“Skyfall is where we start…” – As Adele sang in Skyfall

It has been a year since I haven’t met my college friend, Kyle – our lives have become overwhelmingly stressful, which keeps us away from meeting with each other even on weekends. Then we do live in different cities as well.

So I texted her two days ago:

Jessica:

Heyyyy!! Hellooo!! How r u doing? Was planning a meeting this weekend…it’s Halloween, and I have work off.

Do let me know if you can come!!? Bye!!

Kyle:

Hiiii! Doing all good (ofc not with life but work) wbu? And yep, I do have an off on 31st October..would be glad to visit ur place and watch some Netflix Horror Stuff there…Trick or Treat soon!!!! I will come!

BYEEEEEEE ;)

I smiled as I read her response.

Then, after a week came the day of Halloween! I was busy all day cleaning the flat, setting up things. During this time, a few kids interrupted me from my chore for their trick-or-treat stuff. Fortunately, there was a 20% discount on chocolates this week, so I also purchased them when I went to shop for groceries.

I happily advanced chocolates to teenagers and kids. The whole day was chaotic; it was then I dialed Kyle’s number.

No response.

Is she even coming? Christ, I hope she does, I want to meet her so badly, I thought to myself.

At around 8 PM, the doorbell rang. I was watching Netflix all alone and knew it would be another group of kids for candies. I didn’t bother to move.

The bell rang again.

And again.

I think I have to do it now. Why are kids so annoying these days? My anger turned to joy as soon as I opened the door. It was her – Kyle!

A smile dropped on my face.

“Hello, sweetheart!” smiled she, and a dimple formed on her right cheek.

“Oh my God! Kyle! Where have you been? I was ringing your phone! Really content to see you!” I elated.

She extended her hand, and I shook hands with her - it was cold; she wasn't wearing gloves, perhaps that is why, but I promptly hugged her.

“Come on, get in – there is a lot to talk with you,” I said.

I could see how much consumed in work she remains – the dark circles under her eyes were the proof of it. She had lost weight, unlike she was earlier, the previous year.

“Even I am craving for it! Happy Halloween, Jessie!” she responded.

We opened the presents of our lives, from nostalgic college days to back-bitching about our co-workers and bosses.

“What’s your phone number? Are you using the same or a new one? I called you, but my call didn’t get answered,” I asked.

“Well…I don’t carry a phone now,” she chuckled.

“NO PHONE? ARE YOU SERIOUS? HOW DO YOU LIVE THEN?” My jaw dropped.

“Long story – leave it. Do you have something to drink? Wine or beer?” she demanded.

“Let me check, give me a minute,” I advanced towards the kitchen and checked the fridge.

There it was – three bottles of chilled beers. I grabbed them.

My phone rang.

Strange. It was from Kyle. She wasn’t carrying a phone, was she? Is she playing some sort of prank on me? I thought before answering the call.

“I guess someone wasn’t carrying a phone,” I mockingly said.

“Greetings, Jessica! This is Kyle’s brother,” a masculine voice on the other side.

“Hi, is there some message for her?” I asked.

“You called on this number earlier, sorry I couldn’t answer the phone… She… She is no more… She breathed her last yesterday, and today, it was her funeral – you both were close college friends, right?” He frowned.

“Huh? What?” I was confused, “I shall call you back shortly.”

I ended the call.

“Who was it?” Kyle’s voice came from my back.

“Oh… no–no one... Just some credit card offer and all.”

“Fine, I am waiting in the living room,” she said and left.

With feet trembling, heart hammering against my ribs, I entered the living room only to be welcomed with an empty room and ghost-quiet silence.

Was it all a mere illusion?

No. It wasn’t. On the table lies a letter, which reads:

“Was only here to wish you a final goodbye, we weren’t together in the last days, but my times with you were all good! Goodbye. With love, Kyle.”

Halloween is said to be the festival where the legend is believed that the deceased ones come to visit their loved ones – it is the day when the curtains between mortals and spirits are removed.

HAPPY HAUNTING HALLOWEEN!!!

AIN’T YOU SCARED YET?

Writer’s Note:

Okay, Halloween isn’t the festival of India, but being a horror-fiction writer, I wrote it. Hope you people (the actual readers here) enjoyed it. Procrastination is what always yanks me from writing, but like every other fake promise – I will try to write every month from now.

This idea was so sudden that I can’t keep myself without penning it down at 6 AM and was done with it in 2 hours.

Instagram – writer_agastya

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