While on the way to the mountain range, during a short break, Ayan moved to the back seat, settling to the left of Dhanuwa and Tharinda.

  The banter continued for a bit before Ayan, feeling a bit curious, leaned forward. "Alright, enough about the chili. What’s the real reason behind this celebration, huh? You guys were acting like movie night was just a cover."

  Dhanuwa exchanged a glance with Tharinda before his grin widened. "Well, first, Tharinda finally worked up the courage to ask out his new crush."

  Ayan blinked, confused, looking at Tharinda. "Wait, Tharinda?... Which crush?... New one? What… You actually did it?"

  Dhanuwa snorted. "Bro, man’s been cycling through crushes like software updates. But this time, he finally took action."

  Tharinda crossed his arms, acting unfazed. "Hey, at least I don’t get stuck on one version forever."

  Ayan smirked. "Fair enough. So, how did it happen?"

  Tharinda shifted in his seat, trying to act casual but clearly struggling to hide his excitement. "Yeah, I asked her out at my grandma’s wake."

  Ayan was taken aback. "At your grandma’s wake? Dude, that’s—"

  Dhanuwa laughed, jumping in. "Yup, he met her there. A beautiful girl who showed up to pay respects. And instead of getting all nervous and awkward, Tharinda went for it. He asked her out right there."

  Tharinda flushed slightly but kept his cool. "I figured if I could survive that day, asking her out was the least scary thing."

  Ayan, still processing, shook his head with a smirk. "Man, you’re braver than I thought."

  Tharinda, eyes gleaming now, added, "And… she said yes."

  Ayan raised an eyebrow. "Hold up. She said yes? To you?"

  Dhanuwa slapped Tharinda on the back. "Yep. Our boy’s got game."

  Ayan looked at his friend, a mix of shock and admiration. "Well, congrats, man. I'm really proud of you, bro... That’s huge." He tapped Tharinda’s back. "So, what’s the second reason?"

  Dhanuwa grinned even wider. "Second reason? Well, I finally convinced my parents to get me a new gaming console."

  Ayan raised an eyebrow. "Wait, that’s it?"

  Dhanuwa shrugged. "What can I say? A man’s gotta have priorities."

  Ayan rolled his eyes. "Alright, so Tharinda’s love life and your new toy? That’s what we’re celebrating?"

  Dhanuwa nodded proudly. "You bet. We deserve to have a victory lap."

  Ayan chuckled. "Well, in that case, you better enjoy that victory while it lasts. I’m still bringing the heat with that chili."

  Tharinda groaned. "I knew you wouldn’t let that go."

  Mohan, who had been quietly enjoying their conversation, had a knowing smile on his face.

  Dhanuwa suddenly snapped his fingers. "Wait a minute—so now we have another reason to celebrate."

  Ayan raised an eyebrow. "Another?"

  Dhanuwa grinned, gesturing dramatically at him. "Yeah! You, my guy. The Great Ayan Transformation! The legend of how our favorite foodie turned into a fitness model in just one week!"

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Tharinda nodded, smirking. "You know what? He’s right. This is basically an achievement unlocked."

  Ayan groaned. "Oh, come on. Do we have to make a big deal out of this?"

  Dhanuwa clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Dude, it’s not every day someone pulls off a full-blown glow-up speedrun. We gotta celebrate this!"

  Tharinda chuckled. "I mean, we were gonna roast you anyway, so we might as well make it official."

  Ayan shook his head. "You guys are the worst."

  Mohan, still amused, glanced at Ayan through the rearview mirror. "Alright, enough stalling. You’ll have plenty of time to make fun of him all the way to camp."

  Dhanuwa smirked. "Oh, don’t worry, Uncle. We plan to."

  Tharinda leaned back with a satisfied grin. "This trip just got even better."

  Ayan sighed, shaking his head. "I should've just stayed home."

  Dhanuwa patted his shoulder. "Nah, bro. Then who would we celebrate?"

