabbed his hand. "Uncle Evan, when you blow the candles, don't forget to make a wish!"
Evan looked at the boy. "A wish, huh?" he murmured.
What could he even wish for?
Outside, the countdown began.
"Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Evan took a deep breath, looking at each of his family members—his mom, his dad, and Raka, smiling so innocently.
"Three! Two! One!"
The sound of trumpets and fireworks filled the air.
Evan lit the candle and closed his eyes. In his heart, he whispered one wish.
"Please... let me stay."
Then, he opened his eyes and blew out the candle.
Raka's Disappearance
Evan stared at the 26 candle flickering on top of his birthday cake. He raised his hand, ready to blow it out—but something happened.
Right in front of his eyes, the number 26 on the candle began to change. As if an invisible hand was wiping it clean, the numbers slowly faded and transformed into 25.
Evan's heart skipped a beat.
He looked around, hoping others had seen it too. But his mom and dad kept smiling, seemingly unaware of the change.
But there was something else.
The small hand holding his suddenly felt light.
He turned.
Raka was still standing there, still holding his hand—but his body was beginning to change. Like smoke caught in the wind, the edges of the boy's body began to fade.
"Raka?" Evan's voice cracked into a whisper.
Raka looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. He didn't look scared, as if unaware of what was happening.
"Uncle Evan?" Raka blinked, his voice still clear.
But Evan couldn't answer. He could only stare in horror as the small hand slowly lost its form, the fingers that once gripped his disappearing into the air.
"No..." Evan choked.
In seconds, Raka vanished completely. No sound, no flash. As if he had never been in that room at all.
Evan reached into the empty air. His chest was tight, his eyes wide, his mind refusing to process what had just happened.
"Raka?!"
But no answer came.
His mom and dad looked at Evan, confused.
"Evan? What's wrong?" his mom asked.
Evan couldn't speak.
He had just lost Raka.
Or more accurately—the curse had taken him.
Raka's Disappearance (Part 2)
Evan stood up so suddenly that his chair almost toppled backward. His eyes locked onto the dining table.
There.
Only three plates.
THREE!
Just moments ago, there had been four! A small plate with leftover rice and side dishes—Raka's. A tiny spoon and fork he had just used.
All of it—gone.
"Raka!" he cried, panicked.
His mom and dad turned to him, confused.
"Who are you looking for, Van?" his mom asked, her voice full of concern.
Evan froze. He stared at her, then at his dad.
There was no change in their faces. No sign of confusion about the sudden disappearance of a boy who had just been eating with them. No trace of awareness that someone had vanished from the dinner table.
Nothing had changed—except the fact that Raka no longer existed to them.
"Raka... just now... he was here," Evan's voice trembled, barely believing his own words. "He ate here. He sat next to me."
His mom and dad exchanged glances.
His mom frowned. "Evan, what's going on with you? It's just been the three of us here."
"But... just now... Raka was here…" Evan shook his head, feeling like he was losing his mind. He turned to where Raka should've been standing. "He was right here! He held my hand!"
His own hand clenched into a fist, as if still feeling the warmth of that tiny grasp.
His dad sighed. "Van, you're probably just exhausted."
"No!" Evan almost shouted. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. His breathing was ragged. This can't be happening again!
His mom approached, gently touching his arm. "Honey, who's Raka?"
Evan froze.
His mom… didn't remember?
So it wasn't just that Raka vanished. All memories of him were erased.
Evan felt his throat close up. His heart pounded so hard it hurt. He looked around, desperately hoping to find some sign of Raka's presence. A toy? A pair of small sandals? Anything!
But there was nothing.
As if Raka had never been there.
Evan lowered his head, gripping the table tightly. His head throbbed, as if something sharp was piercing through from within.
He knew the curse was cruel.
But he never imagined it would take Raka from him.