THE EPICS OF VEDVERSE

The warning of the madman, Pashupati, still echoed in Arjun's mind as the car neared its destination. The drive through the dense, emerald wilderness seemed surreal, as if nature itself was trying to whisper secrets into Arjun's ears. He couldn't shake off the strange connection he felt with Shimla—a combination of recurring dreams, signs, and now this eerie encounter.

After a few more minutes of weaving through serpentine forest trails, they arrived at The Mohini – Jungle Stay Resort. The resort was a masterpiece nestled in the heart of the forest. Majestic deodar trees surrounded the property, their shadows dancing in the golden sunlight. The resort had an old-world charm with its rustic wooden cottages, intricately carved balconies, and sloping slate roofs. The scent of pine mixed with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee hung in the air. A cobblestone pathway led to the reception, bordered by vibrant flowers and a small koi pond reflecting the azure sky above.

The moment Arjun stepped out of the car, a familiar voice brought a smile to his face.

"Arjun!" Mohini called out with open arms, her warm demeanor lighting up the space.

"Aunty!" Arjun exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace her. "It's been so long since we last met! I was in school back then!"

"Yes, my dear boy, far too long," Mohini replied, her voice thick with emotion. "Look at you! All grown up and handsome. I should start looking for someone to take care of you."

Shreyas, standing nearby, coughed awkwardly. Mohini turned to him with a questioning look.

"Hmm, and you are?" she asked.

"I'm Shreyas, his roommate, but honestly, more like his brother," Shreyas said with a grin.

Mohini chuckled. "Well, Shreyas, welcome to our little paradise. Come on, let me show you to your rooms."

Shreyas hesitated. "But what about our luggage?"

Mohini waved him off. "Don't worry. Our staff will bring it up."

As they walked toward the cottages, Arjun overheard a heated conversation between the cook and a worker.

"You fool!" the cook scolded. "How many times must I tell you not to go into the forest at night? Let the driver take you home!"

"But, sir," the worker replied, "there's a shortcut through the forest to my house. I'll be fine."

Arjun paused, a sense of unease creeping into his thoughts. However, he decided to ignore it for the time being and followed Mohini to their rooms.

---

The Breakfast Encounter

The next morning, the trio gathered for breakfast on the open veranda overlooking the forest. The table was laden with local delicacies—steaming parathas, butter dripping from their sides, fragrant aloo sabzi, and freshly squeezed orange juice. Shreyas cracked a joke about Arjun's habit of overpacking.

"You know, Mohini ma'am," Shreyas said with mock seriousness, "Arjun packs like he's shifting his entire house. If we ever go on a trip to Mars, I'm sure he'll bring his own oxygen tanks!"

Mohini burst into laughter. "Arjun, your friend is hilarious. It must be fun having him around."

"It sure is," Arjun replied, joining the laughter.

As the conversation took a heartfelt turn, Mohini asked, "Arjun, how's life treating you these days?"

"I'm doing well, Aunty," Arjun said. "My first film was a box office success, and I'm focusing on my health too. I've taken up yoga and martial arts."

Mohini wiped a tear from her eye. "God bless you, my child. You've come such a long way after losing your parents. I still regret not being able to attend their final rites because of the lockdown."

"Aunty," Arjun said gently, "what matters is that you're here now."

Shreyas added, "He's been through a lot, but he's stronger for it."

Just then, Arjun's eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting a few tables away. It was the girl from the bus—the one who had captivated him with her beauty. Without a word, he excused himself and approached her table.

"Hey," Arjun said, sitting down across from her. "If I'm not mistaken, you're the girl from the bus, right?"

The girl looked up, startled. Her expression quickly turned defensive. "Oh, great! You followed me all the way here? Don't you have better things to do?"

Arjun raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hold on! For your information, this resort belongs to my aunt. I'm not here because of you."

She turned to glance at Mohini, who was watching the interaction with a curious smile. Realizing her mistake, the girl blushed. "Oh… I'm sorry. I jumped to conclusions."

Arjun leaned in slightly, his voice playful. "If I'd known your accusations would come with such a cute apology, I'd have followed you on purpose."

The girl's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" she said, trying to hide her smile.

"Only when the occasion calls for it," Arjun replied, extending his hand. "I'm Arjun, by the way."

"Aditi," she said, shaking his hand.

Arjun grinned. "Nice to meet you, Aditi. You know, they say first impressions are everything. So, should I go ahead and call this a love-hate start?"

Aditi laughed despite herself, her defenses melting away. "Let's stick to 'friends' for now."

"Friends it is," Arjun said, flashing a charming smile.

And so, amidst the lush greenery of the Mohini Jungle Stay Resort, a new connection began to blossom.