Rooh

I throw the blanket off my sleepy body, slowly slipping out of my bed before standing in front of the huge mirror opposite to my bed. The dark circles under my eyes pop out differently before a soft groan leaves my lips and I put on some slippers and walk downstairs.

I greet Mumma with a small good morning before popping out the spoon I had kept in the freezer last night. I turn around to find Dad standing there with his morning tea in hand, staring at me with a weird look.

"Don't give me that look, papa. It's good for your under eyes."

I press the cold spoon against my eyes, releasing some of the sleepiness before picking up the cup of coffee Mom had set on the dining table for me.

I pick up my phone before settling down on the sofa in front of the TV. Unlocking the phone, the first notification I need is of Kaynaaz.

"I'll see you at 10:00 am be ready or I'll break your legs"

10:00 am.

I turn around to look at the clock hung on the wall above the dining table. It ticks again, reading the time '8:57 am'.

Time hai abhi. I'll get ready in a bit.
(There's time rn I'll get ready in a bit)

My phone pops up with another message and I look at the screen to find a notification from the college group chat.

'Avi Kapoor and his band are performing at the University on Sunday guys. The tickets will be available by tomorrow. Whoever wants to come please buy your tickets on time.'

A soft gasp of surprise leaves my lips reading the notification. The college usually didn't allow performances. And when it did. It was of the man who I had been crushing on since high school.

Avi aka Avinash Kapoor. My high school senior. I met him when I was in 10th standard during one of his football matches. Well not exactly "met" more like bumped into him and fell on the floor as well in love. But like the story of every sad high school junior. He didn't even notice me.

I didn't have an encounter with him again until Ky didi took me to one of her college festivals with her years later. Surprisingly turns out he's her junior and they both go to DU.

But even if Ky forced me. I never dared to talk to him. I just visited all his concerts and football games. Watching from afar is better than betraying my comfort and talking to him.

I feel a smack on the back of my head before I look up to see Mumma standing there with her arms crossed in front of her.

"Kya?" I question her.
(What?)

"Kya, Kya? Khadi hoke ready ho ja. Abhi kaynaaz aagyi, phirse dono ladai karne lag jaoge late hone ke chakar me."
(What what get up and get ready Kaynaaz will come soon and again, both of you will fight because you're getting late.)

She ruffles my hair softly before turning around and walking back to the kitchen.

I get up from my place on the sofa with a sigh before dragging my feet up the stairs.

Aaj haldi ka function hai, aur phir raat me sabne decide kiya hai ki beith ke baate karege. Pata nhi kab tak baate karege. Mujhe toh already wapase nind aarhi hai.
(Today it was the haldi festival and then at night everyone had decided to sit and talk. I don't know for how long they will talk. I already feel sleepy again)

I take a quick shower and wash my hair thoroughly before stepping in front of my closet and contemplating what to wear.

After some long minutes of thinking, my brain finally decides on the yellow sharara.

I hear the doorbell as the brush in my hand swiftly pats some blush on my brown skin tone. The pink glides smoothly onto the flesh, giving my cheek a sudden plum pop.

"Chale?"
(let's go?)

I hear Kaynaaz's honey voice behind me, looking up I find her standing there in a yellow and gold lehenga along with some gold earrings. Her hair was in half-do with half of them curled at the bottom. No wonder that weird doctor was crazy behind her, she is gorgeous.

"10:00 am ho gye miss?"
(is it 10 AM yet miss?)

"It was 10 as soon as I stepped down from the car."

A soft chuckle leaves my lips at her punctual tone.

I pick up my phone which was set on the mattress along with the gold purse kept on my side table. Kaynaaz walks out the door before I say anything, She swiftly steps down the stairs before giving Mumma a hug bidding her bye.

"Mumma aap aaoge?"
(Mumma will you come?)

"Aaugi thodi der me, till then you both have fun okay?"
(I will come in sometime until then both of you have fun okay?)

I give her a quick nod before following Kay's steps out the door. She starts the engine of her car and takes off for the Rajvanshi mansion as soon as I'm settled in my seat.

The Ranjvanshi have invested a huge amount of money in their heir's wedding. The whole house was decorated with golden bright lights, flowers and colourful tents set up outside the house.

