This chapter includes some scenes which might be surreal, please cooperate and take it just as a fiction and nothing more.

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"My photo. The one with Mom and Dad"

"It's there Chachi, in closet. It's just that I'm not able to take it"

"Chachi, see how dad and mom are holding me!"

........

"Here's your change, Mam" the counter lady's voice brought Payal out of her unending thoughts

"Thanks" She picked the shopping bags and was about to exit the supermarket when someone called her from behind

"Mrs.Raizada"

She turned back, to find their neighbor Mrs.Sethi

"Mrs.Sethi, how are you?" They started walking out of the market

"I'm fine. It's been long since I saw you.. you don't even attend kitty parties"

"Wo.. I don't get much time"

"Ya, I can understand. You have more responsibilities added with yours"

"It's nothing like that" smiled Payal not quite getting the sarcasm

"But I keep seeing your responsibility"

"Ji?"

"Why don't we catch up while having some coffee?"

"Sure" they both moved to a near by cafe after loading their bags in their respective cars

"Muskaan. That's her name right?" Started Mrs.Sethi, once they settled in a cafe and ordered their beverages

"Ya. What about her?" Payal was confused about the sudden mention of Musky

"It's okay, Mrs.Raizada. you can't hide the truth from everyone"

"I'm confused. What are you talking about Mrs.Sethi"

"Oh, don't act innocent. I know that girl is Mad" Payal gasped at Mrs.Sethi's audacity

"What? Why are you saying so?" She stood up at once, gulping visibly

"Relax Mrs.Raizada. please sit, I have to tell a lot of things"

"Musky is Not Mad and how can you expect me to calm down after what I'm hearing" Payal turned back at once for moving out but the next words stopped her

"Sheena told me everything"

"Who's sheena?" She turned with a frown

"Curious? Well, curiosity makes us do things! Please sit Mrs.Raizada. I'm sure, hearing me will only benefit you"

Payal huffed and thought to give a closure to this. After all, what's harm in just listening.

"Tell me. What that girl told you?"

"Her name is Sheena, she's Muskaan's classmate. Oh don't be amused Mrs.Raizada .. she's My niece"

"So?"

"I heard, Muskaan threatened to kill a girl in her class"

"That doesn't make her mad" Payal rolled her eyes

"Really?"

"Listen Mrs.Sethi, Kids these days play a lot of video games which ends with nothing but killing the enemy. That word gets etched in most of children's mind. They sometimes use those harsh words without knowing it's actual meaning. And Muskaan is attached with her PS. It's the game, which taught her the word. She didn't say it intentionally"

"Good justification"

"I didn't asked you if it's good or bad, i don't even need to justify you Mrs.sethi, I just don't want any kind of negativity around Musky"

"That can't be changed, When she herself is the one, Negative?"

"Enough of this, I'm going"

"I've something to show you"

"Now, what more you've to say?"

"Show, Mrs.Raizada. i said show.. see this" Mrs.sethi opened Gallery in her mobile and showed some pics

"I can't believe this!"

"Ya. That's what I wanted to show"

"Show what? That you are stalking Musky and taking her pictures?"

"Ufff, Mrs.Raizada. I thought you got my point"

"And what is that?"

"Muskaan is not giving pose for camera, I captured these images in park when she was talking and laughing to herself" Payal glanced at Mrs.Sethi with doubt

"If what you are saying is truth, then Dad would've known"

"Ya I know, Every Sunday your Father-in-law accompanies Muskaan to the nearby park. But How would he know about this? He sits with his group of friends and thinks that Muskaan is playing with hers. But mind you, Muskaan doesn't play. She goes to a lonely place and starts talking and laughing to herself"

Payal was astonished with the revelations

"If she was alone, then how you.." before she could complete Mrs.Sethi interrupted

"I understand your doubts. One day while playing in park, my son ran far away, I was just chasing him when I saw Muskaan talking to herself loud enough for others to hear, but there was no one around. I thought she was playing Something, and returned back with my son. While entering home I saw Muskaan pass by, curiosity got the better of me, I called her and asked what was she doing alone there.

