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Ray and Tej sat on the dining table.
Advika gulped down a glass of water and threw herself on the sofa. Zarna sat beside her, closing her eyes. Maya lay down on the carpet, holding her feet.
Ray chuckled. "You girls should try jogging," he said. Tej smiled. "Ray, I think we need to give them classes on fitness," added Tej. The boys laughed as the girls gave them a stern look.
"Shut up," whispered Advika. She was too tired to fight or even talk.
"Jokes apart, but I wish we could find the source of that sound," said Tej.
"The timing of that man was..." said Maya and sighed.
"I hope he didn't see anyone of us," said Advika, catching her breath. "No, it was dark enough, plus, it sounded like it was an old man," said Tej. "Yes, his eyesight won't be that great," added Ray.
"We'll go again, but, after some days," said Advika. "Yes, that man would probably forget us by then," said Zarna.
"Let's sleep, we'll discuss in the morning," said Maya and dragged herself to the bedroom upstairs.
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Advika covered her face with the blanket as Zarna opened the curtains and sunlight entered the room. "Rise and Shine!" she chirped.
"How can this girl be cheerful in the morning," said Maya rubbing her eyes. Advika yawned and sat upright.
There was a knock on the door. "Girls, come down asap, breakfast is ready," said Ray and went downstairs.
"I can't believe these boys woke up before us," said Maya and tied her hair into a bun. Advika went to the bathroom to freshen up while Maya was busy with her phone. "I'm going down, come soon," said Zarna and headed towards the hall.
Ray and Tej were sitting at the dining table. "Good morning," beamed Zarna as she descended the stairs. "Morning," said the boys. "Where's Advika?" asked Tej as he poured some milk into a glass. "She's coming, she just woke up," said Zarna as she poured some honey on the pancakes. "How do you do this?" she asked and looked at Ray. "Well, I love cooking," said Ray and smiled.
"Morning guys," said Maya as she sat beside Zarna. Tej glanced at the staircase. "Oh, wow! Pancakes," said Maya and took a bite. "Awesome," she said. "Thanks," beamed Ray. "Tej, can you drop us home?" asked Zarna and pouted. "Yeah, sure," said Tej and glanced at the staircase again.
~~~~~
Advika came out of the bathroom, wiping her face with a towel. She felt her heart stop for a split second. She rushed towards the window, breathing heavily. She saw sawdust near the windowpane; only that it had sparkle over it.
There was a knock on the door. Advika sped towards the door, panting. "Are you fine? What is taking you so long?" asked Tej.
"Tej, I saw... I thought I saw someone near the window, like a fairy or something," she said and pulled him to the window. "See the sawdust-"
Tej carefully examined the windowpane. "There's nothing here, Advika, I think you're just too tired," he said, turning to face her.
"I'm not imaging things," said Advika. "I didn't mean that," Tej defended himself. "Okay, just come down and have breakfast, it's going to be 10."
~~~~~
"What do you mean you missed them?" he screamed, looking around and then back to the timid old man.
"Master Daksh, I tried to follow them, but they escaped," he stammered as Daksh clenched his teeth.
"Make sure you get them next time they come, I want them all," he said and disappeared into thin air.
~~~~~
The old man opened the gates of the temple and stepped inside. He strolled towards the porch of the temple. An old lady was standing with the help of a stick, her back bent, she had worn a white saree and a rudraksha mala around her neck.
"Dai Ma," he said.
"Whom were you talking to?" asked Dai Ma.
"Nobody," lied the old man.
"Indra wants you to pay close attention to people who come to this temple if any," said Dai Ma.
"I will protect the symbol at all cost," said the old man.
"I will take your leave then," said Dai Ma and joined her hands in front of the idol of Lord Shiva.
- Writer
