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For the first time ever I have written a chapter of 5000+ words so you all better comment more!
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*******
POV AUTHOR
It was mid-afternoon when the two SUVs screeched to a halt in front of the lavish penthouse perched atop a misty hill in Lonavala. As the group stepped out of the cars, an awed silence fell over them as they stared at the massive villa towering before them.
“Bhai, this is insane!” (Dude, this is insane!) Mahi exclaimed, her eyes widening as she took in the modern glass façade, a sprawling balcony that seemed to kiss the clouds, and a private pool shimmering under the sunlight.
“Tarun bhai, apne toh bola tha penthouse hai, par yeh toh pura palace hai!” (You said it’s a penthouse, but this is a full-blown palace!) Ishita chimed in, slapping Tarun on the back as if congratulating him on owning this mini-mansion.
Tarun, ever casual, shrugged and said, “Actually, my dad had this made for my mom. She always wanted a house at a hill station.”
“Haaye, so cute,” (Oh my, how cute) Tara said, her eyes sparkling. She clutched her hands dramatically as though this declaration was straight out of a romance novel.
“Arre, Tara, tu tension mat le,” (Hey, Tara, don’t worry,) Rahul cut in with a teasing smirk. “Yeh toh Tarun ka bas nahi chal raha hai, warna yeh toh kabka tere liye dusra Taj Mahal banwa chuka hota. Tarun is more whipped than his dad!” (If it were up to him, he would’ve already built another Taj Mahal for you. He’s more whipped than his dad!)
Tara turned red as a tomato, her cheeks blazing with embarrassment, and everyone else burst into laughter. Tarun, though, just scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, mumbling, “Kabhi bhi kuch bhi bolta hai yeh Rahul…” (He just says anything at any time…)
“Okay, okay, enough!” Manav interrupted, eager to diffuse the teasing that was happening to his sister and more eager to see the inside of the villa. “I think we should go inside!”
“Haan, chalo! Tarun, chabi de na!” (Yeah, let’s go! Tarun, give us the key!) Rajveer shouted, already halfway up the steps like a child trying to break into a candy store.
Tarun unlocked the door, and as soon as it swung open, chaos erupted. The group stormed inside like they were on a treasure hunt.
******
The interior was no less than a dream. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a stunning view of the misty green valley below, the marble floors sparkled under the soft golden lighting, and each room seemed to scream luxury. For a moment, they all stood frozen, taking in the grandeur.
But, of course, the peace didn’t last long.
“Main sabse bada room lunga!” (I’m taking the biggest room!) Rahul declared loudly, breaking the silence as he sprinted up the stairs like a man possessed.
“Tu toh jaise rent bhar raha hai!” (Oh, like you’re paying the rent!) Rohan called after him, but Rahul was already halfway to the biggest room. Moments later, a triumphant cheer echoed from above. “Mera ho gaya!” (It’s mine!) Rahul announced like he’d won a gold medal.
“Bhai, tune race jeeti nahi, bas pehle bhag gaya!” (Dude, you didn’t win the race, you just ran ahead!) Rohan shot back, not one to back down. He grabbed Rahul’s bag from the stairs and casually tossed it out into the hallway. “Room uska jo usme ghus rahe!” (The room belongs to the person who stays in it!)
“Tu ruk, abhi sikhata hoon!” (Wait, I’ll teach you a lesson!) Rahul yelled, charging back out and tackling Rohan onto the plush carpet. The two wrestled like five-year-olds, rolling around as the others stood around, either laughing or ignoring them entirely.
“Idiots,” Tara muttered, stepping over their flailing limbs as she and Shivi headed toward one of the closets. “Yeh dekh, Shivi!” (Look at this, Shivi!) Tara exclaimed, holding up a vintage fedora she found inside. “Imagine me at a fancy party wearing this!”
Shivi grabbed a pair of oversized sunglasses. “Acha, toh yeh le. Ban jaa Hollywood ki star!” (Oh, take these too. Become a Hollywood star!) Tara struck over-the-top poses, tilting her hat at dramatic angles as Shivi clicked away on her phone.
“Tum log modelling agency khol lo,” (You guys should start a modeling agency,) Tiya spoke out while coming into the closet, chuckling at their antics.
