We walked up the cobble stoned pathway to our rented bungalow.

As we pass by our neighboring property, this time not only me , but all of our gazes flit towards its structure in an intrigued manner.

Hreedhan quirks an eyebrow at the door and smirks as if challenging the  mysterious inhabitant to a face off.

Sehar just stands there biting her lip before directing her gaze towards me with an apologetic expression for not believing me earlier.

I faintly smile back at her.

" Okay that's enough I'm getting nervous, move it people. '' Aleesha shudders and pushes her hands on Hreedhan's back, forcing him to move forward towards our abode.

We spend the afternoon inside the bungalow, eating snacks and watching a movie on the huge wall-sized TV hanging from the wall of the downstairs living room.

An unspoken decision was made to sit together huddled up on the sofa rather than panicking alone in our rooms.

Now that I knew my suspicions weren't in vain and there was actually someone living undercover in the opposite bungalow , I wasn't  elated about going up to my room and standing in view of that balcony all alone.

When our temporary distraction provided by the movie ended, we sat in silence.

After the much needed relaxing day spent at the beach followed by this cozy get together, it seemed all of our nerves had calmed down a little bit.

Sehar walked to the side of the living room and pushed the window open, letting a gentle breeze waft in through the room.

" The weather seems particularly nice today. " Hreedhan remarks , his head perched up on the palms of his hand as he rests his elbows on his knees.

" The sun is going to set soon. And we only have one day left here. I want to go back to the beach . The evening view of the setting sun over the ocean is entirely different and breathtaking. " Aleesha muses with a longing look outside the window.

" Let's go back to the beach then. It's not as if we have anything better to do. " Hreedhan answers , already up on his feet .

" You guys go ahead, I'm too tired. Gonna take a nap. " Sehar stifles a yawn and pushes up her body from its leaned position on the wall.

" I would've tagged along but I'm also beat from being outside so long. " I chime in.

" You guys sure you wanna stay back?" Hreedhan asks , trying to sound nonchalant but clearly worried about leaving us alone.

" Yes. Don't worry, we'll be fine and if you don't find us back here when you come back, call the police on the mystery guy. " Sehar adds in sleepily.

" For sure. " He replies , all traces of humor lost from his face. " Make sure to carry that umbrella or frying pan with you. "

And with that parting sentence, the couple head back towards the sandy beach.

Sehar and I end up crashing in my room. We double check to make sure all the doors and windows are locked and then draw the curtain shut over the balcony's transparent sliding door.

Sehar sprawls lazily over my bed, scrolling through her phone .

" What are you doing? " She asks me without looking over in my direction.

" Just trying to figure something out." I reply in a pondering tone.

Sehar just hums back in response.

I bring my attention back to the paper clutched in my hand and focus on the writing. Trying to find anything. Anything at all that would give me some clue.  

I've reread the note multiple times by now but the words are the same. I don't know what I'm looking to achieve by staring at the writing so hard , as if hoping I can see some invisible words appear on the paper which weren't there before.

Suddenly something clicks in my brain and it's as if a newfound energy is rushing through my veins.

" It can't be …" I mutter out loud as I jump to my feet and scramble towards the discarded pile of clothes on the top of my suitcase.

" What can't be ? " Sehar inquires , still lying down.

" Hold on. " I call out to her as I find what I'm looking for.

I hold out the maroon Gryffindor themed tshirt I had worn a day ago and my hands inch towards the pocket by its side.

As I fish out the crumpled up paper from the pocket my heart starts beating at an increasing rate.

I smoothen out the crease on the paper and read the contents.

" I like your t-shirt. Ten points to Gryffindor. "

As my eyes dig at the neat handwriting my mouth parts in surprise.

I place this paper alongside the rock wrapped note thrown by our neighbor.

I can't believe what I'm staring at.

Both the notes are written in the exact same neat handwriting. I notice how he has made the i's a bit long and curved and the rest of the letters have a smooth outline , turning a little tilted towards the ends.

"No way- Sehar , look at this ! "

Hearing my yell she sits back up and waddles over to my side. " What happened? Why are you yelling - "

She bends down and rubs her eyes to look clearly. I watch as her face dawns in the same realization I had gone through just a few seconds ago. She stops dead in her tracks and blinks at the notes for a while .

" What the - where did that come from ? Did he send another note ? Is he stalking us ? " She starts panicking.

" No . Calm down . It's an old note. Remember when we were at that market place and we got separated in a crowd while buying ice cream? "

Sehar nods at my words with a confused expression.

" I bumped into a stranger and they pressed this note on my hand before disappearing. I had no idea who had given me this. Didn't see anything at all. But look, the handwriting is the same as the note sent by that mysterious guy next door. "

" Why didn't you tell me this earlier? Dude that's so creepy is he stalking you ? How did he find you in that crowd ? " Sehar glances at the curtain shielding our view of the balcony across and starts pacing.

" I also found it creepy at that time but shrugged it off as some prank. But now I'm beyond curious. How was this guy there at the same time as us ? Didn't anyone see him going out and entering the bungalow? And why would he give me this ? Why is he living there secretly? "

The questions seemed endless.

" I don't know bro but seems like a creepy criminal to me. I say we steer clear. In fact, you come back to my room with me. " She tries to pull my arms outside my room but I stop her.

" No Sehar. I need to find out who this is. Why is he doing this ? I can't stay in this room or bungalow for one more second without getting the answers. And I'm sure I can't sleep tonight knowing he is just a few paces away from where I am doing who knows what. As terrifying as this is , it's also curious. I need answers." I stare into her eyes with a pleading look.

" You do remember that curiosity killed the cat right? "

" But satisfaction brought it back. " I deadpan in response.

She lets go of my hand and walks towards the balcony.

" No , wait. No more sneaking in looks from here. We gotta confront him directly. "

" So you want to go knock on Ghostie boi's door? " Sehar questions me in disbelief.

I grin back at her, " it's time for action. "

☠️

Let's go greet the neighbor