House would be an understatement. The Rajvanshi's had a mansion. Big rooms, lots of rooms, a huge kitchen, a Movie room, a beautiful living area. And of course the huge garden and driveway.

Kaynaaz parks her black car in the driveway before stepping out carefully while lifting her lehenga.

Imagine driving in a whole big-ass lehenga. Sheesh.

I give a glance at the rear mirror of the car before adjusting my hair in the front and stepping out.

"Kaynaaz, we need you here."

I turn around to see Soman Aunty, Kay's mom, standing by the door of the mansion waving her tiny hands at me and Kay. I chuckle softly at her behaviour before giving her a wave back.

"Oye, Mummy ko hi baadme karna. Gaadi ke piche wali seat up kuch cheeze hai woh udhar Garden me Kyra di hogi unko deke aa."
(Say hi to Mom later. There is some things in the back of the car and Kyra Didi is in the garden. Go give them to her)

"Tu deke aaja hath dukh rahe?"
(Can't you give it to her? Are your hands hurting?)

Kay glares at me before pointing to Aunty calling her name. A small pout forms on my lips and nod at her in agreement before she walks away, handing me the keys to the car.

I open the back door of the beautiful car before pulling out the gold plate and things from the back seat.

I carefully lock the car before turning around and walking towards the garden. Only to find no one there. Matlab ye kaynaaz ko ye bhi nhi pata ki Ky didi kidhar hai. Pagal aurat. 
(Kaynaaz doesn't even know where Ky Didi is stupid woman)

Holding the plate firm in my hand, I walk back towards the way I came from.

A group of boys move past me, a few instruments in their hands.

Kaynaaz might have called them to play something during the function.

Paying no heed, I walk past the group, my eyes set on the things in my hands. Ye ghir gaya toh meri chutney bana denge ye long.
(if this was, they will beat me into Chutney.)

Suddenly I feel something pull at my dupatta, and it slowly slip backwards from my shoulders. I pause in my place, holding my dupatta as the boys who were behind me walk past, giving me side eyes.

Turning back, my gaze looks around to see where the dupatta might have been stuck. My delusion is always that it'll get stuck in someone's watch but it usually just gets stuck in-

My trail of thoughts stop as my eyes set on the hazel ones staring back at me. I feel my blood still as my grip around the plate slightly loosens.

I gaze down to where my duppatta is stuck only to find it intertwined between two strings of Avi's guitar.

Bhai dupatte tu haar baar ke tarha kisi door me hi faas jata. Guitar me kon faasta hai? Woh bhi. Avi Kapoor ke guitar me?
(Brother Dupatta couldn't you have got stuck in some door like every time? Who get stuck in a guitar and that too Avi Kapoor's guitar?)

I feel him step closer to me, and I take a step back before glancing at him again. I feel my stomach roll as my gaze travels the outlines of his handsome face.

"Ji aapka dupatta"

I stare at him before realising I've been checking him out for too long. My sight moves away from him before I pull slightly at my dupatta in hopes that it'll come out from between the strings.

A deep sigh of frustration leaves my lips before I give the man in front of me a tight smile.

Sala mera dupatta mera hi dushman banke beitha hai.
(my dupatta has become my enemy only)

I feel another tug of the fabric and find him untangling the yellow cotton from between his strings. I feel like my heart beating a little faster as he slowly untangles the fabric with his hands.

As soon as the fabric leaves the guitar I turn around and start to scurry forward, messily trying to adjust the dupatta on my shoulder.

"Suno."
(Listen.)

His melodic voice brings a pause to my feet and I stand there in anticipation waiting for his next words.

"Naam toh batati jao aapna."
(At least tell me your name.)

I look back at him over my shoulder, my dark brown eyes, contrasting with his hazel ones.

"Rooh Ranawat."

Kyra

I quietly stare at the woman in the centre of the room, grinding Haldi in the huge pot. The voices around me felt blank as my eyes silently studied the room.

I could see Kaynaaz chatting with Mom, talking about some things, Anvi was standing with Inaya taking pictures while the boys were standing in the corner with plates of food munching on them silently.

