Transgressions (Arshi Shorts)

The Haunting of Sheesh Mahal

Prompt by rkala1524.

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"Khushi, challo!"

Khushi felt her friend tug at her arm, pulling her away from the aam-ras stall. The ever-busy streets of Sarojini Market were unforgiving as she navigated the crowds, struggling to keep pace with her best friend, Preeto.

"Arre, slow down," squealed Khushi, throwing a hurried apology to a disgruntled elderly who's foot she had trampled on.

"I can't, this is too interesting a find - plus there's that ridiculous deadline of yours set by your Bua-ji. Every minute with you counts."

They rounded a corner and found themselves in a deserted alley. The residential buildings flanking either side were divided by this narrow, unsettling space, culminating in a towering stone wall at the far end. They made their way down the path, taking in their surroundings.

"It was...right here," she said, staring bewildered when they reached the end of the alley. Khushi gazed at the blank wall, where creeping vines stretched from incredible heights. She couldn't imagine anyone daring to scale it, only to find long-dead vegetation waiting beyond.

"What are we looking at?" prompted Khushi, with a steely glance at Preeto.

"There was an entrance I swear. It was filled with bushes, all tangled and wiry but a path was clearly visible through the undergrowth. I don't know how this frigging wall built itself in a matter of minutes."

"Built itself," muttered Khushi scathingly. "Come on let's go-"

Khushi stopped, something shined in her peripheral vision, it wasn't just what she had caught sight of, but her heart twinged - as though something was beckoning her into the beyond. She stared back at the wall - it looked and remained solid as ever. She took a deep breath, trying to fend off the sudden wave of breathlessness.

"Ha! Now you are interested?" said Preeto dubiously. "I tell you there is something off about this place. Maybe I might've missed a turn - but I definitely remember seeing an entrance."

Khushi only half listened - a strange sense of curiosity stole over her. She felt unsettled - like there was something waiting beyond that wall, crying, bleeding, desperately calling for her.

She wiped a tear away, utterly puzzled. Sorrow and bewilderment coursed through her in equal measures. Preeto grabbed Khushi's elbow, now looking truly alarmed.

"Okay, now you're creeping me out—let's get out of here! Whatever's in this emptiness that's making you so sad is about to make me pee my pants."

Khushi nodded slowly, staring at her friend as if seeing her for the first time. She felt oddly detached, as though she had traveled through space and time. Her mind projected images of its own accord—visions that didn't belong to her. They were hazy, like the flickering reel of an old film nearing its end. She shook her head as unfamiliar scents - scents - flooded her senses.

One scent in particular stood out—a mix of hibiscus, honey, and something else, something exotic. It enveloped her, and somehow, her mind easily concluded that it wasn't hers. It belonged to someone else—someone she had allowed so close that she now carried his scent from the most intimate parts of her body...

Khushi gasped, her feet unsteady as Preeto vanished in a haze of smoke, the bustling market dissolving into nothingness. A scream tore from her lips, but the silence that followed was deafening, a low ringing echoing in her ears as she felt herself slip into the void.

***

Semi-darkness enveloped Khushi as she opened her eyes, a soft gasp escaping her lips. She found herself sprawled across an immense four-poster bed, so lavish that its far end vanished into obscurity. The towering ceiling loomed above, draped in shadow, yet even the dim light could not diminish its opulent allure.