Chapter Thirty Two

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It was Ms.Singh who woke us up. I didn't really remember how we ended up sleeping in the living room itself but what I couldn't forget were the visuals I had seen yesterday. Oh boy was it scary! It scared the the life out of me and I wasn't even embarrassed to let out my shrieking screams as I held onto the bowl of popcorn. I could watch action movies and see people get killed but if you ask me to watch something creepy I would make a run for the hills. I bet that Naina, Nia and Kamya had a great time watching me suffer because it was downright amusing for them.

"After watching you tonight, it's really hard for me to believe that you punched a scary looking guy",I remembered Naina saying this.

Well it was hard for me to believe it too.

Ms.Singh was amused by the way we were sprawled on the couch and the floor. She always went to work at an early hour and returned late at night. So now, we were here having coffee with her at six in the morning. We hardly had a good night's sleep and I had an idea that we all looked worse than Bellatrix Lestrange.

I never really liked her so yeah I am very defensive about her. Note the sarcasm.

"I am sorry for waking you all up early but I just wanted to talk to you about something. The boys will be down any minute",she smiled at us. I wondered what she wanted to talk about.

We chatted for a while as she asked us about school. It was easy to talk to her because she seemed more like a friend than a parental figure. It just highlighted the reason as to why the gang liked her.

"Good morning",Amer walked in through the entrance and at the same time Rehan, Danish and Kartik made an appearance.

"I am glad you could make it",Ms.Singh greeted Amer "Where's Varun?",she asked him.

"He is parking the car, will be here in a few minutes",Amer answered.

That meant Varun wasn't here at home last night.

As I looked around me I saw that all the boys seemed to have taken a shower and had tamed their hair. Were they already informed about this morning meeting? I would not believe that Danish would wake up and get ready at six for no reason altogether.

"I might have forgotten to tell you all about this, last night", Kamya whispered as she figured out my doubt through my expressions.

"And why would you do that?", Naina hissed because she was uncomfortable parading in her pyjama's.

Same could be said about me. Before Kamya could retort back, Varun entered. He too was ready and there was no sign of sleepiness in him. He greeted Ms. Singh and took a seat on the couch. We had somehow managed to clean the living room so that everyone would be seated.

"There's a good news for all of you",Ms.Singh started "I know that you all have been wanting go on a vacation since ...um a long time. So what do you think about the Kempty falls?"

"Oh my god, really?",Kamya was the first one to react.

"Wow, I would love to go",this was Danish. Everyone looked excited except for Varun.

"Amer I have already spoken to your mom and Naina you are also invited. If you want I will talk to your parents too", Naina grinned at her totally agreeing to the idea. Who wouldn't?

"Why all of a sudden?",it was Varun who asked this. Why was he so skeptical about this? Can't he just be happy for a while?

"You know that we own a hotel at Kempty falls which had been under renovation since a long time. It is now complete and I have given it a green signal. I thought it would nice to let you all enjoy it before we open our doors for other tourists",Ms. Singh explained.

"Wow, that's really nice of you aunty. Congratulations on the renovation",Amer pipped up as I saw him kicking Varun discreetly.

"Actually it isn't a proper vacation but a short weekend getaway. You all are supposed to leave today in the afternoon and be back tomorrow night", she informed.

"Woah that's ....so short",Danish whined.

"Well, we have school on Monday and we really can't take a leave today because some of us already have been absent from school this week",Kamya jibed Danish to remind him about the prank and the suspension. I too had missed school for a day this week.

"The hotel isn't really far away from here, we will have plenty of time to enjoy", Kartik butted in before Danish could start a fight with Kamya.

"Will you be accompanying us?",Varun directed the question towards Ms.Singh. He still wore a frown on his face. The look in his eye told me that he already knew the answer but he wanted her to say it.

"No, but if you want I can ask Vikas to go with you all",she lowered her gaze as if she felt guilty while I could see Varun being frustrated.

"No mom, we will be fine on our own and I will keep in touch with you through out the trip"Rehan soothed and I was glad he handled it.

"Yes, I will appreciate that",Ms.Singh smiled but it didn't reach her eyes and with that Varun decided to march up to his room without saying another word. That was really rude of him and I didn't like how he behaved with Ms.Singh.

But as far as I have heard, he respected Ms.Singh more than anyone, then why was he so cold towards her today?

During the whole conversation I hadn't uttered a single word because I was unaware of the destination we were headed to and I was too busy gauging everyone's reactions.

"She is so cool",Naina blurted out.

"Yeah, I know right",Danish answered.

"We have to do the packing and get ready for school in less than two hours, so haul up your pretty butts to your rooms",Kamya ordered in a total mother hen tone.

"I will drop Naina home",Rehan piped in.

"Thanks, come on. I can't wait to go already",Naina hollered.

Ms.Singh had already left for work. I, Kamya and Nia trudged towards our room while the others wanted to have a super early breakfast. It was blessing that Sunaina aunty was already here. I had failed to see much of her because she was mostly busy in the kitchen.