******
Meanwhile, Mahi wandered into the kitchen, and the moment her eyes landed on the gleaming coffee machine, she froze as if she’d stumbled upon buried treasure. “Oh. My. God,” she gasped, running her fingers over its sleek, chrome surface like it was a rare artifact. “Yeh toh dream coffee machine hai! Guys, LOOK at this masterpiece!” (This is the dream coffee machine! Guys, LOOK at this masterpiece!)
She turned to the group dramatically, her eyes wide with admiration. “Isse dekh kar toh lagta hai mere andar ka coffee artist jaag gaya hai. Starbucks ka competition hoon main aaj se!” (Looking at this, I feel like my inner coffee artist has awakened. I’m Starbucks’ competition starting today!)
Rohan peeked over her shoulder. “Mahi, machine dekhne se coffee nahi banegi. Coffee banane bhi aati hai?” (Mahi, just looking at the machine won’t make coffee. Do you even know how to make coffee?)
“Shut up!” Mahi shot back, offended. “Aaj main tum logon ke liye barista bani hoon. Tum log enjoy karo.” (Today, I’ll be your barista. You guys just enjoy.)
Five minutes later, the group was gathered around the kitchen island, holding steaming cups of what Mahi proudly called her “signature cappuccino.”
“Kya mast smell aa raha hai,” (It smells amazing,) Manav said cautiously, taking a small sip. The moment the coffee touched his tongue, his face twisted into a grimace.
“Yeh kya pila diya?” (What did you make us drink?) Rajveer coughed, setting his cup down like it was toxic waste. “Poison?”
“Excuse me!” Mahi said indignantly, folding her arms. “Tumhare taste buds kharab hain! Rahul, tum batao. Tumhe toh pasand aayi hogi?” (Your taste buds are broken! Rahul, you tell me. You must have liked it, right?)
Rahul, well aware of the stakes, gulped and forced a smile. “H-haan… it’s… awesome, baby,” he stuttered, barely able to get the words out.
Rohan snorted, leaning in to whisper to Tara, “Jher bhi pilayegi, toh yeh banda ‘awesome’ bol ke pee lega. Full simp mode.” (Even if she gives him poison, this guy will drink it and call it ‘awesome.’ Full simp mode.)
Tara covered her laugh with a cough, while Mahi beamed at Rahul, clearly unaware of his suffering.
“I knew tumhe pasand aayegi!” (I knew you’d like it!) she said proudly.
Meanwhile, Shivi, who’d been brave enough to take another sip, muttered under her breath, “Pasand toh sabko hai, bas jaan se zyada nahi…” (We all like it, just not more than our lives…)
Manav made a dramatic show of dumping his coffee in a potted plant. “Yeh plant kaafi thirsty lag raha tha, so I’m doing a good deed,” (This plant looked thirsty, so I’m doing a good deed,) he said with an innocent smile.
********
While the kitchen was recovering from Mahi’s coffee experiment, the living room had turned into a war zone of its own. Tara, Shivi, Tiya, and Ishita had discovered a vintage record player and were trying to figure out how it worked.
“Yeh kaise chalti hai?” (How does this work?) Tara frowned, poking at the buttons as though she were defusing a bomb.
“Tarun bhai ke ghar ki cheezein hai, shayad khud Tarun bhai ko bhi nahi pata hoga,” (It’s Tarun’s house. Maybe even he doesn’t know how this works,) Shivi teased, grinning at Tara’s failed attempts to make sense of the machine.
Just then, Rohan burst in dramatically, clutching a stuffed bear he’d found in one of the bedrooms. “Guys, yeh dekho! Yeh mujhe laga haunted hai!” (Guys, look at this! I think it’s haunted!)
“Haunted?” Ishita raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Tujhe har cheez haunted lagti hai.” (You think everything is haunted.)
“Haan, kyunki main detail-oriented hoon!” (Yes, because I’m detail-oriented!) Rohan declared, setting the bear down on the sofa like it was a cursed artifact. He grabbed a cushion and hugged it protectively, his eyes darting between the bear and the others. “Mujhe lagta hai raat mein yeh hum sabko attack karega.” (I feel like it’s going to attack us at night.)
