Bani's POV

As we entered we saw Aakesh sitting with his dad and singing while playing his guitar.

His Dad had a smile on his face and Aakesh was evidently very happy as well.

"Aakesh "

I said being a little confused. What was happening?

He stopped and looked at me.

"Bani"

He said with a little smile.

"Are you alright? "

I asked as he came in front of me and engulfed me in a hug.

"Aa.. Aakesh what happened? "

I asked as I saw Veeranshu clenching his fist.

"I am so happy Bani.."

He said coming out of the hug.

"Par hua kya hein ye toh bata? "

Mayuri asked.

"Dad has no problem with me pursuing Music now! "

He said with a smile.

"Wow.. That's great..! "

Mayuri said giving him a side hug.

"But how..? "

I asked.

"That was my truth.. To tell the truth to my Dad and it worked."

He said.

"So you experienced it too, like what happened?"

Mayuri asked.

"Something very horrid.. I guess I am just trying to find peace in this moment and not remember what I experienced.. "

He said.

But something had hit me and my heart wad palpitating aloud. A frown very evident on my face.

I moved a little back.

I felt scared. What if it makes me tell the truth that I agreed to take to my grave with me.

That's when I heard him ask a question.

"What's wrong..? "

He asked. Care evident on his face.

" The truth can also be used as a Dare. We can be dared to say the truth to someone.. "

I said.

"But atleast we don't have to hurt
them.. "

Veeranshu said.

"Few truths can hurt someone beyond repair. It can rip apart our soul. And I.. I can't let it happen.. "

I said as my hand sweat profusely. My head felt heavy.

" Jo rishte tikne ke liye bane hein , usse koi tufaan nahi tod sakta. Kuch pal ke liye hum alag zarur ho sakte hein par jinhe milna hota hein woh mil hi jate hein.. "

He said looking straight into my eyes. His words did calm me a little. Only he and he was capable of calming me down.

"Guys come in.. Papa se milwata hoon.. "

Aakesh said.

We moved away from each other and moved inside.

Uncle was seated .

" Hello guys..! "

He said and we greeted him back.

"Let me guess you are Bani.."

Uncle said.

"Ye.. Yeah.. "

I said.

"Aakesh tumhari bohot batein karta hein.. "

He said and I smiled a little.

"Well, I am very happy uncle that you approved his career as a musician.
Aapke permission ke baad Aakesh kisi dhun main aur pyar jhalkega.. "

I said.

" Der kar di maine apne bache ke khushiyon par dhyan dene main. Aakesh ki maa ko bhi sangeet bohot pasand tha par unke jaane ke baad maine sangeet se naata tod liya aur Kaam se jod liya. Kaam karte karte, apne dukh ko chupate chupate maine apne bache ke dukh ke barein main socha hi nahi.. "

He said as tear slipped from his eyes.
Aakesh held uncle's hand and years were filled in his eyes as well.

I could see Mayuri's eyes welled with tears. She was missing her Dad.

And Veer he had a stoic expression on his face and I knew why that Why. Because his condition was beyond worse when it came to the father figure in his life.

"Dad par abb sab thik ho jayega.. Aur aapko aab mere sare concerts main aana padega. "

Aakesh said with a smile.

"Bilkul."

Uncle said with a smile.

"Uncle I think we should leave now.. "

I said.

" Beta subah hone wali hein.. Nashta karke nikal jana.."

He said.

"Nahi uncle humein subah subah kuch zaruri kaam hein.. So please.. "

Veeranshu said.

"Okay.. "

Uncle.

"Dad even I will go with them if you don't mind "

Aakesh said.

"Sure Beta par tumhara woh gaana adhura reh gaya.."

He said.

"Puri zindagi padi hein Dad.. Abhi aapko bohot se gaane sune hein.. "

Aakesh said and I didn't know why I felt a lump in my heart.

No matter how hard we try to forget but this game was real. And I know that if this games gives you something beautiful that's means it going to take double of that back from you.

I didn't voice my thoughts because somewhere I was still not ready to accept the defeat. The defeat of light from darkness.

