“Last night, I had a horrifying nightmare that felt incredibly real. As I woke up startled, my heart raced and sweat covered my body. Looking around, I found myself in my own home, but the dream had left me feeling trapped in the darkness. The walls seemed to close in on me, and I struggled to breathe. Trying to calm myself down, I reminded myself that it was just a dream. I closed my eyes, and after a few minutes, my breathing returned to normal.

I looked around and realized I had been sitting in the dark for quite some time. The only light came from the dim glow of the window ahead. Outside, the sky was dark, and rain poured relentlessly against the windowpane. The silence was heavy, and the rhythmic sound of raindrops added to my stress. Lost in this moment, I noticed the room was pitch black, making it hard to see any furniture scattered around me. I took a deep breath.

Feeling a dry sensation in my throat, I got out of bed and made my way to the kitchen. Each footstep echoed eerily in the silence as I reached out to touch the walls, guiding myself through the darkness. Upon reaching the kitchen, I flicked on the light switch, momentarily overwhelmed by the sudden brightness. Eventually, my vision adjusted, and I poured myself a glass of water from the tap. As I sipped the cool water, the dryness in my throat eased.The kitchen light made things clearer, but something strange happened. Just as I turned away from the tap, I found myself face to face with someone who looked exactly like me, except for red eyes and a pale face. A person appeared, like a dark version of me. She had a creepy smile. The whole room felt weird when she showed up. I got scared and moved back a bit; my heart was beating really fast.

She pointed a knife at me, and the shiny metal scared me even more. Her smile made it seem like she was waiting for this moment.

I asked, "Why are you here" but she didn't say anything. The smile got bigger, and it felt like she enjoyed seeing me scared.

I felt a mix of things—scared of not knowing what this dark version wanted, confused about why she was here, and a bit curious about what she might say. The knife, which used to be just a tool, now seemed like a real danger in her hands.

She jumped at me with the knife. Shocked and unsure of what to do, I stood in disbelief. The moment felt strange, like a dream mixed with reality. It was a scary moment, facing a dark version of myself with a message that went beyond what I could see.

Curiously, Dr. Netra inquired, "What happened next".

"She whispered, 'Angel took over Silence, Devil was born,' and then she vanished along with the knife," Indali replies, still shaken by the experience.

Indali, a woman in her late twenties, wore a faded and tired expression on her face. Her eyes, once vibrant and expressive, had become hollow and numb. Pale and weak, she seemed to have been battling an illness for a long time. Lost in thoughts about her dream, she sits on a large, comfortable sofa in Mr. Netra's private office. The cozy clinic is adorned with bright colors, exuding warmth and tranquility with a hint of lavender in the air.

Dr. Netra, a 34-year-old psychiatrist, observed Indali with sadness. Her almond-shaped brown eyes conveyed an intense gaze, her nose elegant, and her lips adorned with delicate shades of pink or red. With long, straight hair cascading gracefully around her shoulders, Dr. Netra exuded both elegance and warmth. Her friendly personality, infectious smile, and genuine kindness made her approachable and easy to connect with.

Realizing Indali's distressed state, Dr. Netra hesitated to deliver potentially difficult news. Leaving the room, she entered the waiting area, a small space with a handful of chairs and a few treatment rooms.

As she entered the waiting room, a subtle hush fell over the space. The air, once charged with a quiet tension, seemed to soften as her presence brought a calming influence. The vibrant colors on the walls, previously vibrant but overshadowed by an undertone of worry, now appeared more comforting.

The receptionist, who had been shuffling papers with a furrowed brow, looked up and offered a warm smile in response to Dr. Netra's entrance. The few individuals scattered across the room, their faces marked by varying degrees of concern, seemed to ease into a momentary sense of reassurance.

A soothing melody played softly in the background, creating a harmonious backdrop to the otherwise quiet room. The aroma of lavender, a subtle fragrance lingering in the air, enhanced the tranquility that accompanied her arrival.

The atmosphere, once laden with the weight of anticipation and uncertainty, underwent a subtle transformation. Dr. Netra's presence brought a gentle shift, fostering an environment where the waiting room occupants felt a fleeting but welcome respite from their concerns.