“Ek kaam kar,” (Here’s an idea,) Tara said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. “Tu aur yeh teddy ek room mein soja. Dekhte hain kaun jeeta hai.” (You and the teddy should sleep in the same room. Let’s see who stays alive)
The group dissolved into laughter, Rohan’s paranoia instantly becoming the highlight of their evening.
“Rohan aur uska horror movie imagination!” (Rohan and his horror movie imagination!) Shivi chuckled, grabbing the bear and pretending to make it wave at Rohan. “Byy, Rohan! Raat mein milte hain!” (By, Rohan! See you at night!)
Rohan backed away dramatically, grabbing a couch cushion like it was a weapon. “Main seriously keh raha hoon! Tum log dekhna, raat ko awaazein aayengi!” (I’m serious! You guys wait and see, we’ll hear strange sounds at night!)
Tiya snorted, flopping onto the sofa. “Aur agar awaazein aayi toh kya? Teddy tujhe lullaby sunayega?” (And if we do hear sounds, what then? The teddy will sing you a lullaby?)
The group laughed harder as Rohan dramatically exited the room, muttering about how he wasn’t going to save them when the bear inevitably turned evil.
*******
By early evening, the group decided it was time for the highlight of the villa: the private pool. The backyard was stunning, with the pool positioned against a panoramic view of the green valley below, and a beautiful sunset view in front.
“This place is unreal,” Tara said, her voice filled with awe as she walked to the edge of the pool.
“Ab time hai reality laane ka,” (Now it’s time to bring in the reality,) Rajveer said with a mischievous grin. Before anyone could react, he shoved Tarun into the water.
“RAJVEER!” Tarun yelled, surfacing and splashing water at him.
Within minutes, the scene dissolved into complete mayhem. Rohan grabbed a water gun lying near the deck and began spraying everyone in sight. Tara, trying to stay dry, ended up drenched when Rohan turned the gun on her. “ROHAN!” she screamed, chasing him with a pool noodle.
Manav, wearing goggles far too big for his face, tried to act like a lifeguard, yelling, “Don’t worry, I’ll save you!” He attempted to pull Tiya, who was lounging on a floaty, but ended up toppling her into the water instead. Tiya came up sputtering, laughing despite herself. Ishita, filming the chaos on her phone, was laughing so hard she nearly dropped it in the pool.
Amidst the splashing and shouting, Tara slipped on the wet tiles, and Tarun caught her just in time. “Careful,” he said softly, holding her arm. Their eyes met for a moment, but before they could say anything, Rajveer ruined it by yelling, “Oye oye! Hero ban raha hai apni heroine ke liye!” (Oh, oh! You’re turning into a hero for your heroine!)
Tara stepped back, her cheeks flaming. “Kuch bhi!” (Whatever!) she snapped, but the group wasn’t about to let it go.
“Taru ki Tara!” (Tarun’s Tara!) Shivi and Mahi chanted, making both Tara and Tarun blush furiously. Tara, in a fit of embarrassment, threw a towel at Rajveer while the others laughed hysterically.
*******
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and pink, the group moved to the penthouse terrace to set up for Tarun’s birthday celebration. The space, already breathtaking with its panoramic view of the misty hills, buzzed with energy as everyone pitched in. Fairy lights were strung along the railing, twinkling like stars, while a cool breeze carried their chatter and bursts of laughter.
Shivi and Mahi, self-appointed event planners, were barking orders like drill sergeants. “Rajveer bhai, balloons wahan nahi, idhar tie karne hain!” (Rajveer, the balloons need to be tied here, not there!) Shivi commanded, pointing to a chair. Meanwhile, Mahi wrestled with a roll of ribbon that seemed to have a mind of its own.
On the other side of the terrace, chaos was brewing as the boys tried—and failed miserably—to untangle a string of balloons.
“Rohan, tu isme uljha kyun hai?!” (Rohan, why are you tangled in this?) Ishita scolded, exasperated. Somehow, Rohan had managed to wrap the balloons around his head like a makeshift crown.
“Yeh sab intentional hai,” (This is all intentional,) Rohan declared, striking a ridiculous pose like a runway model.
