Arshi SS: The Ghostly Girl

Chapter 10

Anand stretched his limbs as Arnav paid the taxi driver and pulled out his friend's luggage.

"Why are we here?" Anand asked looking around the unknown neighbourhood.

"We gotta do some research about Khushi before going home!" Arnav said.

Anand nodded and said, "But a cup of hot tea before that please." and he pointed to a tea stall.

The boys sat down on a bench and sipped the tea.

"Strange right? A ghost whom we both can see...only both of us!" Anand whispered.

Arnav nodded and sipped tea.

"So Arnav...how are we related to this man?" Anand asked frowning.

Arnav shrugged and said, "I don't know but...you know from her talk it seemed like I was really close to her!"

"Explain really close" Anand said.

"She said something about some promises I gave her, moments we spend together and etc..."

"You were in relationship?" Anand gasped.

"I don't know. I have never met her before seeing her near lake side! But she....what is all this?" Arnav pulled his hair.

Anand sighed and said, "Yaar, what about di?"

"She is hiding something. I'm sure! We should get her spill" Arnav said determined.

Anand stood up and paid the tea vendor and the boys walked through the street.

"Which is this place?" Anand asked.

"Vasant Vihar colony. Khushi's family stay here!" Arnav said.

"So we're going in and talk to them?" Anand asked.

"Not we....you are" Arnav said smiling.

Anand looked at him.

"They have met me when I dropped Akash here but they don't know you. Go in and get some details! Meanwhile I'll interrogate the neighbours!" Arnav said smiling.

"You prick...." Anand began when Arnav's phone rang.

"Ha mami" Arnav said picking up.

"WHAT? Where is she now? Ok wait, I'm coming!" Arnav said shocked.

"What is it?"

"Di fainted. She is in hospital" Arnav said.

"Go to her. I'll get details from here!" Anand said and Arnav nodded running away.

Anand watched his friend running away and then turned back the Vasant Vihar colony to walk to Gupta house when he found himself staring at a familiar face.

"Ah!" he jumped back seeing the face close to him and heard a chuckle.

"Come on man, you took me out for a date and is this how you treat your ex-date?" she asked laughing.

"Khushi" he whispered looking at the woman before him.

"Yes" she said and crossed her arms under chest, "Don't worry about Anjali. I just played a prank on her and the bitch fell unconscious....Humans!" she rolled her eyes.

"How do you know Anjali di?" Anand asked.

"Oh! So you also don't remember me?" Khushi asked angrily.

Anand gulped but said gathering courage, "Khushi....I know that you're angry but me and Arnav are telling the truth. We don't remember meeting a person like you before. And now you're telling that you know us very well. You have some connection with Anjali di! Please tell us. You know your story so tell us....why you are asking us to find out!"

Khushi's eyes softened up and looked at him. "I know my story but even I do not know it full Anand. My death is considered as a suicide but it is not. I never killed myself. Someone killed me. WHO? I don't know. Only you and Arnav can find it out because only both of you can see me!"

"So help us a bit!" Anand cried, "Tell us about you. How do we know you because we damn don't remember anything?"

Khushi looked at him and found genuine concern in his eyes. Sighing she said, "Okay"

After an hour

Anand gulped down a bottle of water and looked at the women before him.

Her eyes continued to water tears and she said in cracking voice, "Now that you know my story...complete it. FIND MY KILLER!"

Anand looked at her pale hand and stretched his arm to touch. He stopped himself and looked at her. She nodded and he touched her hand. A feathery feeling engulfed him as he curled his fingers around her palm.

"I promise you. I'll find you your killer" he said firmly.

She nodded and stood up. Without turning back she walked away disappearing into the evening sky.

Anand took out his mobile and dialled Arnav.

"I'm hospital. Where are you?" Arnav asked without any hello.

"I met her and I talked to her"

"Khushi?"

"Mmmm"

"How did it go?"

"She told me her story and now it's our turn to complete it by finding her killer!"

"What's the story?"

"Will tell you. Come home. I'll be there! But before that Arnav, is there something you're hiding from me?" Anand asked.

"What? Hiding?" Arnav asked shocked.

"We're best buddies. Right from childhood. We share everything isn't that so? Then why did you hide your biggest secret from me?" Anand asked angrily.

"What are you talking about Anand?"Arnav asked sharply.

"Who is Nandkishore?" Anand asked.

As expected, he didn't get a reply but a question, "Who told you?"

"So it's true!" Anand said angrily.

"I can explain Anu...." Arnav said pleadingly.

"Not interested" Anand said curtly.

"Anand..."

"One word, that was all enough! Your life, your choice; I would have never interfered but ONE WORD. YOU COULD'VE TOLD ME!" Anand shouted.

"Please hear me out...."

"I'll be there at Laxminagar. Come home with nothing but truth!" Anand said and cut the call.