I look around the group of boys, until my eyes finally setting on Shivyansh, munching on a momo.

Momo. Bhai ye momo kidhar se aagye haldi ke din?
(Momo. bro where did Momos come from on the day of haldi.)

I get up from my place before walking towards the circle of men. Ishaan looks up from his plate before giving a small wave which I return before standing beside Shiv.

He gazes down at me for a few seconds before returning to munching on his momos.

"Kya chahiye chudail?"
(What do you want witch.)

"Kya har time chudail chudail karta reheta hai? - I softly smack his arm - Aur aur ye momos kidhar se aaye? Aaj toh haldi hai, somosa kha na."
(Why are you always calling me witch? And where did this momos come from? It's haldi today, eat Somosa.)

"Nhi khana. Dadi ne mere liye especially momos banaye hai because I love momos."
(I don't want to. Dadi made these especially for me because I love momos.)

He wiggles a momo in front of my eyes before propping it in front his mouth. I hear Kanishk snicker from behind me before I poke his stomach with my elbow and make him wince.

I watch Shiv pick up the last momo on his plate before placing it in front of his mouth, ready to munch on it.

I softly tug at his kurta, looking at him with big puppy eyes before mumbling a soft "mujhe bhi khana hai."
(I wanna eat too.)

He shakes his head before slowly opening his mouth. A huge pout forms on my face and I turn around to leave towards the kitchen and confront Dadi. But before I can catch the criminal behind this, I feel a big hand pull me back by my wrist and place a momo in front of my lips.

"Ye le billi, kha le. Naraz mat ho merese."
(Here kitty. Eat. Don't get upset with me.)

I bite into the soft dough, as a content smile makes it to my cheeks and I feel my dimple poking into the flesh.

A set of chuckles go around the circle and I gaze around to see Ishaan and Kanishk looking at me with soft smiles on their face.

"Thank you panda bear."

I say the words loud enough for only the two of us to hear before scurrying off outside to set up everything for the Rasam.

Before I step outside the door of the house, I bump into a tiny figure.

Rooh stands in front of me, some things in her hand and her face red.

"Rooh tu laal kyu ho rakhi hai-?"
(Rooh why are you all red?)

She just looked down before handing me the plate and running back inside where I came from.

Confusion clouds my mind but I push it aside before taking the plate in my hand with me to the garden.

Time skip

A deep sigh of boredom leaves my lips watching everyone smear haldi all over Kanishk's face. I quietly stand in the corner watching as Mom and Dad apply some haldi on both of Kanishk's cheeks before Dad smears it all over his face.

A soft chuckle leaves my lips watching my brother's reaction. His nose scrunches up as it does in irritation and he swats a hand at Dad but fails to do him any harm.

I make a mental picture of the scene in front of me, storing it in my head. After a long time, the family was finally happy. I hadn't seen my grandmother so happy since Dadu passed away. Nor did Papa ever enjoy festivals as much as we as kids did.

Even seeing Kanishk smiling warms my heart. He and Kaynaaz are my entire world. Even tho Kay is younger than me, it feels like she's the elder one. Their smiles will never not bring peace to my eyes. They deserve it.

"Kyra beta aao idhar."
(Kyra baby, come here.)

I look up to see Dadi standing behind Kanishk, both of them looking at my zoned-out figure.

I softly shake my head before stepping through the crowd of uncles and aunties and standing in front of Kanishk with my arms folded in front of my chest.

"Teddy promise me ki tu mere face pe haldi nhi lagaega."
(Teddy promise me you won't put anything on my face.)

He tilts his head in innocence, looking at me as if I had called off his plan.

"Main? Areh main nhi lagaoga."
(Me? No I won't do anything.)

Thinning my eyes at him, I stare into his soul, giving him a warning. Before bending down to pick up some haldi in my hands and applying it on my beloved brother's cheeks and head.

My feet stand up after seconds and I start to go back to the spot I was standing at, but I feel a hand pull me back. I tumble backwards and land on the ground right in front of Kanishk.

Before I take out a yelp to scold him, he picks up a handful of the yellow paste before smearing it on my cheeks and head.

