No choice

Between the hail and the rain, I was okay where I was. In this warm room, seeing the streaming sunlight that comes regardless of clouds; I was content to watch the ever-changing picture that is the world beyond mine. The newly washed roofs gleam as brightly as mirrors, the blossom tenacious on the branches that dance. It was a rainy day, one for the books, tea mugs and cozy socks. But in another side, I remembered my friend who died just a year ago on this same day. Rain has always been my calming sound.

When I was little my mother would play rain sounds to lull me to sleep. But now, it was another thing, this sudden ominous dark clouds after days of relentless heat and spotless blue skies, this darkness suffocating my body like a damp, musty, thick blanket, clinging to every inch of my pale skin. This child who was always alone in the dark came to me again.

I went out on the street for a little walk, I was afraid but I didn't know from what. I began to walk and after sometime I found myself the only person walking along the lonely wet streets. But I wasn't alone. I was always accompanied by the stormy winds, bright lightning and the continuous rain. As a child, I used to welcome rain and even waited for the thunderstorm. I would intentionally make myself wet and used to enjoy the wet breeze passing her by. But today, neither was I enjoying nor did I have any wish to get myself wet.

Suddenly it started to pour. Within moments, the entire place came into the grasp of darkness and the black clouds began to roar. Even the sun seemed too scared to wait for the moon to appear and the hid itself before its time. As for me, I decided to walk home as it was quite impossible to locate any means of transport, especially bus, in this terrible weather. It was getting even darker and she began to feel so alone.

The heavy raindrops appeared like sharp spears dropping down from the sky and would penetrate anything on their way towards the earth. I wasn't an exception as it seemed like my umbrella would be torn down by those sharp spears. The furious wind on the other hand, seemed to blow the umbrella away from her. I felt helpless and trapped in the middle of a catastrophe.

I realized it was not going to be easy for me to return home like any other rainy day. I felt that my umbrella wasn’t a fine protective device to defend myself from this weather.

Just when I was trying to fight the unfavourable situation, I noticed something anormal. A silhouette appeared out of nowhere.

“Hey wait”, I shouted and ran to stop it. “Please wait”, I screamed to the top of my voice waving one hand while running after it. I ran as fast as I could. And suddenly, it disappeared.

“I miss you, didn't you?”, came the gentle voice of a girl from behind me. Deserted on the streets in the rain wouldn’t complete a horror story but the sudden appearance of an unexpected guest from nowhere would not only complete it but definitely make it a perfect one. But I didn’t want to add flavor to her series of unfortunate events by introducing herself to any unknown mysterious thing. I grasped my umbrella tightly and began to walk briskly.

I even didn’t feel turning back to see who it was, fearing I might glance upon a horrible looking creature or even a spirit without a proper figure. Out of fear, I wouldn’t stop for anything. But the moment the voice called me by my special name I stopped. Only one person used to call me by that name and that was my childhood best friend Nadua. We used to be always together yet one day everything changed when she died.

I turned back only to see a beautiful young woman of her age standing wet in the rain. Her hairs were brown and were all wet along with the clothes. She was wearing a black top and grey trouser and it seemed like she was on her way to any formal appointment with someone. I felt so excited seeing her that I almost ran towards her. I asked Nadua to come under the umbrella. “I am already wet Nali and I don’t need an umbrella”, said Nadua in a low voice.

Nadua looked right towards the narrow lane. “I have a new home now. You must come and pay me a visit someday” Said Nadua. She took out a piece of newspaper and handed it to me. “Read it please. I hope it will be helpful.” She said.

I didn’t understand any of this. I felt very weird and finally asked Nadua of her new home address. “It’s the North-western Cemetery and mine is the fifth grave to the right. Don’t forget to come. I will be waiting” said Nadua with a smile and faded into thin air. Suddenly, I began to feel senseless. I seemed unable to breathe the air and all body seemed to stop functioning. I thought it must be a nightmare but then I saw my house. I was finally standing before my house. I have made it through all the adversities. But something was terribly wrong.

Before me, stood the charred remains of a beautiful small cottage where I grew up. This cottage, which once was my home, has now turned into the mass of burnt ruins containing pieces of wood, furniture and other materials. I felt very depressed and confused. I held the newspaper piece and read the headline, "A terrible fire devoured the house of Tarrins, which led to the death of Nali, and it was said that the parents were in the market with their son and left their daughter at home. The arsonist was arrested and after ...."

"What? What is that? What that mean? Why?" a lot of questions start to arise in my head......That's why I can see my friend who died......Finally; the heaven......