"Guys we need to text Tapish.. "

Aakesh said.

"Yes, it's his turn.. "

I said.

"Woh subah subah interview ke liye jane wala tha.. Remember? "

Veeranshu said.

" Meera pakkka uske sath hogi..! "

Mayuri said.

We took out our phones and texted them.

~~~

Author's POV

It was 5:30 in the morning. The location of the hospital where Tapish's interview was scheduled was 3 hours from his home. And his interview was scheduled at 9:00 AM.

Tapish was getting ready when his phone beeped with notifications.

"TAPISH! Call us! The game is real. Your life is in danger.. "

Bani texted.

"Bani wasn't lying Tapish. I experienced it too. Please call us. It's dangerous.. "

Aakesh texted.

"Tapish I know it sounds Insane but please hear us for once. "

Veeranshu texted.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THEM! "

Tapish shouted in irritation.

He was already irritated because Meera wasn't talking to him because of the whole fake prescription thing.

"I received a message from Mayuri"

Meera said coming out of the room. This was the first time she was speaking to him since that conversation.

"Meera baby.. "

Tapish said softly.

"See the message.. "

Meera said handing him the phone and ignoring his pleading eyes.

Tapish looked at the message.

"Meera Tapish's life is in danger and only you can convince him to stay . Call us and don't let him go. "

Mayuri had texted.

"What the hell is wrong with them all? They think it's a game? I have a very important interview today."

He said angrily.

"They care for you Tapish. Maybe something is wrong. "

Meera said.

"Meera you too.."

He said.

" I just suggested but it's your call after all it's your life.. "

Meera said.

"Aur tumhara koi haq nahi meri zindagi par  aur mujh par.. "

He said pulling her closer to him by holding her waist.

" Jiss rishte main bharosa nahi ho Tapish usmein rehne ka kya faida.. "

She said as a tear slipped from her eyes.
"You are breaking up with me? "

He said as tears formed in his eyes as well.

" I.. "

Meera tried forming words but she couldnt after all she loved him alot.

"I LOVE YOU MEERA! YOU ARE MY FREAKING LIFELINE! Tumhare bina jee nahi paunga.. "

Tapish said pleading.

"Toh phir kyun chupayi Sare batein.. Kyun kiya woh sab? Faking prescription Tapish. Seriously? Kisiki jaan ko khatre main dalna.. "

Meera said with anger.

"I DID IT FOR US.. ! "

He said.

"How.. ? "

Meera retaliated.

" I am not from the best background like you are Meera. I wanted to give you the same luxury that you are habituated too.
Tumhare layak banna chahta tha, tumhe khush rakhna chahta tha.. "

He said holding her cheek.

" Yehi toh tum gaalat hoagaye Tapish. Meri asli khushi tumhare sath hein. Agar hum sath hein toh hum har problem ka solution dhundh sakte hein. Mera comfort tumse hein , meri luxury tumhara pyar hein. And we earn a decent amount of money to live a good life. Tumhe ye sab karne ki zarurat nahi thi Tapish.. "

She said putting her hand on his placed on her cheeks.

" I.. I AM.. SSO... SORRY! "

He said as tears fell from his eyes.

"Ek mauka dedo please.. I will change myself completely.. "

He said.

" I will.. "

She said with a smile.

"You will..? "

He asked like a little baby.

" Yes.. I will because I love you.. "

She said engulfing him in a tight hug.

"I love you Meera. Alot. "

He said tightening the hug.

"Chalo abb rona dhona nahi. Tumhare interview ke liye chalte hein. "

Meera said and Tapish smiled.

" Never leave me love.. "

Tapish said.

" Agle saath janmon tak aap booked
hein. ".

Meera said and they laughed.

~~~

Tapish and Meera reached the hospital where the interview was scheduled.

" All the best Tapish. I will wait here for you.. ".

Meera said.

"Thank You Meera. ".

He said and kissed on her forehead.
He then left while Meera sat on a chair.
Tapish reached the interview room.
He knocked on the door.

" Come In"

Came a voice from inside.

"Hello ma'am "

Tapish said with professionalism .

