"Hey, you know what?"
Arvika whispered softly to Tanishka, glancing around as if hiding a secret.
"I think I really like Aarush... His eyes—don't you think there's something mysterious about them? Maybe it's because he's from North Bengal... guys from the hills are just too good-looking, right?"
But Tanishka didn't seem to be listening at all.
Her eyes were lost somewhere far away, her mind swimming in thoughts Arvika couldn't reach.
Arvika nudged her,
"Hey! What are you thinking about? Tell me!"
Tanishka snapped out of it and smiled faintly.
"No, nothing… I just woke up a little while ago. Still feeling groggy."
Arvika laughed.
"Alright then, let's eat something. After that, we can sleep early. We have to head out again in the morning."
---
That night, they didn't go out.
The evening passed with quiet chatter and much-needed rest.
By 7 a.m. the next morning, both girls were out again—heading toward an old Buddhist monastery nestled in the hills.
They sat quietly in the serene surroundings for a while.
Tanishka wandered around with her camera, capturing every corner of the temple courtyard like she was freezing the soul of the place inside her lens.
Suddenly, her eyes caught a familiar figure approaching them from afar.
Aarush.
He was walking straight toward them.
Tanishka felt her breath catch in her throat.
Leaning toward Arvika, she whispered urgently,
"Let's go somewhere else. Now. Before he gets here…"
But before they could move, Aarush was already there.
"Why don't you come with me?" he offered politely.
"There are some hidden gems around here I'd love to show you."
Arvika instantly agreed, her eyes lighting up.
Tanishka shot her a glare, but said nothing.
The three of them wandered through mist-covered woods, winding trails, and small mountain streams.
It was picturesque—the kind of place you see in travel magazines.
Tanishka continued to take pictures, though the joy in her eyes seemed faded.
---
Eventually, Aarush brought them to a strange, secluded area.
It was unnaturally silent.
No birds, no rustling leaves, no whispers of the wind.
"This place is beautiful," Arvika said, a little confused.
"But... why is it so quiet?"
Aarush replied in a low, almost hesitant voice,
"There are some strange stories about this spot. They say people have found spell-casting symbols here… old chants written on paper, stains that looked like blood, strange markings. Some who took pictures here… they didn't live long after."
Tanishka let out an irritated laugh,
"Oh please, Aarush. Don't start with that black magic nonsense. Spells? Curses? This is the 21st century. Who still believes in that crap?"
She brushed past them and walked ahead.
Near an old stone slab, something was scrawled in red—maybe ink, maybe blood.
Without hesitation, Tanishka kicked it with her foot and scoffed,
"It's ridiculous how people still get sucked into this kind of superstition."
"Tanishka! Stop!"
Arvika shouted, horrified.
"Don't do that! You don't understand… it might be dangerous!"
Tanishka turned to her, eyes sharp.
"So you believe in this too? I guess I didn't know you as well as I thought."
Arvika stood firm,
"I don't believe in it. But… is it so wrong to be afraid?"
"Let's just go back. I'm starving."
With that, the three of them turned back toward the hotel in silence.
None of them realized…
That stone slab—
had already awakened something.
---
(To be continued…)