Happily Never After

Though it's February already, the winter has not taken away its fragrance entirely. The cold-morning-breeze still gives a sensation of December. On such kind of not so wintery yet cloud-capped day, Shaan and I hop off for our secret spot. Sitting in the flight while watching the vast sky from the window seat, my bygones wraps my mind. It's exactly a year ago, I met Shaan in my college. It was never that 'love at first sight'. In fact, Shaan had to struggle a lot even to talk to me. Nevertheless, on one fine day he proposed me. I couldn't figure out still why did I accept his proposal but I always knew that it was my first ever decision from the heart.

As he proposed me on the promise day, he was obligated to make a promise. Hence he promised to take me to his secret spot on our first anniversary.

So today I'm on cloud nine. 

As soon as the flight lands, we take a cab to the hotel. It has taken almost two hours to reach the hotel. The hotel seems to be an unusual one, there is no single person in the place. Not even the receptionist, neither a waiter nor a guest.The peculiar sight has bewildered me.

"What kind of hotel have you booked Shaan? It seems more alike a horror movie sight than a hotel."

"Calm down love. I've made this special arrangement for us. There is nobody so that we can spend time alone snugly." 

Before Shaan's words can relax me, an alarming sound almost pierces my ears. 

"What's this sound?"

"What kind of sound Kaira? I'm not hearing any sound."

"Sshhh! Listen carefully. You will hear."

"There is no sound, dear. Why are you behaving childishly. Come, let's go to the room." 

The fact has confused me even more because the sound I'm hearing after the interval of every two minutes, how is it not audible to Shaan? But I've not uttered a word in order not to ruin his mood and silently follow him to the room. As the night gets darker, the sound milder and I can sleep at the midnight.

When I open my eyes in the morning, I get surprised to find myself pinned with a wall in betwixt a vast green field with no clue of a single living creature instead of the room. After a few minutes of vain attempts of releasing myself, I witness Shaan walking towards me. But I can't recognize him, this is not that Shaan, I've loved for a year neither the one I've come here with. He, wearing a black cassock, with a knobstick in his hand and an evil smile on the face, approaching towards me. His smile has caused a sudden restlessness in me. 

"Happy anniversary love. How is my secret spot? I'm sure you're enjoying it." He gives that evil smile again.

"What kind of joke is this Shaan? It's hurting me. Please release me."

"Yes, of course I'll release you. In fact, forever." He laughs aloud this time.

"First of all, let me introduce you to your neighbors. Look at the right hand side of yours." Shaan points to a row of graveyards which I've failed to notice earlier. There are fourteen graveyards in a row, numbered systematically. The sight gives me a terrible shiver and I stand there numb.

"They were all my lovers or may I say all the foolish girls like you. Riya, Taniya, Sameera and the last one, you know her very well. Your one and only best friend Soumiya."

"What ? Shaan you've kidnapped Soumiya! But why?" Tears start falling from my eyes.

"Yes, not only kidnapped but also murdered her." He laughs again.

"Last year on the same day, even before meeting you, I killed her. This is my kind of celebration love. Every year on this day, I kill a girl only to add her to this list just like my father did to my mother years ago on the same date." Saying this he comes closer to me and releases me. But before he can attack me, blood starts oozing from his mouth and he falls there instantly. Watching him struggling to say something, I say, "Happy anniversary love. You've kept your promises aright for the death has to embrace you before coming to me."

I laugh, "The game that you've been planning for years, I've got in a night. The poison in your dinner has worked in a perfect time." and bid him adieu forever.