As they reach the mansion, Angel and Mahesh are surprised to find Ishika and Naman arriving in another jeep. Angel isn't pleased to know Ishika went with Naman. Mahesh casually places his arm over her shoulder to calm her down as they all enter the mansion's foyer. Angel shoots him a glare, mumbling, "main tumse bhi naraz hoon."

Mahesh sighs as she puts some distance between them. He's not sure why Angel is mad. Indeed, she has forgiven him for all that emotional stuff he'd spouted when the two of them went for a walk. So what is it now?

He wants to convince Angel, talk to her, but his attention is caught by Naman, who's now acknowledging the presence of the two newcomers - Dushyant and Priyanka.

"Kitni achhi baat hai, " Naman says after Priyanka and Dushyant introduce themselves. "Aap log apne dost ki madad karne yaha aa gaye. Sach mein. The more people the better. I'm sure, Ye investigation ka acha result hi niklega ab. Chahe supernatural ho ya kuch aur I'm sure aap log us par haavi ho sakenge. "

Priyanka remains a little confused with the events happening right before her eyes but Dushyant nods at Naman. The guys exchange handshakes, but when Priyanka forwards her hand, Naman just greets her with a namaste.

Naman looks modern but he may be a little old-fashioned, which is the impression that Priyanka gets. What's that stuff about the investigation? She's more confused now, but she's sure Dushyant will explain things later.

Dushyant talks about checking into a hotel or an inn, but Naman shakes his head and laughs.

"Yaha, is choti si gao me hotels Kahan honge. Agar hain bhi, to aapko main Jane nahi dunga. Aapki team yaha hai, dost yaha hai to aap yahi rahenge na. Aap log samjhna ye aap ka hi ghar hai." Naman says, looking at Priyanka and nodding once, before looking at everyone. "And... If you need any sort of additional help I'm always here."

Angel rolls her eyes and stifles a yawn. Naman's words are sugary sweet. She doesn't trust this man. But Mahi and everyone seem to feel otherwise. She holds her tongue and holds Tuffy close in her arms.

As Naman excuses himself and leaves the group, Priyanka and Dushyant greet Ishika, another member of the SFTU and Mahesh and Angel's mutual friend.

Priyanka smiles at Ishika as they shake hands. "Let's get to know each other better, I hope we can be friends," she says to which Ishika nods and smiles back.

Dushyant too exchanges a quick handshake with Ishika. They smile at each other.

He and Priyanka then excuse themselves, following a butler who's supposed to take them to their rooms.

Angel passes by Ishika. Ignoring the girl's friendly smile, she huffs and says, "tumne kaha tha tum kahin nahi jaogi. Aur tum Naman k saath ghumne chali gayi? Main gussa hoon tumse! Mujhe manao! Tabhi main tumse baat krungi..."

Mahesh tries to intervene between the girls and say something, but Angel holds up her hand towards him, stopping him in his tracks. "Tumhari tabiyat thik nahi hai. Tumhe Aram karna chahiye, Mahi. Par jab tum thik mehsus kar rahe, tumko bhi mujhe manana hoga. Main tumse bhi gussa hoon..."

Mahesh raises an eyebrow. "Why? Maine kya kiya? Tumne wo wali baat k liye mujhe maaf kar diya na. Whatever I told you about my headaches..."

Angel clicks her tongue. "Arey khud pata lagao! Kya kiya!"

Ishika clears her throat. "Angel, please. Gussa na Ho. You know about my Nightmares and stuff. Wo professor Amrapali yaha aayi to. Naman Ji sirf meri madad kar rahe the. Wo bure nahi hai Angel! Please..."

Angel shrugs. "Maine kaha tha na, mujhe manao. Sochlo kya karna hai." She smiles slightly, smoothing Tuffy's fur. "Waise tumne abhi tak balti bhar ice cream nahin khilaya mujhe!"

She reminds Ishika. Looping her arm around Mahesh's, she guides him away from the large hall that forms the living room of the mansion.

"Chalo! Ab tum araam karo jab tak khane ke liye na bulaaye koi!"

