Author's Pov:-
All the lights in the house were turned off.The grand hallway lay in silence, its marble tiles catching the faint silver of moonlight that spilled through half-drawn curtains. Shadows slithered across the walls, tall and crooked, as though they were alive.The air felt still, almost heavy. Not a whisper of wind passed through the windows, not a single leaf rustled outside. Even the fans creaked once and fell silent, as though afraid to disturb the night.
The house looked like it had surrendered completely to sleep. Every door was closed, every curtain drawn, every corner tucked into quiet discipline. It was the kind of silence that made even the tiniest noise feel criminal.
And then—
creeeeeak.
A door, slow and hesitant, opened just an inch. The sound was faint, but in that heavy silence, it rang like thunder.
A shadow slipped out. Small, cautious, and determined.
A girl....
Her eyes darted left and right, scanning the hallway like a secret agent on a top-secret mission.She clutched the doorknob for a moment, listening, making sure no one had stirred. Then, with the lightest steps, she tiptoed into the hallway—every movement calculated, every breath held back.
The house remained silent. But the air felt charged, as though the walls themselves were aware of her midnight rebellion.
She stepped out cautiously, tiptoeing as though the marble floor might betray her with a single sound. Her heartbeat raced faster than a ticking clock, but her target was clear: The kitchen.
"Don’t get caught… don’t get caught", she chanted silently, creeping down the hallway.
Halfway to the kitchen, she heard a sound. Creeeeak!.
She froze. Her eyes widened. She stood still as a statue, not daring to breathe. After a moment, the sound stopped. Her pulse pounded against her ribs like a drumroll.
Silence.
Relief washed over her. She exhaled quietly, mouthing a dramatic “phew.” Then, resuming her tiptoeing, she darted toward the kitchen with renewed speed—like a thief closing in on the crown jewels.
The fridge awaited. A shining beacon in the dark.
She opened the fridge, and at once the cold white glow spilled across her face like a spotlight on a criminal caught red-handed. Her lips curled into a mischievous grin as her hands closed around a huge bar of chocolate—her forbidden treasure.
“Mission successful!,” she whispered dramatically, tearing the wrapper open and sliding a piece into her mouth. Sweet, heavenly bliss.
But then—
Tap..!. Tap..! Tap..!
A hand landed on her shoulder.
She froze mid-bite,her eyes widening in pure horror, her mind already rehearsing excuses that even she didn’t believe. Slowly—painfully with the tension of a thriller movie, she turned her head.
“Kya… Kaka! Aise dara kyu rahe ho?” she whispered,half trembling after seeing the person infront of her .
(What… Kaka! Why are you scaring me like that?)
He was their helper, kaka.Kaka stood behind her, his expression grim, as if he were a jail warden catching a prisoner tunneling out. His voice was low, deliberate, almost too calm.
“Madam told you clearly—no chocolate at night,” he said with slow, deliberate weight. “And she ordered me to report if you did.”
Navya gasped, clutching her chocolate dramatically to her chest. “No, Kaka, please! Don’t betray me like this. Agar mumma ko bata diya na… I’ll die! Literally die!”
(If you told mumma then...i'll die)
Kaka folded his arms. “Rules are rules, beta.”
“Rules?can wait, Kaka! Chocolate can’t! Please… mercy!”she siad but changed her tone immediately.
She dropped to pleading mode instantly, her hands folded like begging for mercy. “Please, Kaka! One chance. Just this once. Otherwise Mumma will hang my photo with garland on the wall and say— this girl died without chocolate!”
Kaka sighed deeply, shaking his head. “Alright. But this is your last warning.”
Navya straightened her back, saluting dramatically like a soldier receiving a pardon. “Roger that, Commander.”
But fate wasn’t done with her.
Click!
The kitchen lights blazed on.
Navya’s head whipped around. Her jaw dropped.
And there he was.
Her bhai. Arms folded. Leaning against the doorframe. A devilish smirk on his face.
“Ohoooo…” he drawled, dragging the sound like a villain’s entry line. “So someone’s sneaking chocolates at midnight? Breaking Mumma’s rules?
Navya’s heart sank. “Not again,” she muttered under her breath. “One villain was enough, God. Why send the devil himself?”
Her bhai strolled forward, dramatic and slow, like a hero making his grand entry—except his purpose was pure villainy. He snatched the chocolate bar from her hand in one swift move, held it up, and then—took a giant bite.
“Mmmm… wah! Forbidden chocolate tastes sweeter,” he said, chewing with exaggerated delight. “I think Mumma deserves to hear this breaking news.”
“Bhaaaaiii!” Navya shrieked, glaring at him as if her eyes could set him on fire. “Don’t you dare! Otherwise I swear—it won’t be good for you!”
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “What are you going to do,?”
Navya squinted, pointing a finger at him like a courtroom lawyer. “Mark my words… I have my ways.”
But he only laughed, wagging a finger at her. “Let’s see who gets exposed first. Tum ya tumhara chocolate.” ( You or your chocolate) And with a victorious grin, he strode out, leaving her fuming.
Navya slumped against the fridge, clutching the last tiny piece of chocolate in her fist like it was gold stolen from the king’s palace. She sighed, a half-annoyed, half-amused smile spreading across her face.
As the house sank back into silence, Navya tiptoed carefully back to her room—her midnight rebellion complete. She shut the door gently, slipped under the blanket, and let out a long sigh of relief.
The last trace of chocolate melted sweetly in her mouth, comforting yet fleeting—like victory that comes with a price.
Her eyes grew heavy, sleep pulling her in, but a faint smile lingered on her lips.