“Bas kar, runway model,” (Enough, runway model,) Manav said, rolling his eyes as he snatched the balloons off Rohan’s head.
Amid all this madness, Tara was nowhere to be seen, which Shivi noticed immediately. It turned out Tara had snuck into the kitchen with a mission—to bake a special cake for Tarun.
“Is cake ka special hona zaroori hai, Shivi,” (This cake *has* to be special, Shivi,) Tara said, rolling up her sleeves as Shivi followed her into the kitchen. “You know how disastrous my relationship with cooking is.”
“Aree tu tension kyun le rahi hai? Tu accha hi banayegi! Aur agar accha nahi bhi bana, toh bhi Tarun bhai khushi khushi khayenge… kyunki it’s made by his *‘Jaan.’*” (Why are you stressing? You’ll make it great! And even if it’s not, Tarun will happily eat it… because it’s made by his *‘beloved.’*) Shivi teased, winking, making Tara blush furiously.
“Waise tujhe yaad hai na, last time tu oven preheat karna bhool gayi thi? Is baar mat bhoolna,” (By the way, you do remember last time you forgot to preheat the oven, right? Don’t forget this time,) Shivi smirked.
“Chup kar,” (Shut up,) Tara shot back. “Woh bas ek hi baar hua tha!” (That was just one time!)
Soon, Tara began measuring flour with laser focus, while Shivi enthusiastically cracked eggs—only to drop a piece of shell into the batter.
“Slowly, Shivi!” Tara groaned, fishing out the shell.
“Tension mat le,” (Don’t stress,) Shivi said, handling the next egg like it was a ticking bomb.
Meanwhile, in the living room, another crisis was unfolding. Tarun, dangerously close to wandering into the kitchen for snacks, was intercepted by Manav.
“Bhai!” (Bro!) Manav called, blocking Tarun’s path. “Mujhe ek problem hai.” (I have a problem.)
“Kya problem?” (What problem?) Tarun raised an eyebrow.
“Main yeh soch raha hoon ki teri birthday party pe mera outfit match karega ki nahi. Tera opinion zaroori hai.” (I’m wondering if my outfit will match the vibe of your birthday party. Your opinion is essential.) Manav said, deadpan.
“Bro, tujhe jo pehna hai, woh birthday khatam hone tak mujhe yaad bhi nahi rahega,” (Whatever you wear, I won’t remember it by the time the party’s over,) Tarun replied flatly.
“Tu samajh nahi raha! Meri izzat ka sawaal hai,” (You don’t get it! It’s a matter of my honor,) Manav insisted, physically dragging Tarun into a bedroom.
****
Back in the kitchen, Tara slid the cake into the preheated oven with a triumphant smile.
“Bas, ho gaya,” (Done,) she said, as she and Shivi began preparing the frosting. Tara melted chocolate for the rich topping while Shivi piped whipped cream onto a practice plate that looked more like abstract art.
“Ab mujhe terrace pe waapas jaana hai warna sab log shak karne lagenge,” (Now I need to get back to the terrace, or everyone will get suspicious,) Tara said, untying her apron and rushing out.
****
In the bedroom, Tarun was glaring at Manav in disbelief.
“Yeh blue better hai ya black?” (Is this blue one better, or the black one?) Manav asked, holding up two identical shirts.
“Dono same lag rahe hain,” (They both look the same,) Tarun deadpanned.
“Nahi, dekh achhe se!” (No, look closely!) Manav said, dragging out the distraction until Tara peeked in.
“Tum log yahan fashion show kar rahe ho kya?” (Are you guys holding a fashion show here or what?) Tara asked, raising an eyebrow.
Manav grinned sheepishly. “Woh, expert advice chahiye tha. Tarun ki toh zaroori hoti hai, right?” (Uh, just needed expert advice. Tarun’s opinions are important, right?)
“Expert?” Tarun scoffed. “Chal, everyone is on the terrace we should join them.”
Manav sighed in relief as Tara gave him a subtle thumbs-up—the cake surprise was still intact.
*******
As the group gathered back on the terrace, the space looked nothing short of magical. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a warm glow across the terrace. Balloons floated lazily in clusters, swaying slightly in the cool night breeze. Soft music played in the background, blending with the hum of chatter and the occasional burst of laughter. The faint scent of chocolate cake lingered in the air—a cake that Tarun, unsuspecting, didn’t yet know had been painstakingly made by Tara.
