Chapter 4
Matt
It is almost two weeks since I saw my sister and best friend making out in the garage. Correction, my DEAD sister and my DEAD friend. A month ago, if someone had told me that there were ghosts in real life and they could have amorous emotions with other ghosts, I would have referred them to Mrs. Khurana, the Indian psychiatrist. Damn, screw this; I didn't even know anything about ghosts existing! The worst part was my friend, my pal, Chase wasn't alive either. Sarah being a ghost was bad in itself. Chase being one too was pure creepiness. I couldn't believe that I had made friends with a ghost. Coming to think of it, I had actually seen Chase eat and drink, but Chase had explained ghosts could eat if need be but didn't need to eat.
When I saw Chase and Sarah, half visible and other half see through, I was petrified not because they had become ghosts but because I thought I needed treatment. It took a lot of convincing and coaxing to let Sarah live in the house. I mean, she was a ghost now, but morally, she felt obliged to request me to let her live in the house. Live or reside or dwell or permeate. Whatever. Oh, and another thing, Sarah being a new ghost can't touch people and she can never be seen by others unless she wants to be seen. I can always see her, now that I know she exists. Some sibling telepathy it seems.
These two weeks were a learning period of sorts and I learnt way more about spirits and dead people than I EVER cared to. Sarah, I feel, has created a mirage around her that life can be as normal as before when she was alive. She feels there is nothing whatsoever different or weird or abnormal about having to live with a ghost who wants to forget the fact that she is a ghost. Even otherwise, living with ghosts is not normal in any sense of the word.
There isn't a single day I do not regret having Sarah back. Hell, I can't even mourn for her in entirety. I have to regret the loss, as Sarah isn't even alive but I cannot actually regret because well, she is here as a ghost. Life was simpler those six months when Sarah was dead. And, now, I had almost gotten into the groove of living without her. The harsh reality of life is that once a person is gone, that person is not welcome again. We learnt to cope and live with the loss so much so that the reversal of the loss is not acceptable anymore.
I don't want Sarah here anymore. I wish she goes back to where she came from. I don't know what to do with Chase. I feel cheated. I felt cheated rather. But, he insists, he wanted to stick around and well, in his defence, it is foolish to go broadcasting you are a ghost. Still, things aren't the same anymore. Because, now I actually know why he skips lunch so often. He tries to maintain the earlier rapport as if nothing happened and I didn't see anything in the garage that day.
Well, but I did see them there. And it changes everything. Anyhow, I might as well accept the fact that I am going to have to live with ghosts now. I did ask him if he were a ghost, why we had to actually physically do all the work in the garage. Aren't ghosts supposed to have powers and stuff? I gather, it seems, they can but Chase is too good or I think what I have comprehended is that different ghosts have different powers. Well, he could have stolen things too, but he is a good ghost. I can't believe myself. Six months ago, I was a normal twenty plus guy working to meet two ends meet and lived a decent life with my sister. Then my sister died, and I had finally pulled up my socks when she came back with these ludicrous revelations.
I won't say it is utterly bad, it may have some positives like knowing there are two people, no beings, no creatures, or two spirits to make sure things don't go wrong.
And these sudden bouts of appearance that Sarah makes, today morning it was when I was brushing my teeth. She was sitting near the tub, telling my technique was faulty. The other day, she poked her head, like literally poked her head into the frying pan from the opposite end of the kitchen counter just to give me the nerves. She does that a lot these days. Poor thing.
That's the bell. I think Chase is here. Yes, he prefers to act human technically since he IS alive for everyone else and he is dating my sister. There is that another thing I am surprised about. I never knew Chase and Sarah could make it together. Chase isn't going to age any more, coming to think of it, he doesn't look old enough for his age, so the age difference isn't ten. Still, it's weird. Though there isn't an awkward thing about them cuddling together and I walking on them again, since they make sure their senses are alert. Don't even ask me about, why and what they do what they do, because, I am still learning, and knowing about ghosts.
"Hey, Matt! How's Sarah doing?" Chase initiates normal conversation. Aye, he is trying to do that again despite repeated warnings not to do so.
"Find out yourself, not that you don't know already." I said curtly. Well, he didn't turn up at the garage two days in a row, I was working alone, and I was bound to be pissed.
H e laughed.
I had thought about his suggestion for a while and now that Sarah technically doesn't need the confines of her room, any more, I wanted to sublet our apartment. And, I told him that.
