The evening sun was slowly setting as the group gathered near the old park bench, their bags casually dropped beside them. The place was quiet, with only the sound of dry leaves moving in the wind.
Aarav arrived first, looking unusually excited. Soon, Tanushree and Kritika joined, laughing about something, followed by Abhay and Talvinder, who were already teasing each other. Sangeeta walked in a bit later, rolling her eyes at their noise, while Advik stood slightly aside, observing everything silently.
Preetham was already there.
Standing near the edge of the path.
Watching them.
"Why does this place feel so empty today?" Tanushree asked, looking around.
"No idea," Abhay shrugged. "Feels like something's missing."
Aarav smiled slightly.
"Or maybe… something's waiting."
Aarav leaned back on his chair.
"So… who's brave enough to actually stay inside Bhangarh after sunset?"
"Not me," Abhay said instantly. "I value my life."
Talvinder laughed. "Bro, ghosts will see you and say 'leave him, too scared to haunt'."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Excuse me?" Abhay said. "At least I don't scream during horror movies like you."
"That was ONE time!" Talvinder protested.
"Yeah," Kritika smirked, "one time in every movie."
Tanushree leaned forward.
"Okay but seriously… what if something actually happens?"
Aarav grinned. "Then we'll become famous."
Sangeeta rolled her eyes. "Yeah, as 'missing people'."
"Breaking news," Advik added in a deep voice,
"'Group of overconfident students disappears in haunted fort'."
They all laughed again.
Preetham, sitting quietly, suddenly spoke—
"What if someone doesn't come back?"
The laughter stopped.
Kritika frowned. "What kind of question is that?"
Preetham shrugged slightly. "Just saying."
Abhay tried to lighten the mood.
"If I see even one ghost, I'm pushing Aarav first and running."
"Wow, such a loyal friend," Aarav said.
"Of course," Abhay replied. "You made the plan, you face the ghost."
Talvinder suddenly stood up dramatically.
"Guys, imagine this—midnight… broken walls… and suddenly—"
"DON'T," Sangeeta snapped.
"—a shadow appears behind you…"
Sangeeta threw a notebook at him.
"Shut up!"
Everyone laughed loudly.
But Advik wasn't laughing.
He was looking at Preetham.
"Why are you so quiet?" he asked.
Preetham smiled faintly.
"I'm just… thinking."
"About what?" Tanushree asked.
Preetham looked at all of them.
"About how this trip will change everything."
There was a pause.
A strange one.
Aarav quickly clapped his hands.
"Okay enough horror movie acting. We're going, and nothing will happen."
"Famous last words," Kritika muttered.
Suddenly, Tanushree's phone fell from the desk.
No one had touched it.
Everyone froze.
Abhay whispered, "Okay… who did that?"
"No one," Sangeeta said slowly.
Talvinder tried to laugh. "Maybe the ghost already booked tickets with us."
They all forced a laugh.
Except Preetham.
He was smiling.
But this time…
It didn't feel normal.
The end of chapter....