Chapter 1: The Reunion

"Hey, come look! A message just came in the school group," Yashvi called out, her voice lazy as she stretched on her bed.

Sachi, a stunning girl with long, flowing hair and large black eyes, glided into the room. Her hourglass figure was accentuated by a flowing white and purple dress, her movement graceful. "What does it say?" she asked in a relaxed tone.

Yashvi squinted at her phone, still lounging. "They're talking about a reunion party. Everyone's invited to the Royal Hotel this Sunday at 5:30."

"A reunion party? It's been eight years since we last saw everyone!" Sachi's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You have to come with me, Yashvi!"

Yashvi smirked knowingly, raising an eyebrow. "I bet I know why you're so excited. You still have feelings for him, don't you?"

Sachi's face flushed red. "Yeah… I do," she admitted softly, a shy smile playing on her lips.

Yashvi chuckled. "Alright, alright, I'll come with you. Let's see how this plays out!"

---

In a dimly lit apartment across town, a figure was huddled under a blanket, barely visible as a phone on the desk buzzed insistently.

"Rrrr...Rrrr...!"

The vibration continued, finally rousing Bhoumik from his cocoon. He stretched out a hand, fumbling for the phone. "Hello…? Who's calling me this early?" he mumbled groggily, his voice thick with sleep.

"It's me, Hitesh! Dude, wake up! It's already 11 AM. You're still sleeping?" came the lively voice on the other end.

Bhoumik groaned, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?"

"Check the school group. There's going to be a reunion party, and you better come!" Hitesh sounded excited, almost like a kid.

"Alright, I'll go. But where have you been, man? You haven't called in over a year," Bhoumik said, sitting up in bed.

"I'm good! Busy with work—I'm a pharmacist now. What about you?"

"I've been alright. Just wrapped up my studies last year and started a new job in tech development. Been keeping busy," Bhoumik replied, still half-asleep.

"Great! Let's catch up at the party. Sunday, Royal Hotel. Don't forget!"

As the call ended, Bhoumik dragged himself out of bed. He showered, grabbed a quick breakfast, and poured himself some tea, settling at the table to relax. The peaceful silence of the morning was interrupted by the shrill sound of the doorbell.

Ding…ding…ding…

Outside the door stood a young woman, her long black hair cascading down her back. She wore a stylish dress, her expression impatient. "Why is he taking so long?" she muttered, ringing the bell again.

Ding…ding…ding…

"Coming!" Bhoumik called, clearly irritated. He stood up and opened the door, only to be met with his little sister's annoyed face.

"You're taking forever! Were you sleeping this whole time?" Ubika huffed as she stepped inside, pulling a large suitcase behind her.

"Ubika? You didn't even tell me you were coming," Bhoumik said, bewildered. He glanced outside, looking for their aunt, but saw no one. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the suitcase. "What's with the luggage? Don't tell me you're planning to stay here…"

Ubika smiled brightly. "Yep! I'm starting college here, and your apartment is the perfect place to stay. It's more convenient."

Bhoumik sighed deeply, clearly exasperated. "Fine. Just stay out of trouble while I'm at work, okay? I'll be back tonight," he said firmly, pointing at the breakfast that was still on the table.

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine," Ubika replied casually, already sitting down to eat.

---

Sunday arrived, the day of the much-anticipated reunion. In his small apartment, Bhoumik stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his crisp, ironed shirt. Though a bit on the skinny side, his neat appearance—paired with a well-fitted black coat—made him look sharp. He ran a hand through his hair, preparing for the event.

Suddenly, Ubika's voice broke through the quiet. "Hey, I'm coming with you! I got bored sitting here all day," she said, her voice sweet but filled with certainty.

Bhoumik sighed. "Alright… alright. Just stick close to me."

"Yay!!" Ubika shouted happily, rushing to get dressed. Within minutes, she emerged in a pretty dress, spinning once to show it off. "Ready!"

Together, they left the apartment and headed to the parking lot, where Bhoumik's Mercedes-Benz CLA sat gleaming. He climbed into the driver's seat while Ubika slipped into the back. Soon, they were on their way to the Royal Hotel.

The hotel lived up to its name—grand and opulent, with a regal air. After parking the car, Bhoumik stepped out, only to spot someone else arriving in a sleek BMW 330i.

"Is that… Vishal?" Bhoumik said to himself, recognizing his old friend.

Before Bhoumik could say anything, the man in question turned around, eyes wide with recognition. "Bhoumik! Is that really you?"

"Vishal!" Bhoumik called back, walking over. They exchanged a warm handshake. "You haven't changed much. Still looking sharp."

"And you! Still the same—handsome but as skinny as ever," Vishal joked, grinning.

Bhoumik chuckled. "It's good to see you again. Come on, let's head in. Everyone's probably here by now."

As they walked, Vishal noticed Ubika trailing behind. "And who's this? Is she…"

Before Vishal could finish, Bhoumik cut in. "This is my little sister, Ubika. She's staying with me for a while."

Vishal smiled warmly. "Well, that makes her my little sister too. Welcome to the reunion, Ubika."

Ubika smiled shyly, happy to see her brother getting along with his friends.

