After freshening up we all decided to go out for an early dinner at a nearby restaurant which was famous for its authentic biryani . I was tempted to go visit the beach as it was nearing sunset but at the same time we were all tired from the journey here.

By the time we finished dinner and  reached back at our temporary residence, the last rays of the sun were bidding farewell and getting ready for some much awaited rest just like us. As we walked towards the porch of our bungalow Aleesha slowed down and suggested we sit and chat here for a while.

As our group settled down on the front steps of the bungalow's porch and started chatting I scanned our surroundings.

My eyes flicked towards the opposite, supposedly empty bungalow who's  previously illuminated red brick walls from the golden hour had now turned gloomy and dark. The structure was barely visible and for some reason I felt myself shivering looking at it.

I was snapped out of my musing by Aleesha's shrill voice teasing Hreedhan, " Oh please, admit it . You have been smitten ever since your eyes fell on me at Yara's birthday party two years back.  "

" For real, we all saw the way you were looking at her bro. " Sehar piped in while wiggling her eyebrows.

" I never denied that. " Hreedhan defended with a shy smile . " Ever since that moment I saw you dressed up in that Slytherin cloak I knew you were the one . But you were equally interested in me darling. "

Aleesha turned red and tried to deny her husband's claim and Hreedhan turned to look at me for help. Aleesha was my friend but Hreedhan was my brother too so I had to back him up,
" Come on Leesha don't forget how you kept asking me about my cousin ever since that . " I smiled back at her .

Sehar and I were childhood friends. When we graduated high school I was elated to know that she was attending the same university as me. We met Aleesha there along with some of our other friends. Hreedhan, who was 23 at that time , came across my friend during my 19th birthday party two years back and now the rest is history.

" Well I had to know more about the guy who decided to dress up as a Gryffindor while I was in Slytherin robes duh . " Aleesha pointed out , nudging Hreedhan's shoulders with hers.

" Yeah yeah I could feel the sparks flying from the very beginning but now stop making the rest of us single Pringles feel lonely okay ? " Sehar mock whined with a sad pout but we could see her fighting back her smile.

" Well anyways , I'm glad my Harry Potter themed birthday party managed to make you guys notice each other. Now I just wish a wizard worthy of me would apparate in front of me soon. "  I mused out loud .

" Don't worry I'm sure Fred's ghost will come and hug you at night. " Hreedhan said, patting my shoulders.

" Oh I wish! But did you have to remind me he's a ghost now ? Way to ruin the mood bro. " I furrowed my eyebrows and glared at him while Aleesha nodded in my favor and flicked her finger on his forehead.

"Ouch , you guys are getting too cranky. Time to sleep, chop chop kids." Hreedhan declared , rubbing his sore forehead and sprinting inside through the open door , knowing that his last words would cause him to undergo much more damage than just a flick on his forehead.

~★~

I sat on the soft mattress of the fluffy king sized bed and waited as the phone rang. My mother's eager face greeted me after a few seconds,

" Yara, I have been waiting for your call for so long! Have you guys reached safely? How is your accommodation? Where are the others ? Have you guys eaten anything yet ? " Ammu went on with her string of questions and I answered her.

" Yeah ammu, we were just settling in and then immediately went for dinner. That's why I couldn't call you earlier. The place is beautiful. Let me show you how my room is, hold on. "

I got up from my bed and clicked on the reverse camera sign to show my room to my mother. She shared her thoughts and made me promise to make a video of the rest of the house and send it to her tomorrow. As I turned the camera towards the balcony ammu gushed out, "Wow you can see the ocean so clearly from here ! The view must be even better during morning nah ? "

" Yeah it's amazing but there's this bungalow beside our one which makes it hard to see the water clearly. " I complained while moving back towards my bed.

" Ah there's another bungalow so close by? Make sure to lock your balcony before sleeping dear, who knows how the security is over there."

I nodded at her words but deep down ammu's thoughts have now managed to awaken a new fear inside me.
" Don't worry ammu, apparently the bungalow is empty . No one lives there . "

" Really? Well that's not much comforting either. What if a thief sneaks in. You know they loiter around trying to take advantage of tourists. Be careful Yara, and where's Hreedhan, give him the phone." Ammu demanded in a worried tone.

" He is in his room with Aleesha. I don't wanna disturb them now. I'll ask him to call you tomorrow and don't worry ammu they're all in the rooms next door. I'll be fine in Sha Allah . It's a safe place. " I assured her but deep down I was feeling anxious for some reason.

