Chapter 4

From the bungalow, where the guests stay, there were some steps to climb to reach the fort premises, as its land area is little above from the land area of the bungalow. After antakshari everyone was leaving to the bungalow to sleep. They all were sitting the outside premises of the fort for playing antakshari, there Taani, Sharon, Rey and Swayum were left to go. Taani was descending the stairs. Sharon was behind her her. Swayum was in a call. Rey was behind walking in daze trying to register the voice, connecting it to his dream.

His thoughts about dream had its effect on Taani, that while descending the stairs, her leg slip and lost balance and was about to fall. But before Sharon could reach Taani. Rey in a storm speed reached her and hold her from falling….

The moment he touched her. White rosses bloomed spreading an enchanted smell around the old bungalow that was behind the fort. She started to have the flashes of Her running up the stairs and a boy(Rey) running after. She felt her head spinning. Both look each other’s eyes. While Rey was getting a little blur image of the girl he see in the dream.

Their rivary was broken when Sharon came there and separate then and hugged Taani. Taani was looking at Rey, who is standing there looking at Taani with concern filled eyes.

The moment they are apart, the atmosphere around the creepy headless statue become most darker and most scarier projecting the influence of the evil energy. The red blood which was still coming out of the crack turned black. While the statue shined in the pitch darkness. The bloomed white rosses reversed its form into buds.

“Taani are you okay” Sharon asked Taani bringing both Taani and Rey back to the reality.

“Oye Miss Attitude, tum kabhi bhi aankhei kholkar nahi chalthi..?” Rey come back in form.

Hearing Rey, Taani turned and narrowed her eyes at Rey.

“Dyaan se walk karo abhi se, I know you fall now, as you want me to hold you, But don’t think I will be there to help you every time, okay..” He continued which irritated her to the core

“Meine kya isiliye giri, tha ki tum mujhe pakad lo..? huh..?” Taani said in anger.

“Yeah, to get my attention. As girls die for my one look. So these acts of girls to get my attention are not new to me.” He said to tease her more raising his collar,

“Really..Mr. Oversmart? Zyaada smart ban ne ki koshish mat karo.  And here I think the scene kuch aur hai, that I should say that tum mere peeche kar rahe the, that you couldn’t resist my beauty. So you were waiting for a chance to come close to me, right..?” Taani said smirking at him.

“Oh My… My…!! mei aur teri peeche, mei andha nahi hai okay. And yeh beautiful-beautiful khud bolne se koyi beautiful nahi hoti, specially tum..! It means you are not confident in your looks. Beautiful toh door ki baat hai, tum toh human jaisi nahi dikhthi.” He said which was enough to wake-up the tigress in her.

Here Sharon was looking at Rey to Taani and Taani to Rey with wide eyes and open mouth. That’s when Swayum came the after his call.

“Hey… Miss cutie” He said taping on her arm. She looked at him who is standing close toher

“Mr. Romeo yeha..!” She blurted out, dreamingly looking at him. But she immediately shook her head, remembering he mess with her and she should not mind him.

“Nothing” Sharon said in attitude and turned her head and looked at TaaRey

That’s when Swayum noticed Rey in a teasing mode and Taani in activated Taashan mode.

“Teri toh…”Taani was about to say

“Guys am I missing something..?” Swayum asked coming in between TaaRey.

“Nothing Swayum, yeh Miss Attitude ko na confidence ki kami hai, you know bahut hi underconfident hai. So I was giving some advice.” Rey said smirking at her that irk her

Swayum looked at Taani who was all red fuming in anger ready to pounce on Rey.

“Oh-Oh..!!”Swayum said sensing the danger alarm

“Hmm… Guys its too late I think we need to head to bungalow. So chalo.” Swayum said breaking the tension. Sharon too agreed, both Swayum and Sharon had an eye-lock.

“Ha Taani, Chalo” Sharon said and caught on Taan’s arm and started to drag her, whereas, Taani was throwing draggers a Rey, who seems totally unaffected in Taani’s angry glare. Sharon dragged her and started to descend the steps.