Mahesh is confused by the concern she shows. She says he is mad, but her feelings towards him remain the same. If only circumstances were different, he'd have given himself a chance to explore his feelings too.

Will the time be ever in his favour?

***

The butler takes them to the first floor. Priyanka settles into her room, plopping down on the large, antique-styled bed, watching Dushyant through the open door as he settles into his own room.

The butler had allotted them opposite rooms. Now Dushyant is only a knock away or maybe a shout away. Sometimes she doesn't even have to shout, just murmur his name and he can hear her.

How can one man have such incredible hearing power?

Just as she thinks this, Dushyant enters her room. He smiles at her before plopping down next to her on the bed, with some healthy distance between them. Priyanka smiles at him once, and then takes a look at her room. The room is spacious, just as expected, and the mansion itself is huge. There's a desk for writing and a side table, too, the vase on top carrying a bunch of fragrant yellow roses.

Dushyant clears his throat. He doesn't know what to say to the girl next to him, but he might begin with an apology. "Priyanka. I'm sorry..."

Priyanka looks at him just as he says that.

"I brought you here because I thought it would be a great distraction. That it would give you a break from your problems. And because I wanted to keep you close... and protect you..."

Priyanka doesn't question when he says he'd protect her. Like she's grateful that he cares.

Dushyant shakes his head. "You are too sweet, you know that?" He chuckles when Priyanka blinks at him cutely. "I really love hanging out with you. I was stupid, yaar. I thought this was kind of like a vacation but... there are more dangers here. Pree, maybe you should go back!"

Priyanka can't believe what she's hearing. Naman said investigation. And Dushyant just said danger. Well, he also said he loves spending time with her. She does, too. That's why she's here. And She's not going back.

"Dushyant. Tumne mujhe ye sab pehle kyun nahi bataya.."

Dushyant sighs. "Meri Mahesh se baat hui thi par mujhe khud nahin pata tha yahan aane tak. Yahan par kitne khatre ho sakte hain."

Priyanka smiles. "Achha to koi baat nahin. Ab hum yahan aa gaye hain, aur tum chahte ho ki main tumhe yahan chhod kar jaaun, wo bhi khatre ke bich? Yeh nahi ho sakta, Dushyant. You said it's like a nice trip. Let's think of the adventure and danger as a part of that. Honestly Naman ki baat sunkar main bahut confused ho gai thi. Lekin ab I'm glad I'm here. I can't leave you, Dushyant I don't want to be away from you..."

Dushyant's eyes widen and his expression turns a little bashful. Priyanka realizes she has run her mouth as she pleased. Those sentences in the end could prove troublesome.

"I mean... we're friends. And your friends are my friends. I wanna help them!"

She smiles but even as she does, she's stuck with the thought. Is Dushyant just a friend? She's never felt like this before or questioned their relationship. So she doesn't know why she's doing it now.

Dushyant, too, has the same question on his mind as he gives her a nod. She made her decision. And he can't bring himself to push her away.

What she said touched his heart. She's so precious to him that he's afraid to lose her. He always thought of her as a friend, but as Mahi said, she may be more... Is she more?

Just then a knock on the door interrupts their thoughts. The butler is back, offering a tour of the mansion. Dushyant and Priyanka look away from each other and follow the man out, eager to explore the place they'd be staying in.

***

Ishika walks to her room, feeling a little dejected. She's not upset about Angel's behaviour. She knows her friend's anger melts like butter.

But the girl clearly dislikes Naman which is a surprise. Why can't Angel trust Naman a little?

Ishika sighs. She wants to trust Naman. Maybe she already does but with Angel acting the way she does, she's not sure.

This unfamiliar town, unfamiliar house and unfamiliar people, and the mysterious disappearances happening here... the supernatural investigation too. Maybe Angel is only stressed like every one of them.

And Mahesh looked like he was sick.

Ishika can only hope for the best for everyone.

Just then a sweet, yet melancholic voice calls her name. It's Naman.

She looks over her shoulder as he hurries to stand next to her.

"Ishika, if you don't mind... main aapse Zara baat kar sakta hoon?"

