Sleepover

Zarna adjusted the pillow as Tej placed Maya on the bed. Advika stood at the foot of the bed. Her heart racing; hands crossed. 

"Advika, just relax," said Ray as he placed his hand on her shoulder. She let out a sigh. "She'll be fine," said Zarna, patting Maya's head. 

"Maybe we're going wrong somewhere," said Advika. "No, Advika, we're just not able to take this energy," said Tej. "I feel the same," said Zarna. "Maya," said Advika and rushed towards her.

Her lips quivering; hands shivering.

"I think we should take her to a doctor," said Ray. "Maybe," said Tej, and glanced at Advika. "I have no idea what excuse are we going to make for her..." she trailed off.

Maya opened her eyes, sitting upright. 

"Maya," said Advika and held her hand. "Are you fine?" asked Zarna. Ray handed her a glass of water. Advika helped her drink the water. 

"I'm fine," said Maya. "You're lying," said Advika. "What is it that you're hiding?"

"What is it Advika?" asked Zarna. "Look at her eyes, she's lying," said Advika. "Okay, give her a minute," said Tej.

"Yeah, what will you guys have?" asked Ray changing the topic. 

"The golden opportunity of having food cooked by chef Ray himself," said Zarna and giggled. Advika smiled, "A strong coffee for me," she said. "Cheese sandwiches or noodles will do," said Zarna and looked at Tej. "Yeah, no problem," he said. Maya smiled and nodded her head. "I'll help you," said Advika and followed him to the kitchen downstairs.

"What's wrong, Maya?" asked Tej as he sat beside her. "I saw Advika," she murmured. "You dreamt of her? But what?" asked Zarna. "No, it wasn't a dream. It was more like a vision," said Maya and rested her head on the pillow. "What was it?" asked Tej as he plugged the charger to his phone.

"Advika, she was with this guy, I've never seen him before," said Maya and touched her forehead closing her eyes. "What was she doing?" asked Tej. "She shook hands with him. He gave her a dagger, and disappeared," said Maya as she opened her eyes. "Dagger?" said Tej, puzzled. 

"Was he cute?" asked Zarna. Tej looked at Zarna and titled his head. "What? I was just asking," defended Zarna. "Ya, he was tall, good-looking, wore a black shirt and jeans, spiked hair, blue eyes. That's all I remember," revealed Maya. "That's a lot to remember," said Tej. "Are we going to tell this to Advika?" asked Zarna. "We will," said Tej.

"No," opposed Maya. "I don't know how she'll react."

"Well, Maya, if you remember, we had promised each other," said Tej. "I do remember the promise, Tej," said Maya. "But..."

"We will tell her. Everyone needs to know this. We're a team." declared Tej.

Advika and Ray entered the room with a tray in their hands. Zarna helped Advika with the coffee mugs. Tej picked up a plate of noodles and passed it to Maya. "Your green tea," said Advika and kept a cup on the bed. "Advika, we have something to say," said Zarna. "Shoot," said Advika and sipped the coffee.

"Maya had a vision," started Zarna. Ray stuffed a handful of noodles in his mouth. "A vision?" he said. "You were with this guy we don't know. He gave you a dagger and disappeared," said Zarna. "He was tall, he had blue eyes, spiked hair. Do you know a guy like that?" she asked.

"No," said Advika. "Do you even have any male friends other than me and Tej?" asked Ray. "No," said Advika and took a bite of the noodles. "Then who was that guy you were talking to the other day?" asked Maya. "He was my classmate from junior college," said Advika. "How was the dagger? How did it look?" she asked. 

"It looked like it was made from silver, blue gems embellished in it. It was splendid," said Maya. "So, you think I'll betray you, you guys?" asked Advika and looked at Maya. "No, Advika, I thought..." Maya stopped mid-sentence. "Advika, no one's betraying anyone here," said Tej. 

"The thing is that the vision you saw, might be false," said Advika. "What do you mean?" asked Ray. "You do know this, Maya," said Advika. "If you see a vision, there are chances that someone wants you to see it. It might be a warning or a trap," said Advika. "You mean, there is someone who's trying to deceive us, or warn us," quizzed Zarna. 

"How do we know if he or she is a friend or an enemy?" wondered Ray.

"I have no idea, yet," said Advika. 

"I guess you've read a lot of books on this topic," said Ray. "Maya also has, FYI," said Advika bluntly. "I wasn't accusing you," said Maya. "Being a student of paranormal studies, you know things better than me, Maya," said Advika. "Yes, I know. But, I was just telling them what I saw," said Maya. 

"Okay guys," interrupted Tej. "It's okay, we won't hide things or doubt each other moving forward, none of us," he said and picked up his plate along with an empty coffee mug and headed towards the kitchen downstairs. Advika followed.

Maya's phone rang. The name Mom flashed on the screen. Maya answered the call promptly. "Hi, mom, I was just going to call, I'm on my way, I'll be-"

The call went on for a brief moment. 

Advika entered the room followed by Tej.

Maya smiled and kept the phone down. "Mom's out of town," she beamed. "Dad's already in Kolkata and bhai is busy partying."

"Party?" said Zarna. "Yes, it's his best friend's birthday so..."

"It means we have more time together," said Ray. "I mean we can discuss things."

"Yes, can we stay here tonight?" asked Zarna looking at Ray. "I'm surprised you asked that I mean, will your parents allow?" he wondered. "Yes, I'll convince them somehow. Adu?"

"I... I'll have to ask," she stammered fidgeting with her hair. "I'll stay too, Advika, make some excuse, we'll have to figure out what to do ahead," insisted Tej. "Okay, give me a minute," she said and stepped out of the room with her phone, dialling a number.

"It'll be so much fun, it's the first time we're all together like this," chirped Zarna. 

I hope its fun, thought Maya.