Harsha, along with his friends, set off from Delhi. Their destination: Auli. They first reached Rishikesh by bus and from there, took a private vehicle toward the mountains. The real journey began on the road — filled with laughter, banter, and secrets waiting to unfold.
As the bus rolled through the winding roads, Jaideep broke the silence.
Jaideep: "Just like every time, Harsha, your brother has sent one of his 'donkeys' with us again. This trip is meant for kids our age. Why do we even need someone older tagging along?"
Harsha quickly hushed him. "Shhh! He might hear you. And he's not a donkey — he's Avi bhaiya's best friend. Avi considers him like a brother. If he hears you say that, he'll feel really bad."
Sahil chimed in, "Besides, if he weren't here, our parents wouldn't have let us travel this far. We owe him."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Just then, Joel, the guy they were talking about, turned around from the front seat.
Joel: "What are you all agreeing on?"
Harsha: "Oh, nothing! We were just reminiscing… talking about old memories."
Joel smiled. "Go ahead, talk as much as you like. Anyway, your holidays are about to end. After this, it's back to school for everyone."
Jaideep, slightly annoyed, muttered, "Yeah, yeah, we know. No need to remind us."
Joel turned back around, unfazed. Khwaish, sitting beside Jaideep, playfully kicked his leg.
Khoish: "Why are you always so rude to him?"
Jaideep: "I just don't get it. Why is a 17-year-old guy tagging along on a trip meant for us kids? Who gave him a free ticket? These older guys always act like they know everything."
Khwaish nodded slightly. "It's true though… even my dad never lets me travel alone. And when I ask why, he always says, 'One day, I won't stop you from going anywhere.' I don't know when that 'one day' will come."
Sahil added thoughtfully, "But think about it… this year, our parents didn't stop us from going. In fact, they were excited to send us. Normally, they react like we'll either get kidnapped or meet Yamraj himself if we step outside."
In a comical voice, he added, "It's like Yamraj himself told them, 'This time, let your kids go. I'm on vacation with my wife.'"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Harsha nodded, smiling. "True. Even my brother told me I should go."
Sahil: "Adults are weird. When we want to go somewhere, they say no. And when we don't, they push us out."
Jaideep: "Exactly why I don't like adults. They think we can't make our own decisions. And the ones they make for us — they think are always right."
Khwaish: "Uff, these grown-ups!" she groaned, throwing her hands up.
Laughter echoed in the bus again.
---
Arrival at the Lodge
A large building appeared outside the window. The bus stopped.
Joel turned to them. "Alright, everyone get off here. You'll find your room numbers on the notice board. Three people per room. One room is under Avi Jais's name. Decide who's staying with whom. The person left out will come to my room. My number's 772*****70. Call me once you decide. I'm heading to my room."
As Joel turned to leave, Jaideep muttered sarcastically, "Yes, please. Don't let us keep you."
Joel chuckled and walked away. "Room number 9. Catch you later."
Harsha frowned. "Why are you always so rude to him?"
They all approached the notice board. Harsha found his room: Room 43. As they walked in, they started discussing who would end up in Joel's room.
---
The Decision Game
Harsha: "How do we decide who goes to Joel's room?"
Sahil: "Simple! Let's play a fortune game."
Jaideep: "Come on, we're 10 years old — who still plays that stuff?"
Sahil and Khwaish (in unison): "We do!"
Harsha: (laughs) "I know why you two are so eager."
Sahil: "Don't worry, this time you won't lose."
Jaideep: "Yeah right. You always win anyway."
They prepared a bowl with four folded papers — three marked "Yes" and one "No." Whoever picked the "No" had to go stay with Joel.
One by one, they drew:
Khwaish: Yes
Harsha: Yes
Sahil: Yes
Jaideep angrily crumpled it and threw it out the window. "This is why I hate this stupid game."
He grabbed his bag and stormed out.
Harsha ran after him. "If you don't want to go, I will. He's my brother's friend — I've stayed at his place before. It's no big deal."
Jaideep: "No, it's fine. I just don't like being around adults, that's all."
Harsha: "Then go back. I'll go."
As Harsha turned to leave, Jaideep grabbed his arm.
Jaideep: "Let it be. It's my fate, not yours."
With that, he headed to Room 9.
---
Room 9: An Unexpected Conversation
Jaideep entered the room. Joel looked up.
Jaideep: "I'm staying with you tonight."
Joel (grinning): "Don't worry. I won't be here tonight anyway. You won't have to see my boring face."
Jaideep: "Your face isn't boring," he said honestly, sitting down.
Joel raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you always annoyed with me?"
Jaideep: "It's not you. I just don't like older people."
Joel leaned back. "Why? Can I know the reason?"
Jaideep (coldly): "No. It's personal. You shouldn't poke into my life. Just go wherever you're going."
Joel smiled quietly and walked out.
---
Midnight approached.
Only 20 seconds left until the clock struck 12...
— Next chapter:-3( Nightmares unlesshed)