Over To You...(Chapter 17)

It was a sunny morning in the dark winters. The climate was blessing miracles. Jiya and Aisha decided to read the next chapters together and finish the book. They planned to meet at Jiya's house. They were excited as they were going to end the chapter. When Aisha reached Jiya's house, Jiya offered her refreshments. After having some regular chats, they started reading the book...

"Do you say that the family killed you? But you told me you didn't remember anything after your death so how are you able to say that?"

Frustrated Antara by my question busted out “Look from now you will just shut your damn mouth and listen to me. If you want to help me then please be quiet."

After giving an earful to me she restarted her story. She gave him a hint about clarifying the story again.

"I don't remember the day, but it was the same date as today. A voice was loudly screaming someone's name and it interrupted my sleep. When I woke up, I saw a body lying on the ground. It was well decorated with ornaments and makeup. The cotton balls were kept in the two nostrils and a Tulsi leaf was between the two lips. The body was dead. And it was more shocking for me to see the face of the dead body, it resembled me. It was me. But I didn't realise it during that period. While I was confused and shocked as well, my ears were turned by a loud voice, screaming a girl’s name and tears were rolling down my cheeks. I glanced around and I found no one other than him mourning over the death of the girl. I just went to him to calm him down, but I wasn't visible to him. I was in an absolute confused state. But still, I waited patiently. When the dead body was moved toward the Samshan ghat I followed them and there I met people who were able to see me. Looking at my confused state they told me the fact that I had died. In the chaotic atmosphere, my mind was stuck in absolute silence. I didn't understand about the death thing. And the creature explained to me that I had become a ghost, and the other ones was human. When humans die, they become ghosts. At first, I didn't understand a single thing but as time passed everything was clear to me. When I died, I found myself here in the library. Already it was a storeroom but now it has been transformed into a library. On that day those creatures also told me about my fondness for the past that has trapped me in this phase. After the day I died, I started spending my time half at Samshan ghat and half in this room. I also made many ghost friends at Samshan Ghat and started understanding this new life. It’s said that when you have regrets you are unable to pass the death; you become a ghost and roam around. For five years I have been trying to solve this question, what is the reason I became a ghost? And an is I don’t know! The time that I spent in this house was to understand how my life was. I observe everyone around in this village and you know what, observing them is sometimes torture and sometimes fun. It feels like watching movies of different genres. It is funny to see people at Samshan Ghat, only a few are truly letting their emotions flood away, but many are just gossiping. How funny the life is, isn’t it? You are born alone, and you spend life finding someone worthy of yourself but still, you die alone. And then you disappear from memories after some time....”

“But you are still remembered, by me and Rishi, you are unaware of his love towards you. He still loves you; I saw it in his eyes.”

“Your eyes show it more, in his eyes I saw the guilt and regret.”

“How can you say that?”

“He rarely comes to the village, but when he comes, he visits this room and keeps on shedding tears. His mouth is chanting sorry where his eyes are longing for forgiveness. On a fine day, he came to visit his mother and as his routine, he came to the room and started saying that if he hadn’t forced me to marry him, she would have been alive. He said that his heart breaks when he is happy and when his wish is fulfilled. He can’t even enjoy the success he thinks he doesn’t deserve to be happy or to dream, that is how devastated he has become, and it makes me sad. His damn eyes don’t let me go. I want to say to him that it’s ok, leave the past behind and move on but I can’t as he can’t even see me.”

“Do you know the reason for his guilt?”

“I guess I finally know it now...”

Antara was about to tell the most important thing and Rishi arrived... “Who are you talking to?”