“Oye Miss Attitude, teek se pakado thumari friend ke haath, kahi andhi ki tarah phirse mat giro. Mei tumhe nahi pakadne wala.” Saying this he laughed

Taani stopped in her tracks and just completely lost it. She took a deep breath and turned to him.

“Mr. Oversmart,…….” Before Taani could say anything Sharon dragged Taani with her. Where Taani struggled to get out of her grip to give him a good piece of mind. They reached their room. Taani sulked and sat on her bed, Sharon shook her head and went to fresh up.

Here Swayum looked at Rey

“What..?” Rey

“That’s what I want to ask, What.., I mean Whats happening…” Swayum asked him raising his one eyebrow.

Before Rey could say more their friends came there and they roam around some time and went back to the bungalow. Boys are in 3rd floor and girls in 2ndfloor.

*****************

With Girls

Taani was angry so much thinking about Rey. Then suddenly she remember the flashes shegot when Rey hold her.

“Yeh flashes tabhi bhi aayi thi jab Mr. Oversmart ne mujhe girne se bachaya tha in morning, but that was so blurry, but abhi when he hold me, the scene got clear, but the guy’s face was not clear and the girl is me only. But why I feel like I know the guy or I have seen him. And mei aisi dari huyi baag rahi thi jaise koi mujhe maarne wale hai, kahi voh ladka mujhe maarne, mere peeche baag rahe the...!!!” Taani thought

“Kya Taani, tub hi kya soch rahi hai, I should stop day dreaming..!!” She thought and chuck it.

Here Sharon came out after fresh-up. She is looking at Taani observing the changing expressions in her face.

“Hmm… Kuch toh chal rahi hai” Sharon thought

“Whats happening Taani, tum aise deep thoughts mei hai.. huh… And what was that, tum voh ladke ke saath kyu lad rahe the?” Sharon asked, looking at her with one eye brow raised.

“Huh..?(Taani look at her in confusion) What do you mean..?” Taani asked innocently.

“Aww. How innocent.., (Sharon mocked at Taani) meine dekha tha anthakshari ke samay how you were looking at that guy. Hmm… mei pakad lungi... And meine suna that some love stories do start with fights. Tum log kya voh model follow kar rahi hai? Huh?” Sharon said to her in a teasing tone.

“What.ever. Aur you do tell me, tum kis model follow kar rahi hai, as I should remind you I have eyes too” Taani said putting her both hands on each side of her hips. Sharon just shut her mouth and looked some where. Taani shook her head and started to search for some dress.

“Taani what are you searching.” Sharon asked trying to change the topic as she saw Taani searching something.

“Yes… got it.” She exclaimed as she took out a beautiful red saree.

“O. M. G. Taani, tum aur saree..!!” Sharon was shocked

“Hmm.. kal kisi ka hosh udana hai.. (she smirked) Uski itni himmat, mei.. mei beautiful nahi hai, right..? So Mr. Oversmart be ready to meet the gorgeous me.” She said now its her mission to make him say She is Beautiful from his mouth.

“Oh so this is for him, All the best dear” Sharon said and Taani rolled her eyes.

***************

With boys

“So will you now elaborate me Mr. Oversmart..!! (Rey glared at him) what was that happening with ‘your’ Miss. Attitude.?” Swayum asked

“Its nothing yaar, just teasing her” Rey told without looking at Swayum

“Achaa..!!hmm… tu mat bol, mei pakad lunga” Swayum said getting up and turned to walk

“Swayum, but mujhe yeh bata, tumhare aur us Miss. Attitude ki friend ke saath kya chakkar hai?” Rey asked folding his hands.

Swayum stopped in his tracks and bite his tongue.

“Voh…nothing. Its just I find her so cute.” Swayum said

“Oh I see…”Rey said in fake surprise expression

“Okay fine, I admit I like her” Swayum said finally

“Like ya Love?” Rey asked raising his eyebrow

“Voh toh figure out karna hai..” Swayum said winking at him.

“Okay now go and fresh up.” Saying this Swayum throw towel at Rey.

Rey was in shower, he was just replaying the past moments with Taani. Again trying to connect things

“Rey, tu bi kya, us Miss. Attitude ko tumare dream se kyu connect karne ki koshish kar rahe ho? How will she come in my dream, but that voice of her….!” He thought

Then her beautiful face come in his mind.