They entered the party, pushing open the glass doors. The room was filled with familiar faces, conversations buzzing in the air. As they stepped inside, a voice called out from across the room.

"Look who just arrived! The two geniuses of the class, Bhoumik and Vishal!"

The man with the wild hair and sharp eyes clearly wasn't a fan of Bhoumik. His tone, though friendly, carried an edge of mockery.

Bhoumik felt the tension in the air as the reunion began.

Before Bhoumik or Vishal could respond, a firm voice interrupted.

"Sameer..." Hitesh stepped forward, his muscular frame tense, his tone calm but authoritative. "This is a reunion party. If you have something to say, we can talk after. Don't ruin the mood for everyone with your attitude."

Sameer's eyes flickered with irritation, but he backed down with a frustrated grunt. "Hmph!" He turned away, clearly not wanting to escalate things further.

The tension in the air dissolved as Hitesh turned back to the group, his usual warm smile returning. "Now that that's settled, how about we finally sit down and enjoy this reunion, huh?"

Vishal, standing next to Bhoumik, let out a small laugh. "Sameer hasn't changed one bit."

The group moved to the sitting area, and as they settled, a waiter appeared, offering juice to everyone. Bhoumik took a glass and introduced Ubika, who had been quietly observing the group.

"This is my little sister, Ubika," Bhoumik said with a proud smile. "She was bored at home, so I thought it'd be fun for her to join us."

Ubika greeted everyone with a shy smile. "Hi, nice to meet you all."

Hitesh grinned. "It's great you brought her along, Bhoumik. The more, the merrier."

As they chatted, another familiar face appeared—Vedant, with his trademark curly hair and glasses. He approached the group, a pretty girl following closely behind.

"Vedant, come on, we saved you a seat!" Hitesh called out, making space for him to sit.

Bhoumik glanced at the girl beside Vedant, raising an eyebrow. "Who's this?"

Vedant smiled, glancing at the girl with a protective look. "This is my sister, Vedika. I couldn't leave her at home alone, so I brought her along."

Bhoumik's face lit up. "That's perfect! I brought my little sister too, so maybe they'll make good friends."

Ubika's eyes widened in recognition. "Wait, Vedika? We're in the same class! I didn't know you were my brother friend sister!"

Vedika chuckled. "Small world, huh?"

The group laughed at the coincidence, their spirits lifting as the conversation flowed easily. They shared stories of their lives since school—new jobs, relationships, and adventures. The air was filled with warmth, and for a moment, it felt like they had never been apart.

Just as they were deep in conversation, two striking figures entered the room—Sachi and Yashvi, both looking beautiful and full of energy. Sachi's long, flowing hair framed her hourglass figure, and Yashvi walked beside her with an equally dazzling presence.

The group's attention shifted to them as they approached, smiles spreading across their faces.

"Hey, everyone! How have you all been?" Yashvi greeted, her voice cheerful as she waved at the group.

"Hey! Great to see you both!" Hitesh responded warmly, motioning for them to join the group. "Come, sit with us!"

Sachi's eyes immediately found Bhoumik, and her heart skipped a beat. She had always had feelings for him, though she had never had the courage to confess. She sat down beside him, trying to calm her racing heart.

Bhoumik smiled at her, oblivious to her feelings. "Hey, Sachi! It's been a long time. How have you been?"

"Good," Sachi replied, her voice a little shaky. Her eyes darted to Yashvi for support, but Yashvi simply smiled knowingly, keeping Sachi's secret safe.

As the evening went on, everyone shared more memories and laughed at old inside jokes. It was as though no time had passed at all. The room was filled with laughter, and any tension from earlier had faded completely.

Atul, who had been listening quietly, suddenly leaned forward. "You know, we're all together now, and it feels great. Why don't we take a trip together? Something adventurous, like we used to talk about in school."

The warm chatter of the reunion party echoed in the background, but the group's focus had shifted. An idea had taken root, sparked by a random suggestion, and now, it seemed unstoppable.

"Let's go on a trip!" Yashvi said suddenly, her eyes shining with excitement.

Hitesh's eyes lit up. "That's not a bad idea! We could use some excitement. But where would we go?"

Sachi nodded eagerly, still sitting beside Bhoumik. "Yeah! How about somewhere ancient? A place with history, mystery... adventure."

Vishal leaned in, always the thinker. "You mean something like an archaeological site? I've read about ancient ruins scattered across India, but..." He paused, his eyes lighting up. "What about Mount Kailash?"

At this, the table fell silent for a moment. Bhoumik exchanged a glance with Hitesh, both of them intrigued but cautious.

"Mount Kailash? Isn't that, like, sacred and off-limits for climbers?" Atul asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vishal grinned. "Exactly. It's not just about climbing. There are rumors... legends of ancient civilizations, mystical powers, and forces far beyond our understanding. It's said that anyone who attempts to climb the mountain feels an invisible force stopping them. We don't need to climb it, but we could explore the base or the surrounding temples. Who knows what we'll find?"

"I'm in!" Yashvi said immediately. "Summer vacations are coming up anyway, so it's perfect timing."

