RagNa Love Stories: Ragna SS: Haunted House (A house with many secrets) Chapter 2

"Hmmm...May be he wants to stay alone. What's wrong if a person does not want to interact with anyone? Not necessary that one should be suspicious about the person or the place he lives in." I said while Prem did not have any answer to that. "Have you been to his house?" I asked.

"I have been there few years back."

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Flashback starts...

Prem's POV:

My car tires got punctured and I was left stranded on the road. The mansion was near by and I thought to ask Raghav for help. I was feeling very creepy as I approached the mansion and thinking about the ghost stories I had earlier made me feel worse. I had to walk up to the mansion which was right in the corner and each noise was making me feel restless. The trees waving because of the wind, the bats crying and moreover, it was going to rain soon.

I reached the gate and was calling out for Raghav. I stood there and suddenly someone caught me from behind. I screamed out of fear and when I saw a man. I could not stop my scream. His half face was cut and his bones were visible. He caught my mouth stopping me from screaming more and I just became cold. My senses stopped working.

He removed his hand from my mouth and immediately covered his face with a cloth. He said "Shushhh....Don't make noise here. Who are you and why did you come here? You don't know that trespassers are not allowed here?"

"Y....Yes..." I stammered and continued saying "I...Actually, my car got punctured....I wanted some help...There is no mechanic nor garage nearby so..."

"So what? Go from here immediately. Nobody can help you here. Leave." He said loudly.

He was so rude and he did not care to help me. I though it was useless to argue with him and so I turned to leave when I heard a voice saying "Hey come in."

I got scared for a moment and turned to see that it was Raghav. He came smiling towards me leaving Rajesh all confused.

"Hey what happened? any problem?" Raghav asked.

"No..I mean yes. My car got punctured and so I wanted help." I said in a hurry.

"Oh yes, why not? Rajesh uncle, my caretaker, knows how to repair cars and he can help you out. By the time he repairs the car, you can come and spend sometime in the house as I feel it's going to rain anytime soon."

I looked at Rajesh and said in my mind "He and will help me? Never. He told me that he won't help me."

Rajesh looked angrily at me and then answered "But sir. It is already quite late and it would take at least 20-30 minutes to change the tire. I guess that you can give him one of your cars so that he can reach home soon. I will send his car tomorrow to his house."

I knew he wanted to drive me away asap. He looked to be too possessive about his master. Anyways, till my work was going to be done, I was happy.

"That will be a great idea. Rajesh uncle, give him the white car keys. Your good name?" Raghav asked.

"Prem...Prem Kapoor."

"OK great. You must be knowing my name I guess. I am Raghav Singhania."

"Yes, I know and thanks a lot for your help. I mean you are willing to give your car to a stranger. You are very kind." I smiled and said.

"Haha! My pleasure. You leave your address with Rajesh so that he can send the car to your house tomorrow. Good luck! Drive safely." Saying this he went inside the house and I took the car keys from Rajesh and left.

Flashback ends...

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"Then why do you still believe in those ghost stories? Raghav is such a nice guy to have helped you and you want to still believe that he lives in a haunted house?" I asked.

"I don't know Kalpana but still I feel that the house is haunted. When I went there, I wanted to rush home as I felt that my life is in danger. I don't know why I don't like that servant at all." Prem said resting his head behind on the sofa.

"Yeah, by hearing about him, he does sound weird. But I guess he is quite old and sometimes old people are a bit rude." I said.

"Hmmm. But he looks so scary. Sometimes I feel that he only is a ghost. The way he looks suspicious, talks suspiciously, everything about him is so strange. His half face is destroyed and that makes him look worse."

"Now will you both stop talking about Raghav and the ghost stories?" My aunt said while bringing a tray with 2 cups of coffee and a bowl of snacks for us.

"But aunty, this discussion is so interesting. Prem and his imaginary haunted house." I laughed and answered.

"So you were only asking me questions to make fun of me?" Prem snapped.

"OK OK...I won't make fun of you but seriously Prem, there is nothing like a ghost in today's time. You were just getting scared because of the stories you heard about that house else Raghav and his care taker sound really genuine and especially Raghav sounds very humble." I said.

"You seem to be a lot more interested in the owner of the house, Raghav." Prem started pulling my leg.

"Shut up Prem and drink your coffee." I snapped.

After few hours Rajeev uncle came from work and we all spent time together. I was feeling good but I was not used to this life as hostel life was full of study ,study and only study. I almost had forgotten the meaning of having a family and this was the day I realized that I missed lot of things in life. Being alone was not a solution for me as except studying and working, I had no life of my own but this day was a great memory for me.

I unpacked by bags in the evening and then went to sleep on the bed. During the night, I started getting flashes of Raghav. I opened my eyes and smiled at myself thinking why was I thinking about a man I just met and he was a complete stranger for me. Was it because I took interest in his story or was it something else? Was my destiny telling me that I need to meet him or was it just a coincidence that I met him on the first day? I had many questions but no answers.

I closed my eyes to get rid of those thoughts. Suddenly I felt few foot steps approaching me. It was all dark and I thought that may be it's a dream. I did not want to open my eyes as I was too scared as those foot steps sounded louder and my heart started beating faster. I opened my eyes and was taken aback. I wanted to scream but my mouth was covered. I could not see the person before me as it was all dark. The lights came on after few moments and I got a start when I saw the person.

