28 February, 2024
Image Credit: Lan Gao at Unsplash
"It's late", she said, "we must leave. I heard the locals say the palace is haunted." "Come, don't be a child", I told her, secretly wishing her to stay so that I have company. But as expected, she went away. Adult friends don't accompany you to haunted palaces; they only console you after tragedies. I decided to visit the palace on my own. Atheism helps; to be a non-believer works both ways. As I entered the darkness, I switched on the mobile torch. I could barely see discoloured walls, spider webs, hanging roots and furniture covered in white sheets. The entrance led to a long pathway. My heart pounded fast; I could match my footsteps to my heartbeat. I remember walking into a dungeon and eventually waking up in a tiny room without any windows. As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a ghost - my host that evening.
💀 Welcome to the world of ghosts!
😲What? A Ghost? How did I end up here?
💀Destiny, my friend. Get ready, you have an interview in some time.
😲An interview? What kind of an interview?
💀Based on your karma credentials and your performance in the interview, the Board will decide about your rebirth.
😲What? We were never told about the application process.
💀You see, nothing comes easy.
😲Oh No! I need time to process this information. How? Why?
💀Relax! It's pretty similar to what happens on Earth. Answer with confidence. Let me help you with a mock interview.
😲How do we begin?
💀Tell me something about yourself.
😲Well...ummm.....I am ....I mean....I was Ritika before I came here. I taught at a University. I had a child and a husband. I juggled many roles, trying my best, but ultimately feeling guilty about not being the best.
💀Oh No! Don't act so vulnerable. It is an interview. Let me ask you another question. What are your key achievements?
😲I came here too young. I was waiting for my responsibilities to be over before I could do what I had planned.
💀No, no! This makes you sound selfish. You could be sent back as a lizard.
😲Ah, I tried to do whatever was my responsibility.
💀With such answers, you will be sent back as a cockroach.
😲I am scared of cockroaches.
💀Don't say that. Feign kindness.
😲Oh! I am kind.
💀No, show rather than say it. Basic rules, babe!
😲What do I do now?
💀I will connect you to a friend who runs Communication classes for Ghosts. She has 1 million Ghostcribers on GhostTube.
Doorbell rings.
💀I must leave. The bell is ringing.
😲Wait! Why? Which bell?
💀 It is constantly ringing. I have to leave.
The doorbell rings again and again. Rani enters the room.
👩🏽⚖️Didi, don't you have to go to the office? I have been ringing the bell for 15 minutes. Finally, I got the spare key from the neighbours.
😲 Sorry Rani. Make me some chai. I have so much to do and so little time. I cannot wait till I am old and about to die...."
Open AI Surprise (credit: deepgram.com)
Disclosure: This piece is in response to the writing prompt for February in our writers' support group: "When I am old and about to die...."
