Cleansed

"Excuse me, is this Priya's flat?"

It was a boy. Strange. Of Priya's age. Strange. 

"Yes," I replied, not wanting to continue the conversation with a 21-year-old.

"Are the formalities over? Can I see her?" He asked again. 

The 21-year-old was already pissing me of by asking too much but knowing that I had to maintain my sanity, I said yes and took him to meet them. Priya was lying down wrapped in the white linen next to her father. Both the bodies, tired and numb and frozen and dead. They were the only ones I would have called as family and with now them gone, I was literally a 40-year-old orphan. 

But for some reason the 21-year-old was grabbing my attention since his arrival. Who the hell was this kid? He seems too broken inside. If this was someone close to Priya, why hasn't she mentioned about him before. I was sure that her father or even me (her favorite and coolest aunt) was unaware of the existence of such a homo-sapien. And I seem to know everything about my brother's family. 

 My train of thoughts got interrupted when my object of curiosity came near me to hand over a small box. " Priya and I go to the same college. I am a friend of hers. She had left this at my place, couple of weeks back, while we had our band practice, but I only found it recently. Haven't opened it. I wanted to return it back in person. Wanted to tell her a lot more of the things actually...kind of confess what I feel for her... but I guess I am late ...... I will miss her badly though .... Please keep that safe, Priya seems to trust you the most."

 Saying this the 21-year-old left, leaving me confused to the core. Not wanting to look like an educated and clueless idiot, I went back and stood next the bodies. There wasn't much time left before they became prey to the flames of the higher power. I guess 5 minutes might have passed when I came to know that another stranger has enquired about me. Following Rakul; my best friend and the only person who made sense to me in the last 24 hours, I went to find my guest. 

It was woman. Weird. Slightly younger than me. Weird.

" Hi Yeshaswini, I'm Sarah. Though we haven't met before, I have heard a lot about you from Krishnan. I was his senior at college and have been his colleague for the last 4 years. We share a very deep bond and.....I still haven't been able to process the news.... you know I really wish to stay back for the funeral, but I have a personal emergency and have to travel immediately. I came to drop by this. I felt Krishnan would want you to keep it. He seems to trust you the most."

With this the woman bid me adieu and left after handing over another small box. Who are these people? Why am I meeting delivery agents all of a sudden? Too many questions were making my head throb, and I realized I needed some time alone. Evading a room full of strangers who claimed to be friends, family and acquaintances offering condolences, I went out to clear my head. I couldn't cry properly after I first heard the news of my family's death and now there were just too many questions that needed to be answered.

I found a bench outside and sat down but before I could open any of the mystery boxes, a notification on my phone caught my attention.

**New Gmail (1) alert**

Damn. For the past one month, I had been getting random mails, SMS etc, making no sense or whatsoever. It seemed harmless so never really gave any kind of attention to it. They were mere bible verses. But if this mail has something to do with the messages I have been getting so far, something is seriously messed up.

** Mail opened**

" Dear Yeshaswini,

How do you feel now my dearest sister-in-law? I genuinely hope you read all the messages correctly and finally understood what my religion is about. I know you don't really care about any of that. Just like how you didn't care about me even after marrying Krishnan and being a part of your family. Why have you always been so bothered about what I believe in the first place? It didn't matter to Krishnan. Don't you share the same blood with him? I had a loving family but why did you have to take it from me? Well, Yeshawini, you committed a sin and since you didn't repent for it, you will have to be punished. That is what God has taught me. 'Let this be the last Good Friday that you would have to see. But this time no resurrection is happening for you.' Isn't that what you told me? Five Easters back? 

With love

Elizabeth"'

I didn't have to open the mystery boxes to know I'm screwed up. I knew what it would contain. Clues to how Elizabeth died. Clues that I specifically made sure to eliminate. But if these came back after 5 years, right after my brother and niece died, then it only means one thing. I am about to be caught. 

But you know what is funny? I won't give in. Not until I finish what I have been told to do. The world needs only one religion. One belief. Nothing else. Anyone standing in my way to complete my job will be removed. Even if that is family or strangers. If I could take out 3 away, then I sure can take out a lot more. ANY DOUBTS?