Part 01
Where is Tanu?
The air in Udaygarh hummed with a quiet contentment. The crisp morning air of Udaygarh, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth, filled Manna’s lungs as he laced his fingers through Tanu’s , stood at the edge of their little imagined town, ready to embark on the adventure they’d dreamed of for months. Udaygarh, nestled amidst rolling hills and whispering waterfalls, was their haven, their sanctuary. But the call of the unknown, the lure of winding roads and hidden landscapes, was too strong to resist.
“Ready for the adventure, love?” Manna asked, his eyes, the color of warm honey, reflecting the excitement bubbling inside him.
Tanu, her soft, doe-like eyes mirroring his joy, nodded, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “More than ready, sweetheart. Just promise me you won’t get us lost in those mountains.”
Manna chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. “Never, my love. I’m a warrior, remember? Navigating treacherous terrains is in my blood.”
Their journey began with a bumpy bus ride, winding through the serpentine roads that snaked through the hills surrounding Udaygarh. The scenery was breathtaking – verdant valleys, cascading waterfalls, and towering peaks that seemed to pierce the sky. But as the day wore on, Tanu started to feel unwell. Her usual bubbly self was replaced by a quiet unease.
“Manna,” she whispered, her hand clutching his. “I… I don’t feel so good.”
Manna’s warrior spirit immediately shifted to protector mode. He noticed the pallor creeping onto her face, the slight tremor in her hands. “We’re stopping,” he declared, his voice firm. “We’ll find a place for you to rest.”
The bus pulled over at a secluded spot, a lone hotel standing amidst a thick, silent forest. It was a quiet, almost eerie place, but Manna’s priority was Tanu’s well-being. “This will do,” he said, helping her off the bus. “It looks peaceful.”
Their first stop was a quaint little hotel nestled deep within the heart of a dense, unexplored jungle. It wasn’t exactly five-star, but it had a certain rustic charm, a sense of being far removed from the world. The hotel, named “The Whispering Pines,” was old, its wooden structure creaking with stories of its own. The owner, a wiry old man with eyes that seemed to hold centuries of secrets, greeted them with a knowing smile.
“Welcome to The Whispering Pines,” he rasped, his voice like dry leaves rustling in the wind. “Hope you enjoy your stay.”
The hotel, “The Silent Pines,” was old and weathered, its paint peeling and windows dusty. The owner, a gaunt man with hollow eyes, barely spoke, simply handing them a key and pointing towards their room.
“It’s a bit… rustic,” Tanu murmured, but she was too tired to complain.
“It’s perfect,” Manna reassured her, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Peace and quiet, just what you need.”
They settled into their room, a small, sparsely furnished space. Tanu lay down on the bed, her eyes fluttering closed. Manna sat beside her, stroking her hair.
“You rest, love,” he whispered. “I’ll be right here.”
The jungle air was thick with the scent of damp earth and unknown blossoms. Manna and Tanu spent the evening exploring the trails around the hotel, marveling at the towering trees and the symphony of nocturnal creatures. They returned to the hotel late, tired but exhilarated.
“This place is magical,” Tanu whispered, as they settled into their cozy room.
Manna nodded, pulling her close. “It feels like we’re the only two people in the world.”
As the night deepened, The wind whispered through the trees outside, creating a symphony of eerie sounds. Manna couldn’t shake off a feeling of unease. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He glanced at Tanu, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He told himself it was just his imagination, the isolation of the place getting to him.
Suddenly, a strange unease settled over the hotel. The wind howled outside , and the creaking of the old building seemed louder, more insistent. Manna woke in the middle of the night, a cold shiver running down his spine. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. He glanced at Tanu, who was sleeping soundly beside him. He told himself it was just the wind, just the old house playing tricks on his imagination. He closed his eyes and tried to go back to sleep.
The next morning, they woke to a bright, sunny day. The unease of the night before had dissipated, replaced by the excitement of continuing their journey. Tanu seemed much better. “I feel like a new person,” she said, smiling brightly. “Thank you, Manna, for taking care of me.”
