they had gone for shopping. it was late at night, when they were returning. Aisha could see trees along the tree. she always felt scared by their darkness at night, the mystery hidden behind those woods. the fear of unknown was always there in her.

Aisha gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. everyone was really happy. but there was something special about the baby. the energy around her could change the moods of people, she could attract people without even doing anything .Aisha was going out with her daughter, when on the steps of their house, a lady was standing.

she looked at the baby and came nearer." this girl is special. protect her! god has chosen the dark for her .... for her to be the light in that dark. "

she left after that and Aisha was left standing there shocked. she took the baby to a cousin's place. her maternal family knew witchcraft. she knew that the words of the lady were not vain.

when she reached her cousin's place, her cousin got shocked seeing the baby. it was the first time, her cousin was seeing the baby, she didn't leave the house, until it was utmost necessary.

her cousin took them to a darker room, and started going through some drawers. " the lady told you the truth. we can't hide her forever, but we can protect her for now " her cousin said and put an amulet around the baby's neck. it had a beautiful blue stone in it.

Aisha looked ready to break down. she had got blessed by a baby after a decade of their wedding. she didn't want to lose her daughter.

her cousin came near her " don't worry! just don't let her ever remove this amulet. not even for some minutes"

Aisha went home and shared everything with Darsh " the energy around her was different, I could feel it. now, it's more contained, more avoidable. let's just pray, that god will do which would be better for her " Darsh said and kissed the forehead of her daughter.

Zoya jumped on Reya's bed and ripped the blanket from Reya .

" get up! you sleepy head. it's the first day of our college and you are still sleeping " Reya sat up with a groan.

"get ready fast! we still have to ask dad to let us drive our self " Zoya said and went to her room to get ready.

they both got ready and went downstairs. they both were wearing cute dresses, Zoya in black and Reya in blue.

Aisha looked at them arriving and said " how fast, they have grown! can you believe, they both will be 18 soon " Darsh also looked up and smiled. Zoya was already 18, Reya was 8 months younger and was going to turn 18 in some days.

they both greeted Aisha and Darsh and sat down. when Aisha went inside the kitchen, Zoya spoke " dad! we want to go to college our self. no driver " she said pouting.

"but .." Darsh started but Zoya cut in

" dad! you know, we can drive very safely " she said pouting and looked towards Reya to say something.

" dad please ...." Reya said softly, looking at Darsh with puppy eyes.

Darsh sighed and said " okay! after breakfast, leave after your mom isn't in view. she isn’t going to let you go so easily. "

Reya and Zoya hugged Darsh . after breakfast, Darsh went towards his room winking at Reya and Zoya .

after a few minutes, he was shouting " Aisha! Aisha!

I can't find my cell "

Aisha shook her standing up " I don't know what will he do without me " she muttered and went towards their room.

Reya and Zoya smiled and got up. they ran outside and Zoya started the car.

Ishaan Malhotra was waiting for them in the parking lot. he was in the 2nd year of college. they were family friends; they had spent their childhood together.

he ruffled Reya’s hair and tried to pull Zoya in her arms. but she ducked away and showed him his tongue. Ishaan chuckled.

" I should be ragging you today, not welcoming you both " he said and smiled wickedly.

Zoya asked with a smirk " you sure, you want to mess with us?" Reya also smirked and closed on Ishaan. he knew that they were going to tickle him. it was his only weakness, which could bring him to his knees.

Ishaan raised his hands backing away and they both chuckled. I t was actually funny to see a man built like tank losing because of the fear of being tickled. he was really handsome with dark brown hair and light brown eyes. he always kept a light beard, which made him look hotter.

They enjoyed their day at university. and then the trio left together. they went to Ishaan's place and decided to watch some movies. it was only him and his elder brother in the house. their parents had died some years ago.

"Where is big B? " Reya asked talking about his elder brother. they all had started calling him big B (big brother) in childhood. he was only a few years older, but due to his serious nature, his no nonsense attitude, everyone gave him respect and didn't try to do pranks with him.

" he is on a business trip. he is not going to be back soon " Ishaan said. Reya went towards the restroom.

-----------------

"We need to shift. It's been too long, since we have been here "Meera Rathore said.

"I don't want to shift, mom "a deep voice grumbled.

"You know, we need to. "Meera said.

"I have decided a place. hopefully, it would be fun there. We will also have our privacy. There's all forest around "Adira said excitedly.

Meera left to her room, asking them to start packing. They had been in the same place for almost five years. People had started to feel suspicious about them.

"Raghav ,I have told them. We can shift in a few days. Let's just wrap everything over here and leave "Meera said sitting beside her husband. Their room was beautifully decorated in deep purple. The windows were heavily curtained.

Raghav pulled her at his side, she sighed "he doesn't want to shift. His reluctance, his irritated behaviour is increasing day by day. I don't know, what to do with him "she said to Raghav.