"Chase, remember you asked me to rent this place, so I could have some company and well there would be some money coming in, can you refer it to some friends probably? I am going to rent this place. By the way, you knew Sarah was here, why did you want me to have pets and wives?"
"Well, Sarah wasn't sure if she wanted to let you know at that time and I really thought you could do with some. But now, Sarah is here, why do you want company?"
I need someone who is alive to live with me, and can't you read minds?" I asked him just as Sarah walked, no, floated in. She was still getting used to human ways. Irony, that once a human not always a human.
"Why do you want someone else here?" She asked just before pecking Chase's lips.
"Guys, I am not going to be part of this horrible charade you guys are creating that everything is cool and well. Because, it is most definitely not. Though I have come to terms with it, I am going to accept this change, aye, it is a change, with my own stipulations. Sarah, empty out your room today, I am talking to friends of mine. We may, with luck get someone by the end of this month."
I decided to put my foot down. Sarah had gone pale, figuratively. I guess it was hard for her. "Ahm, it is okay. You don't need to do this. I'll do it myself." And I was serious. Sarah surprisingly came and gave me a hug. Ghosts can touch people, I learnt. Something she hadn't done in a while, and said. "I know what's happening to you. You go eat. Give me like an hour, I'll do it."
I ruffled her hair, and I realised, how much I missed her. I missed her still.
And I went to grab lunch while the couple went to clear things away.
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Meredith
"Why on earth is it raining now? It isn't supposed to rain. Yuck. First day in a new town starts with rain. I should never have come on the 13th."
Jenna rolled her eyes. I know she didn't believe in it, well, neither did I, but it always seemed to pop up somehow.
"Dude, who am I staying with again? What's their name?" I asked her. I had rented an apartment, a room rather, that's how much I could afford now.
"Well, it is only a bachelor. He had a sister, but she died a few months ago."
"Oh, that is sad. How old was she?" I wondered.
"I am not really sure, bro. But she was like around sixteen probably? Under twenty."
I was saddened even more. "What?"
It is upsetting to know someone so young and kicking passed away though I didn't even know her, like at all, once you hear about it, it leaves you disturbed. "She went before her time. What's the name of the dude, again?" I hear myself saying.
"She did. Matthew Collier. He is actually a friend of a friend. I have met him like once, a nice easy going guy. Pretty normal I'd say. As far as I know, he is someone NOT into drugs." I gave her a look and she laughed knowingly, "How is it normal if he doesn't stone? It's frigging awesome! He must be a good boy." I groaned.
"Look at her. She was fretting because she didn't want stoned people, and now she accused a nice chap of liking to stick in the mud. Oh, the entanglements of human bonds!"
I hit her arm, Jenna, had this quirky sense of humour coupled with sarcasm, that wasn't liked by everyone but suited me, "Shut up. That sounded like Shakespeare."
"No it most certainly did not. It sounded like one of the natural poets. Shakespeare would say,
"Sweep on, you fat and greasy citizens.
'Tis just the fashion. Wherefore do you look
Upon that poor and broken bankrupt there?"
She actually quoted it from somewhere. Jenna was a Literature student, evident enough. "Dude, the guy, I am sorry, was over rated."
"You don't say. You haven't even half-read any of his works. "
"I am a good judge of character and an author is known by what he writes."
And before she could argue further, I said, "Come let us go to this Collier dude. You sure about the rent right? There are some jerks who are finicky about the money."
"I am so sorry, baby; I can't come with you today. Though I wanted to. I have a meeting with the f**king reporters today and I can't miss it. I texted the address anyways. I am so sorry again." She looked at me apologetically, in turn; I gave her another apologetic look. I actually..."
When she interrupted me, "Lost the address didn't you? Do not end up at the wrong place, I am sending the right now. I am surprised you even decided to live here. You need a 24X7 baby sitter. Completely disorganized and utterly chaotic. Make sure, you don't rear spiders on your table." She said indignantly.
I laughed. I won't. I said. Yes, I liked mess. It doesn't matter. Who is going to waste time keeping things clean when there are other productive things to do?
I said good bye and went to find a cab tugging my luggage along with me, to a place, that is very soon going to be my home, at least for some time now.
A/N - I will NOT accept the gradual degradation of my One True Love! *evil laugh*
You try to screw my character, I bring in innovation. Mwahaha!
Thanks guys, for your comments and reviews. They matter a lot. 😃
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