“Sach hai ki, I haven’t seen such a beauty ever in my life, she is beautiful in a very different way, she has an enchanting beauty, I feel so many secrets rely in her, like me, don’t know why these weird feeling is happening with me when only she is around… She is in short, Beauty of secrets…!!” That’s when Rey realise why he is thinking so much about her.

“Rey just stop, warna tu pagal ho jaunga..” Saying this he shook his head.

*******************

Night 3:00 a.m.

Wind started to blow. The forest just swayed heavily in the wind. The windows of the old bungalow open and shut in the process. Again the white rosses bloomed around the old bungalow, and in the forests like it seems stars has fallen from the sky all scattered..., 

wind carried its enchanting smell to reach the targets – TaaRey. The moon shined bright in glory.

It travelled around the bungalow and entered inside the bungalow through the open window and started to form a small cyclone in the center of its hall, and it suddenly went out then it moved inside the fort and touched on the door of a room in the upstairs which is closed and many ‘pavithr daagas’ (holy threads) are tied with a ‘trishool’ lock outside the door. 

The small bells on the door made some scary jingling sounds…

Then the wind made its way out of the fort and went inside the room where Taani is sleeping, it touched her nostrils, she inhaled the fragrance,

“Mei saphed gulab ki tarah untni kubsoorat cheez nahi dekha, jab thak tumse nahi mili, tum yeh saphed gulab se bhi bahut zyaada khubsoorat hai..”

These words echoed in her ear, a blush formed on her cheek, her eyes flung open, she stepped out of the bed, the doors opened for her, she walked unconsciously, the wind is guiding, her legs following.

*

The wind entered in Rey’s room, the fragrance touched his nostrils, he inhaled, the smell was so enchanting, so known for him…

“Humare pyaar bhi saphed gulab ke tarah hai, pavithr, nisht aur bahut sundar..! Aapke tarah mujhe bhi saphed gulab hi sabse pasand phool hai. Par aapse kam. Aapse zyaada mei kuch bhi nahi chaahthi..”

That sweet voice echoed in his ear, forming a sweet smile on his lips. The wind caress his eyes, as his eyes open. The wind guided him, and he followed it unconsciously.

*********

In deep forest, in a mystic atmosphere, inside the cave on a big tree,

a tantric was in his dhyaan

His eyes snapped open.

“Chirag buj gaya…!!” He was shocked too see the dia in front his god idol went off by wind. Then he closed his eyes and saw some scene of Taani coming to the fort, meeting with Rey, etc…

“Hmmm…aagayi dono…” He let a evil laugh

Again he closed his eyes…

“Aagayi hai voh, tumhe aazaad karne keliya…” Saying this the tantric laughed, Another creepy laughing sound also echoed in the nature…!

***********

When that creepy laugh echoed in the nature, suddenly the flowers got dried and the fragrance was gone, the smell of blood spread all over, moon hide behind the cloud, making the atmosphere more darker, more creepier

And in the process Taani was thrown back into the sense, She was just 20-30 steps away from that head-less statue, she got scared like hell, she cant even identify where she is, she looked forward –

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…”She screamed and she fainted seeing the headless statue, that was in clear view as it was shining spookily in the dark.

Still the laugh was echoing in the nature, but no one can hear…

“Tum aavungi Taani, Tum hi mujhe aazaad karungi.., phir tuje koi andaaza nahi hoga ki mei tumhe kya-kya karunga….” A creepy vibrating hush sound said these words and again laughed.

Here Rey who was a 40 steps away from Taani, who came back in sense and was trying to register where he is, as it is too dark to see the surrounding, he cant even see if someone stand next to him and that time he heard the scream close to him, he ran forward, thank god that his phone was in his pant pocket, he on the flash light

His breath got stuck in his throat watching a female figure lying on the floor. Fear started to creep in his heart, as the atmosphere is so scary, and he even don’tknow how he came there, he don’t know what he see is all real or something else. He made his mind strong and walked towards that female figure.

