Outside of the Murthy House: 1:15 am:

Dhruv impatiently glances at his watch. It's 1 hour since Manik sneaked into Nandini's house. Till now, he didn't call him. Nor Dhruv can call him as his phone is with Nandini.

Dhruv: (Murmurs vexedly) "You better give me an award for my patience level, Bhai. I bet you would have left till now and completed your good-night sleep if I were at your place."

He makes an inconvenient hissing sound and slaps his nape to kill a blood-sucking mosquito.

Dhruv: (Purrs in disgust) "Holy Fuck! These mosquitos are more dangerous than Ador. If Bhai takes a little longer then I have to be admitted to a hospital to give me blood. Teri toooo...(An expression to abuse)"

He again slaps and scratches his arms vigorously. Just then the light coming from Nandini's bedroom side balcony catches his concentration. To get a clear view he enters the house premises. Taking baby steps, he eventually reaches the place from where Manik jumps into the balcony. The sliding doors are slightly open and some ambiguous sounds are coming from inside. Dhruv can't resist his curiosity and roams his eyes around in search of anything which could help him to climb the balcony. It doesn't take time and he finds an old cycle leaned to a Bougainvillea bush. He drags it and places it just under the balcony. Then he remembers his worshipped God's name and carefully climbs and stands on the cycle seat. His legs are staggering. Still, he tries to claw the railing of the balcony. Once he can hold the railing, he will be able to peep inside. Dhruv tiptoes and tries hard to reach the railing. Only then, something happens under his feet. The dilapidated cycle couldn't bear the weight and it slips under his unstable legs.

Dhruv: (Screams) "Bhaiiiiiii..."

He loudly screams but thankfully could grab the railing at the last moment.

Dhruv: (Yells) "Bachao...Bachao...Help...Bhaiii...Mummyyy..."

He keeps on swaying like an astray kite and screaming. In the next moment, someone slides the glass door and opens it fully. He looks downwards and observes Dhrub blabbering all possible names he can remember.

The person: "Here is the other Bhuta. Welcome!"

............................................

Murthy House: Nandini's bedroom: Some minutes ago:

As Kishori faints and the man completely covered with the shower curtain rushes to Rituja, she makes a fearful sound and jumps to climb the bed.

Rituja: (Yelps) "Amma...Amma... Aiyooo Aiyappa...Idu enu? (What is this?)

Despite being confused and terrified, Ador shows some courage and jumps on the person. But due to his short height, he barely could reach that tall guy's keens. He dusts off Ador from his body and approaches Harshad. It proves that all fear a ghost as Harshad too hides behind the curtains and just keeps his head outside to see the attacker.

Vimesh: (yells) "Hey...who are you? Dare to touch my family."

The spectre-like person turns at Vimesh.

The Spectre: "I am a Bhuta. I can touch anyone. I can even take anyone with me...Vanish...ha..ha..ha..."

Saying this he grabs Nandini from behind and covers her also with the shower curtain. Everybody screams in fear. Nandini couldn't imagine that Manik can pull this prank and can confuse her whole family. As she knows the real guy inside this spectre cum joker cum prankster, she doesn't show any fright. Nor she tries to free herself. But in mind, she definitely appreciates Manik's presence of mind. If he hadn't disguised himself like this, until now, he would have been caught by Vimesh. But still, the danger is not over yet.

Nandini: (Whispers) "Make me the hostage and get out of this room. Then lock it from outside and run."

Manik: (Mumbles) "Kya baat hain, Wifey! (Well said, Wifey!) We are made for each other. Bhuta and Bhutni. (Male ghost and female ghost)"

In reply, Nandini elbows his rib cage. Ador is still trying to stop Manik and free Nandini while Harshad, Vimesh and Rituja are screaming from their individual places. However, nobody dared to approach the Bhuta. Manik keeps on dragging Nandini and heads to the door while Nandini convincingly acts and keeps the drama alive. Suddenly something grabs Manik's ankle and stops him to approach the bedroom exit. Nandini and Manik both look downwards and the sight gives them the goosebump of fear. Kishori has gained her sense and she is pulling Manik's leg with full force. However, her eyes are still closed and she is still blabbering fanatically.

Kishori: (Blabbering) "Bhuta...Bhuta..."

Manik shakes his leg to free it but this old lady is really strong. Meanwhile, Ador whiffs about the ghost's vulnerable situation and he again starts jumping on Manik. Being attacked from both sides, Manik loses his balance and falls flat on the ground having Nandini on his top. Suddenly Rituja gets some courage and picks the vase up from the side table and throws it to Manik. It doesn't miss the target and hits his head.

Manik: (Yelps in pain) "Oukkkk..."

Simultaneously, the water kept inside the vase splashes on his face, wiping off the coat of the foam. The soap causes a burning sensation in his eyes. So, Manik wipes his face with the curtain. Gradually, the real face of the ghost reveals to everyone.

Rituja: (Shocked) "Manik..."

Vimesh: (Angry) "Manik..."

Harshad: (Puzzled) "Manik..."

Ador: "Bhou...Bhou...(Are yeh to insaan nikla! It turned out to a human being!)