As I was entering my room I saw that the door of the room beside mine was left ajar. I couldn't help but go in there. I saw that Varun was sitting on his bed scrolling through his phone. He didn't look up to acknowledge me as I strode inside his room, though he was well aware of my presence.

"What got you so riled up?",I stood in front of him with my hands folded against my chest.

I wanted him to tell me what bothered him. He can't always be the protector. Doesn't he need a saviour once a while?

"Nothing",he muttered still not looking up from his phone.

"It's not nothing",I raised my voice.

"Why don't you just go and mind your own business?", he growled as his face hosted frustration and some flecks of anger. It was harsh and it reminded me of the moment when I had first met him.

"You should not have come here",he had said. His eyes held torture and pain.

Just like now.

Even if I try my best to understand him, there will always remain a puzzle;unsolved. Yes, that was his exact description. A puzzle,an unsolved one in particular.

Not wanting to look into his eyes, afraid of what I might find in them I turned and walked away.

"Angel wait!",he hollered which made me stop at the door.

"I didn't mean it to come out that way",he whispered.

"Oh, I think you meant it!",I snapped sardonically,my voice simmering with disappointment. With that I left.

*****

We were back from school and now I was helping Rehan to load our luggage into the trunk of his and Danish's car. We were taking two separate cars because we all wouldn't fit in one. Rehan was supposed to be driving one which had room for four while Danish was taking his car which could accommodate seven people. The way we would split was going to be interesting because it was an unannounced silence between me and Varun while Rehan and Varun would rather stay at home than being in one car for too long.

"It feels like we haven't had a conversation since ages",Rehan mused and I felt guilty. I was really caught up in this whole Neeraj-Sagar fiasco that I ignored other people, Rehan in particular. I didn't mean to but it just happened.

"Well, we can catch up on this trip",I grinned at him.

"I have meant to ask you, are you really okay?",he looked at me with his honest eyes nurturing nothing but goodness.

"I wouldn't lie by telling you that I am fine because let's just put it forward that the kind of trouble I have found myself in; at a span of two weeks isn't really normal. I am a little stirred by it but I am okay",I laid the truth between us. I think I just owed him that.

He placed his hands on my shoulder and made me face him.

"Ananya, you know that the day you entered this house you became one of us. Whatever happens the gang will always be there for you",his voice was modulated and serious.

He made it seem like there were worse things which were yet to come my way or maybe I was just looking deeper than it was needed.

"Yes, I know",I passed him a wry smile.

Soon everybody was out as we were deciding who would ride which car.

"Isn't it just a two hour drive can't you all just try to fit in Danish's car?",Sunaina aunty was here to see us off as Ms.Singh and Vikas uncle were busy.

"Nooooo, that would be so congested",Danish whined.

"I will go with Rehan",Kamya boomed out of no where as she glared holes into Danish. They still hadn't gotten over their fight I guessed.

"I can accompany them too, after all I will have the whole backseat for myself",Kartik jested.

"Well then it's settled, Kartik and Kamya will go with Rehan while the others will go with Danish", Sunaina aunty ushered us in before anyone cold argue about the cars. She too seemed to have noticed the tension between Danish and Kamya. Amer took the shot gun and Naina and I went in the back. Nia made herself comfortable in the middle seat as we waited for Varun to arrive.

"I want you'll to text me when you reach there,okay?",Sunaina aunty spoke.

"We will",I assured her though my window.

"Ananya, I know that I haven't gotten to know you but I look forward to spending more time with you when you come back from this trip. The last two weeks had been hectic for everyone one of us. Well let's use this time rejuvenate and be back in our spirits", she rambled on without gauging my reactions.

Just when I was going to contemplate her monologue Varun walked through the porch clad in grey hoodie,black jeans with black shoes. What's with him and the color black? He likes his coffee black too. I couldn't really see his face as he had pulled the hood up and his tousled hair fell over his eyes. He quickly put his duffel bag into the car's trunk and joined Nia.

All bid their goodbyes to Sunaina aunty and soon we were on the road. Within seconds Naina dozed off as she was in a dire need of rest while I, Nia and Kamya seemed okay. Last night's sleepover consisted of everything but sleep and I had seen her sulking throughout the lectures today at school. Nia was reading a cook book while Varun was engrossed in his phone. Danish was awfully quiet and Amer was staring ahead as we drove through the streets.

Wow! Everyone was so looking forward to this getaway!

I plugged in my earphones and watched some prank videos on youtube. We encountered traffic on the mall road which caused Danish to mutter a series of profanities while Naina's soft snores filled the car. After extra long two hours and binge watching more than ten videos of Brent Rivera we pulled up to a sleek multistory building that could almost rival the Infinity towers. The polished panels reflected the streets and lights below, including the fountain which stood in front of what I assumed was the entrance.

Above the gigantic door was the word AROHA written in bold lettering.

"Are we staying at this hotel?",I asked, shocked. It was magnificent.

