The Enigma of Chitterpari

Chapter 10 - "Peek a Boo"

The five friends stood by the old fountain, the night settling around them like a comforting blanket. The faint sound of trickling water mingled with the evening breeze, and a coolness filled the air. Ali shifted his weight, glancing at the others. Abbas and Daniyal were discussing what to eat, their voices low yet animated as they debated between some local cusines as Abdullah as standing alongside them watching the stars. Ali wasn't really listening, his attention drawn to Hamza, who was staring off, lost in thought.
"I did see something..." Hamza thought to himself, his brows furrowed. The image of the flickering shadow and his waving hand at the supposedly haunted house lingered in my mind. He was sure of it. Something had been there lurking, watching. He knew what he saw. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to shake off the sensation that crawled up his spine.
Could it have been real? Or was his mind playing tricks on him?

"Hamza!" an elderly yet still youthful voice called out from behind.

Startled, Hamza let his thoughts slip away and turned around. The others stopped mid-conversation and glanced in the direction of the voice. An elderly figure approached them, his silhouette cutting through the moonlight.
Hamza's face broke into a smile of recognition as the man drew closer.
"Dad!" he exclaimed, walking over to greet him.
Ali watched curiously as the man approached with a purposeful stride, his footsteps steady and sure. There was something captivating about him, a magnetic presence that made it hard to look away. Despite his advanced age, the man's physique was striking—slender yet slightly muscular, as if years of hard labour or athletic discipline had sculpted him into this impressive form. His skin, although marked with the lines of time, carried a healthy sheen, a vibrancy that belied his age. His thick, wavy white hair shimmered like silver under the pale moonlight, framing his face like a crown. Ali's gaze lingered on his eyes piercing blue, vibrant and alert, holding both wisdom and a warmth that immediately put one at ease. Those eyes seemed to tell stories of a life lived fully, but also whispered of secrets yet to be revealed. The man's clothing, though simple, seemed to reflect a kind of quiet elegance. He wore a linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing sinewy forearms unexpectedly strong-looking for someone his age, hinting at years of physical endurance.
His trousers were plain, but well-fitted, completing a look that seemed to blur the line between elder and warrior. The man placed a firm hand on Hamza's shoulder, his expression shifting between concern and relief. His sharp blue eyes softened as he looked at his son. "Where have you been, Hamza? I was worried. Don't you know what's been happening in the village lately?"
Hamza rubbed the back of his neck, his usual confidence slightly faltering. "Sorry, Dad. We've been busy... investigating some things."
Dr. Younas raised an eyebrow, his tone firm yet understanding. "Investigating? You always have your nose in something."

As Dr. Younas spoke, Daniyal leaned closer to Ali, his voice a low whisper. "That's Dr. Younas—the only doctor in the village."
Ali nodded, intrigued. "I see... So Dr. Younas is Hamza's dad?"
Daniyal glanced at him and nodded. "Yeah, and Hamza picked up a lot about medicine from him too. He's practically a mini-Dr. Younas when it comes to all that stuff."
Ali smiled slightly. "That's nice."
Before Ali could ask more, Hamza gestured toward his friends. "Dad, I'd like you to meet the rest of the guys." He pointed at each of them in turn. "This is Ali, Daniyal, Abbas, and Abdullah."
Dr. Younas extended a warm hand, his earlier concern dissolving into a welcoming smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Younas," Abbas said, stepping forward and shaking his hand. Abdullah followed, his gaze drifting to Dr. Younas' toned forearms and upright posture.
"You're in great shape, Doc. Especially for someone... older," Abdullah remarked, half-joking.
Dr. Younas chuckled, his laugh light and genuine. "Oh, it's nothing special—just sticking to my routine. A bit of exercise, keeping a healthy weight. That's the real secret."
"Well, whatever you're doing, it's definitely working," Abdullah said with a grin.
Dr. Younas smiled at the compliment, but then his expression shifted slightly, becoming more thoughtful. "Say... would you all like to come over for dinner? I'm sure you could use a proper meal after your 'investigations'.."
The friends exchanged quick glances, and it didn't take long for the unanimous decision to form. Abbas shrugged, already imagining a home-cooked meal, while Daniyal smirked as if the answer had been obvious.
"Yeah, we'd love that," Hamza said, speaking for the group. "Thanks, Dad."
Dr. Younas nodded. "Good."