RagNa Love Stories: Ragna SS: Haunted House (A house with many secrets) Chapter 3

After that day, I and Raghav started interacting a lot and even in the office, we started having lunch together and spending time with each other. My liking for him increased day by day but I was not aware if he felt the same for me. I was happy for him as he finally started opening up and talking to me as a friend and I wished one day our relationship would become more strong. I don't know if I was doing right or wrong but for me it was right. I did not know the consequences as well but love is a thing that cannot be in anyone's control. It just happens.

It had been 6 months since I was working at Singhania Industries and my probation period was over. I had become a permanent employee of the company. Everyone congratulated me and I distributed sweets in the office.

I knocked at the door of Raghav's cabin and he called me in. I offered him a sweet box and he picked up one, congratulating me for completing my probation period.

I left his cabin and while working, I over heard some people talking about a birthday. I asked the girl sitting besides my desk about it and she said that it was Raghav's birthday today but he does not like to celebrate his birthday nor does anyone wish him on this day. I felt bad that I had just been to his cabin and I did not wish him. May be he must have felt bad. I told myself that I need to go and at least wish him on his birthday but he had already left the office. I thought if I wish him over the phone, it won't look good as I wanted to wish him in person.

I went to a gift shop and wrapped a gift for him. I wasn't sure what to buy for him as he might have everything he needs being a business man. I just bought him a birthday card with a small idol of Laughing Buddha. I was scared while buying the gift as he might find it weird but since we were friends, I thought it would make him happy at least.

I packed the gift in my bag and halted a rickshaw. I told the rickshaw driver to reach me to the Singhania mansion. On hearing the name, the rickshaw driver just drove off the rickshaw in fright.

I found it weird but then decided to halt another auto. The second auto as well drove off without hearing me further. The third one stopped near me and before he could drive off, I just entered the auto. He asked me where to go and then I said "Singhania Mansion." He asked me as to why did I want to go to a haunted place to which I started laughing. I said to myself "Is that the reason why everyone just drove off?" I answered "I will give you triple the amount if you reach me there."

I finally reached the place and the auto driver dropped me far away from the gate. He told me the way to reach the mansion and I paid him and he left. Finally, I had reached Raghav's house. I was happy and excited to see Raghav more than his haunted, I mean his popular mansion.

I opened the gate and it made a weird squealing noise. The place looked beautiful though with greenery everywhere. It was 6:00 p.m. and it would be dark anytime and I had to reach home before 8:00 p.m. as that was the time limit set by my uncle. I just wanted to wish Raghav, give him the gift and leave.

I could hear birds chirping, flowers blooming and the air was so fresh. It made me wonder as to why people call this a cursed place when it was so beautiful. I reached the mansion after walking for 15 minutes as his mansion was at the corner. I stood outside the mansion and to my surprise the place was just beautiful. It was a light red colored house in the shape of a ship. It looked so mesmerizing and I could not stop myself from admiring its beauty. Little did I know that red means "blood" and the place which I was admiring, one day I would wish and pray to run away as it was really a cursed place.

The house was appearing as it was calling me inside and telling me to witness its secrets. I entered the place and rang the bell. Nobody opened the door for 5 minutes. I kept ringing the bell and after few moments, the door opened.

I looked at the person who opened it and was left speechless. I remembered Prem's words that Raghav's care taker looked scary and he was so right. He looked scarier than how I had imagined and he was quite old, may be 60+ and his half face was covered. Luckily it was covered else if I had to see his face, I would have fainted. Not that I want to mock him but still a person's appearance does matter.

I did not know what to say and just kept looking inside to see if Raghav was there. "What do you want Miss?" He asked shrewdly.

"I wanted to meet Raghav. Where is he?" I said firmly.

"What work do you have?" He asked and he kept asking me questions and did not let me take a step in.

I said to myself "Prem was so right. This care taker is so rude and he does not want to entertain anyone inside."

"I want to talk to him only. Can you please call him?" I said loud and clear as I was already frustrated with this man.

"No. Raghav is busy now and he does not like to meet anyone at his house. You can meet him in his office only." Saying this he shut the door on my face. I was fuming in anger and wanted to scold him for his behavior.

