22/8 Rashmoni Street

Chapter 2

Oh, how I have missed this place. The front yard is the same as last year with the exception of the very tall peepal tree standing at the right side. The Puja mandap was on the left side where most of my relatives were standing. I smiled and waved at them. 

"Brishti!!Welcome, welcome!! Where is your mother??"

"She is coming Mashi, you know her, she is probably getting pictures to post on her Facebook account. She really loves posting pictures on there."

"Right you are!! Go on, meet your cousins and don't forget the puja starts at 7 in the evening sharp!! Don't be late and remind those cousins of yours."

"Will do Mashi!"

With that I started walking towards the place where I knew, I would find my cousins. This house,having been built in early 1800's, had a very specific architectural style. Most of these parts had been renovated and were transformed into modern styles,but where we hangout it still had those old architectures. The entire house has been built in a C-like structure.

No sooner had I entered the courtyard in the middle of the C-like structure there was a loud feminine shriek and, a tall and lean figure came out of nowhere and hugged me tight. All I was able to see before she tackled me in a hug was her black hair which was cut in a pixie cut and her almond shaped face.

"Barshaa! Ohmygodohmygoddohmygodd! You turned up early!! This is such a nice surprise!!!I am so happyyyyy!!"

"Sneha, stop screaming like a banshee!! My ears are starting to hurt!! I came here to have a nice time not be tortured."

At the exact moment another tall and fair boy with black hair, sauntered down the stairs, with a goofy smile on his face .

"Oh let her have it, Brishti, she has been all gloom and doom all morning. Although do you mind keeping the volume just a tad bit low. I was about to beat the final level of this game I have been playing. But as usual, you destroyed my winning streak.On that note, come give me a hug,Brish!!"

And I was swept up in a bone-crushing hug by Rahul.

"Let her go, you twat, you're killing her. I really don't want her dead. Who do you think will save us from aunty's wrath, if she dies??"

And with that I was released from the hug. And came face to face with the eldest cousin among all four of us. She also had black hair and a fair complexion. She was also the most intelligent out of all three of us.

"Thanks a lot for saving me. I would have seriously died, if not for your help Urjowshi Di. I think I might have bruised a bone or two from that hug of yours!!", I said in between taking deep breaths.

"So,did you guys decide on what's on our agenda this year?? Because I did not turn up early to lay about the house like an useless piece of clothing."

"We are at a loss of things to do, showrryyy, Brish.",said Sneha. "This is going to be the most boring Puja since 2013." And to make it sound even more depressing, she even added a long,exaggerated sigh.

"Why, what was wrong with Puja in 201- Ahhh! It rained like hell that year, got it! Don't worry Sne, we will find a way to make this Puja interesting.Also, I have  got this extremely interesting story to tell you guys. So, it happened recently-"

And the whole afternoon went by talking about all the topics we couldn't discuss via texts because all of us were too lazy to type out long sentences. I know, I know what you guys are thinking. Couldn't you guys just send voice messages, but believe me when I say, that we are a whole different level of lazy people.

"Shitt guys! Its 6:45 pm, we need to get ready for the puja!! Mashi told me to inform you guys, but I totally forgot!! Go,go,GOOO!! Or it will be our head for dinner!!!"

"WHATT!! Shit, shit, SHITTT!! Why do you forget to relay important information. Am leaving, I do not want to face my mother's wrath."

And with that Sneha had left to go freshen up. The rest of us also left hurriedly, to go and change. At exactly seven, we were all present at the mandap to watch the Arati. It was heavenly. The prayers chanted by the priest, the smoke coming out of the dhunuchi, the sound of the bell and the sankha and last but not the least, the idol of Durga Ma made it heavenly.

"Come on!!Let's go!! The arati is over, now let's go chill in one of our rooms."

"Yess!! Let's go and play video games on my x-box. You guys will love it!!I bet-"

"Shut up!!!"

"Why are yo-"

"Shhhh"

"What are you trying to listen to Di??"

"Listen carefully, our mothers are talking to that aunty who lives next door."

"- haunted I tell you. Since the old woman has passed away along with her granddaughter, people have been saying that one can actually see their ghosts in that house-"

"Ghosts!!!"

"Shut up, Rahul."

"-very unfortunate. The girl was only four years old. She was found crushed under the part of the roof that had broken down. People had been telling Upasana's son to renovate the house, for a long time.Alas! But did you hear about Meena's daught-"

"Okay, let's go now. I don't wanna listen to their gossip session anymore."

"But Di, this is great news!!! Ghosts in Malandighi!! Things just got interesting!! What say, Brish??"

"I think we know what we are going to do this summer."

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Hey guys!!!! Did you guys like the chapter?? Do you like the characters?? I tried my best to infuse a little bit of the festivities that actually take place during the Durga puja. Also, do you think ghosts are real?? DO write down your views in the comment section. And if you liked this chapter, please do vote!!

Hope you guys are safe.

Bookworm16 ❤❤.