"Prem..." I wanted to scream but he tightened the grip of his hand on my mouth saying "Don't scream Kalpi. I hence put my hand on your mouth to stop you. Today is dad's birthday and I want to give him a surprise. Mom has already made the arrangements and she has invited all dad's friends too. Come get ready fast and we will give him a surprise."

He released his hand from my mouth and I took a deep breath saying "You could have told this earlier. Why did you have to scare me? My heart stopped beating for few seconds."

"Haha! Don't tell me you thought that the ghost of Singhania Mansion came to scare you." Prem started teasing me.

"No and I don't believe in ghosts like you. Now come let's party."

We partied the entire night and we all fell asleep in the hall itself.

Three days had passed by and I kept visiting the tourist spots of Panchgani with Prem and his friends. I did not like his friends though as they were quite a tease and pranksters like Prem. I don't know why but I wished to see the Singhania mansion once but I did not know the way to reach there nor would Rajeev uncle and Prem let me go there.

I woke up early the next day and started searching for a job in the newspaper. Rajeev uncle did not want me to work and wanted me to get married soon as I was already 23 but to avoid that I thought of working to keep myself busy and avoid the marriage talks.

I was browsing through the newspaper and suddenly my eyes stopped at a job advert which read "Wanted a content writer for Singhania Industries." I thought for a while and then circled the advert and left with my resume and all my documents.

I reached the place and got down from the rickshaw. I looked at the tall building and read the name "Singhania Industries" on the black board. It was a black glass building and looked classy as it was the tallest among all other buildings.

I kept admiring the building when I felt someone drag me. I was pulled towards a person and my head hit his chest. I wondered what was going on when I heard him say "You can't see and drive." He kept scolding the bike man and I looked up to see who was the person. It was none other than Raghav Singhania. I was actually standing in the middle of the road and I did not realize this as I was staring at the building. The bike was about to hit me and it was Raghav who saved me. I was more happy than shocked.

"Are you fine?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded my head. "You should not dream when you are standing in the middle of the road." He said.

I said "Sorry."

"Never mind but be careful next time." He said and left from there.

I kept looking at him as he entered the gate and then realized that I have to give an interview.

After an hour, my turn came and I was called in for the interview. I knocked at the door and entered to see that it was Raghav who was going to take my interview.

"You are not a fresher and have been working as a writer for 2 years. This post is for freshers then why did you apply for it?" He asked.

"I ...I want to work for this company and any post will do for me." I said and then bit my lower lip as what I said did not make any sense.

"Hmm...Well then I can offer you another post where your experience can be considered. Sammy, bring the appointment papers for the post of a Senior Content Writer." He said and I kept wondering as I did not even give the interview as he asked me only one question and so fast he decided to give me the job?

Samar Raizada, his assistant came in and handed over me the papers. I signed them and Sammy sir told me that I could join from tomorrow. The salary would be Rs. 40000/- and there would be a pick and drop as well.

I din't not know what to so as I was so thrilled as well as happy that I got a job and the salary was double the amount I used to earn earlier. Plus there would be a pick and drop but the biggest happiness for me was that I got a chance to work with Raghav. I don't know when I started feeling for him.

I worked very hard and my articles were appreciated by Raghav a lot. He gave me a bonus in my first month itself and the Employee of the Month certificate as well. I was on cloud 9.

It was the festival of Diwali and some of the employees had applied for leave as well. Sammy had distributed Diwali bonus and sweets to all the employees and the entire office as decorated. When I went to collect my bonus, I passed by Raghav's room and saw that there was no decoration done in his room. He was sitting alone inside his cabin and was working on his laptop.

I collected my bonus and was about to leave when I dashed into Raghav. "Sorry" I apologized and he smiled saying "It's OK."

He was about to leave when I asked "Sir, Happy Diwali."

I extended my hand to wish him and he removed his hands from the pocket and wished me. He was a bit amazed and he said "Same to you."

"What happened sir? You aren't looking excited for Diwali. Your room was not decorated as well. I am sorry for asking this but..."

"Ahhh! No no, don't be sorry. I don't celebrate any festival. I don't have a family of my own and hence except my care taker, there is nobody whom I could celebrate these festivals with."

When he said that, I felt as if it was me talking. I mean, how could two people feel the same? I asked myself this question.

"Actually, I also used to feel the same and used to not celebrate these festivals. But, every since I am staying with my uncle, aunt and brother, my opinion towards life has changed and I am actually enjoying it." I said with a smile.

He was actually happy to hear me and I asked him to come over to my place for Diwali and to my surprise he agreed.

I was so happy to see him smiling as he was lighting the crackers and he was behaving like a kid. It appeared to me that he had never seen crackers before as he did not even know the name "Phuljadi." He was literally dancing as the chakri was lit and he wanted to keep firing all the crackers in one go. I was surprised to see that a business tycoon and the owner of INR 5000 crores did not ever celebrate such an auspicious festival. He and Prem got along very well and Rajeev uncle and Preeti aunt were enjoying talking to Raghav.

Disclaimer: The character names in the story are fictional characters and owned by the creators of the show "Ek Mutthi Asmaan" on ZEE TV.