"Oh damn, we are",I gasped as I hadn't anticipated Naina to be awake.

The car came to a stop and everyone got out. Danish handed the keys to the valet who then vanished with the car.

"Hello, my name is Sanjana and I will be assisting you throughout your stay here",the woman standing at the huge doors flashed us a polite smile and she gestured us to enter. She was wearing a saree with a collared blouse and had a name tag pinned to her near her chest. Amer and Varun trudged inside without glancing at anything while Danish halted.

"Thank you for having us here. I hope that Ms.Singh might have informed you about this",Danish beamed.

"Yes sir. There are three of your friends who just got here and they are waiting for you in the lobby. Your rooms have been allocated and the luggage will be delivered there",she again graced her face with a smile, walked through the entrance and we followed her.

I was too distracted by the interior design as I only half-focused on what Danish was saying. It was beautiful. Everything was modern and it screamed elegance. The floors were made up of white marble and brown designs. The ceiling was high as rectangular lights dangled from it.

"So, Is that okay with everyone? Ananya?", I jerked at Danish as he was staring at me for an answer. Apparently everyone seemed to have agreed to what Danish had said earlier.

"Huh?", I asked him.

"How about we take an hour to freshen up and meet at the rooftop patio to have an early dinner because I am starving and then we can take a stroll through the game room?",Danish explained patiently.

Woah! Rooftop patio, Game room. This was going to be interesting!

"Just remind me why aren't we staying here for more than one night?",Naina whined beside me.

"Because on a daily basis, we go to an institution where children are educated and attendance there is compulsory",out of nowhere Varun hissed. He had been trying to be invisible since we had that conversation but right now he just blew out his cover. Why was he so against the idea of this trip?

"Did someone eat your kitkats today?",Naina retorted. Before Varun could say more Amer butted in.

"Why don't we explore our new rooms?", he practically dragged Varun towards the elevator.

"What's wrong with this dude?",Naina grumbled while I saw Danish exchanging a look with Rehan.

We all then filed into the second elevator. I was supposed to share a room with Nia whereas Kamya and Naina shared the other one. Even if there were enough rooms available, this arrangement seemed feasible enough for one night. Danish handed me and Naina the keys as Kamya acted like she was busy texting someone.

The room didn't fail to astonish me. It had two single beds, a small breakfast counter along with a lavish washroom. It also had a sitting area with a tv. To the farthest, there was a french door leading us to the balcony. I was awe struck by all this luxury.

"The private suites are on the floor above us, they are supposed to be the most expensive accommodation in Mussorie",Nia informed me.

"There is something nicer than this?",I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Yes Ananya di, Aroha is a multi-million company which owns a series of hotels and other businesses ", she spoke calculatively.

"Why Aroha? I expected it be Singh's Palace or something?",I looked at her confusedly.

"Singh's Palace? Really?",she laughed as I shrugged.

There's no harm in naming this hotel Singh's Palace. Doesn't it rhyme with King's Palace, as it completely offers you royal luxury?

"Mom is one of the founders of the company which started probably two decades ago. They together agreed on naming it Aroha. She has partners who supervise other businesses while she looks over the hotels", she explained.

"That is why she is always busy",I mused.

"We have more than ten branches in our state itself while there are many more scattered in the country", she said as she rummaged through her bag to find something. Her phone charger was missing so she left the room informing that she would check with Kamya once.

I took that as my cue to use the washroom. After doing my business I changed into a flowy, blue knee length,sundress which Kamya had packed for me. I somehow felt like it was better to wear it now rather than wearing it tomorrow in public. I brushed my hair and let it fall back and put on some flats. I saw my reflection and I thought I didn't look bad. The dress looked fine on me even if it wasn't something I was used to.

"Wow, you look good", Nia complimented me as soon as she saw me.

"Umm....thanks",I smiled at her.

"Put this on,it will make your lips glow", she handed me her lip gloss and I hesitantly obliged.

It did make my face look better.

"This looks nice",I grinned at her.With that she went to freshen up.

I scrolled through my phone planning to watch another youtube video as there was time for dinner. My plans were ruined when I saw that there was no network available.

Wasn't the hotel suppose to provide us with free network?

I quickly wrote down a note for Nia telling her that I was heading towards the rooftop and left the room. The ride up the elevator was ...lonely. There were no other visitors in the hotel except the gang because it still had not been opened for public. The elevator opened and I walked down a dimly lit hallway, my flats tapping on the hardwood floor. I pushed through the glass door which I assumed was the entrance to the rooftop dining area because this was the last floor.

A gust of warm air came towards me as my mouth fell a little. The sight of the sun setting greeted me as the scarcely placed city lights twinkled around me. I could feel closer to the mountains and the nature. The dull hues of orange which were now being engulfed into dark held my attention. My mind went back to the day when Varun had taken me to the cliff to witness the sunrise. It felt the same as a giddy smile took over my face.

"What's with us meeting at rooftop, huh?", I severed my head to the side to face him.


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