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Chapter 3 - Chapter 2: The Attic

With a gentle yet determined shove, she leaned into the door, feeling the weight of years of neglect as it creaked open, revealing a world shrouded in mystery and dust.

A wave of dust came and they started coughing.

"Oh gosh too much dust" said Iaa

As they stepped into the dimly lit attic, an unsettling sensation washed over them, as if unseen eyes were scrutinizing their every move. Despite the prickling unease that crept along their spines, they brushed it aside, attributing it to the eerie atmosphere of the neglected space. With a collective decision, they activated the flashlights on their phones, illuminating the dusty corners and revealing a treasure trove of forgotten relics. The attic was a veritable museum of the past, overflowing with stacks of weathered books, sepia-toned photographs capturing moments long gone, and moth-eaten garments that whispered stories of their former owners. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and the faint rustle of insects scuttling about, adding to the sense of decay that enveloped them.

Curiosity piqued, they began to explore the myriad of items scattered throughout the room. Each object seemed to hold a piece of history, and they eagerly sifted through the clutter, sharing excited whispers and laughter as they unearthed peculiar finds. Suddenly, a loud thud echoed through the attic, causing everyone to freeze in place, their hearts racing as they turned their attention to the source of the noise. A moment of hushed anticipation filled the air as they exchanged nervous glances, half-expecting a ghostly apparition to materialize before them. However, the tension was quickly broken when they realized that a heavy book had tumbled from a precarious stack, landing squarely on Aravali's head. 

She let out a dramatic moan, clutching her forehead in mock agony, while the others erupted into laughter, the sound ringing out like a chorus of relief. The initial fear dissipated, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie and shared amusement at the unexpected turn of events. Aravali, though feigning pain, couldn't help but join in the laughter, her spirits lifted by the lightheartedness of the moment. The attic, once a place of foreboding, transformed into a sanctuary of friendship and joy, as they continued to explore the forgotten treasures that surrounded them.

As Aravali rubbed her forehead, a look of mock bewilderment crossed her face. "How on earth did that book fall?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with playful drama. The others burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the dusty attic, a stark contrast to the eerie silence that had enveloped them moments before. 

Sita, still chuckling, leaned against a stack of old boxes, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Maybe we were laughing so hard that the sound waves must have shaken it loose!" she suggested, her tone light and teasing. The group erupted into another fit of giggles, the tension from the earlier thud dissipating like the dust motes swirling in the air.

Aravali, feigning a pout, placed her hands on her head and looked around at her friends. "Why me?" she asked dramatically, her voice rising in pitch as she pretended to wipe away imaginary tears. The sight was so comical that even Iaa, who had been trying to maintain a serious demeanor, couldn't help but crack a smile.

"Bad luck, I guess!" Iaa replied, shrugging her shoulders in mock sympathy, her laughter mingling with the others. The camaraderie in the room was palpable, a warm blanket of friendship that wrapped around them as they shared this unexpected moment of joy.

Then, as if drawn by an invisible thread of curiosity, Aravali's gaze fell upon the book that had caused all the commotion. "Hmm, but wait, what is this book?" she asked, her voice shifting to one of genuine intrigue. She bent down to pick it up, brushing off the layers of dust that had settled on its cover. "It has Mumma's name written on it! Is it hers?" Her eyes widened with excitement, and she turned to her friends, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Let's check it out!" she declared, her voice ringing with determination as she signaled for everyone to gather around. The group huddled closer, their flashlights illuminating the faded title embossed on the cover. The attic, once a place of shadows and uncertainty, transformed into a realm of discovery and wonder as they prepared to delve into the secrets held within the pages of the mysterious book. Each of them felt a thrill of anticipation, eager to uncover the stories that lay hidden, waiting to be told.

First, there was about 600 poetry written 

Second, there were some old telephone numbers

and Third and last, there was a poetry (that gave them chills) was written there, and a number was given. You may think it is a normal poetry, but it was not :

WHEN I AM DEAD AND GONE,

AND MY BONES ARE ROTTEN,

JUST OPEN THIS PAGE AND SAY 

PRAMILA,

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.

ARE NOT FORGOTTEN."Sis, what on earth is this? It's giving me chills," Sita exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly as she held the book in her hands. The atmosphere in the attic felt charged, as if the very air around them was thick with secrets waiting to be uncovered."I know, right?" Shiva replied, his brow furrowing in concern. She glanced at the others, feeling the weight of the moment settle over them like a heavy blanket. The dim light from their phones flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls, adding to the unsettling ambiance."I am getting chills too," Iaa admitted, running her hands up and down her arms as if trying to ward off the creeping sensation. The dust motes floated lazily in the air, illuminated by their flashlights, creating a surreal scene that felt both magical and foreboding."Me too," Aravali chimed in, her voice barely above a whisper. She leaned closer to the book, her curiosity piqued. "Uhh... by the way, there's a number written here. Should we call it?" Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and apprehension."Why would it work? It's probably an old telephone number," Shiva scoffed, shaking his head dismissively. she crossed her arms, trying to appear nonchalant, but the tension in the room was palpable."But this seems odd," Iaa countered, her voice rising slightly. "Why would it fall on Aravali's head by mistake? And what about the other telephone numbers they were mentioned with names? But it is not? It just doesn't add up." Her mind raced with possibilities, each more intriguing than the last."Maybe it's just a coincidence," Shiva suggested, though her tone lacked conviction. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on her, and she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to delve deeper into the mystery."What can go wrong? We should give it a try," Sita urged, her adventurous spirit shining through. She looked around at her friends, her eyes filled with determination. "HMMM, let's give it a shot. Maybe we will discover something about our mom," Iaa said, glancing at Aravali, who nodded in agreement."Okay then," Shiva relented, though she still felt a twinge of doubt. Sita's enthusiasm was infectious, and she found herself swept up in the moment, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.As they gathered closer, the air crackled with anticipation. Each of them felt a mix of fear and excitement, their hearts racing as they prepared to uncover the secrets hidden within the pages of the book. The attic, once a place of shadows and uncertainty, transformed into a realm of discovery and wonder, as they took their first steps into the unknown.

 TO BE CONTINUED...... 

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