"Please have your seat "

The interviewer said.

" Well you have great record Tapish. You have done really well in your internship as well. "

She said.

"Thank you ma'am"

~~~

Meera was resting on the chair when she heard her friends voice.

" Meera.. Meera.. Where is Tapish? "

Bani asked.

" Bani.. You here.. "

Meera said.

" Meera please try to understand. We are not lying Tapish's life is in danger. "

Aakesh said.

"Guys it's too much now. Enough of your prank. And how did you get our
location? "

Meera asked

"Meera forget about all of this. And just trust us for once. I swear on Dad we aren't lying. "

Mayuri said and Meera gulped.

She knew that Mayuri will never stoop so low no matter what. Her dad was her lifeline.

"He went... Up.. "

Meera said stammering . She was still not able to digest everything.

"We should leave immediately"

Veeranshu said.

"Yes.. "

We said in unison and left.

~~~

"You are indeed a perfect candidate for our hospital  Dr Tapish "

She said with a smile.

"Thank you ma'am! "

Tapish said gleefully.

" Aap yahan sign kar dijiye "

She said.

Tapish checked his pocket but realised that he had forgot his pen.

"Take this.. "

The interviewer said.

"Thanks.. "

Tapish took the pen and was about to sign when she held his hand.

"One last question.. "

Her head was lowered.

"TRUTH OR DARE? "

She asked.

Tapish weirded our for a moment but soon a little laugh came out of his mouth.

"Oh my god.. My friends convinced you for this. Who do you know Veeranshu Or Aakesh or the great Bani..? "

He asked.

"TRUTH OR DARE TAPISH? "

She asked again.Her head was still lowered.

" Okay cool then... Truth.. "

He said.

"Do you fake prescriptions? "

She asked.

Tapish for a second paused . He kinda didn't expect then. And that's when it hit him, maybe Bani had planned this. So that he confesses everything and loses his job.

"The answer is NO and I didn't expect Bani to stoop so low..She convinced you for this didn't she ? "

He said and immediately got up and opened the door.

At the very moment he saw his friends coming towards the cabin.

"Thank god.. He is fine "

Bani said.

And rest all also sighed.

But that's when they saw something enough too shiver their souls.

The interviewer looked up and all of them saw her black eyes and a smirk on her lips.

"Mr Tapish.. Won't you sign the paper? "

She said and Tapish turned.

"NO TAPISH!!!!! "

All of them shouted.

Tapish turned and the door closed.

"Sure.. "

Tapish said but soon his eyes met her black eyes. He shivered with the shock.

"Should have listened to them.. "

She said with a demonic smile .

Soon black energy surrounded her and she was lifted in the air. A scream left her mouth as black soul came out of her mouth. She held her neck and her eyes almost gauged out.

Tapish was trying to open the door and even his friends from outside.

"OPEN THE DOOR TAPISH! "

Veeranshu shouted.

"ITT.... IT'S.. NO.. NOT OPE.. OPENING... "

Tapish said stammering.

The door had jammed on its own.
Soon the woman fell on the floor and the energy now surrounded Tapish and got inside him.

"TAPISHHHH"

All of them kept shouting from outside.
Tapish eyes turned black just like the woman. He opened the window pane of the room.

All of them could see he him now.

"Tapish! Babbyyyy! Tapish! "

Meera cried in pain. All of them had tears in their eyes.

A diabolical smile formed on his face. As he held the pen that the woman had given him and pierced it in his left eye.

"TAPISHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Meera shouted and few people heard her.

" Tapish soon took out the pen from his eye and slowly started slitting his throat with it. "

All of them screamed and cried as Tapish's body fell on the floor.

All the people came by then.

But by the time the door got opened, they had lost their friend.

~~~

Bani's POV

Tapish's corpse was still looking into my eyes.

The satanic smile still on his face.

It was as if the demon was telling me.

2 DOWN, 4 MORE TO GO.

~~~

How was the chapter?

How do you feel about Tapish :/

Poor Meera too :'(

What about Aakesh ?

And whose next? 💀

Stay tuned.

Love you all!