Shipra and the rest were surrounded by the serpents who were getting ready to attack them. The main door swings open and Adish darts right inside to repel the slithering creatures away from the Singh family.
He pull out the green stone once again brandishing it before his serpentine foes who immediately begin to feel very uncomfortable and then slither away.
"Thank God you came here, but how did you manage to find us?" Shipra asked Adish who then told them about the visions he saw hinting they were in danger which also included their surroundings making it possible for him to locate them.
"But that's not all, your nephews are still in danger and the sooner we get to them the better it'll be" Adish added prompting everyone to check out of the hotel and leave right away.
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Abhay, Srishti and the rest of the group were strolling through the village while interacting with the villagers around. One of the villagers who found them fascinating invited them to his little house.
While inside the villager asked his wife to serve them some water and snacks who complied with her husband's request and headed to the kitchen to fetch the same.
As the group waited in what seemed to be a small living room, Kirti let out a scream indicating her panic startling the group.
"What's the matter?" A confused Abhay asked wondering what terrified his peer, Kirti who then pointed at the open window and to the group's horror there was a snake resting on the window sill which then entered the room causing them to panic.
The villager then asks the group to calm down requesting everyone to stay still while assuring them that the snake wouldn't harm them as he then walked to pick it up and began petting the snake.
"This is sona, she comes here everyday so you could pretty much say she is like a family member" the villager told them as he Introduced his scaly reptilian pet, "please don't worry, she doesn't bite or attack anyone unless she is provoked to do so you can sit down"
"Are you sure?" Kirti asked still worried and suspicious of the reptile in the room
"100 percent, so relax and take your seat" the man told them all who then sat down again still a little skeptical about what the villager told them.
"So I guess you're one of those people who like to keep snakes as pets" Srishti commented which earned her a frown from the villager. "First of all Sona is not a pet but rather a kin or family member of this house, and it's not just me, you'll find rest of the villagers here welcoming these beings into their homes and treating them like family as well" the villager made himself clear to the group who were astounded by the revelation he made.
"Are you serious about this?" Abhay asked who still couldn't believe what he heard
"That's right, you can confirm the same by visiting our neighbours if you'd like" the villagers wife answered as she just entered the living room who then explained the bond the villagers formed with with serpents and the fact that the village was like a safe haven for the serpents owing to the blessings of the Goddess. The villager then let down the serpent which was trying to slip away from his indicating it wanted to be released. It then slithered close to Srishti who for some reason managed to maintain her composure although it would be a lie to say she wasn't feeling anxious about it. The snake then quickly slithered up to Srishti's lap who remained still as a statue out of fear.
"Don't worry, this is her way of trying to learn a little more about you" the villager assured her once again. The snake then crawled up Srishti's left arm allowing it to move and rest on her shoulder.
"Welcome back, it's been really long but I'm really pleased to see you return" Srishti heard a voice however she remained still without uttering much of a sound. The snake then crawled back down and slithered out of the house allowing the group to breath a sigh of relief.
"I guess she likes you" the man remarked
"Did you'll just hear a voice?" Srishti asked everyone, however it turned out neither of them did so making her wonder if it were just her imagination and that her mind was playing tricks on her. Srishti then recalled her original purpose for the interaction and directly focused her next question on icchaadhaari serpents. "Is it true that icchaadhaari serpents were sighted in this village?"
"Sighted? They visit this place regularly however you wouldn't realise it until they tell you this themselves which in most cases they don't, In fact the next person you pass by could pretty much be one of them" the villager then explained about why and when such beings approach or go after humans which also included revenge. He then pointed to a Mansion which appeared to be abandoned and told them about the family that owned the place. The ow ner's daughter in law was revealed to be one of the shape-shifting serpents who was then brutally murdered for the same reason on her wedding night by her human in laws.
"What happened after that?" Srishti asked growing curious.