When ammu hung up the phone my eyes flickered towards the open balcony and glimpsing at that bungalow made me shiver again. It's probably just because of the wind. I tried to pacify myself and got up , quickly closing the sliding door of the balcony and pulling the curtains shut. Even then I was feeling nervous so I decided to complete my night prayer.

After performing wudu , I spread open the prayer mat I had packed along in my suitcase. Praying to the lord of the worlds and knowing he was watching over me , sends a wave of calm spreading throughout my body. 

With a relieved sigh , I roll up the prayer mat and undo the veil wrapped around my head before plopping down on the soft bed and drifting to sleep.

~★~

I wake up in the middle of the night and try falling back into slumber, but after trying for what seemed like hours, sleep still evades me.

I tried reading a book on my phone but the previously comforting sound of the crashing waves mixed with the chitter chatter of small animals just heightened my anxiety.

Against my better judgment my eyes flickered towards the balcony and I could see a bit of light shining through the curtains.

Don't get up. It's probably nothing. I told myself but my curiosity got the best of me.

Slowly getting up I tiptoed towards the balcony and slightly drew back the curtain and peered outside. The dark night sky was anything but welcoming and the dusky haze looming over all the structures did nothing to help my nerves. I looked for the source of the light and my worst nightmares seemed to have come true.

The whole world was sleeping but it seemed like I wasn't the only one still awake.

The light was coming from that bungalow right across from me. One of the windows on the second floor which I could have sworn was shut just a few hours earlier was now open and its curtain was blowing in the light breeze. A dim light illuminated the background of that room but nothing much could be seen clearly.

My heart was racing miles per second and my palms started to feel sweaty. Before I could have a heart attack and see some ghost standing there I drew back the curtain and jumped headfirst under my blankets.

I didn't dare turn on any lights in my room in fear that whoever was on the opposite side would then get to know I was here. I started reciting ayat ul kursi surah and seeked refuge from all evil.

I had no idea why that supposedly empty bungalow suddenly had one window open with lights turned on. But one thing I was sure of was that I wasn't going to get any sleep tonight.

I was scared out of my mind but
I couldn't ask Aleesha to sleep with me because she was with Hreedhan. And Sahar was a very light sleeper who true to her name , always went to sleep as soon as possible and woke up at dawn. I didn't want to disturb her with my nervous rummaging throughout the whole night. The only option I had was staying put where I was.

I decided to watch a lighthearted movie on low volume to pass the time and distract myself till dawn. It surprisingly worked and after a while the first rays of morning light seeped in through the curtains.

I heard a door opening outside and heaved a sigh of relief. Sehar was awake. Rushing outside my room I took hold of her hand and dragged her inside my room.

"Gosh Yara ,did you stay awake the whole night?" She inquired in a groggy, half awake voice.

" That bungalow . Something is wrong. One of the windows is suddenly open." I mumbled out in a low, panicked voice.

Sehar looked at me in confusion before walking forward and drawing back the curtains fully. I stared at the villa but all the windows were closed. Nothing out of the ordinary in sight.

"Are you sure ? Maybe you were dreaming ." Sehar glanced at me quizzically.

" No, I'm sure. There was a light on too . Trust me. " I replied , my voice filled with panic.

" I think you're tired Yara. Get some sleep. " Sehar advised . " I'll ask around again today if anyone lives there okay ? " She added, looking at my unsure face.

I nodded and headed back towards my bed. I was sure I saw something. I don't know exactly what was happening. There were too many thoughts running around my head and the best option I could hope for was that it was burglars indeed.

Because if it was something other than that , I  don't think my faint heart would survive the blow.

Author's Note

Do remember to vote and let me know your thoughts!

A mini glossary for those who didn't understand particular words.
These may come up in future chapters too so I'm just writing it here.  Feel free to comment and ask if there's something you didn't understand.

Ammu - mother

Ayatul kursi - verse from the Quran ( holy book) read to seek protection from evil.

Hijab - headscarf worn by Muslim women

Namaz/prayer - Five obligatory prayers for Muslims

Jin - Islamic Mythology. , plural jinns, (especially collectively) jinn. any of a class of spirits, lower than the angels, capable of appearing in human and animal forms and influencing humankind for either good or evil

Assalamualaikum - peace be upon you

Alhamdulillah - thanks to god