After the breakfast, everyone retired to engulf themselves in their own work, while here Advika was again wandering around, more like exploring the place.
She reached in the bedroom, she was there the previous day and sat on the bed with a huge sigh.
She then walked over towards the dressing table and began to remove the jewelry. She heard the sound of the door opening and saw Ruhan standing there.
Ruhan walked towards her, "Will you tell me one thing?"
Advika nodded and taking it as a sign, Ruhan continued, "Are you afraid of ghosts?"
Advika gulped and mentally screamed to herself, 'You can't let your reputation down Advika, bol.. jhut bol.'
She shook her head, "Why will I, obviously I'm not afraid. Am not a kid."
Ruhan smiled internally, but no hint of the evil game is planning is being depicted on his face, "No I thought so."
He turned around to leave, "Rukiye!!"
She walked towards him, "Are there really ghosts in this mansion?"
Bhai kyu pucha ye?🫡
Ruhan had a party internally, "Yes, I already told you."
Advika widened her eyes, "D-do they attack?"
He nodded only adding to the panick of Advika.
"They can kill?"
"Maybe"
She nodded and turned back with a nervous smile. Her reflection in the mirror was mocking her, of the horrified expression she is failing to hide.
"Acha ha, suniye. Mom has said that you are heading back to your house tomorrow for some sort of phera... Are you marrying again?"
Advika looked back at him with a very questioning gaze, "Why will I marry again? And with whom?"
The ridiculousness on Advika's face was not unnoticed by Ruhan. He spoke again to embarrass himself further, "Phera?"
"Pagphera hota hai wo!!" She was laughing at him. The genuine laughter didn't fail to mesmerise Ruhan.
He scratched the back of his head, "Acha acha."
"And after marriage a girl goes back for the day. And will be back at night." Ruhan nodded.
"Ma should tell the whole thing... she gave me half information."
"Acha beta ji?" Navya entered the room while looking straight at Ruhan.
"I have work." He practically ran out of the room.
Advika looked at Navya, "Aunty, I had something to ask you."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Actually Ruhan told me about this homegoing ritual, I wanted to say if I go home some other day when my parents arrive?" She was looking down the whole time.
Navya smiled, "Look at me."
Advika lifted her gaze and then Navya continued,
"Mai yahi kehne aai thi, and secondly.. whenever talking to me.. head up!"
Something stirred in Advika's heart upon listening Navya. "You.. are different.... you are not like those mother in laws who-"
She patted her cheek, " Who almost kill their daughter in law by being rude and making them overwork. See beta, everyone isn't same. And dint expect me to be like those typical mother in law... I am not."
"Ji Aunty."
Navya nodded and left the bedroom with a smile.
Advika walked towards the couch in the room and sat on it. Picking up her phone. She was doing nothing but staring at some pictures, "One day... I hope."
She turned off her phone when she heard the door open and Ruhan walking in.
"Mom went away?"
She nodded.
"Thank god!" He spoke and took a seat on the couch but kept a respectful distance.
"Aap apni mom se darte hain?"
(You're afraid of your mom?)
"Dar? Me? No."
(Fear? Me? No.)
"But the way you ran away...." She ended her words knowing he knows what she's talking about. Ruhan averted his gaze not looking at her.
"Apko itna nahi notice karna chahiye."
Advika tried to suppress a smile forming on her face.
"You don't have to pay tax for smiling."
Ruhan said and picked up his phone, scrolling through emails. Completely unaware of the woman beside him whose heart is skyrocketing.
"Will you answer me truthfully?"
Upon Advika's voice, Ruhan turned off his phone and turned towards her fully.
"Kahiye."
(Speak)
"Um... are there really ghosts here?" She spoke while fiddling with the end of her saree.
"Aapko bharosa nahi mere upar?"
(You don't have trust in me?)
"No no, I didn't mean that."
"There are ghosts here, really." He perfectly masked his expression upon seeing her nod. His mind working up with too many bad ideas.
Advika directly looked at him, "Do they kill?"
He nodded.
"Do they harm?"
"Only if you try to harm them first."
"Agar wo-"
"Aap darti hain?"
(Are you afraid?)
He said and looked at her face knowing she'll lie again.
"No, I'm not."
His inner self was jumping in joy, when she immediately shook her head declining an obvious answer, which was 'yes'.
Ruhan leaned back against the couch while his mind was busy planning not-so-good things.
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