"That family never returned as a result of which the Mansion now seems pretty run down." The villager answered, "they say one's karma follows them even to their next life, so you can imagine what they'd be like given they're still alive" he continued as he turned to look out and stared at the Mansion.
The group overwhelmed by what they learnt felt that they had enough and decided to leave as they thanked their host before moving out.
As they were heading back a large car passed by them moving towards the house they stayed over the previous night. As the car came to a halt Abhay' family stepped outside prompting him and the group to approach them following which they then headed inside the house where Lakshya and Mahima were waiting for them.
Shipra thanked Mahima for helping her son in need and immediately instructs them to get ready to leave right away.
"What's the matter? And who is he?" Lakshya asked pointing at Adish who stood at the entrance
"Your family is in danger, the serpents are targetting you'll" Adish explained
"What do you mean?" Lakshya asked
"We don't have much time at the moment, i'll explain everything once we get back to the city" Adish told him hoping he would understand his sense of urgency following which Shipra just asked him to comply without asking any further questions to which he and the rest of the group agree.
........................................................................................................................................................
Ashlesha stood outside the house where the Singh family had stopped by disguising herself as a villager. As she observed her enemies from a distance she then shut her eyes close and began to speak, "we need to eliminate our target today itself, I hope your ready" as if she were communicating via telepathy to someone.
She then assumes her serpent form and slithers away from the scene.
........................................................................................................................................................
Anvay was in his cell contemplating about the events that took place before his arrest and began to wonder about who could have conspired against him and his family as he walked back and forth.
A while later Soumya pays him a visit while accompanied by the a constable.
"How have you been?" She asked Anvay who replied with a "I'm okay, how is everyone at home and where is Shipra?"
"Not good!" Soumya answered
"What do you mean? What's wrong?" He asked her in a worried tone.
Soumya then explained everything informing him about Lakshya's accident and what Adish had revealed to them about the serpents.
"We're being targeted by those serpents, they are going to avenge her" she told him
Anvay's face turned pale over what he just heard, his worst fears had come true and now there wasn't much that he could do help out.
"Don't worry! Everyone will be back by tomorrow and Lakshya will make sure to get you out soon" Soumya assured him
"They won't allow it so easily, especially her" Anvay told her
"Her?" Soumya asked with a confused look on her face
"I saw her, I mean Neelima, I thought I was hallucinating but now I'm not sure... What if she came back?" Anvay raised the possibility
"The dead don't return, and she died right before you" Soumya pointed
"Are you sure that the dead don't return? She cursed me just before she breathed her last, her dying wish was to watch me suffer" Anvay told her
"Even if that were true, we won't allow it, so don't worry as we're going to take care of it" Soumya told him before the constable arrived to send her off.
.......................................................................................................................................................
The Singh family was ready to leave for the city.
Shashi and Chandrika were already inside their MUV while Abhay and Shipra were helping Lakshya walk towards the car. Once they were near Shipra opened the door as Lakshya made an effort to get inside right next to Chandrika.
"As soon as we get back I'll make sure to call our family doctor to get you treated" Chandrika told her grandson
"Please don't worry, I feel better already, all I need is some rest I'll recover soon" Lakshya assured Chandrika
"Really? You were struggling to walk earlier and you say you're fine?" Abhay pointed
"I am fine, its not like I'd recover unless that's what you're expecting" Lakshya argued
"Anyways we still need to get your injury examined, you may feel better now but it wouldn't hurt to get an expert's opinion" Shipra told Lakshya as she then got inside the car taking the seat behind along with Abhay.
"What about Mr. Sinha? Where is he?" Lakshya asked his mother
"Adish will be giving him a ride, so they'll be right behind us" Shipra told him
The chauffeur then started the engine indicating the vehicle was ready to leave.
Mahima who's car was at the end of everyone else's too had turned the ignition key starting its engine, she agreed to give the girls a ride back home. As the cars ahead began to drive away her car remained at the same spot as Srishti was still inside the house collecting her stuff.
