Chapter 4
The soft morning sunlight filtered through the thick branches of the jungle trees.
The small shelter that Rajveer and Meera had built near the waterfall was still wet from last night's rain.
Meera woke up first.
She slowly stepped outside and took a deep breath.
The jungle air was cool and fresh.
The waterfall was still flowing peacefully, its sound echoing gently through the forest.
Meera looked at her hands.
She remembered what had happened the previous night.
The green light that had appeared in her hands… the wind… the snake running away.
"What was that power?" she whispered to herself.
Just then a voice came from behind her.
"Talking to yourself this early in the morning?"
Meera turned.
Rajveer was standing there with a sleepy smile.
His hair was messy and he looked like he had just woken up.
Meera laughed.
"You look like the jungle defeated you last night."
Rajveer stretched his arms.
"I thought I was sleeping in a five-star hotel."
Meera rolled her eyes.
"Yeah right… and I'm your personal servant."
Rajveer grinned.
"No… you're the queen of the jungle."
Meera blushed slightly and quickly changed the topic.
"Come on… let's find something for breakfast."
Rajveer pointed toward the waterfall.
"Today we catch fish."
Meera's eyes sparkled.
"Really?"
Rajveer picked up a long stick.
"Yes… but this time you're learning too."
Both of them walked to the edge of the waterfall pool.
The water was crystal clear.
Small fish were swimming inside it.
Rajveer began teaching Meera.
"Stand still… don't scare them."
Meera carefully stepped into the water.
She tried to aim at a fish.
But suddenly she slipped.
Splash!
Rajveer burst into laughter.
"Are you catching fish or trying to become one?"
Meera angrily splashed water at him.
"Shut up!"
Both of them started laughing.
After a while Rajveer caught a fish.
Then Meera tried again.
This time she focused carefully.
And suddenly—
She actually caught a small fish.
"Look!" she shouted happily.
Rajveer clapped.
"Wow… you're becoming a real jungle survivor."
They made a small fire using dry wood.
Soon the fish was cooking.
Both of them sat on a rock near the waterfall and ate together.
For a moment the jungle was completely peaceful.
Then Meera suddenly spoke.
"Rajveer… can I ask you something?"
Rajveer looked up.
"Sure."
Meera hesitated for a moment.
"Who are you… really?"
Rajveer froze slightly.
But he quickly smiled.
"Just a traveler… who lost his way."
Meera looked suspicious.
"I feel like you're hiding something."
Rajveer avoided the question.
"First you tell me about yourself."
Meera took a deep breath.
"Alright… I'll tell you the truth."
She looked down for a moment.
Then she started speaking slowly.
"I grew up in a small village. My grandmother raised me."
Rajveer listened carefully.
Meera's voice became heavy.
"My parents were very rich… they had a huge business empire."
Rajveer looked surprised.
"Then what happened?"
Meera's eyes became slightly wet.
"My uncle… killed them."
Rajveer was shocked.
"What?"
Meera nodded slowly.
"He took everything… the empire… the money."
"And I was sent away to live with my grandmother."
The jungle became silent.
Rajveer said softly,
"I'm sorry."
Meera gave a small smile.
"It's okay. I learned to be strong."
Rajveer looked at her.
He realized that behind her cheerful personality… there was deep pain.
Suddenly—
A loud roar echoed through the jungle.
"GRRRRRRRRR!"
Both of them stood up immediately.
Rajveer whispered,
"That's a tiger."
Meera's face turned pale.
From the bushes slowly emerged a huge tiger.
Its golden eyes were locked on them.
Rajveer grabbed a wooden stick.
"Meera… stay behind me."
The tiger slowly walked closer.
Every step felt heavy and powerful.
Meera's heart was beating fast.
And suddenly—
Her hands began glowing with a soft green light again.
A strong wind rushed through the trees.
Leaves began shaking violently.
The tiger stopped.
It stared at Meera.
Then slowly… it stepped back.
Within seconds it disappeared into the jungle.
Rajveer stared at Meera in disbelief.
"Meera… this is the second time."
Meera looked confused and scared.
"I don't understand what's happening to me."
Just then Rajveer noticed something strange in the distance.
Between the trees and rocks stood a large stone structure.
"What is that?" he said.
Both of them walked carefully toward it.
Hidden deep inside the jungle was an ancient temple.
The temple was covered with moss.
Strange symbols were carved on the stones.
Meera whispered,
"This place feels… strange."
Rajveer pushed the old door.
It opened slowly with a loud creaking sound.
Inside the temple it was dark.
But the walls were covered with carvings.
Carvings of the jungle… animals… and a mysterious girl.
Meera stepped closer to one carving.
The moment she touched it—
Her hands began glowing again.
Rajveer stared at the wall.
"Meera… this girl… she looks exactly like you."
Suddenly a strong wind blew inside the temple.
A stone statue in the center began glowing faintly.
At the same moment—
A mysterious voice echoed through the jungle.
"The guardian of the jungle… has returned."
Meera and Rajveer froze.
Rajveer whispered,
"Who said that?"
But there was no one there.
The darkness inside the temple seemed deeper.
And neither of them knew…
What terrifying secret was hidden inside this ancient place.