A woman approached Dr. Netra, introducing herself as Ms. Zansi, a police officer. Standing beside her was a 32-year-old man, Darpan Aggarwal, who seemed out of place dressed casually.

Ms. Zansi, with her no-nonsense demeanor, wore a crisp uniform that contrasted with the warmth of Dr. Netra's private office. Their interaction carried an unspoken acknowledgment of the gravity of the circumstances surrounding Indali and the unsettling dream she had shared.

A brief but silent exchange of glances spoke volumes—a nod from Dr. Netra acknowledging the urgency of the matter and a subtle straightening of her posture, ready to delve into the investigation.

The moment lingered for a heartbeat longer than expected, the air charged with the unspoken collaboration between a psychiatrist seeking the well-being of her patient and a determined officer seeking justice.

"How is she", Ms. Zansi inquired.

"Why is Indali here, mam", asks Darpan, his voice lace with confusion and curiosity as he looks at Netra.

Zansi, a stern-looking woman in a police uniform, introduces them, "Darpan, meet Netra. She is a well-known psychologist. And Netra, meet Darpan Ray". Netra's eyes widen in surprise as she recognizes the name. "Is he the son of Mr. Jatin Ray" Netra asks.

Darpan nods, still trying to process the situation.

"How do you know him", he asks, his curiosity getting the best of him.

"I am sorry about your loss," Netra says, her voice filled with empathy.

He takes a deep breath and replies, "I don't want your sympathy, I just want to know who murdered my dad. I want that person behind bars. I want to know why. To be honest, it's hard to believe that he is no more and after finding out that someone killed him, everything became a blur. It's like I have nothing left".

Netra's expression softens as she realizes the pain and confusion he must be going through. "

Please speak slowly, we are in a hospital," she reminds him gently.

Officer Zansi looks at Darpan and explains, "We think Indali knows something. She was the last person seen with your dad just at the time of the murder. So there is a suspicion that either she might known who is the killer or she is the killer".

Netra walked forward and said, "We are not sure. There is no strong evidence against her."

Darpan mind is reeling with this information. He knows Indali from childhood and he can't believe she could do something like this.

There is a moment of tense silence, but Darpan can't accept that Indali could be a murderer."It can't be her, I mean..." he trails off, unable to form coherent sentences.

"It can be true and it may not be.We need to consider all possibilities," Netra says, trying to calm him down.

Officer Zansi tries to console Darpan, but he starts sobbing uncontrollably, like a child.

"We need you to tell us about Indali. We want to know if she is the one who killed your dad. And if she did, we want to know why," Zansi says, her voice firm but compassionate.

"Ask her, ask her why she killed my dad. What did he ever do to her, Ask her, not me," Darpan voice rises as he speaks, his emotions getting the better of him.

"We have tried to talk to her, but she is affected by some mental illness", Netra tells him, trying to explain the situation.

"What kind of illness" Darpan asks, his voice trembling with anger and sadness.

"Even if I am willing to tell you, I can't. We can't trust anything she says as she is unable to distinguish between reality and her imagination", Netra replies, her voice heavy with sadness.

Darpan mind is in turmoil as he struggles to come to terms with the possibility that Indali may have killed his father. Questions and doubts swirl in his mind as he tries to make sense of it all.

Netra and Officer Zansi exchange a look, both knowing that this is a difficult situation for him. They can only hope that he will find the strength to face the truth, whatever it may be.

The room is small, its walls adorned with faded paint and cracked plaster, bearing witness to years of wear and tear. A single overhead light flickers intermittently, casting an eerie glow upon the worn-out table where 28-year-old Darpan is sitting, surrounded by the somber atmosphere of the interrogation room.