Ishika nods. She doesn't feel wary but it does feel weird that they are walking to the garden for a private chat.

"Main yahan par aata hoon to mera mann halka ho jata hai..." Naman remarks as they step into the garden.

The late evening breeze is calming. Ishika smiles a little, looking at the flowers in bloom. Despite everything that's on her mind, she can smile a little, thanks to this scenery and this man.

"Maine socha aap zara pareshan dikh rahi hai, toh yaha le aaun. I'm sorry agar ye kuch zyada hi forward lage aapko," Naman says as she smiles at him.

"Arey nahi..." Ishika chuckles and shakes her head. "Mujhe khushi hai ki aapko doosron ki itni parwah hai. Sach mein..."

Saying it aloud, Ishika isn't sure. Naman sure is a nice guy, but like Angel said, he is a little too nice to her. But maybe not. He always says he wants to be of help. And he said the same to Dushyant and Priyanka.

"Main dekh sakta hoon, aap ke dost mujhe pasand nahi karti..."

Ishika is looking at some bunch of wildflowers swaying amidst the grass when Naman mumbles those words. When she looks at him, he looks away, looking a little dejected.

"Angel... Wo bahut acchi ladki hain. Ek acchi insaan. Wo meri khas dost hain. Han par usko gussa jaldi ajaata hai, aur fir utni hi jaldi khatam bhi hojata... Aap bura mat maanna." Ishika says, trying to cheer up the guy a little.

Naman laughs lightly. "Yes. I understand. Aap sab log bahut acche insaan hai. Isliye humari madad karne yaha aaye. I understand in haalaton mei mujh pe bharosa karna bhi mushkil hai. I mean, is village mein aisi ajeeb si ghatnayein ho rahi hai, ki sab ek dusre par shak kar rahe hai. But let me assure you, Ishika, you all can trust me. Aur I hope... aapki dost bhi mujhe trust kare. But please, meri wajah se aap dono na lado. I hope aap apne dost ko jaldi manale."

Ishika nods. She wants to say something but she can't. Naman looks like he heard her conversation with Angel. Was he eavesdropping? It will be hard to trust this man for her now! And she has trusted him until now...

A powerful gust of wind stirs up dust. Ishika closes her eyes against the gale, to prevent the dust from entering them. When everything is calm after a few moments, she opens her eyes to find Naman showing her a sweet, affectionate smile.

The way Naman is looking at her is making her nervous. She could almost mistake him for being in love with her. That's ridiculous! They have only met, so he can't act overly familiar or show so much adoration. She sighs. His gaze is intense, but there's nothing lewd about it. So she can't rebuke him, not even as he bends down and plucks the most beautiful rose in the garden and presents it to her.

"Aap smile karte raho, Ishika. I know filhaal aapki zindagi mein kuch bhi thik nahin hai. Lekin jald hi sab thik ho jayega..."

Naman's tone is both caring and affectionate again. Ishika can only nod and take the beautiful, red rose he's given her.

"Main chalta hoon..." With a little wave, Naman turns on his heel and leaves her with the words - "thank you for talking to me."

***

"Naman bahut ajeeb hai..."

Ishika mutters to herself. She's alone in her room now; returned to bed after having dinner with everyone. Dinner was lively and everybody was friendly. Of course, Angel was still acting uptight, and she was ignoring Mahesh too.

Ishika sighs. Once again, she thinks of Naman as her eyes find the red rose he's given her. She put the rose in the vase earlier. Just moving closer to it makes her smile. It's probably Naman's sweet gesture or maybe the fragrance. She feels at ease.

"Shayad sach mein Naman bahut acche insaan hai. Bas Angel ki baaton ki waja se mere dil mein ye shak paida horaha..." Ishika is still smiling a little as she thinks out loud. "Aur fir Angel. Wo ziddi hai, par uski instincts toh sach nikle hai bahut baar. Aur Tuffy! Tuffy bhi to naman ko pasand nahi karti, aur wo itni pyari doggy hai..."

Ishika thinks for many long moments but remains lost. She retires to bed, recalling Mahesh telling everybody that the investigation will begin tomorrow.