I called up Raghav and after sometime, he himself opened the door for me. I entered the house and he made me sit on the sofa while Rajesh went to bring some snacks for me on Raghav's order.

I was angry with Rajesh but I was happy that finally I got to meet Raghav.

"Sorry Kalpana for my caretaker Rajesh's behavior. Actually, I don't call anyone to my home nor does anyone come here. It has been a long time since anyone has come to visit me and Rajesh has been not only my care taker but he has been a father figure to me. He is quite possessive as well and whenever any stranger comes to visit me, he feels that they will try to spread false rumors about this mansion. Many people just come here and then go and say that they hear weird noises from this mansion and call it haunted. I am sure that you must have heard the same about this place." Raghav said.

"Yes. I have but I don't believe these rumors. It's just a blind faith of people in ghosts. I wonder why educated people still believe in this stuff." I said and he smiled feeling relieved that I don't get give the rumors any importance.

"Happy birthday" I said and I gave him the gift. He was happy that I wished him and he opened it and started laughing. First time I saw him laughing so loud and I too joined him in his laughter.

"I love this gift." He said thanking me for the same. I was so happy and content that he liked my gift.

I looked up and all over the mansion. It was so beautiful and it had a huge chandelier and 4 floors. "Do you want to see the mansion?" Raghav asked as he noticed the inquisitive side of mine.

"Yeah sure." I answered and was about to get up when Rajesh came with the snacks. He served them and said "Sir, it's quite late now and this girl will get late to go home."

I was shocked to see that the caretaker was eager that I leave. I got angry but the next second I looked at my watch and noticed that it was 7:30 p.m. I did not realize how time passed by and I asked his leave. Raghav looked a bit disappointed as he wanted me to stay but if I would not reach home by time, uncle would have been very angry with me.

Raghav offered me a lift to my home and I agreed while the caretaker wasn't quite happy with that. I did not care though as all that mattered to me was Raghav and his wish.

Raghav reached me home that day and I was about to get off the car after bidding him bye when I heard him say "I love you."

I just stopped and turned to look at him. I did not believe my ears and he said it again looking into my eyes "I love you Kalpana." My heart beat stopped as it was me who always had hidden feelings for him without ever knowing about his feelings and here he had confessed to me.

"Do you love me Kalpana?" He asked.

I kept looking at him and did not have an answer. I actually knew what I had to say but that moment was so special for me that I did not understand anything.

He came near me and whispered "Do you love me?"

I closed my eyes as I knew what was coming next. He knew my answer as sometimes it does not require words to express one's feelings. He kissed me. I broke the kiss and hugged him and said "Yes, I love you too."

It was the first day our relationship started getting stronger.

It had been three weeks since we confessed our feelings for each other and my uncle, aunt and brother were happy for our relationship but they feared that I would get married and I would have to stay in that haunted house. I don't blame them as they had their reasons but I did not believe in such things and so had no worries.

I and Raghav started going out for lunch, watching movies in malls, spending time on the beach and I started visiting his house more often. His caretaker as usual was not happy with me coming there so often but in Raghav's presence, he used to behave himself.

After few days, I got the invitation of a birthday party. It was my colleague Sonia's birthday and we all friends from the office had been invited for her birthday party. Raghav did not want to attend the party but I forced him to accompany me as everyone in the office knew that we were dating each other.

I dressed up in a black lace gown as black was Raghav's favorite color. I reached the party venue with Raghav and everyone got into the party mood. We started dancing as well and Raghav felt uncomfortable as he was not used to this, but with me he used to forget himself and he only loved spending time with me. However, I noticed that Sonia's mother was not happy with Raghav coming for the party as she did not offer him the cake and also tried to avoid serving him any food stuffs. I noticed Sonia trying to make her mother understand and I wanted to confront her but that day was not appropriate to ask her anything.

The next day, I walked up to Sonia and asked her about her mother's behavior and she told me to come over to her house. I was confused as what the matter was that she could not tell me in the office.

I went to her house and her mother offered me breakfast. She looked worried and I asked her the reason to which she said "I will tell you everything but you first have breakfast."

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