Darpan, a young man with disheveled dark brown hair, shows the signs of sleepless nights. His hazel eyes, once vibrant, are now bloodshot and puffy from countless tears shed. His cherry pink lips, usually curved in a carefree smile, quiver as he braces himself to relive the harrowing experiences that brought him here. The room is dimly lit, with a single table separating Darpan from Officer Chirag Bhatia, a seasoned investigator with a stern countenance and a reputation for getting to the bottom of things. He sits across from Darpan, dressed in a crisp uniform that bears the insignia of authority. Leaning forward with an air of silent interrogation, Officer Javed fixes his penetrating gaze on Darpan's troubled face.

Beside Officer Javed sits Officer Zansi Joshi, an older woman who seems to carry the weight of years of service on her shoulders. A small scar above her right eye is a visible reminder of the battles she has fought in pursuit of justice. Her everyday uniform, though slightly worn, speaks of a steadfast commitment to her duty and an unwavering dedication to the truth.

Standing at attention in a corner of the room is Mr. Arjun Desai, a junior officer in his mid-twenties. His impeccably maintained black army hairstyle and a sense of youthful confidence belie the seriousness of the situation. Though relatively new to the force, there is an earnestness in his eyes that suggests a determination to make a difference.He is looking at Darpan with sympathy and understanding as his heart filled with sorrow for the man who had lost his beloved father.

Darpan looks up at the two officers and tries to speak, but no words would come out. Officer Zansi take a deep breath and gently said, "It's okay. We know how difficult it must be for you. We just need to ask a few questions and then you can go on your way" .

He nods and he feels little calmer and more in control.

Without wasting another minute, she asks, "Tell me, how you know about Indali".

Darpan looks at her for a minute, he feels a sudden chill in his heart when he hears her name. Thoughts and memories rushes through his head. He hears many voices, like a bad dream come true. All these voices have one thing in common—Indali's name. She made a big impact on his life. He takes a deep breath and starts to explain.

'Indali Vyas. I don't have words to describe her. She was really a small girl, who suffered from a difficult life. She experienced a lot of hardships, pain and sadness, yet she still managed to keep a hopeful outlook on life. She always smiles but her face tells the truth. Her cheek turned red with rashes, eyes full of tear.

Her life changed drastically when her mother left her and she was forced to move with her grandmother. She was a victim to harsh living conditions and often faced abuse from her grandmother and neighbors. She was known to me from childhood. She was around six year old when she with her grandmother moved into my neighbourhood. Her grandmother, the widow Sarog Vyas.

She was an ugly looking old woman who had a very disgusting personality. From the day she moved in, she was an unwelcome presence in the neighbourhood. It didn't take long for us to realise that she was not a pleasant person. She was rude to everyone and would often be seen yelling and screaming at her granddaughter. She was also known to be very stingy with money and would often be seen haggling over prices at the local market.

I stood outside my house when I first spotted Indali, a small girl who was clearly anxious as she had never met her grandmother and had no idea what had happened to her mother. Her deep, forest-like eyes appeared so lost as she surveyed her surroundings. She held a tattered stuffed doll that had barely any eyes and no hands, and it was hard to make out any hair on the doll. Our eyes met, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable. I tried to look away, but it was too late. The awkwardness of the situation only seemed to increase, so I decided to act normal and smiled and waved at her. She smiled back at me, and it seemed to calm her nerves. However, she didn't wave back, and instead went into her house.My father walked outside the house, his gaze fixed on Indali's home. His lips moved as if he was trying to say something, yet no words ever came. Anyone can clearly notice a frustration on his face, his eyes were red with anger. His hands were clenched tightly in a grip. Although I was standing there, I felt as though my father hadn't even noticed my presence.

I asked my dad a question despite knowing he could be angry but he never scolded me before gave me enough confidence.

"Papa, who is that old lady and child", I asked him.

He glanced at me, aware I had been standing there the entire time.

His face in a second went from serene to exasperated. I know he won't scold me but still I was a bit scared.

"You're not allowed to speak to them. No matter what happens, don't talk to them or mention them to anyone. It's disgraceful that they are our neighbors, and I'm disgusted that I can't do anything about it", he said a little louder than his normal tone. But I realised he wasn't talking to me. He was talking to himself. As he never looked at me when he answered my question. He was just checking her house. I became more curious despite my father's warning.

