Tangled Ties

Chapter 18: Offered to the dead!

Luna's POV:

My body! It feels so heavy!

Slowly I opened my eyes. I was in my room, on my bed. Didn't Sama burn my bed?

I got up and looked around the room, everything was perfectly fine. The photo frames, the lamps, the chairs were on the right state.

I clearly remember fighting with Sama and Salu. But everything looks normal. Was it all a dream?

"Good morning Beautiful!" Abigail entered the room with a cup of coffee.

"Hey!" I was happy to see her.

"How are you feeling?" She asked me handing the cup of coffee.

"This room was a mess last night! How come it's all fine now?" I asked, I was really confused.

"Have you forgotten that I got so much powers?" Abigail flipped her hair proudly, and started laughing.

"I thought it was a dream!" I added, taking a sip of coffee.

"No! Someone was so raged! I still remember how boldly you fought. I'm going to kill you." Abigail said in a sarcastic tone, making fun of me.

"I can't believe I was about to kill Sama." I got goosebumps remembering those moments where I was about to cut Sama's neck.

*HOLY BELL RANG*

"What was that?" I asked, listening to the sound of bell coming from the back yard.

"Today's Mr. John's first death anniversary and his family is performing a ritual." Abigail said, opening the curtains.

"WHAT?" I was shocked.

I remember Mr. John died after one month of my death. And my death anniversary was just few days ago! That meant Mr. John's death anniversary still got time! But why are they saying that it's today?

"You were asleep for a month!" Abigail added, reading my mind.

"What?" I was shocked.

"That night you used too much power, that is why you were too weak and were asleep for a month." Abigail replied, searching for something in my drawer.

"What happened in this 1 month?" I asked, I was worried about Sophie.

"Those girls moved out and the house is vacant once again." Abigail said, taking out a paper from my drawer.

"Sophie left?" I asked.

"Yes, Sophie too!" Abigail said, trying not to break my heart but my heart broke. I was very sad when she said that.

"Sophie has left a letter for you." Abigail added, handing me the paper she took out from the drawer.

I was confused and scared, both at the same time.

"Letter?" I asked.

"Sophie left this in front of your photo frame, when she came here to take her belongings." Abigail said.

"Luna! Read this. And I have to go for now. I will bring delicious food tonight." Abigail added, holding the white flower's basket. I nodded and she disappeared.

Slowly I opened the letter.

Dear Luna,

I don't even know if this letter makes any sense. I don't even know if you'll get this or no. And even if you get this I don't know if you can read this or no. If you can please read it all.

It's me Sophie. Just in one night, so many things happened. I feel like I shouldn't have called you but at the same time I am happy that I got to communicate with you. With you I understood not all the souls are evil.

We are leaving this house. I know you are happy that Sama and Salu left but I also know you aren't happy that I am leaving. Being a student, I can't afford the rent alone. For now, I rented a small flat and next year I am going to stay in the hostel.

And don't worry about Salu and Sama, they will never tell anyone about what happened that night because I have warned them. If they dare to talk about you, I will tell the police that they tried to burn the house and also tried to kill Ruchi and me. I will never let them hurt you again.

Luna, thank you so much for always helping me. You must be guessing how I knew about you. Since the day I came here, I felt your presence. At first, I was scared that you'd hurt us but as time passed, I knew you were helping me. Whenever Sama and Salu tortured me, you scared them. You saved me from being embarrassed in front of Zayn. I've no words to thank you.

I wish you get to go to the afterlife as soon as possible. I wish whatever you are waiting for comes to you soon. I wish you heal from every wound you got.

I wish to meet you if you reincarnate.

If there is anything that I can do for you, please give me a sign.

- Sophie

I was in tears after I finished reading the letter. In the short time Sophie and I had the beautiful bond. But it was okay that she left. It might be hard for her to live with a dead soul.

Keeping the letter back in the drawer, I smiled. It felt good, don't know why. I went out of my room and went inside Sophie's room. The room was neat and clean. That room held more memories, first Aunt Elsa then Sophie. I went downstairs, the living room too was properly managed. Abigail worked a lot, no no! she just used her powers. I laughed! Then I went to the terrace, I wanted to see the rituals being performed for Grand Pa John.

I went towards Grand Pa John's house. Their front yard was packed with people. Uncle Nick, Aunt Monika and grand ma were doing some rituals sitting in front of Grand Pa's picture. On the side table there were so many foods, offered for Grand Pa as beaten rice, chicken curry, sweets, beans, vegetables, fruits, curd. It is believed that people prepare the foods that the dead loved on their death anniversary. And as much as I remembered Grand Pa loved Newari cuisine and mama papa used to invite him in all our festivals as we are from Newar community. I smiled remembering those days.

It's already one year since you went to after life. I hope you have already reincarnated as a beautiful being. Rest in Peace Grand Pa. Oh wait! On this day, Abigail and I became friends. Wow one year!

After two hours the rituals ended. Then I saw Abigail standing on the crowd. I wondered what she was doing there. Then as I was about to call her, she walked towards the table filled with food. I kept on looking at her. She held the plate filled with foods which was offered for Grand pa. After that she disappeared. What just happened? Before I could think of anything I heard Abigail calling me.

"Luna! Where are you?" Abigail was calling me from inside.

"I'm waiting for you in the dining room, come fast!" She shouted.

I walked down to the dining room. The table was filled with the food which was offered to Grand pa. Abigail was sitting on the chair, waiting for me.

"Look! The restaurant of souls has prepared Newari cuisine today!" Abigail happily said, looking at the food.

She was smiling and making fun of me like always. But that day I wasn't happy because I realized something.

Abigail always brought food that were offered to the dead! That meant last month when she brought my favorite foods, they were actually offered to me on my death anniversary?

And I am sure those foods were prepared by my papa. That also meant Abigail knew where my parents were?