....
"Why don't you write a horror story based on the mansion itself?"
Ragini asked, flipping through Raghav's notes. Yet, Ragini's eyes were studying the notes, wondering how Raghav understood all this. How difficult it was...
"It's just... I don't believe in all this, Ragini. It's all nonsense."
Ragini just rolled her eyes and tossed the notes onto his head.
"Remember! My ice cream must arrive today."
"Yes, yes, Goddess! Now go."
Ragini laughed, hearing the irritation in Raghav's voice. Her day was made. Younger siblings often find the world's happiness in annoying their elder siblings.
Sometimes it's the other way around...
well...
As soon as Raghav reached the library, he sat down in his usual seat. The very seat from which the jungle behind Lalganj city was clearly visible.
And visible was that mansion, enveloped in mist...
"Focus, Raghav!" Raghav muttered to himself and focused on his work.
But today, for some reason, his mind kept wandering far away into some forest.
He wished someone would lift that mist...
He wished someone could tell what was really going on there?...
How did a famous visiting spot suddenly become scary?...
What happened in the last month...
Raghav took a deep breath and refocused.
But as the evening descended, his gaze settled there.
The setting red light of the sun was now giving a crimson hue to the mansion's mist, which further highlighted its already desolate ruins.
In Raghav's eyes, the mansion didn't look scary but like a box holding a hidden treasure.
What could be hidden in this treasure box...
If a deer simply walks into a lion's mouth out of imagination, what good is that?
Raghav knew this too, which is why, apart from silently watching the sun hide behind the mansion, he had no other desire for the time being. Even if he did, Raghav would suppress it, he knew that much.
Raghav was lost in his thoughts when a pair of hands, much stronger than his, snapped their fingers and stopped right in front of his eyes.
"Hellloooo! Earth to Raghav! Where are you lost?" Nawal asked, pulling up the chair next to him and sitting down.
"Nothing, Bhai[1]! Just the issue from yesterday is playing on my mind."
Raghav lied, but not completely. It was partly true. Nawal patted his shoulder and said,
"Forget it. We can't do anything about it, and this isn't some horror movie where we just jump into any random mansion. I'll just pray that Radhika Didi[2] is safe and sound."
Raghav nodded too, though something else was going on in his mind, but Raghav was an expert at hiding his feelings.
"Yeah, man. Come on, let's go now. Otherwise, it will get late, and I have to buy ice cream for my sister."
"Yeah, yeah, let's go. A new mall has opened; let me take you there. All the goods are on discount today."
The two friends left, and in the distance, that mansion visible from a small window...
The mist around it slowly deepened further.
Although the winds were calm today, the eucalyptus trees near the mansion were rustling as if a very strong wind was blowing.
•°•°•°•°•°•
The evening had fallen much later than expected, and the one who caused the delay was now struggling.
Struggling to pedal the cycle...
"Oh,Bhai ! Is there no air in the tires? It feels so heavy."
"Hahahahaha..."
Raghav only laughed in response. Actually, it was Nawal who caused the delay, getting his gaming set-up. Raghav only needed ice cream.
So who will ride the cycle?
Of course, Nawal!
"Hey, ride fast. My arms are hurting holding this huge box. Hahahahaha!"
Raghav said, barely holding back his laughter.
One laughing, the other growling at him, they somehow covered the distance.
They had just passed the path near the mansion when Nawal's ears perked up...
a sharp sound...
maybe a suppressed scream...
But Nawal just scratched his ear and pedaled the cycle forward.
"My ears must be ringing. Who in their right mind would scream right now?"
Suddenly, Raghav's eyes widened upon hearing Nawal.
"What? Wait a minute! You heard it too? I thought something got pressed inside your gaming set-up."
Nawal would have turned back to look closely at Raghav if he hadn't been cycling.
Just then, Raghav slapped him on the back of his head.
"Hey, stop, Bhai ! Stop for a minute!"
Nawal stopped the cycle but turned and slapped Raghav back.
"Yeah, go on, speak now."
"What was the sound like?"
"It sounded high-pitched, a little bit."
"So that means it was definitely a lady."
"Oh, Bhai! Don't you become Sherlock now. Let's get out of here quickly. You can go home and tell your Dad everything. Okay?"
Nawal said, getting back on the cycle. Raghav also sat down...
reluctantly, because that voice...
"Nawal... you also know that voice sounded a lot like Radhika Didi."
Raghav said softly, which Nawal didn't want to answer. Still, the words came out.
"Look. Yes... it did match. But you know that in horror movies, the people who chase after all this screaming and shouting are usually the first ones to go. Radhika Didi has been missing for more than 24 hours. Let's go straight, and we'll both tell your Dad everything."
Raghav agreed, but his heart was pounding strangely. Like something was cutting him.
Just then, the road light in front started shining very brightly...
No...
It wasn't a road light...
It was a fast-speed car coming from the side.
Or something else...
which human eyes perceive as a car because there is no other similar option.
Raghav yelled at Nawal in panic.
"Hey, stop, stop, stop! Hit the brakes!!!"
And after that, Nawal closed his eyes in fear of a sharp collision. But...
There was only a rush of cold air.
"Oh, man, what the—"
Nawal turned back to look at Raghav, who was equally shocked, but there was only that same rush of cold air behind him. His gaming set-up box was on the ground...
Nawal's mind couldn't handle so much, and his head started spinning.
"R-Raghav...?"
No answer.
There was no one there to steady his dizzy mind with a hand on his head.
Nawal felt dizzy, his eyes rolled, and right there, he fell, trying somehow to steady himself.
A melted ice cream was rolling on the road...
_________________________________________
To be continued...
[1] A term used for brothers or freinds.
[2] A term used for elder sister or elder woman.