The Haunted Fortress of Bhangarh: Book 1

3. Black smoke, red fire

A shallow breath escaped his lips. "A birthmark?"

Shravani chortled. "It's strange, I know." She caressed the mark with much adoration. "But it's not a branding. A serpent-shaped birthmark."

While the others got busy adding another chair from a nearby table to facilitate a seat for the new girl, Rudra took the time to turn his back to them and rub his palms over his face. A lot of jumbled questions popped into his mind, and he was certain no one would be able to give a proper response to his queries. Not even the girl with the serpent-shaped birthmark. Not that he would ever garner enough courage to admit his nightmares in front of anyone but his therapist and his parents.

"Rudra?" Ranvir tapped on his shoulders. "You okay, buddy?"

He let his palms slide down from his face and heaved a deep sigh before swerving around. Casting a stiff smile at his best friend, he collapsed on the chair and found himself sitting across from Shravani. She was busy interacting with Surbhi and Siya as they discussed the shop from where the new girl had bought her stunning outfit. However, Rudra's focus was on how untainted her smile was, how her nose crinkled each time she laughed freely, how the small silvery bindi between her eyes appeared iridescent. Of course not more than the lady herself. And how exquisite her eyes were looking with the black kohl she had applied!

Ranvir cleared his throat, and that prompted Rudra to look away from the girl. Leaning closer to his best friend with a smirk on his face, Ranvir whispered, "So, I was right. Seems like Rudra Sharma has a new crush."

Rudra passed another formal smile as his brain went back to the series of questions, for the girl from his dreams and the woman sitting in front of him possessed the same branding. Identical in every aspect. He could tell so with much certitude because it was only the serpent tattoo that he recollected with stark clarity every time. Additionally, he was certain he had come across Shravani way before the chance meeting at the traffic signal. If only he could properly recollect!

He glimpsed back at Shravani, and this time, her gaze locked with his.

A fortress. War. Blood. The girl. A serpent tattoo. A sword. A horse. The blue sky. The dying breath.

Rudra felt like the air was sucked out of his lungs, and he was rendered breathless at the onslaught of random images flitting through his mind. Though the girl from his dreams was too hazy to decipher, the blood was clearly perceptible. So was the horse. So was the sword. He licked his lips as his breathing came out ragged, and he ducked his head down, squinting his eyes shut to get rid of whatever inexplicable moment he was experiencing.

A warm hand pressed onto his shoulder. "Are you okay?" Concern was evident in Ranvir's tone. "You don't seem fine to me."

Rudra blinked his eyes and glimpsed at his friend before his gaze went to the others. They were all busy getting to know Shravani better, and there was a full-blown Q&A underway. Tearing his gaze away from the girl, he muttered, "I need fresh air. I will catch up with you tomorrow."

Without uttering another word, he grabbed his bag from the floor and strode right out of the canteen with an alacrity that prompted the chatty folks to fall silent and gape at his retreating back. Nervous glances were exchanged with one another until Ranvir broke the quietude.

"Oh, he just needed to be somewhere."

"But he didn't even say goodbye." Siya frowned. "That's so unlikely of him. I hope he is fine."

Shravani opened and shut her mouth a few times before saying, "I think he didn't like my presence here. I... I should just... go."

She was about to stand up when Ranvir waved his hand and dismissed the thought. "Not at all, Shravani. He is a compassionate guy and wouldn't have such crazy ideas crossing his otherwise stupid brain." Once everyone chortled, he smiled wide. "He just gets claustrophobic at times, and all he needs is peace and comfort. He will be fine tomorrow, and," he leaned ahead with a conspiratorial smirk on his face as he lowered his voice to a whisper, "I think he liked you very, very much."