I asked him,do we know them.

His face instantly filled with rage and I was left speechless. I had never seen him so angry before. I didn't understand why he was so mad, I hadn't done anything wrong.

He shouted at me, "Don't you understand what I told you...Whether we know them or not is none of your concern. You're just a child, so do as your parents say and stay away from them".

I was terrified. My father never shouted at me before and I knew he was serious. I now knew one thing for sure - I had to stay away from Indali.

The same evening, I made my way to meet my friend Aniket. We had been friends since childhood, and I always looked up to him. He was the smartest kid in our colony, and everyone admired him for his intelligence and charm.

As I reached his house, I could see him standing outside his house, his shoulder-length hair swaying in the gentle breeze. I have always envied Aniket for his hair, it suited him perfectly and made him look even cooler. His greyish eyes added to his charm, always sparkling with mischief and adventure.

Aniket's house was a two-story structure painted in a soothing shade of pale blue, standing out amidst the rows of similar houses in our peaceful colony. The front yard was adorned with a variety of potted plants, a testament to his mother's love for gardening. The fragrance of blooming flowers lingered in the air, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Aniket's family had a warm and inviting home. His mother was known for her culinary skills, and the aroma of freshly cooked meals often wafted through the open windows.

As I approached, I could hear the distant laughter of children playing in the neighborhood park, a common gathering spot for kids of all ages. Aniket's younger sister, Avanti, was often among them, her infectious laughter resonating through the air. Avanti had a knack for bringing joy to everyone around her, and her radiant smile was a constant source of happiness.

I couldn't wait to tell him about the new family that had moved into our colony.

To my surprise, when I mentioned the Indali family, he told me that his mother had warned him to stay away from that family. I felt really surprised when he shared that with me. It sounded a lot like what my dad had said earlier. But he didn't seem bothered at all. His face stayed kind of blank, not showing any interest, unlike me, who was pretty curious about it.

I asked further, wanting to know the reason behind his mother's warning. But he was busy waiting for our other friends to join us, and he brushed off my questions by saying that he didn't care about the Indali .

We both decided to race instead and came up with a fun idea. Whoever could run around the park the fastest would be the winner. As we reached the park, everyone scattered to their favorite spots—some to the swings, some to the slides, and others to the basketball court. The park, surrounded by lush greenery, had a serene ambiance that made the evening even more delightful. After our race, I felt a bit tired, so me and Aniket thought it would be nice to take a slow walk. As we strolled around, he suddenly pointed at Indali and said, "No one wants to be her friend; what a disgusting creature she may be".

He said it like he really didn't like her and checked Indali from head to toe.

His words surprised me. How could someone be so mean. But then I realized that most of our neighbors avoided her too. The whispers of gossip and judgment floated through the air.

I overheard a teenager saying, "I think she is bad luck, well, that is what my parents told me",

Out of the blue, Indali looked at us, and I felt frozen. To my surprise, she smiled and waved her hand. The fading sunlight highlighted her, creating a gentle glow around her. I wanted to wave back, but the judgmental stares of my neighbors made me hesitate.

I looked back at Aniket, who was continuously looking at me.

"What are you doing", he asked, clearly confused by my actions.

"Nothing", I replied, trying to act normal, but the uneasiness lingered in the air.

"Are you really sure about that. Didn't your dad give you a little warning",he said, his voice sounding kind of sarcastic. I felt my face get all red as I remembered my dad telling me about this, but I chose to ignore it.

"Yeah, he did," I whispered, barely making a sound. I couldn't look at him or anyone else in the park.

"Guess you're not winning any 'Best Son' awards with this rebellion, huh",he added with a sneaky smile, talking in a lower voice like he was trying to get a reaction from me. And honestly, he was succeeding.

"Don't speak like my dad", I replied to him.

He looked at me with a smirk on his face, and I could tell that he was about to say something.

"Enough strolling, let's play", he said, mocking my choice of words.

I wasn't able to deal with that anymore. Everything felt weird around me. At that time, I just didn't want to think about her, so I decided to stay away. We all decided to play catch ball.

