Chapter 4
It was early morning.
The whole family was sitting around the dining table — filled with laughter, love, and chatter.
Mother (affectionately):
"Romi, it’s your birthday today. I’ve cooked all your favorites. Today you must eat everything. No more dieting excuses."
Everyone laughed.
Younger brother (teasing, 14 years old):
"You’re so skinny… are you planning to disappear while dating someone?"
Mom and Dad burst out laughing.
Romi (half-angry, half-laughing):
"Shut up! Or I’ll beat you up."
Father (smiling):
"Alright, alright… calm down. So Romi, tell us — your school is ending soon, which college will you choose next?"
Romi (softly):
"Dad, I just want to stay with you all. That’s why I’ve chosen the college near our home."
Father (surprised):
"What? Most kids dream of the best colleges, and you’ll settle for anything just to stay close to us?"
Mother (seriously):
"You’re a good student. You deserve the best college."
Brother (mocking):
"No, no… she probably failed! That’s why she’s making excuses!"
Romi (snapping):
"I’m not like you! I got first division this time — something you can’t even dream of!"
Her voice turned stubborn.
"Dad, Mom… please say yes. I want to study while living here with you all."
Her parents exchanged glances. Just as they were about to answer—
The doorbell rang loudly.
The cheerful atmosphere suddenly turned cold with fear.
Father (hesitantly):
"Go, Romi… see who’s at the door."
Romi’s face went pale. Her voice trembled, barely a whisper—
"No… this can’t be happening."
Brother (insisting):
"Sis! Go on, the doorbell is ringing!"
Mother (in a strangely cold tone):
"Yes, Romi… this is your duty. Go."
And suddenly — the whole family began to laugh.
But it wasn’t normal laughter. It was dark, echoing, terrifying laughter.
"Go… go… open the door!"
Romi’s eyes welled up with tears. She looked at her family—
But then, with a violent blast, the house caught fire.
Her father, mother, and brother… began to melt, burning alive.
Yet they laughed as they walked toward her, whispering—
"Why didn’t you open the door, Romi?"
Romi screamed,
"No! Not again! Stop it! Please don’t!!"
---
Scene 2 – The Real Morning
Romi woke up screaming. Her body was soaked in sweat and tears.
She was still trembling.
The doorbell was ringing for real now.
But the rest of the family was fast asleep.
A few moments later, Roz woke up and went to open the door.
Outside stood the old watchman, holding a basket of breakfast.
Roz (sleepily, rubbing her eyes):
"This early in the morning?"
Watchman (smiling):
"Madam, it’s already 11 AM. I came earlier too, but no one answered… so I reheated the food and brought it again. Here you go."
Roz (shocked):
"What! We all slept that long?"
She rushed to Raj’s room.
Roz:
"Raj! Get up… it’s morning. Time for breakfast."
But when she saw him — her face froze with fear.
Raj’s eyes were blood-red. His whole body was covered in deep scratch marks.
Roz (stunned):
"Raj! What have you done to yourself?"
Raj (groaning):
"The itching… it’s unbearable… I couldn’t sleep all night."
Roz panicked.
"No, that’s it. We’re going to the doctor today."
Raj collapsed back onto the bed, writhing.
When Roz entered the kitchen, she found Sonal already eating breakfast.
Sonal (smiling):
"Come, Roz… the food’s still warm."
Roz (sternly):
"Not now. Where’s Mohan?"
Sonal (carelessly):
"He drank too much last night… still sleeping."
Roz took a deep breath.
"Raj is in terrible shape. He was scratching himself all night. We need to show him to a doctor."
Sonal put her spoon down and glared.
"You really want to risk going to a doctor? We’re trapped deep inside this jungle. There’s no doctor here. And if we go to the city, the police will catch us. It’s just an itch, Roz… it’ll pass."
Roz (furious):
"How can you be so heartless? Don’t you care about him at all?"
A strange gleam flickered in Sonal’s eyes.
"I only care… that we all stay safe."
Roz was about to lunge at her when Sonam stepped between them.
Sonam (holding Roz back):
"Roz, stop. Maybe Sonal is right. We can’t go outside."
Just then, Raj staggered out of his room.
His hands were clawing at himself, his eyes bloodshot, and blood dripped down from his wounds.
Everyone froze.
Roz (screaming):
"Raj! Look at yourself! Stop scratching! Please!"
Sonal (mocking):
"What’s wrong, Raj? Scared like a little child? Is a small itch driving you insane?"
Raj snapped.
He slapped Sonal so hard she fell to the floor.
Then he kicked her mercilessly.
Raj (roaring):
"I may die later… but I’ll kill you first!"
Sonal (screaming):
"Raj, you’re insane! Stop! Somebody help!"
Roz (yelling):
"Raj, stop it!"
The commotion woke Mohan.
He ran into the room, shouting—
"What the hell is going on here?"
Roz and Sonam (together):
"Stop Raj! He’s gone mad!"
Mohan lunged forward, grabbed Raj, and dragged him back into the room, locking the door behind him.
Inside the Room
Raj was still trembling with rage.
The madness in his eyes was undeniable.
Mohan (sternly):
"Raj! Get a grip. What the hell is happening to you?"
Raj collapsed to the floor, panting heavily. His body was soaked with sweat and blood.
Roz (voice trembling):
"Raj has this terrible itching. He couldn’t sleep the entire night."
Mohan (shocked):
"What? The whole night?"
Roz nodded.
"Yes… just look at him."
Mohan now looked closely at Roz. His eyes froze on her hands.
Mohan (slowly):
"Roz… you’re scratching yourself too, aren’t you?"
Roz flinched, avoiding his gaze.
"A little… but I’m fine. Raj is the one in danger."
Mohan’s expression hardened.
"Yes… I remember. You started itching the day that old man’s dog bit you."
Sonam immediately caught on.
"Mohan’s right. Both of you… were the dog’s targets."
Mohan let out a deep breath, as if a hidden truth had just been revealed.
"The infection is spreading. First Raj… now Roz."
Roz’s face went pale.
"No… don’t say that."
Raj, who had been silent until now, suddenly roared—
"Yes! It’s all because of that dog!"
Hatred flared in his eyes.
"Today… I won’t spare it!"
He staggered to his feet and, with unsteady steps, walked into the kitchen.
In front of everyone, he picked up a sharp knife.
Raj (in a manic voice):
"That half-rotten dog… it’s diseased. Leaving it alive is a crime."
His hands trembled, but his eyes glowed with a dangerous fire.
Roz stepped back in fear.
"Raj… please. This isn’t the right way."
Mohan (firmly):
"Raj! Put the knife down."
Sonal, still seething with humiliation from the slap earlier, suddenly burst out laughing.
"Yes, Raj… go. Kill it. We all need to get rid of that mutt anyway."
Raj turned on her with blazing fury.
"Shut up! Not another word. Or I’ll finish you first!"
The air in the room grew heavier, darker.
Roz, Mohan, and Sonam exchanged a terrified glance.
Raj was completely out of control now.
Countinue.....
By pooja kumari
