"Where the hell were you"?  I heard Bella's angry voice as I entered my room.

"I went out for a run". I replied, keeping a hand on my chest to calm my racing heart. "U scared me Bella, don't repeat this again", I warned her. "What are you doing in my room?".

"Your mom has been searching for you, she informed us to quickly reach the main mansion, dressing appropriately". she let out a sigh at the end. "Some important person is visiting and you are going to meet him". She said in her usual boring tone.

"Where is Otto", I asked her.

"He is still sleeping, let me wake him up, we can go together for breakfast". she replied going out of my room.

I took a quick shower and wore something appropriate. (note the sarcasm)

We reached the main mansion and noticed that everyone were gathered in the large hall, with pin-drop silence. I slowly entered and seated beside Stuti, who appeared tensed. There was Bhishma Narayan guruji(priest) with his two followers seated on a chair.

I started to observe his usual way of dressing. A white loincloth/dhoti with white robe, draped with red stole around his torso over his left shoulder. His long grey hair pulled tightly on top of his head. He had 3 horizontal ashen marks with a big red(vermillion) vertical line in centre of his forehead.

He wore rudraksha around his neck and had large books, which he was seeing now to decide Stutis future.

I huffed thinking how a priest with pre-written book can decide a person's future? I expected this to happen sooner or later, but early in the morning?, I sighed.

I have to control my irritation for my sisters sake. He is here to verify the already set wedding date of Stuti.

When guruji, finished his calculations and counting in his book, granddad advised us to take his blessings.

"Wedding cannot happen on the set date", he finally dropped the bomb

Grandpa asked for the reason patiently.

Ofcourse, he never contradicts gurujis statement.

"As u all already know, Goddess Bhairavi temple which will be opened once in 17 years for a period of 21 days, will be opening from tomorrow, so wedding will takes place at 21st day of the celebration, on the day of full moon".

Yes, there will be a chariot-festival /  fare going on in the village for 21 days starting from tomorrow, which was also the reason we decided to come back here. It was last held when dad was with us. After few days we lost dad. Its not a fond memory of my life.

"As you wish guruji. We will postpone the wedding", granddad informed.

"There is something ill omened  that I must inform your family", he announced.

here he started again....

"There is a life threat to your eldest grand daughter, although I cannot tell it now, it is showing clearly that this 21 days are not good for her", he announced.

Everyone lost color on their faces, mom was on the verge of crying, eventhough she is one of the strongest women I have ever known.

This is just too much, I cannot take this.

"Guruji, I respect you and your knowledge. It doesn't mean you can predict someone's death by referring a pre-written book", I said

"Ira, stop this and sit silently, elders are discussing here", granny ordered sternly.

"No, I cannot sit and watch over like you people, when he is talking about my sister's death casually", I tuned towards guruji who was watching me calmly as if he didn't speak about death of a person a minute ago.

"So my sister is going to die within 21 days, isn't it? And you can see future?
Where were you when my dad died?" I questioned him. Everyone were stunned to respond.

"Answer me guruji, if you can see the future why didn't you stop my dad's death?", I asked sternly.

"Ira, you are being disrespectful, get out before I lose my patience", grandpa raised his thundering voice which made me to take a step back. Tears threatened to fall from my eyes. Otto grabbed my arm and tried to pull me away, I was about to leave the place before a firm voice stopped me.

"There is much more danger lurking around you than anyone else. Something dangerous than death. If you have not realized it yet, you will realize it soon. Time is very less, stop neglecting the signs of nature and sort out what need to be done. You can understand my words clearly than anybody in this room. Do what needs to be done before it's too late", his assertive yet calm voice sent shivers through me. I just walked out of the room without turning back.

I went straight towards my room and sat on the bed trying to forget his echoing words. My heart didn't agree with my mind which was trying to convince me everything he blurted was a lie. I looked towards my friends who were silently observing me without speaking anything. I let out a harsh breath.

"What? I'm fine, why are you both staring at me".

Bella let out a scoff,"Yes, you are very much fine. As if we don't know you".

"I know your dad's topic is sensitive for you, but he was really an elder, you should have spoken calmly instead of raising your voice", Otto said gently hugging me.

"I know", I replied. "But he was being ridiculous", I scoffed hugging him back.

"It's ok, forget about it now", bella came towards us joining for a hug, "by the way the other 2 guys who accompanied him were really cute, what a shame they chose to become monks", she tried to lighten up the situation.

"Not funny",I let out a laugh.

———————✿◉✿————————

I decided to visit my dad's study which was in the main mansion. Though he was a doctor, he was fond of antique pieces. He used to spend most of his time, decorating every corner of the mansion with unique furnitures. His study was usually locked except for cleaning. It was peaceful here. There was huge racks of books. I sat on his chair and closed my eyes, suddenly something flashed in my mind.

I stood up and started rummaging through the vast cabinets, there were lots of old papers and boxes of all kinds. He used to collect different sort of puzzled boxes, which had very unique way of opening. Finally I tumbled on a very familiar box, I let out a laugh and started to follow the steps he taught to open the box. It had all sorts of geometric figures in it. After opening, I found my locket being intact there untouched.  It was given to me by my dad on my last birthday which we celebrated together. It was a locket with compass, I was very fascinated by it then. Now I think of it,  it's weird to gift a compass. I let go of my thoughts and decided to wear it. I heard banging of the door from the other side. I hastily separated the key from the locket and threw the key into random cabinet.

I opened the door to see a very excited Bella dressed in her cycling outfit.

"Ira, we have decided to explore your village and you are coming with us", she jumps excitedly.

"Do I have a say in this?", I question her.

"No", she grins.

"I'll be there in 5 minutes", I inform her and hurry towards my room to change.

It's almost the time of sunset and there is pitter-patter of rain drops as the rain has stopped now and it's just drizzling lightly, we are just roaming the outskirts of the village. Trees and plants are drenched in rain appearing greener than ever. The earthy aroma after rain is refreshing. Bella and Otto were miles ahead of me, I started to speed-up to reach them, the road was very sloppy.

As I increased my pace by peddling like a mad, my right foot slipped off, i saw a car coming in opposite direction honking, loudly.

"Watch out", bella screamed turning back.

It was very late by then. I panicked and lost my control, i turned the bike towards the opposite direction only to find my bike and I upside down in the evergreen bush.

I heard the car stop nearby and my friends screaming distantly. I tried to get out but I had twigs surrounding me.

Agghh.....I better not be turned into a bush.

"Are you okay miss"?, I heard a euphonic masculine voice near me, adding onto my infuriated nerves.

Do I look fine to your eyes?