“Tum…! Taani ki aashiq, nahi chodungi tumhe… nahi chodungi…” The same creepy voice said and laughed again

A fearful gasp came out of him, seeing the girl, the face was covered with her hair, His heart started to thud in fear, He don’t know whether to run away or check on her. He cant understand whether the girl is a human or not, some evil energy is his not making his mind work properly, it says him she is not a human and runaway leaving her there. But his mind over powered the evil energy.

To remove her hair from her face he touched her face. Immediately the laugh was stopped, that creepy voice was thrown away, the moon came out of the cloud. A bright white aura surrounded them and in seconds the aura was gone and no one was left there nor Taani or Rey. They vanished with the aura in their respective bed.

Both woke up at the same time, sweating badly, they look over their surrounding and find themselves in their respective bed and got relaxed

“The dream seemed so real….!!” Both said an slept.

***************

“Taani utho” Sharon was calling her for the N-th time. But Taani was in no mood to wakeup

“Tumne kaha tume kisi ka hosh udane hai or something…” Sharon said. Taani’s eyes snapped open.

“Thank you dear for reminding.” Saying this Taani went to fresh up.

She wore the red saree.

“O. M. G.!!!! Taani, tum toh uska nahi balki iss function keliye aaye saare ladko ko behosh kar dunga…” Sharon said

Both hugged each other. Then left the room

Down, everyone where moving out to attend the function in fort.

Taani descended the stairs so gracefully, that the guys were looking the angel so dreamingly.

Rey was about to move out, but he just turned back and the moment his eyes caught her sight, His heart skipped a beat… his mouth open… He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Taani so this and smirked…

She walked towards him… She put her index finger on his chin and closed his slightly open mouth. That’s when he was thrown to reality. Everyone almost left, now few people and TaaRey are left. She said Sharon to go as she will join her in the fort. Seeing Sharon going alone Swayum accompanied her as his BFF seems so lost somewhere and he is left out.

“Hosh ud gaye kya…” Taani whispered to him. He removed her finger from his chin. The fact is still he is trying hard to control himself to not to get lost in her, but is miserably failing and he try hard not show it on his face.

“Really…! Hmm…I must say you admit that am too much handsome that you are not able to resist, that you are all in way to impress me… hmm..? Rey asked smirking at her. But she smiled

“Meine bhi kab mana kiya ki tum handsome nahi hai” She said winking one eye at him. Again his heart cheated him and got lost in her. His heart again skipped a beat at her antics. He smiled himself as he find he is losing his mind. But he covered it by a smirk.

“But, sorry to disappoint you Miss. Attitude.., Am totally not interested, so 1 advice, try something new babe” Saying this he started to move past her.

She snapped her fingers at him, he turned and look like ‘now what?’ expression… He only know how he is controlling himself, and here she is making it hard by stopping him.

“Maine bas kaha tum handsome ho, but that doesnt mean I am here to impress you, And am not mad or dumb to impress an irritating idiot like you. Mei.. aur tumpe interested, you are so mistaken sweetheart, handsome hone ke sath-sath character bhi acha hona chaahiye…! And for your information, mujhe kisi ko impress karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai, guys go flat on me...” She turned to walk, but again turned to him. “You advice me to try something new, right?, And I know you are already impressed. Hmm.., one advice to you too – Don’t even try, it will be so hard to impress me..” She smirked. She flipped back some of her hairs and turned in attitude and started to walk… But two steps….!

Rey lookup wards like kaha phasa gaya mei, that’s when he heard laughs.

He looked forward as Taani was not there. He looked down only to see her fallen on stomach. He laughed like hell.

Controlling his laugh maximum he hold her and made her stand.

She feel so embarrass to look at him. She walked past him not looking anywhere

“Oye Miss.Attitude, tumne kaha tumhe impress karna hard hai, but impossible nahi.., And as per your advice, I don’t wanna even try or do anything, I know you have already fallen for me…” He said stopping her in tracks… A blush appeared on her face

But she covered it with an angry frown.

“Who says….! Not even in your dreams..” Saying this she moved from there. Rey ran his hand through his well set hair with a small smile playing on his lips….

“She is driving me crazy…” Saying this he shook his head and walk after her.

*************

So guys done with my part… Nupur, rest is in your hand…..

And how’s it guys….?!

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