Lift That Takes You Nowhere

I recently shifted to a new place. My old landlord sold the house and I had to search for a new one. I was looking for a house with good amenities and close to my office. Also I didn't want a costly and posh house. A good ventilation system, a garden place to sit and write or a place nearby a lake. I did not have much time to vacate the old house.The landlord gave me a month's time. So, I started asking people to look for a house and went through some online websites. Met some brokers to fix the house.

25 days passed and I still couldn't find the house of my choice. Some house was lacking one or the other amenities. I thought I should try few more houses as I still have 5 days. But, until the 29th day, I kept looking. Now it was the time to choose one of the best even if it doesn't meet the criteria. So, morning before going out to look for houses, I decided that whatever it is, I'll decide one from the houses that I would be looking. I went to see three houses that last day. One had no ventilation, the second was so costly and over budget. The third one had ventilation and a lake near by. But it was on the fifth floor. Out of the ten houses in this building, only 4 houses in the two floors were occupied. I thought it to be well decent and silent place to stay. It was also near to the workplace than the other houses. So, I confirmed the deal and gave advance to the landlord.

I packed my bags the next day and went to the new place. The landlord arranged men to carry my luggage to the fifth floor as he said that the lift is not working. I was happy to know that the landlord has a helping nature. I unpacked the bags and decorated the house beautifully. Stood at the balcony looking at the lake view. Grabbed a cup of coffee and stood there for hours.

Slept the first night happily as the day was so tiring. From the second day, it was as usual. Work, home and writing. One day at 5 in the morning, I thought I will go near the lake and write something watching the sunrise. I got out of the room. Took stairs, I found the lift was working. I was at the third floor and saw lift going up till the fifth floor and then again to the ground floor. I found no one in the lift. Nor anyone was there to press the button on the fifth floor as I stayed there alone. Also when I got down, I found none there too. I thought it must be some technical issue in the lift, as I remembered that it was not working.

I went to the lake and came back home. I used to continue going out every morning and nearly from the past 15 days this was going on. I called the landlord to tell this but he was out-of-town. I thought after he comes, I will ask him to repair.

After 20 days, I couldn't stop myself to see what was happening. I then pressed the lift button and it turned off. I was happy that it was an easy fix. But the next day same thing happened and pressing the button the lift was getting turned off. I then thought there is some issue with the mechanism of the lift. I tried opening the doors of the lift. I went inside, tried to press the 5th floor button, it didn't work. This lift had two doors one inner and the other outer. So, I opened the inner door and when tried to open the second one, the first door banged on my hand on its own. My hand got cut off and it fell down. I was bleeding and shouting for help. With great effort,I opened the second door with my second-hand and came out of the lift. I ran to my house. I called the Doctor and the Police. I got my hand-operated. The Police tried investigating the matter. They were there for three days, but the lift then never turned on. They waited for days and found no clue, they closed the FIR. I was not happy to stay here. I looked for another house and shifted there.

One day when I was passing by this house, I thought of visiting the house. The old lift was no more. The new lift was up and running. I went to see the house where I stayed. There was a family now staying there and the building was now filled with all 10 houses.

I called the landlord to know how come this all has changed? The landlord wanted to meet me. We met and he gave me a letter. I took the letter and came back home.

What I found was Sorry in the front. Inside I found this written "I am sorry. I am no more. I got caught up in the lift. I was a young man with heavy weight. Doctors had asked me to use stairs which I never did. I always used lift. One day when I was in the lift, I felt breathless and I died in the lift. Doctor said - If I would have used stairs, I would not have died. From then I have never let anyone use the lift. The day when you pressed the button, I was afraid you will use it. So, I was turning it off. I was in the lift all the time. None ever tried to come until here. But, you did. I was so angry with you and I am sorry, I hunted you. I then realized that I died of my own mistake, I wish that others do understand whats good for them. So, I decided to leave from here and left. Before leaving I came to tell you sorry. But, you had left. Hence I knew you will come some day passing by and you will get this letter. Once again Sorry.

From then till date, I am very afraid to use lifts. I never go alone in lifts.