Kishori: (Still Blabbering) "Bhuta...Bhuta..."

Meanwhile, another pitiful scream comes from the balcony side. Vimesh immediately walks towards it and opens the sliding door in a go. A man is hanging from the balcony railing. The anguished cry is coming from his mouth only. Vimesh looks at him and a triumphant smile creeps on his lips.

Vimesh: "Here is the other Bhuta. Welcome!"

.........................................

In the last hour, too many things happened. Manik got caught by Vimesh, Dhruv has been rescued by Harshad, and Kishori Manikannan finally had something to feel proud of. After all, she only shot the master stroke. Nandini tried to save Manik by saying that she only called him. However, Vimesh blew away her words. Rituja and Harshad also tried to intervene but Vimesh didn't listen to anyone. His monstrous rage didn't allow Rituja to tell him the truth either. Vimesh showered his anger on Manik for an ample period. Surprisingly, Manik didn't counter any of his allegations. Nor he apologised for his mistake. It seemed that he was expecting this outcome and he is okay with this. On the other hand, this time, Vimesh was not ready to take it lightly and ignore his mischief. Rather he took a strong decision to stop Manik's indecency. How dare he enter his daughter's bedroom and pull this stupid prank? This audacity of this Punjabi boy has to be stopped. He dragged Manik with him. Made him sit in his car and ordered him to show him the way to his home. Kishori also accompanied them. Needless to say, all the other people including Ador (How can anyone ignore his important role to catch the Bhuta?) followed Vimesh's car. Because Vimesh and Kishori are at the top of their anger level and in this situation, they can behave really ill with Manik's family. And if it happens then it won't do any good for Manik and Nandini's relationship. Sometimes wrong words make the worst damage to life. Harshad took Rituja in his bike and Nandini sat behind Dhruv having Ador in her lap. The whole Murthy family and two members of the Malhotra family headed to the Malhotra house.

..........................................

Malhotra house: Living room: 2:30 am

Right now, all the Malhotras and Murthys are there. The atmosphere is as hot as a fireball.

Kishori: (Sarcastically) "You, Mrs Malhotra (She addresses Nyonika)...that day you desperately tried to cover up your Son's indecency and put all blame on my granddaughter. You said my Kanna has trapped your innocent boy. Is this a sign of his innocence? Your son trespassed on our house and intruded on my granddaughter's room. Shame...shame! Is this the lesson you taught your child? To disrespect a family's reputation and a girl's dignity? If we hadn't caught him, God knows what he would have done to Nandini. Maybe he moles..."

Nyonika: (Chides) "Enough! Don't try to turn the table toward us. Your granddaughter herself admitted that she only called my son to her bedroom. That time did she think about her dignity? Or I should say she hardly cares."

Vimesh: (Yells) "Mr Shrikant Malhotra. Stop your wife. Otherwise, I will forget that she is a lady. I caught both of your sons intruding on my premises. More of that your son Manik dared to enter my daughter's room. If I wanted, I would have handed over both of your sons to the cops. But I didn't do it. Because I kept your family reputation in my mind. But it seems that I have done a mistake. You all are the same. Like parents like sons. No self-respect, no dignity and no ethics. I will put your son behind the bar on the charge of molestation."

Till now, Manik and Nandini were silent. It was expected that after this terrible blunder, both of their families will lock horns in an unmanageable fight. However, they didn't expect that it will turn so nasty and shallow. Nandini eventually comes forward,

Nandini: "Appa...stop! You are not understanding the real matter. Whatever you are contemplating is not true."

Kishori: "You keep quiet, Nandu! We have had enough of your childishness. I know he provoked you for everything."

Kauser: (Desperately) "Kishoriji...ekbaar bachhiki baat to sun lijiye. (Please listen to her for once)"

Kishori: "Now, you all will listen to the police only. Vimesh, call the police."

Nyonika: "If the police arrest my son, then I will poison you all. Sara siyapa hi khatam. (All troubles are gone)"

Manik: "Mummy...kya bol rahi ho? (Mom...what rubbish are you saying?)"

Nyonika: "Tu chup kar. Main tahnu kini vara kiha si ki e Madrasi kuri to dura raha kar? Phasa diya na tehnu! (You just shut up! How many times have I told you to stay away from this Madrasi girl? See, she framed you.)"

Until now, Shrikant was completely silent. He couldn't think his sons can do this much mischief. He is way too astonished and hurt at the same time. Nobody insulted his family in this way and that is because of his sons.

Shrikant: (Sternly) "Call the police, Mr Murthy. Even I want to see my son behind the bar. He deserves it."

Nyonika: (Surprised) "Tusi ki kahe rahe ho? Paglae ho kya? (What are you saying? Are you mad?)

Shrikant completely ignores his wife.

Shrikant: (Chides) "Call the police right now!"

Vimesh takes out his phone and is about to dial 102, Rituja interrupts.

Rituja: "Nillisu. (Stop) The story is more than this."

Author's note: I have been notified by readers when I publish a short chapter. Today I gave a pretty long chapter. So, I hope this time I will also be notified of this. Jokes apart. 😄😄Keep reading for more drama.🫡🫡