The sun was beginning its descent, casting golden hues across the sky as Advika and Kriti followed the mysterious man. The streets of Jaipur bustled with life, yet an air of intrigue surrounded their journey. Kriti, as expected, was already fuming with doubt.

"Advika, mujhe ab bhi samajh nahi aa raha ki hum ek ajnabi aadmi ke peeche kyun ja rahe hain!" Kriti whispered urgently, tugging at Advika's arm. (Advika, I still don't understand why we are following a stranger!)

Advika sighed, looking ahead at the man walking confidently in front of them. His pace was steady, his posture relaxed as if he had all the time in the world.

"Dekho Kriti, hum sirf itna ja rahe hain jitna safe lage. Aur waise bhi, hum itni bheed me hain, agar kuch gadbad hui toh hum cheekh sakte hain," Advika reasoned, keeping her voice calm. (Look, Kriti, we're only going as far as it feels safe. And besides, we're in a crowded place. If anything goes wrong, we can scream.)

Kriti huffed, crossing her arms. "Tum sach mein pagal ho, Advika. Ye koi film nahi hai jisme heroine kisi anjaan insaan ka peecha kare aur usse rajaon ki purani kahaniyan sunne milein!" (You're seriously crazy, Advika. This isn't some movie where the heroine follows a stranger and learns royal secrets!)

Advika only smiled at her friend's dramatic reaction. Something about this man intrigued her, like he knew more than he was letting on.

Finally, Kriti, unable to control her frustration, called out to him. "Sunaiye, aapka naam kya hai?" (Excuse me, what's your name?)

The man turned slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ansh," he answered simply, before resuming his walk.

Kriti rolled her eyes. "Bas Ansh? Poori duniya ka raaz apne andar samet rakha hai aur naam sirf Ansh?" (Just Ansh? He holds all the secrets of the world and his name is only Ansh?)

Ansh let out a small chuckle, glancing back at them. "Naam jitna chhota ho, utna hi asar karta hai," he said cryptically. (The shorter the name, the greater the impact.)

Kriti muttered under her breath, "Badi filmy baatein karte ho." (You sound like a movie character.)

Advika, on the other hand, was more focused on the path they were taking. The streets were getting less crowded, and soon they reached the outskirts of the city. Kriti, noticing the surroundings, grew more anxious.

"Kitna door chalna padega?" Kriti groaned, clearly exhausted. (How far do we have to walk?)

Ansh looked at her, amused. "Bas thoda aur. Kareeb 15-20 minute aur lagenge." (Just a little more. Around 15-20 minutes.)

"Itni door chalna zaroori hai?" Kriti whined. (Is it necessary to walk this far?)

Ansh simply shrugged. "Agar sach tak pahunchna hai toh thoda safar karna padega." (If you want to reach the truth, you must travel a little.)

Advika was intrigued by his words. There was something about the way he spoke—his words always held a deeper meaning, as if he was testing them.

As they continued walking, they entered a village unlike any they had ever seen before. The setting sun bathed the land in an orange glow, making the entire place look surreal. But what stood out the most was how well-maintained everything was.

Unlike other villages, where poverty was often evident, this place had strong, structured houses. Each house had a similar architectural style—old yet elegant, with intricate carvings on wooden doors and stone pathways leading to each doorstep. The people here were dressed in traditional attire, yet there was an air of discipline and quiet strength in them.

Kriti's eyes widened in surprise. "Ye koi aam gaon nahi lag raha." (This doesn't look like an ordinary village.)

Advika nodded, taking in the surroundings. There was something... different here. Everything seemed too perfect, too structured. It didn't feel like a modern-day village, but rather, a place stuck in time.

Ansh finally stopped in front of a house, turning towards them. "Yahan tak tum log aa gaye ho, toh kuch sach bhi jaan loge." (Now that you've come this far, you'll learn some truth as well.)

