“Get out of here!” Dadi Zohra’s voice trembled.
Suddenly, the shadow began separating itself from the wall.
Slowly, it spread across the floor and moved toward Areeba.
Meher grabbed Areeba’s hand.
“There’s no time.” “No time for what?” “To get out of this place.” Areeba looked toward Dadi Zohra.
“We can’t leave Dadi behind.” Meher said, “I won’t leave her.” She looked at the dark mark on her wrist.
Then she closed her eyes.
Suddenly, the air inside the room began swirling violently.
Old papers flew through the air.
The shadow moved backward.
Meher shouted, “Areeba!
Close the door!” Areeba immediately grabbed the door.
But before it closed completely, something in the corner caught her eye.
An old photograph was lying there.
Meher looked toward the door before answering.
“Because what happened to him in this mansion…
changed him.” Areeba frowned.
“What happened?” Meher lowered her voice.
“Rashid was the one who discovered the mirror.” Areeba looked at the old photograph.
“The same mirror?” “Yes.” “And my grandmother knew him?” Meher nodded.
“Your grandmother, Dadi Zohra, and my mother all knew about him.” Areeba’s eyes widened.
“Then why did they hide everything from me?” Meher’s expression became sorrowful.
“Because Rashid wasn’t the only one who entered that room.” Areeba’s heart began pounding.
“Who else?” Meher looked directly into her eyes.
“You.” Areeba froze.
“Me?” Meher slowly nodded.
“You were seven years old that night.” Areeba tightened her grip around the photograph.
“But I don’t remember Rashid.” “You weren’t supposed to.” “Why?” Meher took a deep breath.
“Because your grandmother made sure you forgot everything.” Areeba stared at her.
“And Rashid?” Meher whispered: “Rashid never forgot.” “This story begins with your grandmother.” Areeba stared at her in confusion.
“My grandmother?” “Yes.” Meher slowly said, “Rashid was your grandmother’s oldest secret.” Areeba looked at the photograph.
“So my grandmother knew him?” “She didn’t just know him…” Meher paused.
“She was afraid of him.” Areeba turned the photograph over.
The name written on the back was still clearly visible.
Rashid.
Areeba asked, “What did he do?” Meher replied softly, “He saw something inside this mansion that no one was ever supposed to see.” “What?” Meher looked toward the mirror.
“That mirror.” Areeba stared at it.
The glass was completely still.
Meher continued, “One night, Rashid stood in front of this mirror and looked at his reflection.” “And then?” “He didn’t see his reflection.” Areeba’s heart began pounding.
“Then what did he see?” Fear appeared in Meher’s eyes.
“He saw his future.” Areeba fell silent.
Meher slowly continued: “He saw that one day, this mansion would be covered in blood.” Suddenly, three knocks came from the other side of the door.
Knock…
knock…
knock…
Meher’s voice stopped.
Areeba whispered, “Who is it?” Meher immediately grabbed her hand.
“Don’t answer.” The knocking came again.
Knock…
knock…
knock…
Then a man’s voice came from outside.
“Areeba…” Meher’s face turned pale.
Areeba slowly asked, “Who is it?” Meher replied in a trembling voice, “Rashid.” Areeba’s eyes remained fixed on the door.
The voice came again from outside: “Open the door…” Then, after a few moments of silence, the voice changed.
Now it was the voice of a little girl.
“Meher…” Meher closed her eyes.
Areeba whispered, “That’s your voice.” Meher nodded.
“Yes.” Then the voice came again: “Only one of you will leave this place alive.” Areeba held Meher’s hand tightly.
“We’ll leave together.” Meher looked at her.
“If only it were that easy.” Another knock came at the door.
Knock…
knock…
knock…
This time, the door began moving on its own.
Meher quickly pulled Areeba behind her.
“Quick.
There’s another way out of this room.” “Where?” Meher moved the old cupboard standing beside the wall.
Behind it, a small door appeared.
Areeba stared at it in disbelief.
“How long has this been here?” Meher slowly replied, “Since the day this mansion was built.” They both moved toward the door.
But Areeba suddenly stopped.
“Dadi Zohra!” Meher said, “We’ll find her later.” Areeba looked back.
The chair where Dadi Zohra had been sitting was now empty.
Only her dupatta lay on the floor.
Areeba’s heart sank.
“Meher…
where did Dadi go?” Meher didn’t answer.
She simply grabbed Areeba’s hand and opened the door.
The two of them entered the dark tunnel.
As soon as the door closed, one final voice came from outside: “Areeba…” Silence filled the tunnel once again.
At the end of the tunnel, a faint light could be seen.
Areeba looked at Meher.
“Are we safe?” Meher slowly shook her head.
“No…” Fear was visible in her eyes.
“The real story has just begun.” Areeba and Meher slowly began walking toward the end of the tunnel.
The light was becoming clearer with every step.
Areeba asked, “Where does this tunnel lead?” Meher quietly replied, “Outside the mansion.”