Manna’s heart swelled with relief. “Anything for you, my love,” he replied, pulling her into a warm embrace.
They packed their bags, said goodbye to the old hotel owner, and set off.
They boarded another bus, this time heading towards the coastal regions. They wound their way through the jungle, the sunlight dappling through the canopy of leaves, creating an ethereal glow. Tanu was her usual self, laughing and chatting, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Manna was relieved, happy that she had recovered so quickly.
As the day wore on, they stopped at a small roadside diner for lunch. They shared a plate of steaming noodles, chatting about their plans for the next few days. Everything seemed perfect.
But as they continued their journey , a subtle change crept over Tanu . She became quiet, withdrawn, her smiles fading. Manna noticed the shift, a knot of worry tightening in his stomach.
“Tanu, what’s wrong?” he asked gently.
“Nothing,” she replied, her voice flat. “Just thinking.”
Manna didn’t believe her. He knew something was amiss. He tried to talk to her, to bring back her cheerful spirit, but it was like talking to a wall. The woman beside him looked like Tanu, but she wasn’t Tanu. There was a coldness in her eyes, a detachment that chilled him to the bone.
Tanu seemed… different. She was quieter, more withdrawn. She didn’t laugh as much, and her eyes held a distant, almost vacant look. Manna noticed the change, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what was wrong.
“Tanu, is everything okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Everything’s fine, Manna,” she replied, her voice flat. “Just a little tired, I guess.”
Manna wasn’t convinced. He knew something was amiss, but he decided not to push it. He hoped that whatever was bothering her would pass.
They reached their next destination, a bustling town by the sea, as the sun began to set . They checked into a small guesthouse and decided to take a walk along the seashore before dinner.
As they strolled along the shore, the silence between them grew. Tanu walked a few steps ahead of Manna, her gaze fixed on the water. Manna watched her, his heart heavy with a growing sense of dread. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman walking beside him wasn’t the Tanu he knew and loved.
That night, Manna lay awake in bed, his mind racing. He replayed the events of the past two days, trying to find a clue, something that would explain Tanu’s strange behavior. He thought about the hotel, The Whispering Pines, and the old owner with his knowing eyes. He thought about the strange unease he had felt that night.
A chilling realization dawned upon him. He remembered waking up in the middle of the night, feeling a cold presence in the room. He remembered glancing at Tanu, who was sleeping soundly beside him. Or was she?
A wave of nausea washed over him. He remembered the way Tanu had looked at him, her eyes distant and vacant. He remembered the subtle shift in her personality, the way she had become quieter, more withdrawn.
He sat up in bed, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to go back to the hotel. He had to find out what had happened that night.
Manna’s anxiety had reached fever pitch. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. He decided to confront her.
“Tanu,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “What’s happening? You’re not yourself.”
The woman looked at him, her eyes devoid of warmth. “I am myself,” she said, her voice chillingly calm.
Manna stared at her, his mind reeling and nothing left to get into it for him that the woman in front of him is not the woman he had. He knew he had to go back to the hotel. He had to find his real girlfriend.
He grabbed the woman’s arm. “We’re going back,” he said, his voice firm.
“Go back?” she asked, her voice devoid of emotion. “Why?”
“I… I forgot something,” Manna stammered, his mind struggling to come up with a plausible excuse. “Something important.”
The woman shrugged, her expression unchanged. “Fine,” she said.
They travelled back through the night, the jungle seeming darker, more menacing than before. The woman beside him remained silent, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. Manna’s anxiety grew with every mile.
He didn’t know what he would find at the hotel, but he knew he had to go back. He had to find Tanu, the real Tanu, the love of his life. He had to save her, even if it meant facing whatever dark secret the Silent Pines held within its walls. He ran, the image of Tanu’s sweet, gentle face fueling his every step, the chilling laughter of the imposter echoing in his ears. He knew, deep down, that his journey had just begun, a journey into the heart of a terrifying mystery.