“Tayaar hai sab?” (Is everything ready?) Tara whispered nervously to Shivi, who gave her an enthusiastic nod.
Tarun stood at the center, visibly overwhelmed by the effort his friends had put in. “Yeh sab… yeh sab sirf mere liye?” (This… all of this, just for me?) he asked, his voice soft and touched.
“Haan, tere liye.” (Yes, for you.) Rahul slung an arm around his shoulder. “Aur kis ke liye? Tu hi toh hum sabka hero hai!” (Who else? You’re the hero of our group!)
“Okay, okay, senti baatein band karo, cake lao!” (Stop all this emotional talk, bring the cake!) Rohan declared, rubbing his hands together like a villain about to hatch an evil plan.
“Relax! Cake aa raha hai,” (Relax, the cake’s coming!) Mahi snapped, rolling her eyes as Shivi emerged, balancing the cake carefully on a tray. The chatter died down, and all eyes turned to the cake as it was placed on the table. Tarun’s jaw dropped.
“Wow,” he said, staring at the cake like it was a masterpiece. The glossy frosting, the neatly piped cream, and the words “Happy Birthday Tarun” written in perfect handwriting made it look straight out of a bakery. He glanced at everyone but paused for a second longer on Tara, whose cheeks turned pink as she pretended to fix a balloon.
“Bas dekh mat, candle blow kar!” (Stop staring at it, blow the candles!) Manav said, shoving a candle into the cake and lighting it with all the flair of a magician about to perform a trick.
Rajveer cleared his throat theatrically. “Ek second! Sab apne inner singer ke channel ko chalu karo. Yeh ‘Happy Birthday’ sabse unique hona chahiye.” (One second! Everyone, turn on your inner singer. This ‘Happy Birthday’ should be the most unique one)
“Uska matlab yeh hai ki besura hona chahiye,” (Which means it needs to be completely out of tune,) Rohan muttered, earning a smack on the arm from Shivi.
And so began what could only be described as the most disastrous rendition of “Happy Birthday” in history. Rajveer banged on the table like a wannabe drummer. Manav pantomimed playing a violin with all the dramatic flair of a Bollywood hero. Mahi suddenly decided to throw in an opera twist, hitting notes that didn’t exist.
“Happy Biiiirrrrthdaaaaayyy deeeaaar Taaaaaruuunnnn!” Rahul screeched, holding the last note for so long that Ishita clapped her hands over her ears.
“Bas kar, Rahul bhai, bhera kardoenge aap hume,” (Stop, Rahul bhai, you will make us deaf,) Ishita said, laughing.
Tarun, meanwhile, couldn’t stop smiling as he watched his friends turn his birthday song into a circus act. Tara stepped forward, lighting the candles with shaky hands, her face glowing in the flickering light.
“Chalo, wish karo.” (Come on, make a wish,) she whispered, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment.
Tarun leaned forward, closed his eyes for a second, and blew out the candles. The terrace erupted into cheers, whistles, and loud chants of “Speech! Speech!”
Tarun shook his head, laughing. “Speech toh tum logon ke bas ki cheez hai. Mere liye sirf ek baat important hai—tum sab yahaan ho. Best birthday ever.” (Speeches are your thing. For me, the only important thing is that all of you are here. This is the best birthday ever.)
“Arre arre, bahut senti ho gaya. Cake kaato!” (Whoa, whoa, this is getting too emotional. Cut the cake!) Rahul shouted, brandishing a plastic knife like a sword.
Finally, Tarun cut the cake amidst loud cheers, but chaos broke out immediately after.
“Sabse pehla piece mujhe!” (The first piece is mine!) Rohan declared, lunging forward, only for Shivi to smack his hand away.
“Rule hai, pehla piece birthday boy ke liye special hota hai.” (It’s a rule—the first piece is special and for the birthday boy,) Shivi said smugly.
But Tarun surprised everyone. Instead of eating it, he walked straight to Tara, holding the slice with a mischievous smile. “Sabse pehli slice for my beautiful girl who made the most beautiful and best cake ever.” (The first slice is for my beautiful girl who made this most beautiful and best cake ever.)