Advika met his gaze, a thousand questions running through her mind. But before she could speak, Ansh gestured for them to step inside.

As they crossed the threshold, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was stepping into something much bigger than she had ever imagined.

—————

As Advika and Kriti stepped inside, they found themselves in a house that was both modern and steeped in tradition. The wooden furniture, intricately carved with old Rajputana designs, blended seamlessly with contemporary comforts. The walls were adorned with paintings of royal processions, ancient palaces, and warriors in their regal attire. The warm glow from the antique-style lanterns hanging from the ceiling cast soft shadows, making the place feel almost surreal.

Kriti looked around cautiously, while Advika's eyes sparkled with fascination. She traced her fingers along the edge of an old bookshelf filled with leather-bound books, some of which looked centuries old.

"Yeh jagah toh kamaal ki hai," Advika whispered, almost in awe. (This place is amazing.)

Ansh, who had led them inside, turned towards them and said, "Filhaal tum dono yahaan aaraam karo. Fir hum baith kar baat karenge." (For now, you both rest. Then we'll talk.)

Advika, still curious, asked, "Wahi sach? Jo aap keh rahe the?" (The truth? The one you were talking about?)

Ansh gave her a small smile, his gaze unreadable. "Batayenge... lekin abhi nahi. Thoda sabr rakho." (I'll tell you... but not now. Have patience.)

Before either of them could argue, he turned and walked towards the door.

"Main zara baahar ja raha hoon. Tum dono yahan safe ho." (I'm stepping out for a while. You two are safe here.)

And with that, he left.

Once outside, Ansh took out his phone and dialed a number. The moment the call connected, a deep, authoritative voice came from the other side.

"Did you get them?" the man asked.

Ansh exhaled. "Haan, abhi mere saath hain. Tumne jo kaha tha maine wahi kiya." (Yes, they're with me now. I did exactly what you said.)

"Achha. Aur ab?" (Good. And now?)

Ansh hesitated. "Ab hum unke saath kya karne wale hain?" (What are we going to do with them now?)

The voice on the other end was silent for a moment before responding, "Abhi bas dekhte raho. Samay aane par tumhe pata chal jayega ki agla kadam kya hai." (For now, just observe them. When the time comes, you'll know what to do next.)

Ansh sighed. "Samajh gaya." (Understood.)

He cut the call, his face grim. His eyes flickered towards the house where Advika and Kriti were waiting. Something about this whole situation unsettled him, but he had his orders.

Inside the House

Back in the house, Kriti sat down on a cushioned seat with her arms crossed, a deep frown on her face.

"Hum yahan ek ajnabi ke saath ek ajnabi jagah par hain, aur tujhe ye sab bilkul ajeeb nahi lag raha?" Kriti snapped. (We are in an unknown place with a stranger, and you don't find this weird at all?)

Advika, who was still exploring the house, turned to her with a calm expression. "Kriti, mujhe nahi lagta yeh sab itna simple hai." (Kriti, I don't think this is just a coincidence.)

"Kya matlab?" Kriti asked, eyebrows furrowed. (What do you mean?)

Advika took a deep breath and sat beside her. "Jab maine is project ko haan kaha tha, usi raat mere dimaag mein ek naam aaya tha—Rathorgarh." (The night I said yes to this project, the name Rathorgarh came to my mind.)

Kriti blinked. "Rathorgarh?"

"Haan," Advika nodded. "Maine uske baare mein dhoondhne ki koshish ki, lekin kuch nahi mila. Jaise ki yeh jagah history se mita di gayi ho." (Yes. I tried to find information about it, but I found nothing. As if this place was erased from history.)

Kriti's expression softened slightly, but her skepticism remained. "Toh?" (So?)