What she replied stumped me, she told she was talking to her mother. Now, you only tell me Mrs.Raizada how on Earth, can this happen?"

A shocked Payal had a quick Flashback of recent happenings

.....

"but mom told, this is the last pic we clicked together"

"Mom only told me that she has kept this pic in Upper drawer of closet. Come here Chachi, see this pic"

.....

"From the same day, I started keeping an eye on her. I had wanted to talk with your family. But I knew, no one will believe me or try to hide Truth. So I clicked these pictures as proof. Muskaan didn't even realize that I'm clicking them. She was that much engrossed in talking and laughing. Now you say, what we call to the people who behave as such?" Mrs.Sethi's words brought her out of thoughts

"She isn't Mad" Payal whispered in low voice

"I understand, it will take you time to grasp truth and.."

"I've already got her checked" Payal slumped her shoulders in a defeating manner

Mrs.Sethi stared at her for one good minute and then chuckled

"So I was right, you and your family knew it all the way and tried to hide the matter..! Listen Mrs.Raizada I know, i don't have a say in this but your family can't just let a Mad girl roam out freely, She can maltreat anyone, she is most of the time surrounded with other children, what if she harms them. If this continues, I will have to say this to head of our society"

"No. Don't say anyone. Please. Musky isn't Mad. She's .. she's just different. My Family doesn't know anything about this. Don't tell them" sniffed Payal after wiping her tears

"I'm​ Sorry, but I can't stay quite after knowing Truth"

"What Truth! I told na.. I got her checked, she isn't Mad and I'm not gonna repeat this again"

"If she isn't Mad, then why does she keeps saying that she talks to her Mother? Can you explain that.. just like you gave a justification for her killing threat"

"I know what it is.." she gulped before continuing "it's.. it's Khushi's Soul"

"What?" Mrs.Sethi shivered visibly

"I can feel... I .. I failed in taking care of Musky, and that's why she's here.. she.." Payal started crying

"Oh .. oh .. please Mrs.Raizada. don't try to scare me off"

"I'm not trying to scare you. How would Musky say things which happened before her birth. She says her Mother told her. It's all my fault.. I .. I failed in upbringing her.."

"Uhh. Relax Mrs.Raizada" said Mrs.Sethi awkwardly and continued "I think, I've a solution to this, as well"

Payal sat still, as Mrs.Sethi explained her what She have to do.

.......................................................

"Yes Bhai, everything's being taken care of. But Bhai, how did you know that they were involved with our rivals?" asked Akash with confusion

"When Dad told me about Mehtas backing off from this deal, I instantly knew that they were sold" replied Arnav with a determined look

"Smart"

"How's everyone doing?"

"Everyone's fine Asusual, but these days Musky.."

"We reached" Arnav applied sudden brake, ignoring the name mentioned by his brother

Akash saw that his brother has stopped the car outside their Mansion gates and he very well knew, he did that to avoid the topic. He called the driver who was standing near by.

"Mohan, get the car in" told Akash while removing the seat belt

"Wo .. sir.." he gulped, hesitating to say something

"What?" Asked Arnav to Mohan who was standing at his side

"Wo sir .. Payal Bhabi .." this brought Akash's attention towards them

"Tell us Mohan"

"I had went to Drop and Pick Payal Bhabi from a super market. After shopping, She met our neighbor Mrs.Sethi.."

"What's the point?" Asked a Curious Arnav

"Bhabi told me that today she'll pick musky baby"

Arnav stilled hearing the name again

"Ya. She told me the same but what about it?" His stance broke hearing Akash

Arnav rolled his eyes and was about to open the door lock, when Mohan's next words made him turn with shock

"Sir, actually I heard Mrs.Sethi.. she.. she told Bhabi that she take Musky baby to some tantrik (Occultist) to perform a ritual"

"What?" Shrieked Akash

Arnav was just staring, as if he has no clue what's happening around

"let me call Payal and check" Akash tried calling her but it was unreachable

"which place?" It was Arnav, who tried to hide his concern

"Sir, I dropped them at Andheri nagar and then Bhabi asked me to go back and told that she'll call me back after the work"

"Bhai, I'll go and fetch them" told Akash as soon as driver told about the place

"No. I'll drive. What if, any problem arise?" told Arnav without thinking

It was Arnav's way of protecting his family, Akash knew better.