I hear a couple of gasps from the crowd and then a familiar feminine chuckle. My eyes scan through the crowd and finally settle on Kaynaaz standing along with Shivyansh and Anvi, both of them snickering along with her.

Acha. Hasi aarhi. Abhi aur hasati hu.
(Okay. You're laughing. Let me make you laugh more.)

I look at Dadi, my eyes asking her permission. As if understanding my mind, she nods her head as a smile makes it to her face.

I pick up the gold bowl filled with haldi before getting up from my place and sprinting in the direction where the three monkeys were standing.

Understanding my intentions, Kaynaaz lets out a loud "mummy bachao" before picking up her lehenga and sprinting away from me.

Within thirty minutes.

Both of us are standing next to our brother coated with the same yellow colour.

Shiv clicks a picture of us, before passing his phone to Anvi, who then chuckle at the staring at the portrait of us siblings.

"You better delete that you panda face."

"Nhi karuga. Bol kya karegi."
(I won't, what will you do?)

"I'm still covered in Haldi it'll take me five seconds to ruin your perfectly white shirt."

He sends me a short glare (which I gladly return) before walking closer to Kaynaaz.

She looks at him in confusion and opens her mouth to say something, but before a word leaves her lips, shivyansh flicks her forehead with his thin fingers and walks away with long strides.

Kanshik and I burst out into a fit of laughter, watching her shocked yellow body standing still.

Time skip

I stare at Anvi's small face as she stuffs another chicken wing in her mouth, totally ignoring Ishaan who had been sitting there with his mouth open for the past five minutes waiting for her to give him a piece.

It late at evening, and everyone had settled down in the movie room to watch something. Me and Kay had taken a cold shower in our respective rooms and changed into comfortable clothes while the others had borrowed one thing or the other from us three siblings to get comfortable.

I take the big tub of popcorn in my hands before settling between Rooh and Kanishk.

Anvi was sitting beside Ishaan, with his brother on her other hand meanwhile kaynaaz and Inaya were settled on bean bags, snuggling close to each other.

"Hum kya dekhe ge?"
(What will we watch?)

"Horror movie. Cuz last time tune bhootni ban ke experience kharab kar diya tha."
(Horror movie, because last time you ruined it by looking like a ghost.)

I shoot a sharp glare at Shivyansh who returns me a smug smile before snuggling back into the sofa.

I feel Rooh beside me shiver lightly, and hugging my arm. I pat her head softly before snuggling closer to her.

I nervously munch on the popcorn in my hands, occasionally feeding some to Rooh as both of us shiver at the deep growls coming from the movie screen.

The girl in the TV slowly enters dark, soft howls sounding around her, as when she opens the door of the closet-

Before anything appears on the screen the movie room goes pitch black, with no light no sound. Just the deep breathing of everyone sitting in the room.

"What the fuck happened.."

I hear Ishaan's voice from the distance before I feel Kanishk's weight lift from beside me.

"Power cut hua hoga. Kyra go get the candles from the kitchen."
(It must've been a power cut. Kyra go get the candles from the kitchen.)

I shake my head in the dark as if someone can see it.

"Mai kyu jau? Tu chala ja."
(Why should I go? You can go.)

"Abey Pagal I don't know where the candles are kept. You're the one who keeps those things."

I grumble softly to myself at my brother's words before getting up from my place and keeping a hand on the edge of the sofa.

Taking it as my guide I slowly walk to the right towards the door of the room. Something hard hits my arm and I hear Ishaan wince in pain.

"That's my head Kyra wtf."

"Sorry sorry."

I move a little further and keep my hand on something's head, from the feel of the soft hair I figured it was Anvi.

My figure moves a little further and I plant a smack onto Shivyansh's face purposely to hear him wince out of pain.

"Wtf you doing bitch"

"Oh sorry sorry. Galti se."

I let out a quiet chuckle of pleasure and felt around for a wall to lead me out of the room.

After five minutes of feeling walls. Which is something I never thought I'd do. I finally reach the kitchen.

I feel my pocket for my phone before pulling it out and turning on the flashlight. And open the drawer in front of me.

I stare at the drawer and then back at my phone for a whole minute.

