Page 116 of Reckless Dare

“Hey!” Ved Simha said with mock outrage. “We are not the only gluttons here.” Ved grinned at her. “You should see Abhi when he is at home. My poor aunt struggles to feed him.”

Ava laughed, relaxing. She took a bowl of soup and some fried rice.

While she ate, the Simha cousins continued to converse, which was mostly teasing each other. She enjoyed their banter and could see that they were very close. It reminded her of the bonding she and her sister had.

“Has Abhi taken you to the beach house?”

She tried not to blush as she nodded.

“Oh good. There is a beach a couple of kilometers away from that place. We are throwing a party this weekend near that beach to celebrate the end of midterms. You should join us and convince Abhi to join too. The guy has become a recluse lately, barely partying or going anywhere.”

She knew why. It was because they had been spending every free moment together. But now that their relationship was out in the open, they could spend time together outside too.

She turned and saw that he was watching her. Tearing her eyes away from him, she smiled.

“Thank you, I would love to join you for the party!

CHAPTER 35

Sadness and grief permeated the room. He looked at his aunt’s sleeping form covered in flower garlands. His aunt was his best friend who was always laughing and lively. But now, she stayed completely still.

No one was saying anything, and all he saw were tears in everyone’s eyes. His parents, uncles and aunts and even his grandparents were crying silently.

He didn’t understand what was happening. But he couldn’t stay and watch his family sad.

He got up and went outside into the garden where he often played with his aunt.

“If only that selfish man had married our Vaishu as promised, this would not have happened.” An old woman wailed outside.

He wanted to ask the old woman about the selfish man.

Who was he? Did that man hurt his aunt?

What exactly happened to his aunt? Why was she sleeping so long?

Even as he seeked answers, suddenly the wind began howling. At a distance, he saw a woman walking away. It was his aunt.

“Aunt Vaishu! Wait!”

“But his aunt didn’t wait.”

“She won’t come back to you, Abhi. She is gone. That man killed our Vaishu.”

He shook his head, unable to accept or process the old woman’s words.

“No! Please don’t go!” he begged his aunt who was heading towards a river which appeared right outside the house.

But his aunt didn’t stop. She was walking rapidly.

He started to run desperately, but he could not reach her on time. His aunt jumped into the river. A moment later, he saw her beautiful face floating up the river, which had turned into a watery grave.

Abhi woke up with a start. His heart was pounding inside his chest as the remnants of his nightmare lingered.

“Abhi?” a voice called out to him in concern.

Pushing away the dark memories of his dream, he slowly turned. He saw Ava and her beautiful face was looking at him with worry.

They were lying outside on the porch at the beach house.

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