I noticed her looking at us with a sad expression on her face. I could tell that she wanted to join in our game, but she was hesitant.

"Why is she looking at us", one of my friends said, with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

Aniket, being the leader of our group, looked at her and said, "Just ignore her. She has nothing to do with us".

"You know my papa said that we are not supposed to talk to her", another friend chimed in.

"Same here", replied another one.

"So why are we talking about her. Can't we just play", Aniket said, trying to reason with them.

I spoke up and said, "She just wants to play with us".

Aniket turned to look at me, and I could see the anger in his eyes. He was clearly offended by Indali's presence, and he didn't want her to ruin our game.He was not ready to listen, he said, "Another word related to her, and we are off".

I could see that he was serious, and I didn't want to ruin our game. So, I reluctantly dropped the topic and continued playing.

As we were playing, I saw Indali get up from the bench and was ready to leave the park. I felt a pang of guilt and sadness. I couldn't help but wonder how she must be feeling, being excluded and rejected by a group of children.

Aniket noticed Indali leaving. And I know he is up to something. He clenched the ball tightly. "Don't throw the ball at her", I said.

He looked at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes. I could tell that he was planning to throw the ball at Indali, who was walking away from us.

He looked at me and said, 'I am leaving and so do you all'.

As we walked towards the end of the park, where Indali was standing, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Aniket's behavior had been strange lately and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was about to happen.

Sure enough, as we reached Indali, Aniket intentionally bumped into her, making her hit the ground.

"Watch it, loser", he said with a smirk on his face. I was dumbfounded by his sudden aggression towards Indali, who had done nothing to provoke him.

"What is wrong with you", I asked him, trying to understand his behavior.

But he just brushed me off and replied coldly, "Shut it".

I was about to say something, but all of a sudden, Aniket's mother, Ms. Anitha Bhattachariya, appeared out of nowhere. She looked angry and worried at the same time.

"Are you hurt", she asked her son, her eyes scanning him for any injuries.

Aniket just nodded, still in shock at the sudden appearance of his mother. Then she looked at Indali and without any hesitation, she slapped her hard across the face.

"How dare you touch my son", she shouted, her voice filled with rage.

Indali was Startled, as none of this was her fault. She looked at me for help, but there was nothing I could do. Aniket was also shocked at his mother's reaction.

"But he bumped into her", I shouted, regretting my words the moment they left my mouth.

Aniket and his mother looked at me in disbelief.

"My son is not like that; I have taught him very well. He is not a liar like you", she said, trying to control her anger.

"But that is true. Indali didn't do anything. Everyone saw it", I replied, looking at my other friends for support, but no one came forward. I was alone in this situation.

She was about to say something, but Aniket came in between and said, "Mom, let's leave. I don't want to stay any longer here".

He looked at me, but I couldn't make sense of his emotions. Was he angry or worried. His mother also looked at me with a mixture of anger and disappointment as Aniket held her hand and walked away from Indali. He gave a final look to Indali, filled with anger and hatred.

Everyone at the park looked at me, and I couldn't understand why. Was it because of Indali ? Why was everyone treating her that way? She was just a six-year-old girl. What could she have possibly done that made everyone hate her so much?

These questions were troubling me so much. I couldn't understand why Aniket and his mother were behaving this way. I had known Aniket since we were kids, and he had never shown any violent or aggressive behaviour. But today, he was a completely different person. '

I reached out to Indali, trying to console her. I could see that she was in a state of shock and pain. I wanted to help her, but I didn't know what to do. I could feel her trembling in my arms and I could see the fear in her eyes. It was clear that she was scared of Aniket's mom and didn't want to go back to her house. I decided to walk her home, hoping that it would make her feel better.

As we walked together, I could see that she was not in a state to talk. She just held onto my arms tightly, as if seeking comfort and assurance. I tried to start a conversation with her, but I had no idea what to say. I didn't want to bring up the incident and make her relive the trauma. So, I remained quiet and just walked beside her, hoping that my presence would provide some solace to her.

