The next day, everyone was ready and waiting for Kuwarjeet to arrive, and after some time, he arrived as well.
"Are you all ready and thrilled for the adventure that awaits us?" Kuwarjeet asked, his bright smile radiating enthusiasm that seemed to fill the air. The group exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with a blend of eagerness and anticipation as they nodded in unison.
"Alright then, let's dive right in!" Kuwarjeet declared, his excitement palpable. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately designed bottle. One by one, he carefully added a drop of each person's blood into the bottle, followed by a delicate yellow rose petal and a vibrant gladiolus petal. The mixture shimmered as he sealed the bottle and tossed it into the roaring fire. The flames danced around it, crackling with energy. After a while, once the fire had calmed, Kuwarjeet retrieved the bottle, now filled with ash, and presented it to the group.
"You want us to eat that ash?" Sita exclaimed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Yes, just this once, and tomorrow your powers will be awakened," Kuwarjeet insisted, his tone firm yet encouraging.
Shiva, a girl with a curious mind, chimed in, "But you did this too, right?"
Kuwarjeet shook his head, "No, I didn't."
"Why not?" Shiva pressed, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"After our practice, I promise to explain everything to you all," Kuwarjeet replied, his voice steady and reassuring.
Sita, still skeptical, asked, "So, what kind of practice are we going to have?"
"You will need to catch a real ghost," Kuwarjeet stated, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"A real ghost? But I haven't even prepared any gadgets to catch one!" Aravali protested, her voice tinged with worry.
Kuwarjeet smiled knowingly, "I have some old equipment you can borrow until you create your own for the practice. Trust me, it will be an experience you won't forget."
The group exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling among them as they prepared for the challenges ahead.
"Alright, it seems we are all in agreement," Iaa said, her voice steady yet filled with a hint of excitement. "That's fantastic!" Kuwarjeet replied, his enthusiasm infectious. "Now, I need each of you to take just a pinch of this ash." He held out the small, shimmering container, the contents swirling mysteriously within. One by one, everyone hesitantly took a pinch and consumed it, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Good! Now that you've all had a taste, it's time for lunch. Afterward, I will take you on a stroll around this fascinating town," Kuwarjeet announced, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Aravali's eyes widened in alarm as she processed the implications of their earlier conversation. "Wait, what if the ghost shows up before dawn? I'm really not ready for that!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly. "Don't worry, Aravali," Kuwarjeet reassured her, noticing her fear. "The ghost only appears after dawn, so you have nothing to fear for now."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Aravali muttered, though her voice lacked conviction, revealing her lingering anxiety about the unknown.
After enjoying a hearty lunch filled with laughter and excitement, the group decided to venture outside to explore the charming town that surrounded them. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone streets as they strolled along, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace. As they wandered, they stumbled upon an old, mysterious house that seemed to beckon them closer, its weathered facade hinting at secrets waiting to be uncovered.
"OH, so this is where we have to practice!" Aravali exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she pulled out her camera to capture the essence of the house. She snapped several pictures, her enthusiasm evident. "This place isn't even that big," she remarked, folding her arms and tilting her head as she scrutinized the structure.
"The bigger the house, the stronger the ghost," Kuwarjeet replied with a knowing smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. He stepped closer to the entrance, gesturing for the others to follow.
Sita, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation, voiced her concerns. "This seems scary. Do you really think we can do this?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly as she glanced at the darkened windows of the house.
Kuwarjeet, ever the optimist, reassured her, "It's too easy. I trust you guys completely. We can handle this together." His confidence was infectious, and the group began to feel a sense of camaraderie building among them.
"What will we get in return for this ghost-catching adventure?" Iaa inquired, her curiosity piqued. She leaned in closer, eager to hear Kuwarjeet's response.
"Once the wealthy residents who have made this town their home learn about your abilities, they will be more than willing to pay you handsomely... and I mean A LOT," Kuwarjeet explained, his voice filled with excitement as he painted a picture of the rewards that awaited them.
"A LOT?!" everyone echoed in unison, their eyes widening at the prospect of such a lucrative opportunity.
Kuwarjeet chuckled, sensing their growing enthusiasm. "Hmm, are you guys ready for this challenge?" he asked, his tone playful yet serious.
"Yes, we are!!" the group shouted back, their spirits lifted and determination shining in their eyes.
"Alright then, let's head back. Dawn is approaching, and we need to prepare for what lies ahead," Kuwarjeet said, leading the way with a sense of purpose. The group followed closely, their hearts racing with anticipation for the adventure that awaited them in the haunted house.
Following their delightful dinner, where laughter and stories filled the air, Kuwarjeet decided it was time to rest and retreated to his room, leaving the girls buzzing with excitement. As the night deepened, they gathered together, their minds racing with ideas and strategies on how to harness their newfound powers. They discussed various possibilities, weighing the most effective moves they could make, and shared their thoughts on the challenges that lay ahead. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as they brainstormed, each girl contributing her unique perspective, eager to unlock the potential that awaited them.
TO BE CONTINUED...