It was the offseason, and Jadeja decided to treat his CSK teammates and their families to a "special experience" in his hometown, Jamnagar.
He swore on his sword collection that it would be a relaxing trip, and somehow, he convinced Dhoni, Raina, Bravo, Conway, Pathirana, Deepak, and Ruturaj to come along with their wives and kids.
"Don't worry, guys. Bacche safe hain mere ghar pe," Jaddu reassured them, as they loaded into a rusty old bus that looked like it had come out of a horror movie.
As the bus rattled down the bumpy roads, Bravo whispered to Conway, "This... doesn't feel very 'vacation' to me, mate."
Conway nodded, gripping his seat. "I just hope there's Wi-Fi wherever we're going."
Jadeja overheard and grinned, "Oh, forget about Wi-Fi!"
Finally, they arrived at a massive, decrepit haveli at the edge of town, with vines creeping up its walls and an eerie silence all around. "Welcome, guys! Here's our destination," Jadeja announced proudly.
Sakshi raised an eyebrow at Mahi, "This is... where we're staying?"
Dhoni, ever calm, replied, "Let's see what Jaddu has planned. Maybe he's got a surprise in store."
Bravo was already having second thoughts. "Aye, Jaddu, this place looks like the set of a horror film! Where's the luxury, man?"
"Chasing luxury will ruin all the fun! Let's go, guys!" Jaddu replied, practically skipping into the haveli.
As they walked in, Deepak tripped over a cracked tile, and everyone jumped as a distant, ghostly wind seemed to echo through the empty hallways.
"Are you sure this is safe, Jaddu bhai?" Ruturaj asked, glancing around with wide eyes.
Jadeja shrugged, "Arre, relax. Yeh toh heritage ka ek part hai. Bilkul safe!"
The team settled into the mansion, though everyone was a little on edge. Bravo and Pathirana clung to each other, whispering. "Pathi, this place gives me the creeps," Bravo muttered, looking nervously at a shadowy corner.
"Same," Pathirana replied, his eyes darting around. "And we're supposed to sleep here?"
Just then, they heard an old, creaking door slowly open. Ruturaj jumped, grabbing Dhoni's arm. "Mahi bhai, ye toh horror story lag rahi hai!"
Dhoni, trying to stay calm, patted him on the shoulder. "Shaant reh, Rutu. Yeh toh Jaddu ka plan hai. He's just trying to mess with us."
But then, they heard a faint whisper in English, "Go back... go back..." echoing down the hall.
Bravo turned to Conway, "Did you hear that?! Man, I told you this place was haunted!"
Conway, looking pale, muttered, "I'm regretting this already."
Jadeja gathered everyone in the main hall to share local "ghost stories," starting with a tale about the "White Lady of Jamnagar," who apparently haunted the mansion.
"She comes at midnight, looking for her long-lost guests. Uske pair ulte hain," Jadeja added, emphasizing the last bit with a spooky whisper.
Raina laughed nervously, "Jaddu, tu toh sach mein full horror movie bana raha hai!"
But as he said that, a chilly breeze blew through the room, and the lights flickered. Sakshi clutched Dhoni's arm, whispering, "Mahi, is this a joke or...?"
"Relax, Sakshi," Dhoni said, though he didn't sound as sure as usual.
Suddenly, Bravo's phone started playing his song Champion on a slow, distorted loop. Everyone froze, staring at him. Bravo stammered, "I didn't press anything! Why is my song playing like... like that?"
Jadeja grinned, "Maybe the White Lady likes your song!"
Conway looked at him, horrified. "Are you... serious?"
Just then, Jadeja announced a "midnight walk" to show them the full "heritage" of the haveli.
The team reluctantly followed him down dark hallways, with Deepak whispering, "Jaddu bhai, yeh plan toh kuch zyada hi horror ho gaya."
Suddenly, they saw a shadow move across the wall. Ruturaj clung to Dhoni, "Mahi bhai, woh dekho!"
Dhoni squinted, trying to stay calm. "Jaddu, ye tumhari koi trick hai na?"
Jadeja just shrugged innocently, "Main kya karoon? Yeh toh is haveli ka effect hai."
As they continued, they heard footsteps behind them. When they turned, no one was there. Bravo muttered to himself, "I'm a Champion, but I'm not a ghostbuster!"
Pathirana whispered, "If something jumps out, I'm out of here."
Just when they thought they'd had enough, the group heard a low, rumbling growl. Priyanka panicked, "What was that?!"
Bravo and Conway were nearly running by now, with Bravo shouting, "Forget this, I'm done! Jaddu, yaar, let's get out of here!"
Jadeja was laughing hysterically.
"Gotcha, guys! I set up a few local speakers with spooky sounds. And those shadows? Just some local friends helping me out!"
Dhoni just shook his head, half-smiling. "You really got everyone, Jaddu."
But just as they were about to relax, they heard the sound of a real door creaking, followed by a faint whisper, "Leave... now..."
Jadeja froze, "Wait... maine toh aisa kuch set nahi kiya..."
The team bolted out of the haveli faster than they'd ever run on the cricket field. They piled into the bus, Bravo shouting, "Drive, man, drive!"
As they sped away from the haunted mansion, Ruturaj gasped, "Jaddu bhai, that was insane! Hum wapas nahi aa rahe!"
Jadeja, still laughing, replied, "Arre relax, guys! Tum sab kitne easy targets ho!"
Dhoni finally cracked a smile, "Next time, Jaddu, we're planning the trip."
Everyone burst into laughter, finally relieved to be out of the haunted haveli. And as they drove off, they all made a silent pact: No more haunted trips - ever.
Bravo turned to Conway and Pathirana, "Next vacation beaches only. No ghosts. No havelis."
As the bus roared down the road, they could have sworn they saw a shadow in the haveli window, watching them leave... but no one looked back.
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Mentioning some people whom stories I love. I hope you will love this new book of mine. And this chapter specially💌
