Strangely Familiar - The Flaw in Time

Chapter 6

"Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything" - Alexander Hamilton

***

Voice buzzes

A severe cyclone hit the regions in the southwestern part of the country, resulting in heavy rainfall. Death tolls top 5200. Villages have drowned while the nearby cities are bracing for floods that are most likely to happen in the next ten hours.

Let's see what our reporters have to say.

The video was clicked and paused as the listener smashed his head in his palms heaving an incoherent whine.

"I told you not to listen to it every day." Naina pushed the phone away, pointing at the news flash. "What do you expect to hear? Things have been magically solved, and everything is back to normal."

The irony didn't escape him.

"Yes, that's exactly what I want to hear."

Samraat tilted his head to uncover half his face, straining an eye before laying his head back down on the counter, snuggling his arms close.

Naina twisted her lips funnily and looked over his form at the unannounced visitors. The three of them were still together, camping at one corner of the hall. They refused to take a room, which would have been far easier than lying on a hard floor.

Although with time, Tia and Mr. Kazmi appeared rather friendly around them. They chatted, helped them with daily chores, and appeared on their best behavior. Whether they had accepted the truth of the Mansion or merely dismissed the entire thing as a false tale, she could not tell.

It was only Ayaan - the suspicious one, who was still holding grudges against the residents, blaming them for their audacity to play cruel jokes, tossing glares now and then. Snorting at the incredulity of the situation, she couldn't help but return the feeling.

It's not like she was wrong. She reasoned inwardly.

It was nearly a week ago. They had a tough chat with the group of three outsiders right before their only van was destroyed. Having no other option but to stay, the outsiders - mostly Ayaan, decided to ignore the resident occupants cooping themselves up, claiming one corner of the hall. His partners, on the other hand, though not very vocal about their feelings, clearly didn't believe them either, or that's what Naina thought. They wore expressionless masks. Shrugging in response, she went back to her room. She was sure they would know eventually.

Like she did.

However, the portrait has been exceptionally quiet and well-behaved since then. So much she started to scowl in his direction every time she passed by him, mentally challenging him to act. However, he was effectively proving her entire family wrong and insensitive.

The week went into a cold war between two groups. Well, mostly two people.

Samraat was watching his sister thoughtfully.

"What do you think he wants?" He asked.

Naina didn't need to think twice. She answered plainly. "If only I know."

"The week has been easy and difficult at the same time," he remarked.

She raised her eyebrows inquisitively, resting her elbows on the table while sitting across from him.

"He didn't summon anyone." He almost complained.

"That's a good thing."

"And a bad thing. He made us appear like fools in front of," Samraat paused briefly, his eyes revealing mixed reactions, and spoke in a low voice, "others."