Tara froze, her eyes widening as she tried to process his words. Everyone else went silent for a beat, then erupted into chaos.
“Tara ne banaya hai?!” (Tara made it?!) Rohan asked, gaping. “Chhodo, mujhe nahi khana. Mahi ki coffee ke baad mooh ka taste already kharab hai. Ab aur risk nahi lena.” (Forget it, I’m not eating it. After Mahi’s coffee, my taste buds are already ruined. I can’t take another risk.)
Tara pouted, crossing her arms. “Rohan!” she said, scandalized.
“Koi baat nahi,” (No problem,) Manav said, scooping up the cake tray dramatically. “Tum log mat khao. Main khatam kar dunga. Meri behen ka bana hai, after all.” (You all don’t eat it. I’ll finish it. After all, my sister made it.)
“NOOOO!” the group yelled in unison, charging at him, and just like that, the cake war began. Frosting flew everywhere as people tried to grab a slice, smearing each other in the process. Tara shook her head, laughing as she watched her friends turn into overgrown children.
Amidst the chaos, Tarun leaned closer to Tara. “Thank you so much, jaan.” (Thank you so much, my love.)
Tara raised an eyebrow. “For what?”
“For this cake. For this effort. For everything. This was the best birthday ever,” he said softly, pulling her into a warm hug and pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.
Tara smiled, her heart full. “Happy Birthday, Tarun,” she whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
And on the terrace filled with laughter, frosting-covered faces, and a cake that was somehow still being fought over, it truly was the best birthday ever.
********
After the cake, the group decided it was time to turn the music up to full volume. Manav connected his phone to the speaker, blasting a mix of Bollywood and pop hits that made everyone scramble to the dance floor.
“Okay, sab dance karenge,” Mahi announced, pulling Rahul to the center of the terrace. (Okay, everyone will dance.)
“Main nahi kar raha,” Rahul protested weakly, but Mahi dragged him anyway. (I’m not doing it.)
“Bro, dance kar le, nahi toh Mahi tujhe uthake nacha degi,” Rohan joked, throwing a thumbs-up to Rahul. (Bro, just dance, or Mahi will pick you up and make you dance.)
Soon, everyone was on their feet. Rajveer and Rohan kicked things off with an impromptu competition, showcasing their most ridiculous moves like the Naagin Dance and Disco Dancer. Ishita, determined not to be outdone, joined in, doing exaggerated spins and giving some very *unique* expressions.
Manav, of course, was channeling his inner Govinda. He pulled Shivi into a comical duet that had everyone in splits, especially when he threw in a cartwheel and a dramatic point to the sky for no reason.
But the loudest cheers came when Tarun and Tara were dragged into the center.
“Oye, birthday boy aur uski special friend ka performance toh banta hai!” Rahul said, smirking. (Hey, the birthday boy and his special friend’s performance is a must!)
“Main nahi aa rahi!” Tara protested, trying to escape, but Shivi pushed her forward like a catapult. (I’m not coming!)
“Come on, Tara!” Tarun said, holding out his hand with a grin. “Bas ek thoda sa twirl, aur hum sab master performers ban jayenge.” (Come on, Tara! Just one little twirl, and we’ll all become master performers.)
Blushing furiously, Tara took his hand, and the two twirled awkwardly before bursting into laughter. The group cheered even louder as Tara tried to copy Tarun’s silly dance moves, tripping over her own feet in the process.
“Tum dono toh couple dance kar lo,” Rajveer teased, winking dramatically. (You two should just do a couple dance.)
“Rajveer bhai, apko maarna padega!” Tara said, though her laugh revealed she wasn’t actually mad at him. (Rajveer bhai , I’ll have to kill you!)
******
As the clock struck midnight, the cool mountain air carried a sudden wave of exhaustion. The fairy lights on the terrace flickered softly, the bonfire crackled its last embers, and the group started to yawn and stretch like a pack of sleepy cats.
“Bas, ab toh sona padega,” Mahi declared, wrapping herself in a shawl like a human burrito. (Okay, now we need to sleep.)
