There was a gibbous moon in the sky which lit up a few wispy clouds. It was 2:30 a.m. when the party ended. After bidding farewell to my friend, I took my motorbike and headed straight for home. The deserted road was dark and gloomy. Surprisingly, the roads were badly lit. The feeling of loneliness crept all over me as I travelled uneventfully along the endless long stretch of road. It was at times like this when I wished that I could have someone by my side to accompany me.
It was a few minutes later when I noticed a young girl, who was about my age, standing by the roadside and waving me down. It took me a moment or two to react. Should I stop? Without much consideration, I stomped on the brake pedal and the vehicle came to an abrupt halt.
The young girl, needless to say, was pretty. She has a petite figure, an oval-shaped face, a pair of sparkling eyes and lustrous hair. When she spoke, her voice had the same sort of purity as the water from the mountain spring. And she wanted a lift to her house. Later, I was still trekking along the stretch of road, but not alone.
On the way, she complained that she was feeling rather cold. Without hesitation, I took off my stylish jacket and gave it to her. She accepted it appreciatively and wrapped it around her body with ease. Then, we trekked onwards. I took her straight home. When she got off at her address, she thanked me.
" Come to my house when you're free, " she whispered softly and pointed at the bungalow with imposing white gates.
" May I know your name? " I asked gallantly.
" Gweyn, " she replied with a smile.
I arrived home at about 3:00 in the morning. It was then when I recalled that I had left my jacket with Gweyn. I was feeling rather worn out and decided to retrieve it when dawn breaks. As fatigue claimed over me, I slumped lazily into the welcoming arms of the soft sofa and fell into a dreamless slumber.
It was chilly morning when I woke up, which the pale sun to my left seemed to be doing little to alleviate. Orange daylight was oozing in through the open windows. I decided to pay the girl a visit right away. I arrived at her house at about 8:00 in the morning. I pressed the doorbell and waited patiently. Time seemed to drag by slowly. Then an elderly woman appeared and looked at me enquiringly. I explained to her about the incident last night. Somehow, she questioned its truth and refused to believe every word that came out from my mouth.
" I am perfectly sure that my daughters were with me last night, " she murmured. " All of them. " her tone was very sarcastic.
Now what? How should I convince her? I did not know what to do. My limbs seemed to be frozen and when I opened my mouth to speak, there was no voice to be heard.
She detected my difficulties and continued to speak. " You do look sincere, young man, but are you sure? "
" Yes! " I said the word with utter finality.
She nodded briefly and motioned me to follow her into the house. Once inside she gestured me to be seated. Then, she went upstairs. I took a few glances around my surroundings. The interior of the house was indeed well designed. Then, I spotted a picture which was hanging on the opposite wall. It was Gweyn!
Moments later, the woman came down with her daughters. She demanded me to indicate the girl that I mentioned. There were three of them, but none of them was the girl I was looking for.
" Where is Gweyn? " I enquired.
" Who? " she looked baffled.
" Gweyn, the girl in that picture, " I explained and pointed directly at the picture hanging on the wall.
Her daughters giggled softly and looked sarcastically at me. Then, the elderly woman took a few paces across the room, towards that picture and gave a sigh of resignation.
" Young man, the girl in that picture is indeed Gweyn. "
" Then where is she? " I continued to probe.
" But, she is no longer with us, " she said gravely, and pronounce each word clearly as if speaking to a five-year-old child.
I stared at her expressionlessly and said, " That's not funny. "
Little did I realise that sweat was pouring down her forehead.
" I didn't say that it was funny, young man. " she retorted.
" Come with me, " she snapped and left by the back door. Unceremoniously, I followed her.
I was brought to a cemetery which was located a few hundred yards away from her house. When we arrived at her daughter's grave, I saw my jacket hanging over the tombstone.