Advika continued, "Phir humein woh mystery man mila, jisne humein wahi naam diya. Fir mandir mein bhi maine wahi naam padha. Itni saari cheezein ek saath ek hi jagah ki taraf ishaara kar rahi hain. Yeh sirf ek project nahi lag raha ab. Yeh kuch aur hai. Mujhe mehsoos ho raha hai ki mujhe is jagah se koi na koi connection hai." (Then we met that mystery man, who gave us the same name. Then I read it in the temple. So many things are pointing toward the same place. This doesn't feel like just a project anymore. It's something more. I feel a connection to this place.)

Kriti sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Mujhe ab bhi nahi lagta ki yeh safe hai. Par tu sach keh rahi hai ki yeh ek ajeeb coincidence hai." (I still don't think this is safe. But you're right, this is a strange coincidence.)

Advika smiled slightly. "Bas ek baar dekh lete hain. Yeh jagah shayad humein hamari answers de sakti hai." (Let's just see where this leads. Maybe this place will give us answers.)

Kriti rolled her eyes but smiled. "Theek hai, lekin agar yeh koi horror movie jaisa scene bana, toh main bhaag jaungi!" (Alright, but if this turns into some horror movie situation, I'm running away!)

Advika laughed. "Main bhi!" (Me too!)

--------

The evening had settled in, casting a calming hue across the village. The golden glow of the setting sun had given way to the cool, blue tones of dusk, and the quiet hum of crickets filled the air. The house was tranquil now, the earlier tension having dissipated somewhat.

Inside, Kriti was sitting in one of the cushioned chairs, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She was trying, and failing, to mask her irritation. "Main ab bhi keh rahi hoon, yeh aadmi sirf ghooma raha hai humein. Itni baar sawaal pooch chuki hoon, ek bhi dhang ka jawaab nahi mila," she muttered under her breath, her voice tinged with frustration. (I'm still saying this man is just making us go in circles. I've asked him so many times, and he hasn't given a single proper answer.)

Advika, sitting nearby, seemed far more at ease. She was folding the clothes that had been brought over from the hotel. Every now and then, she would glance up at Kriti with a soft smile on her lips. There was an aura of calm surrounding her, a quiet confidence that made her seem out of place in such a situation. She finished folding a shirt and gently placed it on the bed. "Mujhe nahi lagta woh humein bina wajah yahaan laaya hai. Kya pata, abhi waqt nahi aaya hai sach batane ka?" (I don't think he brought us here without a reason. Maybe it's just not the right time for him to tell us the truth?)

Kriti exhaled sharply, still unconvinced. "Ya phir woh bas time pass kar raha hai." (Or maybe he's just wasting our time.)

Before Advika could respond, a knock echoed through the house. It was a soft, polite knock, and as they turned to the door, it slowly creaked open. Standing there in the threshold was Ansh, his usual calm demeanor in place. His sharp gaze swept over both girls, and then his gaze lingered briefly on Advika before he spoke.

"Chalo, dono tayaar ho jao," he said, his voice low and authoritative, though there was a hint of something... almost expectant. (Come on, get ready.)

Kriti raised an eyebrow. "Kyun?" (Why?)

Ansh's lips twitched, just slightly, as if he had anticipated her reaction. "Mandir jaana hai," he said, his tone nonchalant. (We're going to the temple.)

Kriti rolled her eyes, clearly uninterested in another temple visit. "Hum subah hi toh mandir gaye the." (We just went to a temple in the morning.)

Ansh's expression didn't change. He stood there, waiting for her to respond. After a brief pause, he said, "Haan, par yeh mandir is gaon ka hai. Jo mandir subah dekha, uska isse koi lena-dena nahi hai." (Yes, but that temple was different. The one we are going to now belongs to this village. It's not the same.)

There was a subtle shift in the air as he spoke. Kriti could sense that he wasn't merely offering a casual excuse. There was something more to his words, something... important. Still, her skepticism held firm. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was a hidden agenda behind all of this.

Advika, however, was a different story. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at Ansh. "Toh yeh special kya hai?" (So what's special about this one?)