***

That night, as Ishika, Priyanka and Mahesh are both trying to get some sleep in their respective rooms, Dushyant comes down to the main hall as he can't sleep. Angel too arrives in time to find Naman and a few butlers of the mansion, as well as the staff of SFTU fidgeting over something.

"Kya hua?" Dushyant is the first one to ask the question.

Naman sighs. "Roz ki kahaani. Kuch ajeeb sa dekh lia gaao walon ne. WO log yahan aaye hai, madad maangne. Aap log yaha naye aaye ho. Hume iski aadat hogayi ab. Main supernatural se nahi lad sakta, lekin jitna ho sake, apne gaon walon ki madad krta hoon."

Angel once again wants to roll her eyes. She isn't sure, ye insaan sach mei accha aur nek-dil wala hain, ya fir aisa hone ka dikhawa kar raha hai?

She doesn't know what to do, but when Dushyant offers to volunteer, she too offers to join the party.

"Lekin raat ko khatra aur zyada hota hai." Naman says, looking at Dushyant and Angel. "Aap log chaukanna rehna."

"Koi baat nahi Naman ji," Angel says, smiling defiantly at Naman. "Hum khatron ka saamna kar chuke hai pehle bhi..."

Dushyant nods at Angel and then at Naman. "Haan aap bas batao! Kya karna hai!"

Naman explains that a few of the kids went missing and a few villagers saw a shadowy entity wandering around the northern part of the town. A search party will be put out to find those kids.

"Chaar bacche gayab hue hai. Hume abhi pata nahi unke saat kya hua, ya kya hone wala, par agar humare pas unko bachane ka mauka hai, to hum usko nahi khona chahte..." Naman says.

He sounds so sincere that Angel wants to believe him. Nahi, itni jaldi nahi... She convinces herself not to as she joins everyone and leaves the mansion with the newly formed search party that involves her, Naman and Dushyant, the butlers of the mansion and staff of the SFTU.

They divide into groups of two. Naman has lots of jeeps lying around. Each of the team grabs one. Naman goes alone. Angel is glad to be partnered with Dushyant.

The streets are empty as Dushyant grabs the wheel and steers the jeep forward. Angel shivers because she's in her PJs and the night air is chilly. They drive around the streets but find nothing. The northern part of the town is smaller. And there are a lot of people here, searching. She hopes one of them can find the kids.

Just then, Dushyant applies break, bringing the jeep to an abrupt halt. Angel asks, "Kya hua?"

Dushyant just climbs down from the jeep. "I saw something..." he says.

Angel follows him, sticking close. After walking around for a bit, she's horrified to see a dark mist of a shadow swirling around. There appears to be a kid amongst the shadow.

Angel rushes forward to help the kid on an instinct. But Dushyant holds her shoulders and screams, "no!"

Cold sweat breaks over Angel's skin. She has a tingling sensation, like she's the prey of this shadow creature now. Oh, no! Is she the target?

Dushyant yells, "let's run to the jeep!"

Angel doesn't feel like running. "Par wo baccha!"

"Sadly uska hum kuch nahi kar sakte ab! Khud ko bacha le to baki ko bachaa payenge... Chalo!" Dushyant tugs on Angel's hand and they run, shadow chasing them close behind.

Angel looks. The shadow is dark and there's no sign of the kid! But it's moving and it's coming for her and Dushyant!

Ab kya hoga!? She hates the idea of anyone dying here. She hopes they can all get home safe... She can get home safe now... to Mahi...

***

Next... Ishika has a dream again But a pleasant one! She and Mahesh have to persuade Angel but where's the girl and Dushyant? Will everybody be present at the breakfast table after the events of the night?

Stay tuned!

RuVineet I hope you like this chapter. Thank you so much for loving me and my stories.
Sagel-Runsh I hope aapko bhi pasand aaaya, thank-you!
Love you both.

Everyone who read, thank you!

I'm finally able to think and write something for this story after so long. It's been an endless struggle as supernatural isn't my genre. So anyway, if you like this story and are reading this story... please support me with your vote and comment!
")

Hopefully I'll see you soon with a new update.
xoxo

_Pree_