ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

83

This chapter has 3500+ words and ends with a question. Make sure you read till the end ❤️

Target for next chapter: 1200 words and 750 comments

Next update: 3rd September at 7pm if target reached, 5 Spetember 7pm if target not reached.

*** Devendra ***

"Av-Avanthika?" I said, confused, and looked around, "What are you doing in the middle of the forest?"

"I-" she was about to respond but stopped when I looked down at my hand and noticed a blue spider crawling on my forearm, probably hidden in the herbs I was holding.

"Damn it," I said as I dropped the herbs, shook the spider off, and looked at my forearm, noticing it turning red.

The magical spider bit me... this is not good... this is NOT good.

"What happened? Are you..." Avanthika tried to hold my hand but I quickly stepped back again.

"Please don't," I said, raising my palm, and turned to look at my forearm once again, noticing my entire arm turning red.

This is bad!

"Should've listened to Dheera," I whispered to myself as I took a few more steps back away from Avanthika as she hesitantly tried to follow me, while I still lifted my palm up, signaling her to stop.

"Should've listened to Dheera," I whispered once again as my head started to spin, and soon enough I heard the sounds of horses, Dheera right in between with soldiers on either side, galloping towards me.

"You are such an idiot," he said as he angrily got down from the horse, "the hell were you thinking?"

"Scold me later, General," I said, trying to keep my head steady, "Take me home first. I got bit by the magical spider."

"It's not that deep," he said, looking at my arm from a distance, "Perhaps I'll let you be in pain for a while as punishment."

"That's so..." I paused as I looked at his horse and then realized, "You are not real, are you?" I asked.

"The hell you mean I am not real?" he said, annoyed.

"Guddu," I said, pointing to his horse, "You cannot come here on Guddu... Guddu was supposed to be with me... and..." I paused and clenched my forehead as I felt a sharp pain, "and you wouldn't be disrespectful to me in front of the soldiers either... this is all in my head..."

"I am hallucinating..." I concluded as I desperately tried to keep my eyes open.

"Madhav, what are you..." Avanthika tried to hold me once again.

"Stay away," I yelled at her as I took multiple steps back, and she froze in place, "You..." I added, pointing a finger at her, "You are not real either... are you?"

"Madhav... you are scaring me..." she whispered, "Are you alright?"

"No..." I could sense that forming words was getting harder, "but I will be... just... just don't come near me."

Even in hallucinations, I wouldn't let another woman touch me.

"Guddu!!!" I yelled, and soon enough multiple horses all looking like Guddu came towards me.

"Oh Mahadev," I whispered, trying to make sense of the confusion, and kneeled down my legs almost giving up.

"Guddu, touch me," I said, extending my palm, and one of the horses slowly approached and gently put his face in my hand.