Riya skips inside, her shoes echoing on the stairs as she hugs her favorite teddy bear. The house smells of cinnamon and old paper, and the air feels thick with secrets. She glances curiously at the cupboard tucked beneath the staircase, its chipped paint almost glowing in the dim light.
Grandma, with silver hair and a warm smile, passes by, pausing to ruffle Riya’s hair.
"Remember, don’t open that cupboard at night," she teases, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Riya lies awake, clutching her teddy, listening to the hush of the night. Suddenly, a gentle sound rises above the silence—whiiisper… whiiisper—like a voice carried on the wind. Her heart pounds as she sits up, eyes locked on the cupboard.
"Is someone there?" she whispers, her voice trembling.
Riya[/@ch_1] tiptoes closer, the cupboard glowing softly in the pale light. The door creaks open, slow and deliberate, revealing darkness within.]
She holds her breath, gripping her teddy tight. Suddenly, two glowing eyes blink from the shadows, startling her. A small ghost, dusty and translucent, floats out, wearing round glasses and clutching a tattered book.
Gus, the cupboard ghost, hovers shyly.
"Please don’t be scared," he murmurs, his voice as gentle as a sigh.
Riya’s fear melts away as she studies Gus’s kind eyes and the book clutched in his hands.
"You scared me, Gus!"
"I’m sorry," he replies, his glasses slipping down his nose. Gus explains that he is the guardian of forgotten stories, whispering every night so someone might listen.
Riya[/@ch_1] sits cross-legged beside the cupboard, reading aloud to the shadows. The house feels lighter, the whispers fade, and Gus listens contentedly, his book open in his lap.]
Riya shares tales of adventure and magic, laughter echoing in the quiet halls. The cupboard stays peaceful, its door closed except for their nightly meetings. Over time, Gus’s form grows fainter, his smile brighter.
Riya[/@ch_1] packs her bag, preparing to leave Grandma’s house. The cupboard sits silent, almost ordinary, but as she turns away, a final whisper dances through the air.]
"Thank you… and don’t forget to read," comes the gentle voice, lingering like a memory. Riya smiles, promising never to ignore a whisper again. As she steps outside, the house feels alive with stories waiting to be found.