We reached her house, and I could see that she was hesitant to go inside. She continued to gaze at her house, as if she didn't want to enter it. I could understand her feelings, as her house didn't look like a happy place. A big house with two floors, but when you looked at it, it seemed like nobody lived there. The house looked really old, with paint that had faded, pots of flowers that had died, and barely any grass in the front. The feeling around the house was kind of sad and not welcoming. The house wasn't necessarily good or bad, but there was something about it that made me feel uneasy.The air around the house felt like it hadn't been taken care of, as if the house had been forgotten by time. Even though it had two floors, it didn't look as grand as it probably used to be. Instead, it seemed like a place of loneliness.

I looked at her and could see the sadness and pain in her eyes. I wanted to say something to make her feel better, but I was at a loss for words. I didn't know what to say to comfort her. I could feel her pain and I wished I could take it all away.

I could see that she was not ready to walk inside, so I walked up to her door and rang the doorbell.

After a few seconds, the door creaked open and a wrinkled old lady appeared, her face completely covered in wrinkles as if it was melting. Her eyes were white and it sent shivers down my spine. The way she stood, bent over and twisted, made things even scarier. It seemed like the weight of all the heavy things she had done in her life was on her back. She was shocked to see me with Indali, and I was scared when I looked at her for the first time.

"You are from the neighbor", she said in a scary, old voice, as if a demon was speaking. I was so scared that I forgot about the question she asked, and then she looked at Indali and asked me another question.

"Did she bully you", her words sent a chill down my spine.

"No, no, no," the words came out of my mouth as a reflex.

"I helped her", I continued, trying to ease the tension.

She checked me and then walked inside the house.

"Come in", she suddenly said, and I didn't know if I was supposed to walk inside. My father had warned me about Indali's family, so I was hesitant. But Indali walked in, and I had no other option but to follow her.

As I entered the room, I was immediately hit by a cloud of dust that seemed to choke me. I started to cough uncontrollably, struggling to catch my breath. Indali ran towards me, concern etched on her face, but she didn't say a word. She just stood there, looking at me with worried eyes. I took a long, deep breath and tried to compose myself. But as I looked around the room, my eyes started to water.The room was a complete mess. The furniture was scattered around, some pieces broken and others barely standing. The curtains were torn and hanging haphazardly from the windows. The floor was covered in a thick layer of dust, making it difficult to even walk. It seemed like no one had been here in a long time. At the corner of the room, I noticed a small kitchen area. The sink was full of dirty dishes and the countertops were covered in grime. It was clear that this place had not been cleaned or maintained in a while. I couldn't help but wonder how anyone could live in such conditions.As I made my way further into the room, I noticed that the stairs leading up to the second floor were broken and unstable. It looked like if anyone tried to walk on them, they would surely break their leg. The walls were peeling and the paint was chipped, giving the room a rundown and neglected appearance.The window glass was broken, allowing the cold breeze to seep in and adding to the eerie atmosphere of the room. It almost felt like a haunted house, with its dilapidated state and lack of care.

Indali's grandma then told me to sit down, and I hesitantly took a seat. She offered , some water, and as I sipped it, I could see that the water was not clean. But I didn't want to be rude, so I drank it anyway.

I looked at Indali, sitting on an old, squeaky chair across from me. Her cheek looked a bit swollen from someone slapping her but her grandma didn't seem to care .

Indali smiled at me, but it seemed a bit weird this time. She whispered, "Thank you."

It was the first time I heard her say anything. The room felt tense, and her thank-you hung in the air, showing a mix of feelings in the moment.

After I finished drinking my water, I heard someone coming towards the house. I turned around and saw a person wearing a brown checkered shirt and gray pants. But what really caught my attention was the look on their face. I couldn't help but stare at their face. Their eyebrows were pulled down, making shadows over their eyes, which looked intense and upset. Sweat was dripping down their face.

In a quiet voice, I said, "Dad."

I knew I wasn't supposed to be there; my dad had warned me. But I didn't listen.

However, now that I saw my dad's face, I regretted my decision.

