Ghost Busters

Flames of fire kept flickering and dancing. Waves within waves quivering creating a crackling sound one could hear as the wood kept splitting due to the oppressive heat produced by the fire. Thus, emitting smoke into the surroundings.

All the burning flames reflected in the misty eyes of a young man who stood still and seemed apathetic.

He could see a vague figure. In fact, a corpse lying on the pyre engulfed in fire as the flames encircled around it from all directions.

Quite a few people could be seen standing, offering their condolences and praying for the dead person.

A Pandit (Hindu priest) was also there who did all the necessary required rituals for the cremation ceremony so that the soul of the dead person may find salvation.

Even the weather seemed upset as it started to drizzle turning the terra firma humect.

"What will you do now child?" An elderly man who stood near the young man asked while looking at him.

"I don't know uncle!" replied the young man in a perplexed tone.

"I know it's hard, child! But you must have an aim right now. Without any aim, life is worthless."

"I know uncle! But I don't know what to do now."

"Will you continue your work then? Or you'll leave?"

"As I said, I don't know right now. But I'll inform you if I'll leave."

*Sigh* "Okay, child! If you need anything just come to my home without any hesitation. You are not a guest, right?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

"No need for thanks! I'll be more than glad to have a company with you."

"Hmmm!"

"Then, I'll leave for now. You take care okay? You should leave too. Don't worry about the ashes. They will be ready after a week or so, then we can go to the ghat later to immerse them."

"Yes! Thank you again!"

"You still thanking me? Are we strangers or what? Anyway, I'll talk to the Pandit. You should leave now. Take some rest. Go on now."

"Hmm!"

The elderly guy tapped his shoulder twice and went towards the pandit to discuss the ceremony further. As the young man stood still lost in thoughts, a white aged guy came to his side.

"It's time for me to leave too. But before that, give me your contact number, child."

Hearing him, the young man just gave him his number without even thinking whether he should share his contact info or not.

"I'll contact you soon child!" leaving those words behind, he left the cemetery.

The young man also finally took his leave and went to his home leaving the still burning corpse behind within the drizzling sound of the rain.

***

It's been a few months since that day.

Today, it was a bright morning.

Where one would wish to hear the mellifluous chirping of birds in the morning, one of the bustling streets of Mumbai, India was filled with an uproar instead.

And, amidst the street, an apartment was present where a night bulb outside still remained on.

Inside the apartment in a small room, a young man lying on a single bed could be seen.

Even though he appeared a bit lazy right now because of the peculiar posture he was sleeping in, his room remained tidy and clean.

*Ring* *Ring*

His phone rang aloud, waking him up from his slumber.

"Haaww," yawning, he sat on his bed and picked up his phone from the wooden stool which was placed right beside his bed.

Perplexed, he looked at the unknown number on his phone, 'An unknown number? Who is it now? A call from the company may be?'

He sighed. 'Seriously now? I woke up only to see a call from the company?'

Without even sparing a second glance, he shook his head in denial and placed his phone back on the stool.

*Ring* Ring*

'What the heck?' annoyed by the call again, this time he straight on rejected it.

He lied down, gradually closing his eyes when all of a sudden,

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

'These damn companies..." enraged by the call, he sat and finally answered the phone,

"What the heck is wrong with you damn companies!?" he bellowed.

A momentary silence fell.

'Hmm? Why am I not hearing anything?'

He was about to hang up when an aged voice from the other side resounded,

"Ahem! Child! It's me. Uncle George, if you remember? We met in July. Remember? Then, during that day before leaving, I asked you for your contact number too."

"Ahhh! I see! Yes! I remember Sir. Tell me, how can I help you?" replied the young man.

"Umm... It's about an offer. No not offer, treat it like a request."

"Okay! Please elaborate."

"Ah yes! Since the time we met, I have seen your works and skills child. You are marvelous."

"That will be an exaggeration, Sir. I'm not that impressive."

"Oh come on! Don't be so modest. I have seen it with my own eyes."

Smiling faintly, he added. "I appreciate it, Sir. So? What's the matter?"

"Ah! Yes! You know about my work right?"

"Yes! You told me about it."

"Good! Good! It's related to that only and since you belong to that field, it won't be against your field of interest right?"

"Okay! But what's the matter?"

"I want to invite you, child."

"Where? And for what?"

"To the team, here in Canada."

"Huh? Why? I mean..."

"Listen, child! It's very urgent and I need you. Things are not going well with my son. It was fine during my time but lately, things are going out of our hands. We really need you. Treat it like~ this old man here is requesting you, now say!? Will you come?"

"Explain me in detail, Sir!"

"Fine! So, it's like this..."

After 15 minutes of conversation, they both fell silent.

Here the young man was contemplating on the matter whereas on the other side the elderly man kept waiting in hope for an affirmation.

Taking a sharp breath the young man finally answered, "Fine sir! I'm ready!"

"Hahaha very good, very good! Thank you, child! Really thank you! Just send me your details on this number and I'll book a flight for you right away. You can take your rest today. I'll book the flight for tomorrow, so you will have enough time to pack the essentials."

"Alright, Sir!"

"Okay then, I'm hanging up child!"

"Hmmm!"

And, the call was cut.

The young man deliberated for quite some time whether he took the correct decision or not?

'Was it right? I don't know. Since you are not here anymore, I think I'm getting more and more indecisive. I think I should really take some time to explore outside the country.'

He tidied his bed and glanced at the picture which hung on the sidewall.

'Wouldn't you have suggested me the same if you would have been here? I didn't tell you about that matter too. You would have been really astounded if I would have told you. You might have tried some unseen crazy practices on me right? I'm sorry! I didn't have any guts to tell you about it. I was afraid. No! More like, it was afraid. And that's why I had to. Anyway, I've already told uncle George and I agreed to his offer.'

*Sigh*

'Let's see how it goes.'

The young man stood, drank some water, and went out for a walk to have some fresh air.