The sun peeked over the horizon, casting golden streaks across the bus windows as twelve excited girls settled into their seats. It was finally happening—the much-awaited Shimla trip. After weeks of planning, packing, and daydreaming during boring lectures, their 12th-grade farewell trip had officially begun.
Prajwal, sitting near the window in the third row, pulled her hoodie over her head, slid her headphones on, and watched the passing trees blur into green smudges. Calm and composed as always, she already had her journal in her lap. She wasn't much for loud conversations or chaotic group selfies—but she loved observing the others, and secretly enjoyed their madness.
Behind her, Swara sat with Rutuja, both talking softly. Swara, always the smart and quiet one, was busy reading the itinerary they'd printed out. Rutuja was her usual sweet self, nodding along, occasionally glancing at her phone to send a quick message to her parents.
In the row across from them, Akshada sat tall and confident, legs crossed, already taking selfies with the caption "Shimla diaries begin!" Her attitude screamed 'main character energy', and no one denied it—she could win an argument against gravity if she tried.
At the back of the bus, chaos reigned.
Apurva and Swarali, the topper besties, had brought along a mini notebook filled with plans: which places to visit, which café had the best ratings, and even how much study time they could sneak in during the trip. "Only half an hour a day," Swarali was saying. "We can't fall behind."
"Bro, it's a haunted hotel, not an exam center," Anushka said, dramatically rolling her eyes as she leaned across the seat. "Unless the ghost wants to solve trigonometry."
Beside her, Srushti burst into laughter. "Maybe it just wants a boyfriend and not math notes."
"Poor ghost," Anushka added with a grin. "She's gonna be jealous of our love lives."
"Oh please," Akshara said, turning from the seat in front, "as if your love life isn't already a ghost story."
The whole bus burst out laughing. Even Prajwal couldn't help but smile.
Their teacher, Ms. Shinde, gave them a look from the front seat. "Girls, please, keep it down. You'll scare the driver more than the ghost stories will."
Hours passed with games, music, and snacks flying around the bus. Finally, as they began climbing the winding mountain roads, the air turned cooler. Mist rolled in like smoke, wrapping around pine trees like long fingers. The tall gates of the hotel slowly appeared—Hillview Heritage, the sign read in fading golden paint.
The hotel looked like something straight out of an old movie: Victorian windows, stone walls, and a sloped red roof. It was beautiful but… oddly silent.
"Whoa," Akshada whispered, standing at the gates with her suitcase.
"This place looks like Dracula's vacation home," Khushi muttered, clutching her jacket.
"I love it," Prajwal said simply, stepping forward with a quiet spark in her eyes.
As they entered the grand lobby, a man in an old brown coat greeted them. "Welcome to Hillview Heritage," he said in a raspy voice. "You girls will be staying in the west wing… but remember…"
He paused.
"Don't go near Room 309."
The entire group froze.
Anushka raised an eyebrow. "Why? That's where your ex-girlfriend ghost lives?"
The man didn't laugh.
"It's for your safety," he said gravely, then walked away.
A shiver ran through the group.
"That… was not part of the welcome package," Swara murmured.
"Are we seriously staying here for five days?" Akshara whispered.
"Yes," Prajwal said, eyes scanning the antique chandelier and long corridors. "And I have a feeling this is going to be the most unforgettable trip of our lives."
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