  ----------

  The paved road narrowed, then turned to gravel, and finally to a rough track winding deeper into the mountains. Dense vegetation closed in, forming a green tunnel that dimmed the remaining daylight. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of damp earth, wild cardamom, and eucalyptus. The once-lively banter among the friends faded into quiet anticipation.

  "This is pretty wild," Tharinda murmured, peering out the window at the thick undergrowth. "Are we sure this isn't a shortcut to a horror movie?"

  "Relax," Mohan said, his voice calm but with an edge of intensity. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, but Ayan noticed his father’s gaze occasionally darting toward the trees, as if he were listening for something just beyond the reach of sound.

  Ayan felt a prickle of unease. Since the ritual, his senses had sharpened, and now he picked up faint movements in the trees—subtle shifts in the shadows that seemed too deliberate. A strange, high-pitched call echoed in the distance, barely perceptible. His friends didn’t react, which meant they hadn't heard it. He glanced at Mohan, but his father’s expression remained serene, almost too focused.

  .........

  The track opened into a clearing—a flat, grassy space surrounded by rhododendron thickets and tall wild grass. A narrow stream gurgled nearby, its water clear and cold. The setting sun cast long, eerie shadows, making the dense vegetation feel as if it were watching them.

  "Whoa, this is awesome!" Dhanuwa exclaimed, jumping out. "Way better than my backyard."

  Tharinda nodded but hesitated. "It's... kinda creepy, though."

  Ayan scanned the area, his eyes lingering on a large, flat rock near the stream—perfect for sitting around a campfire. Something about the stillness of the place unsettled him, but he pushed the thought aside.

  Mohan opened the trunk, revealing the neatly packed camping gear. As he pulled out the tent, Ayan noticed him arranging the gear in a specific order, almost ritualistic. He placed a small pouch of herbs on the ground, whispering something under his breath that Ayan couldn’t quite catch. The action seemed innocuous, but it sent a shiver down Ayan’s spine.

  "Alright, let’s get this set up before it gets too dark," Mohan said, his tone brisk, but there was an intensity in his eyes that made Ayan uneasy.

  They got to work. Dhanuwa and Tharinda wrestled with the tent, their laughter breaking the silence. Ayan helped Mohan with the firewood and grill, subtly watching for any sign of his father’s mysterious actions. Mohan moved with practiced efficiency, but Ayan couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something.

  ........

  By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the campfire flickered to life, its glow pushing back the darkness. The scent of burning wood mixed with spices as they laid out the food—fresh meat, snacks, and ingredients for a hearty soup. Ayan noticed Mohan adding a few unknown herbs to the pot, herbs that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly quality, unlike any he'd encountered in his studies...and his movements were deliberate and careful.

  "Alright, everyone, quick wash up in the stream," Mohan instructed. "Then, pajamas on—we’re getting cozy."

  Dhanuwa and Tharinda rushed off, already splashing water on their faces. Meanwhile, Ayan grabbed a large container and headed toward the stream alone. The cool night air sent a shiver down his spine. As he crouched near the water, filling the container, he felt it again—that same eerie sensation from earlier. The rustling in the trees didn’t sound like wind, and the night felt… too still.

  Suddenly, a flash of darkness flickered at the edge of his vision—an unsettling glimpse of a figure that vanished as quickly as it appeared. Ayan exhaled slowly, shaking off the unease, and returned to the fire, his heart racing.

  Mohan, satisfied with the setup, glanced around. "Alright," he said, his voice low and dramatic. "Who’s ready for some scary stories?"

  Dhanuwa grinned. "Bring it on! I’m not scared of anything."

  Tharinda, however, shifted uncomfortably. "As long as they’re not too... realistic."

  Ayan watched his friends, curiosity flickering in his mind. What kind of stories would Mohan tell? Would they be legends, myths, or something far more real? He glanced at his father, but the flickering firelight masked his expression, leaving Ayan with a sense of foreboding.

  As the night deepened, Ayan felt a constant sense of being watched, an awareness that something lurked just beyond.........