...................................................

"Now make her wear these threads in neck, hand and cover her with the veil"

Payal nodded, doing as instructed

"Chachi, I don't want to wear this" cried Muskaan

"Musky, I told na that we are playing. Now we cannot quit"

Muskaan nodded her head and gulped scared of the tantrik (Occultist) sitting in front of them.

"Now apply tilak on her forehead" ordered the tantrik

"No Chachi please, I don't want to apply this Black powder" her tears weren't stopping

"just a little" whispered Payal

"No" she wailed protesting

"That's Enough girl, I don't want a single voice out of your mouth" screamed the tantrik making Muskaan still, as a stone

Payal applied tilak in Muskaan's forehead while she just stood like a statue

"Now pour this holy water on her" Tantrik gave a pot of water to Payal

"But this is too cold, she will fall ill"

"This is holy water, and it cannot harm anyone" replied the tantrik

Payal nodded and poured the water from Muskaan's head which reached till her toe making her shiver with cold. And This is how Arnav and Akash found them.

"Musky" whispered Akash while Arnav was numb watching his daughter in such a state.

Payal was baffled at sudden interruption while Musky still stood Oblivion to her surrounding. She was too scared to notice anything.

"Akash wo" Payal stammered when Akash glared, shooting daggers at her

"Shut Up Payal, not a Word .. just get in the car .. go" he roared while Arnav scrunched his eyes and fisted his palm to stop himself from taking some action

"Whoever you are cannot stop this ritual, This girl is possessed and this is the only cure for her" Interrupted the Tantrik gaining double glares from both the brothers

"How dare you bloody ... I know what to do with you" Arnav took his mobile to call the police when Akash held his hand.

"No Bhai, if this is someone's fault. Then it's solely Payal's. Let him be, His karma will decide his future. Moreover, we have to attend musky" Akash ran towards Musky while Payal bowed her head down with shame.

....

It was getting dark, chill air hit them, as they all came out and this made Musky cling more, to Akash who had picked her in his arms.

Arnav unlocked the car and opened the back door for Payal who raised her head to see him with a pleading look but he turned his head other side.

Akash stood opening the front seat and made Musky sit there facing him. He removed and threw the threads and veil which was wet due to the so called holy water, which god only knew was truth or not. He then cursed under breath, for not having anything to cover Musky, who was literally shivering.

"Look at her Payal, how she's withering..! I'm feeling freaking cold here, just because I picked her in my arms and my shirt is wet due to it.. then, imagine her condition.." Akash screamed angrily while Payal tried to come out of car "No. Don't come near her, you don't deserve to heal her" he raised his finger making Payal sit back in her place.

Akash felt some moment beside. He turned to see Arnav extending his coat towards him. He understood the gesture and took the coat to cover Musky.

Payal raised her hand to hold musky from behind but Akash stopped her hand and said "She'll not sit with you" he properly settled musky in the front seat and he himself came back beside Payal but didn't even spared her a glance.

Musky was now little comfortable getting the warmth from coat while Arnav made a mental note to focus on driving and not to see anywhere else.

"Bhai, I've called Mom and asked them not to worry about us"

Arnav glanced at Akash from the rear view mirror and nodded his head

Thats when his eyes fell on the little soul sitting beside him .. while she was silently watching the road ahead.

He averted his gaze but couldn't help himself from stealing glances of her. Suddenly, she caught his eye and the moment stilled for both of them.

And what followed after that, shook Arnav to the core as he saw her face changing and a familiar face appear in front of him making him gasp for air, as he applied a sudden brake.

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Hope you all liked the update. Though I'm not very Sure about everyone's reactions, as this Chapter is more of supernatural. So I WANT ALL YOUR REVIEWS. Please Comment..!

And Don't forget to vote 🌟

Love,❤
Uzma.