Mystery of The Jungle

Episode :11: Unmasking the Truth

After the group got attacked, they all left for the village. They entered the village to witness Villagers whispering. The villagers are whispering among themselves, creating a hushed commotion. Suddenly, the village head yells, silencing them with a witty and taunting tone. Village Head: "Quiet down, everyone! Do you think this is a gossip session? Mind your own business!"The villagers quickly fall silent, exchanging nervous glances. Swara and Arnav are talking to each other nearby. Swara: "This place feels so different. Almost eerie." Arnav: "Yeah, but we need to stay focused. We're here for a reason." Aman is checking to make sure everyone in their group has arrived. Aman: "Is everyone here? Let's do a headcount just to be sure." Aadarsh has a protective hand behind Avantika's back, guiding her gently. Aadarsh: "Stay close, Avantika. We don't know what we're walking into." Anita and Ankita are holding each other while walking, clearly anxious. Anita: "Are you okay, Ankita?" Ankita: "Yeah, just a bit nervous. But we'll be fine as long as we stick together." Aarav is lost in thought, remembering his previous mocking of Ankita and his recent act of saving her. Aarav: thinking to himself "I can't believe I mocked her for not feeling anything for me before. And now... now I went out of my way to save her. What's happening to me?" He glances at Ankita, feeling guilt and something new stirring inside him. Village Head brought them to a house being cleaned for them to stay. Village Head said, "Stay here, and Kids! Whatsoever happens, don't wander out here this late or near the jungle and the old temple." Swara hesitantly asked, "Why... Why though?" Village Head was leaving, he tilted his head a little backward and said, "It's good for you, rest is up to you." After some time, everyone went to sleep, but Ankita was awake and she stood up to see that Aarav was still awake and seated near the window. Aarav saw Ankita and said, "So, Miss Tough Cookie, now that I have swooped in to save the day, do you finally have some feelings for me?" Ankita: "Oh please, Mr. Hero. Don't flatter yourself. Just because you're single and ready to mingle within the group doesn't mean I'm suddenly head over heels for you. I'm just grateful you were there, that's all." Aarav: "Ah, so my chivalry doesn't melt your heart? I'll have to try harder next time. But seriously, are you okay? That was a pretty close call back there." Ankita: "Yeah, I'm fine, thanks to you. But let's not make a habit of you swooping in to save me, okay? I'm perfectly capable of handling myself." Aarav: "Got it, tough cookie. But hey, if you ever need a knight in shining armor again, you know where to find me." Ankita: "Yeah, yeah, I'll keep that in mind. Just don't expect me to fall for your cheesy lines anytime soon." Suddenly, Ankita saw a shadow near Swara's head. Ankita was so scared. Aarav asked, "What happened to you now?" Ankita while being scared gestures her fingers towards Swara. Aarav said, "What is it, Anki...." Aarav was shocked and he yelled, "Hey! Get away from her!" The shadow suddenly disappears, and Swara and the others wake up, scared by the yelling. Swara: "what was that? Who is yelling?" Ankita said, "Aarav, because..." Arnav jokingly said,  "Oh, you know, just Aarav practicing his ghostbusting skills. Must be his new hobby." Everyone starts laughing, trying to ease the tension. Aarav: "No, seriously! There was something hovering over Swara." Silence falls as everyone looks at Aarav with concern. Swara: "Hovering over me? Like what?" Aarav: "I don't know... it was like a dark shadow. It vanished as soon as I yelled." Ankita: "Maybe it's the guardian of the old temple. The villagers did warn us." Anita: "Are you sure you weren't just dreaming, Aarav?" Aarav: "I'm positive. I saw it. We need to be careful." Arnav grinning,"Well, if there's a ghost, at least we have Aarav the Ghostbuster to protect us." Everyone laughs again, but there's an underlying tension. They know they have to stay alert. Swara: "Thanks, Aarav. Let's just try to get some rest and keep an eye out." Aarav: "Yeah, and next time, I'll catch that shadow for sure."The group settles back down, a mix of laughter and lingering unease. Aarav thinking,"How did the shadow just vanish like that? It was right there, hovering over Swara. It wasn't a trick of the light or my imagination. Could it really be the guardian spirit the villagers warned us about? I need to stay vigilant. If there's a threat, I have to protect everyone, especially Swara." Here, Swara was tussling in her sleep, Swara thinking, "A shadow hovering over me? Aarav seemed so sure about it. But why would it be targeting me? What if it's true and there's something really dangerous out here? We came here for an adventure, not to be haunted by spirits. I need to figure out what's going on. But first, I have to make sure everyone stays safe." The next day morning, Swara woke up early, She went out of the house to see their neighbor aunty was cleaning the front porch of the house. Swara approaches the old lady who is cleaning her porch. Swara asked, "Excuse me, ma'am. Can I ask you something?" Old Lady pauses her cleaning, looks up, "Yes, dear. What is it?" Swara, "I've been hearing some strange things about this place, especially about the old temple in the woods. They say there's a guardian spirit. Do you know anything about it?" Old Lady sighs deeply, rests her hands on her broom, "Ah, the guardian spirit. It's an old tale, as old as these woods. They say it protects the temple from intruders, those who mean harm." Swara leaning in, curious, "Is it true? Has anyone ever seen it?" Old Lady nodding slowly, "Many have claimed to see the shadow, feel its presence. It watches over the temple, they say, ensuring no one disturbs the sacred grounds. My own grandmother used to tell me stories about it." Swara concerned, "Has it ever harmed anyone?" Old Lady sighs again, "There have been tales of people disappearing, those who ventured too close with ill intentions. But those who respect the place, who come with pure hearts, they're usually left alone. But, child, these are just stories." Swara determined, "I see. Thank you, ma'am. I just wanted to understand." Old Lady smiling gently, "Be careful, dear. Sometimes, stories hold more truth than we want to believe. And remember, respect the woods and the temple, and they might just respect you back." Swara nodding, "I will. Thank you." Old Lady returns to her cleaning, "Take care, young one. And watch over your friends." Swara greets the lady and  is walking back to the guest house, lost in thought about her conversation with the old lady. Suddenly, a disheveled man appears out of nowhere and grabs her hand. Mad-Man wild-eyed, gripping her hand tightly, "You! You need to leave! Leave before it returns!" Swara startled, trying to pull her hand away, "What? Who are you? What are you talking about?" Mad-Man voice trembling, "The guardian spirit! It's watching, always watching. It knows you're here. If you don't leave, it will come for you. Just like the others... trails off, looking around fearfully. Swara trying to stay calm, "Okay, okay. Just let go of my hand. Why do you say that? What happened to the others?" Mad-Man loosening his grip slightly, "They didn't listen. They didn't respect the temple. It took them, one by one. It will come for you too, if you don't leave." Swara concerned but determined, "We're here to understand, not to harm. We respect the place. Please, tell me more. What did you see?" Mad-Man shaking his head vigorously, "No time! No time to talk! Just leave, leave before it's too late!" and starts to back away, eyes darting around. Swara calling after him, "Wait! Please, tell me more! How can we stay safe?" Mad-Man voice fading as he retreats, "Leave! Only way... only way to be safe... " and disappears into the shadows. Swara to herself, shaken, "What is going on here? We need to be more careful..." Swara hurries back to the guest house, her mind racing with the mad man's warning. 

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