Pyaar ho raha hai humko, deedar ho raha hai humko,
Dheere-dheere unka asar ho raha hai humko.
Shayad yehi hai mohabbat ka pehla ehsaas,
Dil bechain hai aur karaar ho raha hai humko.
◇
Author's POV
The air was thick with jealousy. Yes, jealousy-on both sides now.
And why wouldn't it be? Avantika was walking beside Dev, holding his elbow, while her husband was just a step away.
[Seriously? Avy bagal mein hai, aur Dev ka haath pakda hai? Avyansh you can hold my hand! 🌚 ]
"Thanks, Bhabhi, for making me feel better," Dev whispered softly to Avantika, his tone laced with mischief that she didn't catch.
Dev had smoothly lied to Avantika, claiming he needed support while walking and had asked her to hold his arm.
Avantika, ever kind and clueless, had locked her elbow with his, walking alongside him without a second thought.
What she didn't know was that this was all part of a carefully orchestrated plan by the younger--who were now watching the scene unfold from a distance, stifling their laughter.
From a few steps behind, Avyansh's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening slightly as he watched his wife so casually hold onto Dev.
Dev, on the other hand, smirked inwardly, thoroughly enjoying the subtle shift in Avyansh's expression. The plan was working perfectly.
Jealousy was indeed in the air.
"We reached!" Sruti announced cheerfully, stopping in front of an old, slightly decrepit house.
Avantika froze, her eyes widening as she took in the eerie structure.
Haunted.
That was the only word echoing in her mind.
She glanced around, confused. Weren't we just going for a walk? Then why are we here?
"Wow!" a few cousins exclaimed excitedly, clearly impressed by the spooky setting.
Sruti clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "So, the game is..." she began, switching to English for the benefit of those who didn't understand Tamil.
"It's like that episode of Nobita," she explained enthusiastically. "We are almost ten people, so we'll go either in pairs or solo. Everyone will pick a chit, and it will say either 'solo' or 'pair.'"
Sruti held up a large, bright orange fake pumpkin, about the size of her head. "Once inside, you'll find clues in the rooms that will lead you to the spot where you have to keep this pumpkin."
She grinned awkwardly, scratching the back of her head as everyone stared at the oversized pumpkin. "Hehe, mereko yahi mila tha. Options nahi the," she added in Tamil, trying to justify her choice.
"You have to place the pumpkin there, take a picture of it, and then return. The cameras inside are connected to mine, so as soon as you take the photo, it'll be sent to me," Sruti explained, clearly thrilled with her plan. "Sounds fun, right?"
The group erupted in a mix of reactions, some nodding eagerly while others exchanged hesitant glances.
"No," Shashwat and Avantika said together, their voices firm and perfectly in sync.
Sruti pouted. "Oh, come on! Don't be boring!"
Shashwat crossed his arms, glaring at her. "This isn't a game. It's torture."
