Reborn: The truth behind the love

They all settled onto the beds, while Ishaani perched stiffly on her own bunk. Before they could ask any questions, she spoke up hesitantly,

*"Um... could you all tell me your names? I had a head injury, so my memories are a bit fuzzy."*

The petite woman—Esha—cleared her throat and waved a hand. *"You don't have to be so formal,"* she said with a snort. *"I'm Esha."* She jerked her thumb toward the plump woman beside her. *"This is Emma."*

Then, lowering her voice, she gestured to the older woman, who was still staring around the room in disbelief. *"And that's Madhubala—but don't call her 'Granny.' She gets mad. We all call her Sister Madhu. You should too."*

Ishaani nodded, her shoulders tense from the rapid chatter.

Just then, Sister Madhu turned sharply toward Esha, her eyes narrowing. *"What are you whispering behind my back?"* she demanded.

Esha's grin vanished instantly. She pressed her lips together and mimed zipping her mouth shut, making Emma stifle a laugh.

Ishaani watched the exchange, a flicker of amusement easing her nerves. *At least they're lively,* she thought—though she wasn't sure if that was a good thing yet.

Granny, who had been solely focused on the room, diverted her attention from the other ladies to Ishaani. She pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose and studied the girl intently. "You seem quite different from before," she remarked.

Ishaani's heart raced as a flurry of thoughts rushed through her mind—*Did they find out? Did I slip up?* Her nails dug into her palms as she forced out a reply, "I... I'm the same as before. N-nothing has changed." Her stammer betrayed her nerves.

Emma silently elbowed Granny. "Sister Madhu, stop pulling her leg. Her memories are still fuzzy." Then, turning to Ishaani with a reassuring smile, she added, "Don't take her seriously. Before coming to prison, she was an exorcist, so she senses things most people can't. You just got back from the hospital—maybe you picked up some negative energy there. Right, Sister Madhu?" She squeezed the old woman's left arm pointedly.

Granny Madhu hummed, her sharp eyes still lingering on Ishaani. "Hmm... it seems my age is finally catching up with me. I must have been mistaken."

But despite her words, her gaze kept drifting back to Ishaani's bunk. When she had first entered, she had caught the faint scent of a spirit—not malevolent, but pure, like spring water. The fragrance was strongest near Ishaani. And now, as she observed the girl more closely, something felt *off*.

The Ishaani before her looked the same, yet *not quite*. As an exorcist, Granny Madhu was attuned to shifts in the environment, and she could sense it—*someone had meddled with the natural order*. The air itself was changing, as if fate were stirring, brewing something monumental.

Esha, sensing the rising tension, quickly intervened. "I completely forgot—it's tea time! Let's go, or it'll get cold."

Anjali's ghost, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly shot up at the mention of tea. "*Tea?! I want tea!*" she shouted.

Granny Madhu, already moving toward the door, whipped around. "Did you hear that?" she asked sharply, eyes scanning Esha and Emma. Both shook their heads. Ishaani did the same, though her fingers twitched nervously.

"Sister, you must be tired," Emma said, steering the old woman out. "Come on, let's get that tea."

Ishaani exhaled in relief, shooting Anjali a warning glance. Understanding, the ghost pressed a finger to her lips before quietly trailing after them toward the cafeteria.