A Ghost's Unfulfilled Wish - 7

Mr.Narayan said “forget that I am your manager, we are good friends too so you can share with me but yes there is no pressure, share with me only if you feel comfortable.“ After a few seconds of silence John said “you are right, there is something that is bothering me. “Tell me what it is? I can try helping you out” said Narayan; John said “I feel someone's presence always with me especially when I am alone”. Since when? asked Narayan; “for past 4-5 days” John replied. “Maybe you are stressed out with something, it's a long weekend from tomorrow go on a trip you will feel good” said Narayan. “It's definitely not stress, it's not only someone's presence ...a few recent incidents have been bothering me very much” and shared that horrifying dream he dreamt, about the old man and how the water turned into blood. Patting on John's shoulder Narayan said “take my words plan for a long drive with friends you will definitely be fine. If you still feel the same way once you are back, we’ll think about what to do next, John said ok and his phone started ringing. Narayan walked away.

John answered the call” how are you dude? Sorry was a little busy couldn't call you” said Sandeep.” No worries dude, what's up?” asked John .He didn't wanted to share those incidents with Sandeep, as he felt relaxed after talking to his manager. “Good, what plans for the weekend?" asked Sandeep. “I was thinking about that Sandeep, thought of going on a trip with the family”.” That's nice where have you planned on going?” asked Sandeep. “don’t know yet.. I just decided to plan for a trip”. ”Oh then why don't you join us John?” asked Sandeep. “Join you? Where to? Wanted to spend some time with the family”. "Do you remember my childhood friend Charles?" His family and my family have planned for a 3 days trip together to Manali.. would you like to join us? Asked Sandeep. John said "that's nice, let me call Jency… will get back to you in sometime”.

John called up his wife and told her about the plan. Jency who was tired of her daily routine at home was happy with it and said yes to the trip. Without wasting time, John called Sandeep and told him that he and his family would like to join. Sandeep was happy .he said “wow great John” however, we have planned to drive, I think my car and Charles's fortuner would be sufficient enough for us. I shall come pick you all up near your house around 6 in the morning" said Sandeep. John said ok, he disconnected the call and went back to his desk.

John direct walked into his manager's (Narayan) cabin and informed him about his trip, Narayan said “that's nice John you complete the trip and come back, things will be fine” John asked "If not?".” If not then I will tell you what to do” said Narayan. John got back to his seat and Narayan who was already doing a research on what happens to a soul which leaves human's body after death seriously felt there is some ghost in John's house.

As it was a long weekend people started leaving early. John too wanted to leave on time, so he logged out, packed his belongings and then he received a call from his Manager, he asked john to come to his Cabin, Narayan gave a phone in John's hand and said “this is a spare phone, once you reach home turn on the video and start recording". “But why?” asked John. “Don't ask me anything I will tell you later and remember don't forget to get the phone when you come back, also Make sure the phone is still recording until you come back from trip” said Narayan. John agreed.

John reached home and his daughter's came running to him saying daddy we have packed all our stuffs, tell me where are we going? What all are there in that place? Shall I take my toys? John smiled and said “hmmmm take whatever you want to, take your sweaters and warm clothes it will be too cold there and you can see snow falls too”, both his daughters were so excited they screamed “wow ,we will go pack everything” and ran to their room. John didn't find Jency at home, he walked into his room, lights were off, “Jency are you there?” he asked but he did not get any response suddenly he felt someone hugging him from behind, “oh my god someone is hugging me even before I asked for it” said John, “ I'm too excited for the trip with you after nearly 3 years” said Jency, “even I am excited Jency” he pulled her close looked into her eyes and said “do you remember our honeymoon trip?”, she blushed, pushed him away and replied “yes of course… but now let's talk about this trip, look I have packed everything” she showed, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Oh that's really quick Jency; Sandeep will come pick us at 6am. we should be ready by then” said John.” sure I will take care of all that. I will give early dinner and put kids to sleep” said Jency.

Jency walked into the kitchen and John into the washroom to freshen up. All 4 of them looked very happy, they finished their dinner and were watching TV. Jency who was sitting beside him said “I will go tuck them in” and took kids to their room, John who was sitting alone in the hall felt someone sat beside him, without looking he asked “they slept so soon?” But he didn't not get any response. He turned to look and there was no one there. He got into his kids room and Jency was telling them some stories. He switched off the TV and sat with his wife until she put them to sleep.

Once the kids slept they both went to their room. His wife turned off the light and John's mobile was beeping, he received a message from his manager asking him not to pause or stop the video until the day he will be back to work. John had completely forgotten about the mobile. He replied “ok” to his boss and switched on the light. “What happened John? Asked Jency, without replying to her he took out the mobile from his laptop bag, turned the video on and kept it in the corner of the room, Jency who was clueless about what he was doing asked" what are you doing John? Whose mobile is that? Why are you recording?” John managed saying” we won't be at home for 4 days let it be for safety reasons”, Jency felt it was silly but did not comment instead she said “I'm feeling drowsy and closed her eyes”, John Slept soon after.

Early morning everyone woke up and got ready. John received a call from Sandeep "are you ready dude?" I am starting now, will pick you up in 30 minutes” he said.” We all are ready and waiting for you” said John. Sandeep reached within 30 minutes, John knew Charles, they both greeted each other and introduced their families. Charles's wife Alice and Sandeep's wife Pavithra are good friends so Pavithra and her son Varun, Alice and her son Alwin sat in Charles's car. John, Jency, Liya, Ziya, Sandeep and his daughter Brinda were in Sandeep's car. Kids were happily playing John and Sandeep were busy chatting Jency was a little bored and that made her fall asleep.

John noticed Jency had slept. Sandeep were you able to gather any details about Roslyn asked John. Sandeep quickly looked into the mirror to check what Jency was up to. “She is sleeping you tell me” said John, "are you still not out of it John?".” I can never come out of it, please tell me” said John.” I am trying dude we should have some patience but guess what, last night I was searching for my sweater and below the sweater I found our college magazine and her photo too!”. “ wow where is the magazine?” asked John.” It's in my bag. Will give you once we reach” said Sandeep.

In between they stopped for breakfast and lunch. Meanwhile Jency got adjusted with Pavithra and Alice. Charles, John and Sandeep were taking turns as it was a long drive. Finally around 8 pm they reached their destination. Three rooms were allocated to the 3 families, they freshened up and came out for dinner. Sandeep whispered into his wife's ears “we 3 are going to the bar you guys finish your dinner and get back to room. we will be back soon”, she said ok and conveyed the message to Alice and Jency.

Before they sat down in the bar John said “dude before you start off get me the magazine”. “I knew you would ask for it, here it is” said Sandeep. John kept turning the pages and his eyes froze the minute he saw Roslyn's photo. His eyes welled up with tears; looking at John's face “what is this Sandeep?” asked Charles. “Our college magazine” said Sandeep. He took magazine from John's hand looked at Roslyn's photo and said “hey who is she?” asked Charles again. Sandeep said “our college junior. Roslyn is her name”.” ooh I just saw her Sandeep” exclaimed Charles. "What? Where, where did you see her?" yelled John. ” Remember we took a U- turn to reach resort, I saw her there, she was crossing the road also she looked like she’s newly married, I saw her with a man, probably her husband” said Charles.