The Arcane House

Chapter One: Homecoming

-Listening to music sitting in a bus watching the mountain view from the window Anvi, was going back to her ancestral house after being in US for 5 years. She had only returned for her grandma, the strongest woman she ever knew, the woman who Anvi grew up with was now in the hospital in between life and death . -

I closed my eyes remembering all the good memories I've had with nani and nana, from collecting strawberries to going on picnics, from crying because I had to go to school to leaving for US, without me realizing a tear escaped my eye followed by two or more, I just couldn't get over the fact that I might have to live in a world without nani,

I kept my head on maa's shoulder
"Don't cry sweetheart, we need to be strong for her"    she said and I just hummed in response . It was about 9 o'clock  
" Guess we're almost there" I said , a few minutes passed by and we got down the bus right in front of the hospital, we decided to stay with nani for the night in the hospital and move in tomorrow.
"Excuse me ! Can you tell me where is this patient? I'm her guardian"
I asked the receptionist " Room 406, under Dr. Arjun " she replied
" Come on Maa".

"Nani!" I said in joy, I was seeing her after 5 whole years "Pari!, Shivali!" she exclaimed

"Pari" my nani's endearment for me.

And I ran a gave her a tight hug and then came and she too gave her a hug
"Oh my! My little princess has grown up so much!" she said and as I was about to say something someone else interrupted...

"Umm sorry to spoil your family time but ma'am it's time for you to sleep" said a man wearing a white coat and stethoscope around his neck, probably the doctor
" And which one of you are the guardian?" He asked "Me" I said
"Well then please come to my office" "Sure, Maa stay with nani I'll be back"

I went to the Dr's office with him and sat down.. He took out some reports and said...

" Her condition is not getting better...but it's not getting worse either, we will continue these medications, but if god forbids her condition gets worse we will have to go for surgery" he said

"Surgery would be the last option right?" I asked

"Yes"
"Okay" I said and got up , as I was about to leave, he asked " Are you Anvi?" "Yes" "I'm Arjun,             Dr. Arjun"

"Hello Dr. Arjun! It's pleasant to meet you"

"So Anvi you can come and meet ma'am every day during the visiting hours......of course"

"Great so you'll be seeing me everyday here"

-Next day-

" Maa stay here I'll go and clean up the house okay" "Okay"

here I am in front of the house I grew up in with nani and nana, I barely had spent time with mom and dad until I left for the US, even though I had great memories with my grandparents I really have never loved the house, it always had a weird vibe I never really liked .

"Let's hurry, mom will here in 3 hours"

As I entered the house the same weird vibe hit me, the house was clean as ever and just needed some dusting, I went up the stairs to my room, it was exactly how I left it 5 years back.

2 hours into the cleaning and I was done, " lets see what's there to eat " I said went to refrigerator...nothing as usual nani believed in making fresh food " let's go get some food then"

After I came back from the grocery store I set the fridge up and sat on the sofa, suddenly I thought of taking a stroll in my old neighborhood, So I wore my coat and went out after locking the door .

"It's been a long time " I said and let out a big sigh, suddenly my head started hurting so bad causing me to fall down .

" Ugh!!!! This again"

I have been having these little "vison-aches" since I was 6, well my grandpa used to call them that.

It's always a woman, a little girl, a man, a lot of blood, fire and a lot of screaming, but they have never been clear.

I had a good stroll then went home .

"what did the doctor say yesterday?" asked maa

"He said her condition is not getting better but its not getting worse either so they'll continue the same medication" I said, not having the heart to tell her about the surgery yet.

"okay, you should go sleep we have to go to your grandpa's old house."

"hmm"

as I entered the room I already had tears running down my face, I closed the door and sat on my bed hugging my knees while my head was low and cried "I miss you nanu".

That night I cried myself to sleep, thinking why I can't be happy like others, why is my fate so exasperating ? Will I ever find solace ? 

I woke up the next morning when my alarm rang, I got up, got dressed and went down stairs

"Good morning maa" " Good morning sweetie" . We ate breakfast then we went to Grandpa's old house,

the memories rushed inside me "This place hasn't changed much right?" maa asked "Yes its just the same" I replied

We were going through the house mostly the pictures when, we heard a voice, one that hadn't been heard in years. 

"Oh you guys are here too?"