A car suddenly screeched to a halt right in front of Riya.
Startled, she stepped back.
The window rolled down slowly.
"Hey, little miss! Need a lift?" came a teasing voice.
It was Ranjit.
Riya glared at him, her irritation rising. "No, thanks!" she snapped, walking past the car to hail a taxi.
Ranjit watched her get in. Something flickered in his eyes — annoyance, amusement, maybe both. Then, without thinking twice, he started his car and followed the taxi.
The taxi driver kept glancing at Riya through the mirror. What a girl! Looks like trouble, he thought with a smirk. But when he noticed her looking nervously behind again and again, his amusement faded.
He followed her gaze — and saw a black car tailing them.
When the taxi took a sharp turn, the car did the same. Now he was sure.
He pulled over suddenly.
"Madam, my boss asked me to pick up a book from that shop. Just five minutes," he said politely.
"Fine," Riya replied, distracted.
The driver stepped out, pretending to browse a roadside bookstall, but his eyes stayed on the black car that had stopped right ahead.
So, it's true. That car's following her, he thought grimly.
He grabbed a random book, hurried back, and started the taxi again. The black car moved too — staying right behind them.
After a few minutes, they reached Riya's house. She paid the driver five hundred rupees and stepped out.
Just as she was about to enter, the black car stopped beside her again.
Frustrated, Riya turned and shouted, "Who gave you a driving license?!"
The car door opened. Out stepped Ranjit and Shiv.
Ranjit smirked. "Forgot who I am already?"
Riya crossed her arms. "Maybe you're the boss in the office, but out here—you're just another guy. So stop the drama."
Ranjit clenched his jaw but didn't reply. He knew she was right.
"Fine," he muttered. "Let's see you in the office tomorrow."
Riya turned away, but both men started walking behind her.
She stopped and spun around. "Now what? Why are you following me?"
"Hey, don't flatter yourself," Ranjit said. "Our house is this way too."
"Unbelievable," she muttered.
Ranjit grinned. "Tell you what — if this isn't our house, I'll do whatever you say. But if it is, you'll have to follow my every order."
Shiv sighed. "Ranjit, just let it go. No need to bet on everything."
Riya smirked. Poor guy. He doesn't even know where he's standing.
"Alright," she said. "Let's see."
They reached the house, and Ranjit knocked.
Ravi opened the door — and froze. His eyes darted from Riya to Ranjit and Shiv.
"What's wrong, Uncle?" Ranjit asked casually.
"Nothing, son," Ravi said with a smile. "Come in."
He turned to Riya. "This is my daughter, Riya."
"What?!" Riya exclaimed. "Dad, you know them?"
Ravi chuckled. "Of course! I rented the upper portion of the house to them."
"What? You rented our house to them?" she said in disbelief.
Ravi nodded proudly. "Yes, dear."
Riya's face turned red — half from shock, half from frustration. And he was betting with me about this!
Ranjit and Shiv couldn't help laughing quietly.
After Ravi handed them the keys, the two men went upstairs to settle in.
Ravi turned to Riya. "You already knew them?"
"Yes, Dad," she sighed. "They're my bosses."
Ravi's eyes widened. "Wait—those are the owners of your company?"
"Yes," she said, tiredly.
Ravi exchanged a stunned look with his wife Kamala. "Are they good people, at least?"
Riya shrugged. "A bit arrogant, but not bad."
Ravi nodded. "Good. Your mother and I are going to the village tomorrow. It may take two or three weeks. Just wanted to make sure you'll be fine."
Riya smiled softly. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll manage."
The next morning, Ravi and Kamala stopped by again before leaving.
"Son," Ravi said to Ranjit, "we're leaving today. Please look after Riya. We're trusting you."
Ranjit smiled sincerely. "Of course, Uncle. Don't worry — I'll take care of her like an elder brother."
Satisfied, Ravi and Kamala left for their village.
After that, the house turned into a daily battlefield of playful arguments — Riya and Ranjit bickering like Tom and Jerry, with Shiv trying to keep peace.
A week later, things had lightened up between them.
One Sunday morning, Riya suggested, "Let's go somewhere! How about the Kalabhairav Temple?"
Ranjit and Shiv immediately agreed.
They drove off, laughing and chatting. But a few kilometers before the temple, the car jerked — the tire had burst.
Ranjit got down to fix it, while Riya teased him nonstop.
Shiv, camera in hand, wandered toward the nearby forest.
As he explored, something caught his eye — a small Shivling half-buried in the moss.
Curious, he walked closer. Beside it lay a strange red stone, marked with thin glowing lines.
He picked it up.
The stone pulsed faintly… and then shimmered in his palm.
A cold breeze swept through the trees.
Shiv froze.
The air around him felt different — alive.
He looked at the stone again. It was glowing brighter.
And then—
To be continued...
What is the secret of the red stone?
What fate awaits Shiv, Riya, and Ranjit?
Stay tuned for the next chapter!