"Oh God! How long is she going to take? Everyone's leaving while we're still here" Kirti grumbled
"Will you calm down, she did carry a huge bag so obviously it'll take her a while and please relax!" Shruti told Kirti
A moment later Srishti walked out of the house and headed straight towards Mahima car. She opened the door and took the passenger seat right next to Mahima's before she deposited her back in the car's trunk.
Mahima then pushed down the accelarator allowing her car to move forward trailing the others ahead of her.
They were driving for what almost seemed like 7 hours on the highway before they approached a narrow road in the middle of a dense forest.
From a distance right ahead of them a veiled Ashlesha watched the group as they approached her. She then scattered some sharp nails right on the path before them.
As the first car drove through that path one of the tires got punctured and the car nearly lost it's balance. The chauffeur quickly steered the car towards the side and hit the brakes to pull over as a result of which the following vehicles came at a halt as well.
The chauffeur got out of the car to examine the wheels following which he confirmed that left front wheel was indeed punctured, he then looked around and found the nails scattered around. Adish then got out of his car to check on the Singh's, "What happened?" He asked the chauffeur
"Look at these nails scattered, they are the reason why our wheel got punctured" the chauffeur replied
"Strange... there are quite a lot of them almost as if it were done intentionally. We need to clear the path or the vehicles behind us would meet the same fate as well" Adish told him.
"Fine, but I'll need to replace the wheel first" the chauffeur informed Adish to which he agreed following which he walked towards a tree and broke a thin bushy branch which he then used as a broom to clear the path. Lakshya too got out to get some air after insisting that he was fine and went to check on Mr. Sinha.
"How are you doing? Sorry for the sudden halt. Turns out we have a rough road ahead of us" Lakshya told him
"That's okay, but I'll need to step out for a while as well" Mr. Sinha responded
"I guess you need some fresh air too" Lakshya remarked, Mr. Sinha then stepped outside the car, "that as well but mostly because I need to relieve myself, nature's call you see"
"Sure go ahead, we'll be waiting till you get back" Lakshya told his guest who soon disappeared into the forest.
Adish managed to clear most of the road while the chauffeur was done changing the wheels who then moved to help Adish clear the way. Once they were done Adish went back to his seat while the driver waited outside with Lakshya.
Almost fifteen minutes had passed since Mr. Sinha had left, frustrated and a bit worried he then decides to go look for Mr. Sinha. As he walks towards the forest, Abhay and Shipra quickly step out of the car to stop him.
"Where do you think you're going in this condition?" Shipra asked Lakshya
"It's been more than twenty minutes and Mr. Sinha isn't back yet, so I'm going to check on him besides I too want to relieve myself" Lakshya answered
"In that case, Abhay will accompany you as well" Shipra told him
"Fine" Lakshya then headed towards the forest along with Abhay to look for Mr. Sinha. They kept walking till they finally spotted him till a distance. However they were then horrified to see that he was constricted by a giant cobra. Before they could get near to rescue him, the serpent quickly bit Mr. Sinha on the forehead.
"Go and call that guy Adish, quickly!" Lakshya ordered his brother who complied and left accordingly.
A moment later the cobra assumed it's half human form and it turned out to be a male, a guy Lakshya was familiar with yet shocked to his wits end to learn that it was none other than Vikram, the person who arrested his father and was incharge of their case.
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Hello Readers,
Thank you for your patience and I apologise for the long delay. As you all are aware, I was shifting so all my time and attention was focused on that alone as a result of which I couldn't find the time to update this chapter earlier foe which I apologise once again.
Please do give this chapter a read and let me know what you think about the latest developments. Also sorry for the grammatical and spelling errors
Thanks
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Comments (2)
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Bloodmoon @Bloodmoon
+ 2
3 years ago
Srishti seems to be a naagin maybe Vikram also which I didn't expected. Well thank you for the update that was a good read💓