Abey kya pagal log hai, why the fuck do we need candles when we have phone ki flashlight.
(Are these people stupid? why the fuck do we need candles when we have phone's flashlight.)

I swing around with my phone in hand before letting out a shriek of terror and seeing Shiv standing in front of me with a goofy expression.

"What are you doing panda face?"

"Can you stop calling me that?"

"No."

"Wh-"

Before he puts up an argument, the lights of the mansion come back to life, brightening the entire house.

I hear Rooh's voice saying "Thank you bhagwaan." But some seconds later, the lights flicker and turn off again.

The door of the room we were previously in, creaks open and I flash my light at the people standing there. Anvi and Inaya standing together, Kaynaaz next to Ishaan. And rooh clinging onto Kanishk's hand for dear life.

"You know you guys can take out your flashlights right?"

"I don't have my phone."

they stare at each other, surprised at the way their voice synced with each other.

Before someone says something, Rooh shrieks in surprise and jumps away from Kanishk.

"What what happened??"

Rooh jumps again before sprinting toward one of the sofas and jumping on it.

"Kay I swear, I left something moving over my leg." A replies to the previously asked question.

I move my flashlight to the floor trying to find the so-called thing Rooh was talking about.

Not finding anything on the ground, I move the light onto her face.

"There's nothing here Rooh."

"Bhai I swear mujhe sachi me Kuch feel hua tha."
(Brother, for real I felt something.)

Seconds later, I hear Anvi shrek and move from her place, before I feel something at my feet as well.

The lights of the house momentarily turn out before going off again.

Within minutes, everyone is running around the house, the lights of the house flickering crazily. I feel something soft brush against my foot again before I back away and bump into Anvi.

She jumps backwards in terror before screaming

"Brother save me wtf is this nonsense."

The lights of the house stop to flicker and go off completely.

"Hello? Guys, can you hear me?" Rooh's voice echos from a distance.

"Yes, Rooh we can hear you we aren't deaf."

I swing my phone left to where Kaynaaz's voice came from, but seconds later flash turns off.

Very good, ye bhi mar gaya.
(Very good, this died too.)

"Guys? Can you see me? Where are y'all?"

I try to search for Anvi's figure in the dark before I hear something move in the corner and turn around in the direction of the sound. A minute later, a loud crash is heard from behind me.

"What the fuck happened?" Kanishk yelps

"Guys! I can hear y'all but I can't see y'all" Kaynaaz cries from somewhere

"Of course, you can't see us, idiot."

I hear Kanishk scold Kaynaaz from my left side before I hear a metal glass drop on the floor from the kitchen.

"Ye ho kya raha hai?" a cry of terror leaves Rooh's lips.

"Monjulika aagyi, Tantrik bulao."

I soft chuckle bubbles out of my mouth hearing Shivyansh's statement from behind me.

I start to take a step forward but pause when I hear something in front of me yelp in pain, I feel a creature slide from between my legs in the opposite direction.

"Ulalala ulalala Tu hai meri fantasy."

"Shut the fuck up bhaiya. Gaana baadme me gaa lena."
(Shut up bhaiya, sing songs later.)

"I'm just trying to lighten the mood Ulala- AAAAAAA"

Kanishk lets out a scream before I hear a thud and someone falls on the ground.

The lights of the house suddenly flicker back on and my eyes adjust to the light of the room before looking around.

Kaynaaz, sitting on the edge of the same sofa Rooh was lying on as if she were about to pass out. Inaya standing on the stairs, her dupatta wrapped around her body tightly. Anvi and Ishaan standing next to each other, Anvi's hands wrapped around his waist.

How did that happen-

But before my mind can think of anything. My eyes set on Kanishk's body lying straight down on the floor, with a creature sitting on his chest. The same creature which was making us shriek in terror a few minutes ago.

I purse my lips to hold in my laughter, but eventually burst out laughing, looking at the sight in front of me.

"Kyra something is sitting on my chest."

I laugh louder at his statement before walking closer to him and crouching next to his body.

"Open your eyes bhaiya."

He slowly opens his eyes, adjusting to the light around him before staring at the white kitten perched on his chest proudly.