Later that evening, the atmosphere in Gauri's room was a stark contrast to the tense encounter in her father's office. Soft lamplight cast long shadows as Isha sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, meticulously rolling clothes and tucking them into her bright pink backpack. Gauri stood by her closet, a half-packed duffel bag at her feet, her brow furrowed in thought.
"So," Isha began, her voice laced with curiosity, "where exactly are you off to in such a hurry? You've been awfully quiet since you came back from Papa's office."
Gauri sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's Swarg Sadan, Isha. There's been another incident… a suicide this time. Papa's furious. He practically accused me of negligence." She recounted the conversation with her father, the weight of his disappointment still heavy in her voice.
Isha's eyes widened, a spark of excitement igniting within them. "Swarg Sadan? The haunted castle? Oh my god, this is like one of those paranormal investigation shows! You're going to encounter ghosts and solve mysteries!" She clapped her hands together, her usual playful energy bubbling to the surface. "Take me with you!" she pleaded, her voice full of enthusiasm. "Please, Gauri! It'll be so cool!"
Gauri immediately shook her head. "Absolutely not, Isha. It's not a game. People have died there. It could be dangerous, and I need you to be safe here."
But Isha was persistent. She launched into a series of persuasive arguments, her voice rising in pitch with each plea. She promised to be no trouble, to stay out of the way, to even help with the investigation. She painted vivid pictures of ghostly encounters and thrilling discoveries, her imagination running wild.
Gauri, already burdened by the pressure from her father and the unsettling events at the castle, found herself increasingly worn down by her sister's relentless appeals. Finally, with a weary sigh, she relented. "Fine," she mumbled, barely audible above Isha's excited chatter. "But you have to promise to listen to me, no arguments, no running off on your own. Understood?"
Isha's face lit up like a Diwali diya. "Yes! Yes, yes, yes!" She scrambled off the bed, practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh my god, I need to pack properly!" She dashed out of Gauri's room, a whirlwind of energy, presumably heading to her own to gather her belongings with equal fervor.
A small smile touched Gauri's lips despite her exhaustion. Isha's enthusiasm, though sometimes overwhelming, was also infectious. As she bent down to slide her packed backpack under the bed, Isha's voice echoed from her own room. "Are your handsome friends going too?"
A dramatic groan escaped Gauri's lips. "Oh, for heaven's sake…"
A moment later, Isha reappeared in the doorway, clutching a ridiculously oversized suitcase. Her eyes were wide and dreamy. "Oh my god, handsome men… ghosts…" She swayed dramatically, her eyelids fluttering. "I think… I'm going to faint…" She theatrically slumped forward, catching herself just before she hit the ground and quickly sitting back up, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Gauri rolled her eyes, a fond exasperation coloring her tone. "Isha, get your dramatic ass out of my room so I can actually try to get some sleep before we head to a potentially haunted castle."
Isha went running playfully, of course it was going to be an adventure for her... Let's see...