The Secrets of the Elements

A black car came to a halt as Advika stepped out of her apartment and started walking in its direction.

The girl sitting in the driver's seat rolled down the glass of the window and lowered her black goggles looking at Advika. Advika rolled her eyes and nodded her head. She opened the door and sat beside her keeping the bag in the backseat. "Didn't know you had a car."

"It's my sister's actually," said Maya and hit the engine. "Told her I had to go on a trip with my girl gang."

"Dressed as Sherlock Holmes?" said Advika rolled down the glass.

Maya wore blue jeans, a black top, and a leather jacket to go with it. She had tied her curly hair in a bun and wore black goggles. "You have no style, do you?"

She took a left turn and proceeded towards the highway.

Advika wore a full-sleeve light blue top and a three-fourth to go with it. She too had tied her hair into a messy bun and wore her black cat-eye spectacles.

"Did you inform Zarna that we're going to the temple?" asked Advika staring into the bright blue sky.

"Yes," she said, her gaze fixed on the traffic ahead. "She insisted on coming but I said that she can join once she's back to normal."

They reached the temple after half an hour drive. "Looks so much different in the daylight," said Maya. "Yeah," agreed Advika. "So we go from the backdoor, right?" quizzed Maya. "Yes, then look for the source of the music," replied Advika as they got down from the car.

~~~~~

ripped jeans and a v-neck black tee that fit him well, complementing his medium, yet well built and stout body. He donned a mulberry blazer over it that

as he leaned on

He looked at Ray. "Zarna is fine," said Ray as though reading his

headed towards his parents' room. "Are you still mad?" asked

said the boys in unison. "What are you doing here?" asked Tej. "When did you arrive? We didn't see you coming?" said Ray. "You should

"I

Maya and

had work," lied Zarna and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Advika has to complete this story of hers, and Maya had to go

Ray. "Yes," replied Zarna. "I just gave her the medicines, don't

said Tej. "I'll see you guys at dinner then. You are

bought my

to the radio station, then come back here," said

"You didn't tell us about this new internship of yours. You're

using the spare time after college," he said and adjusted his colourful headband. "Good luck,

~~~~

It looked like nobody had touched it in years. Advika could feel her heart thump vehemently. Maya dusted the knob as Advika tied

dust here,"

wooden door opened and the hinges made a loud squeaky noise. Maya stepped

she began coughing. More and more dust released from the parquet below with every step they took. It was dark and gloomy, the air filled with the sense of petrichor. The only source of light in the king-sized room was

and found old