“Ek din ke liye aaye ho yahan, aur already thak gaye ho? Weaklings!” Rohan teased, though his drooping eyelids gave away the fact that he was just as tired. (You’ve come here for a day, and you’re already tired? Weaklings!)
“Chup kar,” Ishita retorted. “Tujhe toh terrace se phenkna chahiye for all that drama during the dance.” (Shut up. You should be thrown off the terrace for all that drama during the dance.)
Tarun suddenly sat up straight, his eyes lighting up. “Suno, suna toh hai ki Lonavala ke sunrise famous hote hain, but have you ever seen a sunrise from the hills here?” (Listen, I’ve heard that Lonavala sunrise are famous, but have you ever seen a sunrise from these hills?)
Everyone groaned in unison. “Bhai, abhi toh sone ki baat chal rahi thi,” Rahul whined, dramatically clutching his chest like he’d been stabbed. (Bro, we’re talking about sleeping right now.)
Tarun ignored him, his energy undeterred. “Trust me, it’s worth it. Thoda sa trek karna padega through a jungle, par safe hai. My dad told me about this spot. Best sunrise view in the whole region.” (Trust me, it’s worth it. We’ll have to trek a bit through a jungle, but it’s safe. My dad told me about this spot. Best sunrise view in the region.)
“Jungle?” Shivi asked, raising an eyebrow. “Mujhe jungle mein bichhoo yaan saap nahi chahiye, okay?” (Jungle? I don’t need scorpions or snakes in the jungle, okay?)
“Haan haan, bilkul safe hai,” Tarun assured. “Aur jungle yeh mat socho ki Amazon rainforest hai. Chhota sa trail hai.” (Yes, yes, totally safe. And don’t think of it as the Amazon rainforest. It’s just a small trail.)
Tara looked curious. “It sounds fun,” she said, smiling softly at Tarun.
“Aur mujhe pata tha Tara toh chalegi,” Tarun said with a grin. “Baaki tum sab darpok ho toh abhi so jao.” (And I knew Tara would come. The rest of you guys are scaredy-cats, so go to sleep.)
“Darpok? Chal, ab toh jana hi padega!” Rajveer declared, his competitive streak kicking in. (Scared? Now, we *have* to go!)
******
Fifteen minutes later, armed with flashlights, water bottles, and Mahi’s constant complaints, the group set off on the trek. The jungle trail, though narrow, was well-marked, and the occasional rustling of leaves and chirping of crickets added an eerie vibe.
“Yeh toh sach mein maze ka hai,” Rohan admitted, shining his flashlight on a tree. “But jungle ke sounds kaafi horror movie vibes de rahe hain.” (This is actually fun, but the sounds of the jungle are giving me major horror movie vibes.)
“Mujhe mat dara!” Mahi snapped, gripping Rahul’s arm like it was a life raft. “Main already scared hoon!” (Don’t scare me! I’m already scared!)
“Relax, yahan kuch nahi hoga,” Rahul said bravely, though he was definitely side-eyeing every rustling bush. (Relax, nothing’s going to happen here.)
“Bhai, agar yahan kuch nikla toh Rahul tujhe pehle sacrifice karenge,” Manav joked, earning a chorus of laughter. (Bro, if something pops out of here, Rahul, we’re sacrificing you first.)
“Shut up, yaar!” Rahul muttered, but the nervousness in his voice didn’t go unnoticed.
Suddenly, Rajveer stopped in his tracks and pointed into the darkness. “Woh kya hai?” (What’s that?)
“Bhoot!” Rohan screamed, running forward like a man possessed, only to trip over a root and fall flat on his face. Everyone burst out laughing, while Rohan groaned from the ground, “Kya zarurat thi darane ki?!” (What was the need to scare me?!)
“Bas, bas, chalo,” Tara said, laughing as she helped Rohan up. (Okay, okay, let’s go.)
The group continued trekking, their flashlights bobbing up and down. The path occasionally split into smaller trails, and Tarun, who seemed to know the way, took charge, guiding them confidently.
“Yahan jungle kaafi cool hai,” Shivi said, taking a picture of a moss-covered tree. (This jungle is pretty cool.)
