"You know what," Kiara announced, her voice tight with exasperation. "We should split up. I'm going to go completely mad if I have to spend another minute with you."
She turned on her heel, intent on storming off down the dark corridor.
"Kiru, wait," Yuvaan called out, his tone deliberately soft and flirtatious.
She didn't even break stride. "There's no 'Kiru' here, so I'm not listening to you!"
She took another determined step forward, her focus entirely on getting away from him. Her foot met not solid stone, but empty air. The ancient, rotted wood covering a hidden hole in the floor gave way with a splintering crack.
With a sharp gasp, she plummeted down into the darkness, her scream cut short as she landed with a thud in an underground chamber below.
Above, Yuvaan strolled casually to the edge of the hole and peered down into the darkness, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
"Fool," he murmured, the word laced with a mix of amusement and something almost like fondness for her stubbornness.
Kiara's flashlight beam trembled as it swept across the horrific chamber. Dirt, cobwebs, and unsettling, unidentifiable shapes filled the cramped space.
"Hello? How is your little tour going?" Yuvaan's voice floated down from above, laced with mocking amusement.
Kiara aimed her light upward, illuminating his smirking face peering down from the hole. "You! Why didn't you warn me?!"
"Hey, no blame games," he chided, his tone light. "I tried to warn you." He then put on a high-pitched, mocking voice, "There's no 'Kiru' here, so I'm not listening to you!"
"Just help me up!" she demanded, frustration and a sliver of fear making her voice sharp.
"Why should I?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Because we're partners!"
"Weren't you the one who just wanted to split up?" he countered smoothly.
"Forget about that! Just help me!"
He sighed dramatically. "Let me see... remember our first meeting? I rescued you from three rascals, kept you safe in my car all night, and what did I get in return? Not a 'thank you,' but accusations. You have a terrible habit of biting the hand that saves you, Kiara Shetty."
"Are you seriously holding a grudge about that now?" she exclaimed, incredulous.
"I'll help you," he said, his voice dropping to a more serious, deal-making tone. "But on two conditions."
"I'm not fulfilling any of your conditions! I'll find my own way out!" she declared, turning her back to him and starting to search the damp walls for an exit.
As she did, a spectral figure materialized behind her. Manjulika, her rotted face contorted in a silent snarl, reached a skeletal hand towards Kiara's shoulder. But just before making contact, the protective locket around Kiara's neck flared with a light invisible to the human eye. An unseen shield repelled the spirit's touch.
Kiara spun around, a sudden, icy cold washing over her. She saw nothing but shadows. The encounter, though unfelt, sent a primal shiver down her spine. Swallowing her pride, she looked back up at the hole.
"Fine!" she called out, her voice tighter. "What are your conditions?"
"First," Yuvaan said, "you will apologize for being so spectacularly ungrateful that night. A proper 'I'm sorry' and a 'thank you.'"
Kiara took a deep breath, forcing the words out with pretend sweetness. "I'm sorry. And... thank you. Happy?"
"Thrilled. Now, for the second condition," he continued, a grin evident in his voice. "You must acknowledge my supreme hotness, my unparalleled handsomeness, and proclaim me the most handsome boy you have ever met in your life."
Kiara rolled her eyes, grateful he couldn't see. "Yuvaan Pratap Singh, you are hot, you are handsome, you are the most handsome boy I have ever met. Now, get me out of here!"
"With pleasure."
Instead of producing a rope, Yuvaan simply leaped down into the chamber, landing gracefully beside her.
Kiara stared at him, aghast. "Are you mad? I thought you were going to throw down a rope or find a ladder! Why did you jump in here?!"
Yuvaan brushed a speck of dust from his shoulder, his smirk returning in full force. "And miss out on all the fun? Where's the adventure in that?"
Angad and Mishka emerged from a dusty corridor into the main hall, where the rest of the students were gathered, their chatter a stark contrast to the oppressive silence of the palace depths. Angad leaned close to Mishka, his voice a concerned whisper.
"We should go back and find them. I don't like that Yuvaan Bhaiya and Kiara are still out there alone."
Mishka's gaze was distant, her senses tuned to the subtle, malicious energy weaving through the palace. "It's not that simple," she murmured back, her voice low. "You wouldn't understand the currents here."
Before Angad could protest, Professor Ragini's voice cut through the hall, crisp and authoritative. "Alright, everyone, listen up! As your assignment, each pair is to submit a detailed written analysis of their findings. I expect it in my next class." She clapped her hands together. "Now, let's head back to the bus."
A wave of relief passed through the students, eager to leave the creepy atmosphere behind. But Angad stood his ground.
"Professor, we should wait for my brother and Kiara. They aren't back yet."
As if on cue, two figures walked calmly into the hall from a different passageway. It was Yuvaan and Kiara. Their expressions were unreadable, a blank mask of calm.
"See? No need to worry," Ragini said, a slick, satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Since everyone is now accounted for, let's go. Immediately."
The students, relieved, began filing out toward the entrance. Angad rushed over to his cousin.
"Bhaiya! What did you find down there? Was it as creepy as it looked?"
The illusion of Yuvaan looked right through him, its eyes empty. "I found nothing," it replied in a flat, monotone voice, before turning and following the crowd.
A cold dread trickled down Mishka's spine. She alone could see through the glamour. The figures were mere phantoms, conjured by Ragini's magic. The real Yuvaan and Kiara had been left behind, trapped in the mansion with a vengeful ghost. She watched as the entire group, including a confused but trusting Angad, followed the illusionary duplicates out of the palace, completely falling for the professor's ruse.