Next morning :---
The early morning sun slipped quietly through the curtains, painting soft golden patterns across the room.
Navya lay peacefully on her bed, curled tightly under her blanket, completely unaware of the world around her. Lost in a deep, serene sleep, she looked like she was dreaming of something calm and comforting. The room was silent, filled only with the soft sound of her breathing—until suddenly, her phone started ringing, cutting through the stillness like a sharp knife.
Her sleep was disturbed by the sudden ringing. Still half-asleep, she groggily reached for her phone, her eyes barely open. The bright screen lit up the dark room, and she squinted at the caller ID, trying to make sense of the name flashing on it and it was none other than her best friend- Ruhi.
"Abe, kya kar rahi hai?" (Hey, what are you doing) came a sleepy-yet-excited voice from the other end of the call.
"Havan karwa rahi hoon… tu aayi nahi?" (I’m having a ritual done… and you didn’t come?)navya replied with dripping sarcasm, clearly annoyed at the unexpected disturbance.
"Navyu yaar..." Ruhi sighed dramatically.
"Ruhi! Itni subah phone karke puchh rahi hai ki main kya kar rahi hoon? Aur kya karungi, obviously so rahi thi," Navya groaned, sounding both irritated and theatrical.
(“Ruhi! You’re calling this early to ask what I’m doing? What do you think I’d be doing—obviously sleeping!”)
"Ohooo, relax! Waise bhi agar tere bas mein hota toh tu life bhar bas soti hi rehti," Ruhi teased, stifling a laugh.
(“Ohooo, relax! Honestly, if it were up to you, you’d probably just sleep your whole life away)
"Excuse me? Sleep is good for health, you know. Doctors recommend it," navya shot back smugly.
"Haan haan, lekin sab tere jaise Kumbkaran nahi hote, madam!" Ruhi burst out laughing.
(Yeah, yeah, but not everyone is a Kumbhkaran like you, madam!)
"Bas bas, jokes band kar aur ab yeh bata ki teri phone karne ki ultimate wajah kya thi… jiski wajah se meri neend haram ho gayi," Navya said in mock irritation.
(Alright, alright, enough jokes. Now tell me the real reason you called… the one that completely ruined my sleep.)
“Actually… I have something super exciting to tell you!” Ruhi’s voice perked up suddenly, the earlier grogginess gone.
“Oh really? Do tell, Miss Mystery,” Navya replied, rolling her eyes.
“Last night, I read this fantasy-historical book, and I swear,
I literally screamed in the middle of it! Handsome princes, powerful kings, elegant queens,shiny swords and sparkling palaces—it’s all too royal vibes and dreamy! I was completely obsessed! Think about it like it's sounds so interesting isn't it,” Ruhi gushed, her excitement practically vibrating through the phone.
Navya groaned, burying her face in her pillow,“But i don't want to think.Dreamy, huh? Look, I’m a practical person. Unlike you, I don’t daydream first you wanted mafia kidnappings and then they force you to marriage. And now, suddenly, you’re swooning over princes? Honestly, your interests have zero consistency,” Navya said, half-amused, half-exasperated.
“Navyu… sometimes, you just need to live in your emotions. It makes life more interesting!” Ruhi insisted.
“Emotions? I couldn't even deal with textbook history in my school times. Kings expanding territories, going to war, then dying. End of story like seriously. Then you are here learn those boring dates and facts ,” Navya replied, pretending to gag.
“Dude… that’s completely different! I’m talking about fictional fantasy, not your history textbook nightmares dumbo!” Ruhi said, exasperated.
"I will give you book recommendations, the way i fell for a charming and handsome prince.Soo...so cool right," ruhi said
“Even if you recommend the book, I won’t read it. I don’t have time for your daydreams. Honestly, you’re just a hashtag-bookish girl, and I’m #Realist. And please Dharti par vapis aa jaa miss..disney princess,” Navya teased, smirking.
(Please, come on earth)
“You’re so boring!” Ruhi groaned.
“Thanks for the compliment. But hear me out: In 21st-century there is no prince, king, or queen? Means so...weird and Impossible. No mafia, no royal charming prince and all. So please, wake up from your fantasy land,” Navya shot back
“Funny, Doctor Practical. But you know that—even the word impossible literally says ‘I’m possible!” Ruhi replied little annoyed.
“Ugh… please,” Navya groaned, rolling her eyes.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from downstairs:
“Navya! Wake up! Breakfast is ready!”
“Coming, Mom!” Navya yelled, hopping out of bed, the conversation abruptly cut short.
“Okay, Ruhi… I have to run. Shower time, or Mom’s going to start her lecture about responsible human behavior,” Navya said quickly, grabbing a towel.
“Fine, go. Bye, lazy doctor!” Ruhi laughed.
“Bye, drama queen,” Navya shot back, smirking, and ended the call, still chuckling to herself as she shuffled toward the bathroom.
____________________________________
Hey everyone!
*I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Maybe the first three or four—might have seemed a little slow or boring at first, but I sincerely request you to give at least the first five chapters a read before forming any judgment. Every story needs a little time to unfold, and I promise the fun, drama, and mischief only get better from here!
*I’d love to hear your thoughts and reviews—your feedback really means a lot.
*Many people love chocolate.Maybe you are among them.
*I also know that every reader probably has that one non-reader friend who just can’t relate to the excitement of a story. Unlike Navya and Ruhi, who couldn’t be more different—one is a #Realist while the other is #Bookish—they somehow manage to bring out the best (and the funniest) in each other.
So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Byeee… and happy reading!🎀
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