Mysterious Death

3-👻You can see me👻

The men in the family lifted my body to take it to the cemetery while the ladies stood behind.

Frustrated with everyone, I jumped out of the building.

All the idea of adventure went down the drain, when I didn't feel anything while having a free fall. Forget exhilaration, even my hair didn't move as the wind went past my body.

Walking aimlessly on the road, various things ran through my mind.

What the hell was I doing here?

I didn't have any powers. No, I wasn't saying it just like that. I did try few:

Abracadabra

Zip zap zoom

Hiya huya and lot more stupid things.

My body went past everything, living or non living, it didn't matter.

Forget living beings, atleast a power to hold a pencil would have sufficed. With that atleast, I could tell everyone that it wasn't an accident but a murder.

Without any power, how was I going to search for the murderer? And by chance if I found that person, what would I do next? I literally had no power.

Looking at the empty bottle on the road, I tried to kick it in frustration. I couldn't even do it. My leg went past the bottle. I lost my balance but the bottle didn't even move.

Why was I here? To see my reputation getting destroyed?

Why wasn't anyone here to take me to heaven or hell?

Or they could have made me a star in the sky, but no they preferred me roaming here and there without any purpose.

If that was the case, if they wanted me to just walk around the earth aimlessly then atleast they should have given me a ghost companion. Atleast I could talk with somebody. You need someone or something to waste your time.

If not anything, just give a ghost guide. By reading it, I would know what the hell I was supposed to do.

Coming across a busy road, I thought to cross the road even though it was a green signal and vehicles were moving at a high speed.

Standing carelessly on the middle of the road, I counted the cars and bikes that went pass me.

Non living things were okay but I felt weird when human beings passed my body.

'We learn new things everyday.' This was the first thing I learned after being a ghost. Try to avoid clashing with people. It's okay if you can't but no matter what stay away from dogs.

They sense you around and start barking and scaring everyone. They are strong enough to scare a ghost away or maybe I am just a weak ghost.

Shrugging, I moved forward. Morning turned into evening and I kept walking in no particular direction.

No idea how but I reached Drishti's house.

Going inside, I saw her conversing or rather having an argument with our dance teacher.

"Drishti, please understand. Competition is in two days and you are my only hope," teacher pleaded.

"Are you even listening to yourself ?
How can I take Maira's place? I can't do this please. I am already feeling guilty that I couldn't do anything to keep her case open and now this. No, you are making me degrade my prestige in my own eyes," Drishti spoke, her voice breaking with sadness.

"Do it for Maira. You know how much practice she did. If you disagree then college authorities would just select another person. After Maira, you are the one who has the capability of winning.

"If Maira was here, she would say the same thing. Only you can give a performance that could equal to Maira's. Dedicate the dance to Maira. Drishti please, think about it. We don't have much time," saying this the teacher left her house, not before passing my body.

Yuck! Why couldn't she walk a little away from me?

Whatever! She wasn't important right now.

I followed Drishti who now moved towards her room.

"Well the teacher was somewhat right. I wouldn't mind if you are the one who takes my place," I spoke out loud, not knowing how to pass this message across Drishti's mind, but what happened next shocked me and terrified her.

She turned and looked at me with wide eyes.

"Aaaaaaa."

"Oh No! I am going mad. MOM DAD", she started moving backwards.

Why the hell was she screaming?

Her leg got tangled with the mattress and she fell down on her bed.

"Help help. Mom mom," she cried yelling in desperation.

"No one's home," I deadpanned, not knowing why was she screaming.

"Jai hanuman gyaan gun sagar...," she joined her hands and started praying hanuman chalisa.
(Usually prayed while trying to ward off the ghosts in India).

"You can see me? You can see me. Woo hoo. Yay!!" I danced around having finally understood the reason behind her fear.

Having completed my celebration, I looked towards her to see that she was still praying with joined hands and closed eyes.

"It's not working," I spoke bluntly, crossing my hands near my stomach.

She hesitantly opened her eyes and looked at me with fear.

"I understand that getting scared of a ghost is normal but cut me some slack, I am your best friend," I said, and moved to sit down on the bed beside her.

She immediately stood up and backed away a little.

"Do you really think, I would harm you?" I questioned with raised eyebrows.

Hearing my question, she calmed down a little.

"When did you...or how did you become a ghost?" She fumbled, not knowing what to ask.

"Well, I don't know how but I opened my eyes today morning," I answered truthfully.

"After we burned your body?" She asked, slowly getting comfortable with me.

"Before," I simply answered.

"Did you meet your parents? Should I call them?" She asked, moving towards her mobile.

"I tried in the morning, they can't see me. Probably you are the one who can see and hear me," I answered, feeling blessed to have someone to talk too.

I never realized that having someone to talk to would be a blessing and not just something we did regularly without even knowing its value.

"I was also there in the morning. I am not getting this," she spoke, looking more and more confused as our conversation moved further.

"You always had your back facing me. Maybe, that why, you couldn't see me then," I answered shrugging.

"Why me?" she asked, finally sitting beside me.

"I am not sure but I think it's probably because YOU are the only one who is on my side. The only one who believes and trusts me."

A silent understanding passed through us as I uttered those words.