He looked so mad, and I knew that I was in for a lecture. But he wasn't alone. Aniket's mom, Ms. Anitha Bhattachariya, was with him. She looked at me and smirked, making me feel even more uneasy. I braced myself for whatever was about to happen.

As they both stood in front of me, I could feel the tension rising. My dad's face was still red, and his jaw was tightly clenched. I could see that he was struggling to keep his cool. Ms. Anitha, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the situation.

Suddenly, my dad stormed into the room, looking angrier than I had ever seen him before. He ignored everyone and walked straight towards me. I could feel the tension in the room. I stood up, ready to hear what he had to say. But before I could even utter a word, he slapped me. It was the first time he had ever laid a hand on me, and I was shaken to my core.I could feel tears welling up in my eyes as I looked at him in disbelief. I couldn't believe that my own father had just hit me. My cheek stung, and I couldn't feel it. It felt like my heart had been broken into a million pieces. I looked around, and everyone was staring at us in shock.

Indali ran towards me and looked at my cheeks. She was crying too, but I didn't want to know why at that moment. I was too overwhelmed by the fact that my dad had just hit me.My dad's grip on my hand was so tight that it hurt. I looked at his expression, and it was a mix of anger and regret. I could see that he felt bad for what he had done, but he didn't say anything. I could see the guilt in his eyes, and it made me feel even more heartbroken.Just then, Aniket's mother, who was also in the room, stepped in.

She gently touched my dad's shoulder and said, "He's just a child; he has the right to make mistakes. Maybe he learned something today".

Her words hit me hard. But what hurt me the most was when she looked at me with a smile and patted my hair, saying, "Now he's old enough to understand that what elders say is always right".

I couldn't bring myself to look at her or anyone else in the room. In those moments, I hated her. My hands were trembling, and I was trying hard to control my emotions. Even when I breathed, I could feel the sensation of my dad's slap on my cheek.

"Why, I told you to stay away from this family, and here you are, drinking from their glass. When did you become such a rebel", my dad scolded, disappointment clear in his voice.

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach because I knew he was right. I shouldn't have ignored his advice and put myself in a risky situation.

"And you lied. You made up a story that your best friend hurt this... girl," he said, looking at Indali like she wasn't human. I was too busy crying to respond. I could feel my heart pounding, and I wished I could turn back time.

I glanced at Indali's grandma, who was calmly doing dishes in the kitchen as if the argument in the living room didn't bother her. It left me wondering why she seemed so unfazed. Did she not care about what was happening, or had she seen such situations before.

Indali, on the other hand, looked worried as she stole glances at me. She knew I was in trouble, and I could see the guilt in her eyes. Before I could even say sorry, her grandma suddenly started laughing strangely, as if she was possessed. Her laughter echoed in the room, making me feel uneasy.

"Wherever she goes, destruction follows," she declared, looking at the ceiling as if talking to someone unseen. Her words sent shivers down my spine, and fear gripped me.

"What did I do wrong that you sent her to me, huh", she said, directing her words at someone we couldn't see. Ms. Anitha looked scared, and my dad just stared at Indali's grandma, unsure of what to say or do.

Indali kept looking at me, ignoring everyone else in the room. I felt torn between looking at my dad, who was clearly upset with me, and Indali, who wouldn't break eye contact. It was a moment of confusion and fear.

"It's in her blood. She's here to disgrace our family," she laughed until she caught her breath. Her laughter was unsettling, and I couldn't help but hold onto my dad's hand tightly. He noticed my fear and picked me up, holding me tightly in his embrace. His comforting presence momentarily made me forget about the argument and the fact that he had hit me earlier.

As I rested my head on his shoulder, I wished for everything to be okay. But my peace was short-lived as Indali suddenly ran upstairs, leaving the tension in the room hanging.

"Rot in hell," her grandma shouted suddenly, her voice filled with anger and disgust. I could feel the atmosphere in the room grow heavier, and I could see fear in my dad's eyes as he looked at her.

"All will rot in hell... with me," she said quietly but ominously, sending more shivers down my spine. It was a moment filled with confusion, fear, and uncertainty.