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I was sitting in my office, lost in thought, when I received a call about the new event manager who would be handling my wedding arrangements.
My wedding! I still couldn't believe I had agreed to it. But, I felt trapped, with no other options. My family was thrilled about my engagement to Saniya, and our families had been friends for years.
Despite searching for her for seven long years, I had failed to find any trace of the mysterious girl I met in Bengaluru. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. Exhausted by my family's persistent pressure, I had finally relented, agreeing to marry Saniya. But, my heart still longed for the girl who had left an indelible mark on my life.
____________FLASHBACK____________
***********7 years ago************
As I headed to the hotel to meet my family, who had traveled all the way from Udaipur to Bengaluru to surprise me on my birthday, I had a plan to turn the tables and surprise them instead.
The drive was exhilarating, with the evening rain pouring down and the road glistening with wetness. But, just as I was enjoying the scenic view, my car suddenly sputtered and came to a halt in the middle of the road.
The unexpected stop jolted me out of my pleasant reverie, and I groaned in frustration, wondering what could be wrong with the car.
"Seriously? Of all places, my car had to break down here?" I muttered to myself, frustration etched on my face.
I let out a deep sigh and gazed out at the torrential rain, which seemed to be getting heavier by the minute.
With a sense of resignation, I decided to abandon my car and seek help. I stepped out into the downpour, my shoes splashing in the puddles. The dense foliage and scattered houses seemed to close in around me, making me feel a bit uneasy.
I approached the first house I saw, hoping to find some assistance. I knocked on the door, the sound echoing through the stillness.
"Knock" I knocked
"Knock" I knocked on the door again,
"Knock." the sound echoing through the darkness.
The house seemed eerily quiet, the lights extinguished, and an air of creepiness hung heavy over it. I couldn't help but think it was the perfect setting for a horror movie.
I half expected the door to creak open by itself, inviting me into an empty, haunted space.
My imagination ran wild, conjuring up images of ghostly apparitions, like Manjulika from Bengali folklore, dancing to the iconic song "Ame Je Tomar."
I chuckled to myself, thinking how absurd it would be to ask her why the ghosts hadn't updated their playlist in centuries.
"Jai Hanuman, gyan gun sagar... Jai kapis, tihu lok ujagar... Ram doot, atulit baldhama... Anjani putra, Pawan sut nama..." I began to chant the Hanuman Chalisa, a soothing melody that calmed my nerves.