He kissed her forehead "don't worry. He will get used to this life soon. the control he needs to keep always is getting to him "he said.

"By the way, how is Adira dealing with it? "he asked.

"Excited at usual "she said. They adored their kids. Adira loved decorating and designing stuff. her chirpy nature also made it easier for them to blend in.

Raghav and Meera were in their forties. Adira and their son was adopted.

Adira tried to talk to her brother, but he left to his room without listening.

She sighed, knowing that he wasn't going to come out any soon. The calm, the serene nature of his room was something else. It was always kept dark.

CHAPTER 2

When Reya was out of sight, Ishaan got up and pulled Zoya against him. She let out a surprised gasp "won't give me a hug? "He growled and pinned her to himself.

Zoya put her arms on his shoulders and tugged at his hair "noooo" she said with a smirk.

Ishaan smashed his lips on hers, her hold on his hair wasn't enough to stop him. He had plastered her to himself.

"No? "he asked biting her lower lip playfully.

Zoya's cheek were a beautiful pink. She hid her face in his neck "Ishaan "she whined.

He let out a chuckle and settled down with her in his lap. "Reya "Zoya started but he stopped her saying "she knows about us. It's not a big deal “he said running his hand through her hair. He was feeling peace, having her in his arms.

Ishaan proposed her the day, she had turned 18 .it was surreal for her; she couldn't believe that the love of her life was proposing her. They always had a deeper connection and it evolved beautifully with time.

Ishaan heard Reya approaching, but didn't let Zoya go. Reya smiled seeing the scene in front of her .it actually surprised her seeing Zoya all blushing. only Ishaan had the power to rise some girly behaviour in Zoya.

They spent some time at Ishaan's place and then went home.

Ishaan went to Singhania mansion for dinner .it was casual for him to spend most of the time there. the trio left for a long drive and ice cream afterwards.

"Can we go to the north side? "Reya said.

Zoya sighed "I don't know, which obsession do you have with the forest, it actually gives me creeps. "she said with a cringe.

"I am here, you don't need to be scared "Ishaan said with a wink.

"I am not scared "Zoya screeched as if it had been the biggest insult of her life.

Reya smiled shaking her head .the forest, the darkness trees were always drowned in at night, fascinated her .she couldn't get enough of it. the mysterious nature attracted her.

They had their ice cream laughing and enjoying themselves, then returned home.

Next day, a match was scheduled between two teams of college .Ishaan was also going to play and it was Zoya and Reya’s first match of college. they were excited about it.

They got ready and went downstairs for breakfast .Aisha seemed to remember what they did yesterday

"Your dad has really spoiled you both

"she glared at them.

"Mom! we drive carefully .don't worry, see we went yesterday and came back in 1 piece "Zoya said kissing her cheek.

Aisha pulled her ear but then smiled.

They left for college after breakfast.

It looked like football was a big thing around college.

Cheerleaders in their uniforms were already in the ground .Reya and Zoya settled in the first row, soon the match started .Ishaan was in red team, whenever he made a goal, one of the cheerleaders got extra loud, it was very clear that she had some special interest in him.

Reya leaned towards Zoya and said "be careful, Barbie seems to be interested in your ken".

Zoya snorted "ken? He is my bear not a fake ,2nd hand Barbie’s ken ".Reya chuckled.

When red team finally won the match, Ishaan came towards them and lifted Zoya in his arms. Her feet were dangling in the air, she was at least a head shorter than him.

She nuzzled his neck but then also smacked his shoulder "sweaty monkey "she grumbled still hugging her.

Ishaan chuckled that it didn't really bother her. Zoya saw the Barbie still looking at them with her face pulled tight.

"Who is she? "Zoya asked Ishaan putting her hands on her hips. Why is she looking like you are not supposed to be here? "

"Chill, my tigress. She is the head of cheerleaders and want the shiniest thing for herself. She seems interested in me today, will look interested in someone else tomorrow "he explained looking at Sasha. She was really an A class bitch. Her appearance was may be pretty to some, but from inside it was rotten.

A friend of Ishaan really liked her, when he proposed her, she rejected him looking at his appearance. He wasn't the most stylish or the richest of them, but he did have a good heart.

They decided to celebrate their victory. Ishaan's best friend, Ansh also decided to join them. He was single and it looked like he was interested in Reya , by the way, he was all smiles and sweet towards her.

That night, Reya and Zoya were laying on bed, just relaxing. Zoya said teasingly "so, someone's having crush over you?"

"Shut it" Reya said getting red "you know I didn't feel anything by his watching or his behaviour towards me. He was sweet but.... I don't think I will ever feel love "she continued.

"You will feel it, and you will feel it with force. Maybe he isn't the one for you. And mam! stop worrying about this stuff, you are not 18 yet "Zoya said nudging her.

Reya smiled and looked towards her window. The moon was shining brightly, sometimes, she felt that it could feel her emptiness. she closed her eyes and lost herself in her dream world.