"Me too," Ubika chimed in, her voice bright with enthusiasm. "I don't want to be stuck at home alone all summer. I'll come with you, brother!" She looked at Bhoumik with her big, pleading eyes.

Bhoumik sighed. "Fine, but stick close to me. No wandering off on your own."

Vedika, who had been quiet so far, smiled at Ubika. "If you're going, I'll come too. It could be fun, and I've always been curious about Mount Kailash."

Vedant adjusted his glasses. "It's settled then. We'll explore one of the most mysterious places on Earth. Who knows? We might even uncover something no one else has seen."

The reunion ended late into the night. After heartfelt goodbyes, everyone departed, the air outside the Royal Hotel cool and still. Bhoumik drove Ubika home, her cheerful chatter softening the silence of the empty roads. By the time they reached his apartment, Ubika was fast asleep in the backseat, her head resting on her arm.

Bhoumik gently nudged her awake. "Ubika, we're home."

She mumbled something incoherent but managed to shuffle into the apartment. As soon as she reached her room, she collapsed onto her bed, still in her dress. Bhoumik shook his head with a small smile, tucking a blanket over her.

"Goodnight, troublemaker," he muttered before heading back to the living room.

The apartment was quiet, too quiet. Despite the long day, Bhoumik felt restless. The buzz of the reunion still lingered in his mind. Hoping to clear his thoughts, he grabbed his keys and stepped out for a night walk.

---

The streets were deserted. A faint fog had settled over the city, blurring the streetlights into hazy orbs. Bhoumik walked with his hands in his pockets, his footsteps echoing in the stillness. The air felt heavier than usual, as though something unseen hung over the neighborhood.

After a few blocks, he stopped, his eyes scanning the empty road ahead. Something felt off. The silence was too complete, too unnatural. Even the usual hum of distant traffic or the occasional bark of a dog was absent. It was as though the world itself had paused.

Bhoumik turned his head sharply. That's when he saw him.

An old man stood under the dim glow of a flickering streetlamp. His form was hunched, his face deeply lined with age. Wisps of long, messy hair framed his gaunt features, and a scraggly beard tumbled down to his chest. His clothes were tattered, and his bare feet seemed unaffected by the chill of the pavement.

Bhoumik's heart skipped a beat. The man hadn't been there a moment ago.

The old man's eyes locked onto Bhoumik, and he began to shuffle toward him. His movements were uneven, almost jerky, as if his body was unused to motion. Bhoumik stood still, watching the figure approach. There was no fear, only a strange sense of inevitability.

When the man was close enough to touch, he stopped and studied Bhoumik with an intensity that made the younger man shift uncomfortably. Without a word, the old man's hands darted out, touching Bhoumik's shoulders, arms, and chest as though searching for something.

"Hey! What are you doing? Do you need help, old man?" Bhoumik asked, his voice firm but calm.

The old man didn't respond. His bony fingers trembled as they grazed Bhoumik's face, then stopped abruptly. His expression changed. The searching look gave way to something else—recognition.

"I've found you," the old man whispered, his voice a raspy growl. Then, he laughed.

The sound was unearthly, a deep, menacing cackle that echoed unnaturally in the silent street.

"Hahaha… I've finally found you!" The man tilted his head back, his wild eyes looking toward the heavens. "To whom do you belong… they will soon know!"

Before Bhoumik could respond, the old man pulled something from inside his ragged cloak—a necklace, though it was no ordinary trinket. A dark jade lotus-shaped pendant hung from the chain, its surface carved with intricate symbols that seemed to shimmer faintly. Attached to the pendant was a ring, its metal blackened and engraved with runes that defied comprehension.

Before Bhoumik could protest, the man looped the chain around his neck. The moment the cold metal touched Bhoumik's skin, a jolt ran through his body. It wasn't pain, but a sensation that left him breathless.

"What is this?" Bhoumik demanded, his voice sharp, but the old man didn't answer. Instead, he turned and bolted down the street with surprising speed.

"Wait!" Bhoumik shouted, breaking into a run. The old man was fast, too fast for someone of his frail appearance. Bhoumik pushed himself harder, but the world around him began to warp.

The streetlights dimmed and flickered, their shapes bending unnaturally. The asphalt underfoot cracked, splintering like fragile glass. Colors bled from the buildings, replaced by an otherworldly gray. The air felt dense, suffocating, and Bhoumik stumbled as the ground beneath him seemed to collapse.

His vision swam. He felt himself falling, falling into an abyss of shimmering fragments, like shards of a broken mirror.

And then ....darkness.

On Next morning

Bhoumik woke with a start, gasping for air. He was in his bed, the familiar ceiling of his apartment staring back at him. For a moment, he lay there, disoriented. The events of the night came rushing back—the old man, the pendant, the strange collapse of the world.

"A dream," he muttered, trying to steady his breathing. "It had to be a dream."

But as he sat up, he felt a weight around his neck. His hand reached up, trembling slightly, and touched the cold metal.

The necklace was real.

The dark jade pendant and the engraved ring hung heavily on the chain. Bhoumik's mind raced, but he said nothing. He didn't wake Ubika, didn't call anyone. Something told him that this was his secret to bear.