Chapter 5 - Vanshika's Deserted House
Vivek was driving along the route Vanshika had told him. The two of them soon left the town behind; on both sides of the road there were lush green bushes and vast, verdant fields of farmers. A few scattered houses could be seen, each quite far from the others. After driving a little further, Vanshika asked Vivek to turn the car onto a narrow side lane. That small path was surrounded by beautiful trees, plants, and thickets. At the turn, there was an old wooden signboard, but because it was so weathered, Vivek couldn't read what was written on it.
Vivek:
"Oh! How do you live in such a deserted place?"
Vanshika:
"It's my father's farmhouse, just a little ahead from here."
Vivek drove further down that path. Barely a short distance later, a faint glow of light appeared amidst the bushes in the darkness. Vivek got excited. As they drew nearer, he saw a large, old, and grand house standing on a wide open plot, surrounded by a barbed-wire fence. There was a big gate in front, and soft yellow lights were glowing inside the house, looking extraordinarily beautiful through the tall, luxurious windows. Outside the fence lay expansive green fields; behind the house was an empty plain, and just beyond that, dense bushes. The gate was open. Vivek drove the car inside and parked right in front of the house.
Vivek:
"I never imagined I'd see such a gorgeous house in this rural desi area."
Vanshika:
"You like it?"
Vivek:
"It's really beautiful. But you said no one lives here right now—then why are all the lights on?"
Vanshika:
"My uncle's house is nearby, just a short distance away. He and his family keep coming
here."
Vivek:
"Why do they come here? What for?"
Vanshika:
"For farming. If you cross the bushes behind the house, there's a river flowing there."
Vivek:
"Okay. If we get time, we'll go to the riverbank too."
After that, both of them walked to the main door. There was no lock on it at all—Vivek found that strange. Vanshika opened the door.
Vivek:
"Not even a lock on the door! Have you really left this huge beautiful house to the mercy of God?"
Vanshika turned back and said:
"The old watchman uncle is always here. Maybe he's gone somewhere for work."
Vivek:
"At least he could have locked it."
Vanshika opened the door fully and asked Vivek to come inside. Vivek followed her in. The interior of the house was even more stunning than the outside. Vivek looked all around; many antique items were placed everywhere. He examined each one carefully. Vanshika told him to sit on the sofa. While still looking around, Vivek sat down. Vanshika sat on the sofa opposite him.
Vivek:
"Do you always stay at your mama's place, or here in this house?"
Vanshika:
"I mostly stay in this house. Only a few days at Mama's place in the city."
Vivek:
"Does anyone else live here with you?"
Vanshika:
"No… I live here alone."
Vivek:
"Really? Aren't you scared living alone here?"
Vanshika:
"The old watchman uncle guards the place outside every single day."
Vivek:
"Do you think it's safe to entrust your beautiful life to an old man?"
Vanshika:
"Beautiful life? I don't feel anything like that. Anyway, I'm not afraid of anyone here."
Vivek:
"That means you haven't yet seen anything here that could scare you."
Vanshika:
"What! Are you feeling scared here?"
Vivek:
"Anyone would feel at least a little fear in such a lonely place surrounded by bushes and fields."
Vanshika:
"You don't need to be afraid. As long as I don't wish it, nothing will happen to you here."
Vivek:
"What! Could you ever wish for something to happen to me?"
Vanshika:
"I don't know."
Vivek:
"That same answer again? It really doesn't feel good."
Vanshika:
"Don't worry, everything is fine here. Let me get something for you."
After that, Vanshika went towards the kitchen. Vivek kept watching her, lost in thought. He had many questions in his mind that he wanted answers to from Vanshika. Then he started looking at the old paintings hanging on the walls. A little later, Vanshika returned, holding two glass tumblers filled with a brownish sherbet. She handed one glass to
Vivek.
Vivek:
"Tell me, this isn't alcohol, right?"
Vanshika:
"No, it's just sherbet. Do you want alcohol?"
Vivek:
"No! I don't drink."
Vanshika:
"That's a good thing."
Vivek took the glass in his hand and brought it to his lips—suddenly the glass shattered right in his hand. Because of the broken glass piercing his skin, a small wound appeared, and a little blood started flowing instantly.
Vivek:
"Oh no! What happened…"
Vanshika:
"Wait, let me clean it."
Vanshika sat beside Vivek, took the wounded hand in hers, and began licking and drinking the blood that was oozing out with her tongue.
Vivek:
"Hey! What are you doing?"
Vanshika looked straight into Vivek's eyes and said:
"Blood is extremely precious and pure. I won't let it flow and go to waste."
Vivek:
"This is really weird. Drinking blood isn't right. I used to do this only as a kid when I got hurt."
Vanshika:
"This is absolutely right."
Vivek:
"It's strange, no doubt—but I liked it."
Vanshika:
"The glasses have become very old, that's probably why it broke."
Vivek:
"Seems so."
Vanshika:
"Vivek… do you ever lie?"
Vivek:
"No… I don't lie. I don't like it."
Vanshika looked deep into his eyes and said:
"I can smell the scent of lies in your blood… the taste of lies…"
Vivek:
"So you can detect people's lies by tasting their blood?"
Vanshika:
"Yes… something like that."
Vivek:
"That's awesome! But you're wrong here—I never lie."
Vanshika thought for a moment and said:
"Yes… maybe that's possible."
Suddenly Vivek's phone started ringing. He took it out of his pocket and saw that it was a call from his girlfriend Preeti. He immediately cut the call and put the phone on silent. Vanshika was staring intently at his face, into his eyes.
Next Chapter…