“Cool hai, lekin agar abhi ek creepy shadow tree ke peeche dikhe toh?” (It’s cool, but what if a creepy shadow pops out from behind a tree?) Rohan whispered dramatically, leaning towards her.
“Shut up!” Shivi smacked his arm and walked faster to get away from him.
*****
The laughter and teasing continued until they reached a small clearing with a fallen tree trunk. “Let’s rest here for a bit,” Tarun suggested, plopping down on the log.
“Bhai, mujhe toh trek se zyada yeh baithna achha lag raha hai,” Rahul sighed, sitting beside him. (Bro, I like sitting here more than the trek.)
While everyone caught their breath, Tara seemed unusually quiet. She’d been walking a little slower than the rest, so no one noticed when she lingered behind.
It wasn’t until Shivi counted heads and frowned that the realization hit. “Ek minute… Tara kahan hai?” (Wait a minute… where is Tara?)
“Woh toh peeche thi,” Manav said, turning around. (She was behind us.)
“Woh toh mere paas thi,” Tarun said, his voice suddenly serious. “Abhi abhi yahin thi.” (She was with me. She was just here.)
“Tumne dekha nahi ki woh rukh gayi ya kahin wrong turn le li?” Shivi asked, panic creeping into her voice. (Did you not see her stop or take a wrong turn?)
“Tara!” Rajveer shouted, shining his flashlight into the trees. The light revealed nothing but dense foliage and shadows.
“Arre, woh peeche hi hogi,” Rahul said, trying to stay calm. “Let’s go find her.” (She must be behind. Let’s go find her.)
“Jungle mein raat ke time toh kuch bhi ho sakta hai,” Mahi whispered nervously, clutching Ishita’s hand. (Anything could happen in the jungle at night.)
“Shut up, Mahi!” Shivi snapped, clearly as scared as she was.
“Split up and search,” Tarun commanded, his voice steady but worry in his eyes. “Shivi, Rohan and Ishita you go left. Mahi,Tiya and Rahul, check the path we just came from. Manav, Rajveer, stick close. I’ll go straight ahead.”
“Bhai, jungle mein split hone ka matlab hota hai horror movie ka shikaar banna,” Rohan muttered, but he followed Rahul nonetheless. (Bro, splitting up in the jungle means we’re becoming horror movie targets.)
As the groups scattered, the forest seemed to grow darker, the sounds louder, and the shadows more sinister.
******
Tarun’s heart raced as he moved forward alone, calling out Tara’s name. “Tara!” he shouted, shining his flashlight on every corner. “Yeh ladki kaunsi direction mein gayi?” (Which direction did this girl go?)
A rustling sound came from the bushes ahead, and he froze. “Tara?” he called again, his voice almost pleading.
The rustling grew louder, and Tarun’s grip on the flashlight tightened. But instead of Tara, a stray dog bounded out of the bushes, barking happily. Tarun exhaled in relief, but the worry in his chest didn’t fade.
*****
Meanwhile, Shivi , Rohan and Ishita were walking down a narrow trail, their hands gripping each other tightly.
“Yeh jungle horror movie se kam nahi lag raha,” shivi whispered. (This jungle doesn’t feel any less than a horror movie.)
“Bas chup kar aur Tara ko dhundh,” Ishita snapped, though she couldn’t deny the chill running down her spine. (Just shut up and help me find Tara.)
Suddenly, a branch snapped behind them, and they both screamed, dropping their flashlight.
******
Back on the main trail, the others regrouped. No one had found her yet.
Tarun’s jaw clenched, and his voice wavered as he said, “We need to keep looking. She can’t be far.”
The suspense thickened as the group ventured deeper into the jungle, calling Tara’s name into the eerie silence. But there was no response, only the haunting sounds of the forest surrounding them.
And then, faintly, a sound. A laugh? Or was it the wind? Tarun turned sharply, his flashlight flickering as he moved toward the sound, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Tara?” he whispered into the darkness, his voice echoing through the trees. But there was no answer, only the growing unease that something wasn’t right.
******
Hey, lovelies! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Don’t forget to hit that vote button and leave your thoughts in the comments. Till then byy see you soon ❤️
Thank you for your love and support!
Love from,
Miss Sharma ❤️
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