NIGHT OF HOLIKA

As Mendle examined the picture closely, his expression shifted from curiosity to recognition. "It's the same person I met on the night of the Burning of Holika," he remarked, his voice tinged with surprise.

Aayam raised an eyebrow. "So, you were at Kylan's house that night."

Mendle chuckled. "Yes, indeed." The scene transitioned to that memorable evening.

Mendle and Kaal had arrived at Kylan's house to join in the festivities of the Burning of Holika. Upon their arrival, they found Clara and Paige busily preparing for the celebration.

Clara twirled around in her vibrant, funky outfit, adorned with splashes of neon colors and bold patterns. She grinned at her reflection in the mirror, feeling completely at ease in her unique ensemble.

Meanwhile, Paige, dressed in more traditional attire, watched Clara with a mix of amusement and concern. "Clara, darling, don't you think you should opt for something a bit more...ethnic?" she suggested delicately.

Clara shrugged, tossing her head confidently. "Nah, I'm good with my style, Paige. It's all about expressing myself, you know?"

Paige sighed inwardly but decided to try a different approach. "Well, how about we try something new together? How about making a rangoli?" she proposed, gesturing towards the colorful powders and intricate stencils laid out on the table.

Clara's eyes lit up with curiosity. "A rangoli? What's that?"

"It's a traditional Indian art form," Paige explained, her face lighting up with enthusiasm. "We use colored powders to create beautiful patterns and designs on the ground, usually outside our homes to welcome guests and bring good luck."

Clara's interest piqued, and she eagerly joined Paige at the table. With Paige's patient guidance, Clara learned how to carefully sprinkle the vibrant powders onto the ground, creating intricate floral patterns and geometric shapes.

As they worked together, Paige couldn't help but admire Clara's openness to new experiences, even if it meant stepping outside her comfort zone.

Just as the two women were engaged in their conversation, the sound of Mendle and Kaal's car drew their attention. They hurried outside to greet their guests, offering warm welcomes and exchanging pleasantries.

In the backyard, Mendle and Kaal admired the festive decorations, marveling at the effort that had been put into creating such a lively atmosphere. Curious about their hosts, they inquired about Kylan and Zede's whereabouts.

Zede and Kylan exchanged a knowing glance as the noise emanated from the room on the first floor, but they maintained their composure. Kaal's curious expression prompted Kylan to offer a casual explanation.

"Oh, just a minor issue with some rats my AI gramps are handling," Kylan said smoothly, his smile masking the tension within.

Meanwhile, in the room upstairs, Harris found himself in a delicate situation as he attempted to distract Alex from the commotion outside. Alex's curiosity seemed insatiable, his questions coming in rapid succession.

"Why are there lights in the yard?" Alex inquired, his brow furrowed in confusion. "And what's that delicious smell?"

Harris racked his brain for an explanation, weaving tales of mystical creatures and colorful adventures to divert Alex's attention. Desperate to keep him occupied, Harris closed the curtains tightly and spun a fanciful tale about a mischievous sprite who had spilled his colorful lights and was now trying to reclaim them.

"Best stay inside," Harris warned with mock seriousness, "or you might end up permanently adorned in bright hues!"

Despite his outlandish stories, Harris couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him. With each passing moment, the risk of Alex's discovery grew, and Harris knew he needed to keep his wits about him to prevent any unwanted attention.

As the torch was passed to Kaal and Mendle, they accepted it solemnly, understanding the significance of the moment. With careful reverence, they approached the bundle of hay representing Holika and ignited it, the flames flickering to life in the gathering twilight.

As the fire crackled and danced, casting a warm glow over the assembled guests, everyone began to move in a circular motion around the flames, their voices rising in chants and prayers.

Meanwhile, from his vantage point in his room, Alex watched the spectacle unfolding below with a mixture of concern and determination. The vibrant hues of the fire seemed to beckon him, igniting a sense of urgency within him.

With a determined stride, Alex rose to his feet, declaring heroically that he couldn't stand idly by while danger threatened. Despite Harris's attempts to dissuade him, Alex shattered the window and leaped out, landing in the yard with a dramatic flourish.

The sudden appearance of Alex startled the others, their attention drawn to the unexpected intruder. With a fierce intensity in his eyes, Alex regarded Kaal and Mendle as adversaries, poised to attack.

However, Kylan intervened, stepping forward with a calm demeanor and reassuring smile. He explained to Alex that Kaal and Mendle were merely neighbors, not enemies to be fought.

Zede, observing the scene from the yard, caught Harris's gaze through the window, a knowing expression passing between them. With a playful wink, Zede invited Harris to join the festivities below, his silent message clear: sometimes, a little subterfuge was necessary for the greater good.

Zede, quick on his feet, smoothly interjected, "Oh, those two were just helping my Gramps catch some rats." Alex nodded in agreement, reciting the tale Harris had spun for him. Kylan chuckled at Alex's mischievousness, affirming that he was indeed a handful at times. Kaal and Mendle played along, pretending to be surprised by Alex's unexpected appearance.

Clara and Paige, catching on to the charade, joined in seamlessly. They chimed in, claiming they hadn't seen Alex during their time in the house. Harris, relieved that his efforts to contain Alex hadn't been discovered, whispered to Zede about his clever maneuvering.

Zede, with a mischievous grin, leaned over to Paige and whispered, "We'll fill you in on the details later. Let's just play along for now." Clara and Paige nodded in understanding, playing their parts flawlessly.

With the tension diffused, the group shifted their focus back to the festivities of the Holika festival. Clara and Paige extended an invitation for Alex and Harris to join them in the celebration, urging them to partake in the joyous revelry.

As the night progressed, laughter filled the air as everyone indulged in sweets, shared stories, and adorned each other with vibrant colors. It was a night of merriment and camaraderie, a celebration of friendship and unity.