After all the busy times, Karthik wished to meet Priya. He wanted to see the cheer in her face. He went to the waters, but wondered whether he could really be able to meet her. But, to his astonishment, Raj was standing there, watching the waters glide through gently. He realised that he was waiting to meet Priya and thought of leaving right away. But, he was desperate to meet Priya one last time and leave them alone, forever.
“Hi Raj”, said Karthik cheerfully.
“Oh! Hi Karthik… What a surprise?”
“Strolling around just like that… Waiting for someone special??”
“Hmmm… not really… I just love this place… it brings back beautiful memories… my beautiful past!!”
“I understand… it is going to get prettiest... isn't it?”
Raj looked confused. He didn't say anything.
“Priya must be happy”, said Karthik.
“Yes… now she will have all the peace that she ever wanted”
“I used to meet her here, often”
“Yes, she likes this place very much and she would stop by almost every day”
“Yes yes true! I thought I could meet her today… it's been awhile since I have met her”
Raj looked terrible!
“What are you saying Karthik? Are you here to meet Priya?!”
“Yeah…”, replied Karthik hesitatingly. He thought probably Raj did not like the idea of him meeting Priya. He wondered whether Raj is so possessive!!
“Sorry… I don't want to disturb you guys, but just wanted to see how happy she is”, continued Karthik.
“Are you not aware of anything, Karthik?”
“Aware? What??”
“Priya is no more!”
“What? What are you saying Raj?”, screamed Karthik at the top of his voice. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He started to sweat and felt restless.
“Yes Karthik! How do you not know? She met with a terrific accident here on this road and was thrown away. She lost her life right under this tree”
Raj started to tremble as he said that and his eyes went wet.
Karthik looked at the tree. The very tree that Priya pointed to him sometime back, when she narrated her history. The very tree which was an important element in his love life. The very tree which was his hide away to secretly admire Priya!!
Now, Karthik started to tremble and his face went wet because of sweat. As he wiped his face with his hands, Raj noticed the ring in Karthik's finger.
“Karthik, did Priya give this to you? That was my first gift to her”, asked Raj. He took Karthik’s hand in his and looked at the ring. His tears dropped on it.
Karthik was totally confused and clearly scared! He pulled the ring out of his finger, gave it to Raj and walked away without saying a word.
That evening was the most terrible time of his life. He was lying still on his bed and his mind raced through his every meet with Priya.
'Was she really a ghost? Was she not for real? Did I fall in love with a ghost? Did I take up so much pain and pressure, for a ghost? Had she finally attained peace or still roaming around, watching me? Was it this ghost’s plan to probe me into saving Raj? Did I lose my sleep, dreaming of romancing a ghost?’
As he kept thinking about his ghostly affair, he felt as if the ceiling fan was slowly descending down towards him. The blades seemed to turn into deadly claws and Priya's face appeared at the center. She was not looking classy anymore. Her pale face, bleeding head, scary eyes sent a death chill all over Karthik and he screamed, ”Mummyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!”
----- THE END -----
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