Ansh met her gaze, and for a brief moment, there was a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. Then, his lips quirked into a half-smile, but it was mysterious, almost teasing. "Jab dekh logi, tab samajh aa jayega." (You'll understand when you see it.)

Advika's curiosity was piqued. She nodded without further questioning. "Thik hai," she said, standing up. "Hum tayaar ho jaate hain." (Alright, we'll get ready.)

The girls made their way to their room to prepare, and after a few moments, Advika stepped out first. The soft rustle of fabric echoed through the hall as she emerged, her presence almost ethereal. She wore a delicate pink Anarkali, the soft fabric shimmering with golden threadwork that caught the light as she moved. The way the dress flowed around her, it looked as though she were walking on air, and the long sleeves with subtle embroidery on the cuffs added a traditional touch that complemented her graceful demeanor.

Ansh, who had been waiting in the living room, looked at her with an unreadable expression before he handed her a small packet. "Aarti ki thali bana do." (Prepare the aarti plate.)

Advika gave a polite nod, taking the packet from him. "Ji," she said simply, her tone calm as she headed toward the kitchen. She walked towards the kitchen, unwrapping it to find kumkum, rice, flowers, a small diya, and some prasad. She carefully arranged everything on a silver plate, lighting the diya and making sure everything was placed properly.

As she was occupied with that, Ansh remained in the living room, waiting for Kriti.

Kriti stepped into the living room, her presence commanding the space. She was dressed in a deep blue Anarkali, the silver embroidery on the fabric catching the soft light from the lamps. The color made her stand out, highlighting her sharp features and striking beauty. Her hair was styled in soft curls, falling around her face in a way that made her look both regal and relaxed.

Ansh's gaze immediately snapped to her as she entered the room. For the briefest of moments, there was a softness in his eyes, a flicker of surprise. It was subtle, but it was there—a moment of appreciation for how effortlessly beautiful she looked. Her boldness, the way she carried herself, intrigued him.

For a split second, he stood still, completely caught off guard by the impact of her appearance. His breath hitched slightly, though only for an instant, as he found himself staring at her, unable to mask the fleeting thought that crossed his mind.

But Kriti, ever perceptive, caught his reaction. Her lips curled into a teasing smirk as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Kya? Pehli baar ladki dekhi hai?" (What? First time seeing a girl?)

Ansh blinked, quickly regaining his composure. He shook his head, a small, knowing smile appearing on his face. "Bas soch raha tha ki itni der kyun laga di?" (I was just wondering why you took so long.)

Kriti's eyes narrowed further, suspicion evident in her expression. "Tumse matlab?" (What's it to you?)

Advika, now finished with the aarti plate, entered the room, sensing the playful tension between them. She handed the thali to Ansh, and the brief moment of unspoken energy between him and Kriti was interrupted. "Chalo?" (Shall we go?)

Ansh nodded, his eyes briefly flicking to Kriti and then back to Advika. Without saying another word, he turned and motioned for them to follow.

As the three of them stepped outside into the cooling night air, Advika could feel the anticipation building within her. The temple was waiting, and whatever answers lay within it, she knew they were closer to uncovering them.

These are the aesthetics for this chapter. If you don't like them, feel free to imagine anything, but this is what I've found so far. 😊

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😊 So, this chapter ended with 2.6k words. Sorry for the late update, but I'm back on track now! ✅

I'll be updating one chapter of each book every week. I'm currently working on three books, so in one week, I'll post one chapter from each. If I get more time, I might upload extra chapters, but for now, it'll be one chapter per book in one week.

Also, I have a new book coming soon called Dard-E-Ishq, a Kim Taehyung fanfiction! 💖 Please check it out and show some love. I'm also working on my second ongoing book, Love in Shade (a BTS short story collection). Please read it and let me know what you think. I'd appreciate your feedback! Your votes and comments mean a lot and encourage me to keep writing!

Happy reading, and thank you all! 😊🙏