The Secrets of Hearts
The Longing of the Girl
The school was in hustle bustle as it's the lunchtime.
Every one was either busy in lunch or gossiping.
But in one of the corner of the school canteen, there sat a girl.
Gloomy, alone, silent....so out of the world.
Her eyes would sometimes take a glance around, not warily but longingly.
She looked around once again.
Aradhya Sharma
*sadly smiled and looked down*
She was sad because she never knew what it is like to have a friend.
She got up packing her unfinished lunch box and left the canteen.
The day went by. She came home, had dinner with her parents and siblings and went to her room.
It was a dark, a moonless night.
She just sat there looking out the window as a tear slipped past her eyes.
That lone tear described how lonely she felt even after having such great family.
The absence of a true friend was eating her from inside.
She also wanted to know what it felt like to gossip at night with her friends, go shopping, have night outs.....but none.
She touched the glass window and looked up in the night sky, praying.
Aradhya Sharma
हे शिव जी, एक दोस्त ही तो मांग रहे है........
(Hey Lord Shiva, I am only asking for a friend.....)
And as if her Shiva had heard her plea, something happened.
Author (Siya)
Hii I'm your cute authy Siya🎀😉
Us three friends have started a new journey together.
This is the first time we dared to write something.
We’re not perfect, but we wrote this from the heart.
There might be flaws in the story,
But the emotions are real.
If even a little part of this touches your heart.
Then just know... we succeeded.
Written by us, for you.
With love,
Author (Ana)
Hi, I'm Ana—writer by passion, snack hoarder by profession. I write to make sense of the chaos in my head (and sometimes it even works!). If you laugh, smile, or at least don’t fall asleep while reading, I consider it a win. Welcome aboard!
Author(Rooh)
Sup guys. I am Rooh.
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That's it....
The Shadow
The room got colder than ever, making chills run down her back.
It got darker.
Someone's presence in her room. Staring at her...not just at her but also at her soul.
She shivered not just from the cold but also from the unpleasant chill.
She didn't want to look at that presence but as we know, curiousty kills the cat.
In her case it was the same, she slowly, very slowly turned her head and looked in the darkness only to see a shadow standing there, looking at her, the shadow's eyes were dim and glowing at the same time.
Aradhya was scared would be too easy of a word to describe what she felt looking at the shadow.
No, she wasn't just afraid.
Her lips trembled, body shook visibly, mind buzzed, eyes got wide like saucers with fear, pupils trembled, face paled, but she spoke with those trembling lips of her.
Aradhya Sharma
*stuttering* Wh-o..who are y-you....
And then to Aradhya's dismay, that shadow smiled like a child.
But even then that childlike smile on her shadowed face looked even more haunting.
Aradhya scrambled back in her bed as if that could save her.
Aradhya Sharma
*Gulps her saliva scaredly* St-ay a-away from me-
But before she could even complete her sentence.
That shadow stepped forward and then she saw it.
The shadow was of a girl not much older than her age.
She must be around 18 or 19.
But Aradhya got more frightened when that shadow suddenly appeared in front of her, sitting on her bed and holds her hand.
Now, that gave Aradhya that much of a fright that she was about to scream but before she could that ghost girl said something.
Her voice sweet but at the same time haunting.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*Softly* Did you call me? Can you see me? How can you touch me?
It seemed like that ghost herself was confused.
And why shouldn't she be? After all, we humans are unable to see or touch ghosts.
And just for a bit, maybe because of how innocently that ghost asked her that Aradhya went still. She couldn't scream, couldn't look away from those innocent eyes, screaming that she wouldn't hurt her.
Aradhya Sharma
*Stuttered* Wh-what....?
Aradhya Sharma
*Gulped nervously*
[BTW, for thoughts I will use (this) and for actions *this*]
Aradhya thought to herself.
Aradhya Sharma
*thought in disbelief* (What is happening right now? How can I see her...a ghost....and are ghosts real?????)
Aradhya seems to be lost in herself which displeased the ghost girl and she shook Aradya slightly by by holding her shoulder.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*leaned close to her*
And suddenly seeing her up so close, Aradhya got a fright, and she screamed.
And that scream seems to have been heard by her sister next door who was studying as Aradhya soon heard a knock.
Aradhya's sister knocked and asked if she was okay. Worry was clearly evident on her sister's voice.
To which Aradhya made an excuse saying she saw a lizard that's all which seems to have been believed by her sister as she left laughing softly at her younger sister.
Aradhya herself didn't know why she lied but something in her told her to not tell anyone, that they won't believe her and on top of that, the ghost girl was begging Aradhya with her eyes.
Aradhya saw the loneliness in her eyes, the same that she sees every time she looks at herself in the mirror.
Maybe that's why but she lied.
The ghost suddenly asked...
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*Softly with gratitude* Thank you. Can I know your name?
And to which Aradhya replied.
Author (Ana)
Okay, that ghost gave me chills🥶. Can I turn on the lights now?💡
Author (Siya)
Can she tell that ghost her name...what if she posseses her😰?
Author(Rooh)
Focus!
Thank you to all our amazing readers!
Author(Rooh)
Chapter 3 is on the way, so stay tuned and maybe… sleep with one eye open 😌?
Bye for now!
The New Friend
The air was cold. But it wasn't the wind... It was her presence.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*softly, confused*
Thank you... Can I know your name?
Aradhya heart's felt like it would leap out of her chest.
She pressed her back tighter to the headboard, lips trembling, her eyes wide and glossy with terror.
Aradhya Sharma
*barely breathing*
Wh-what are you...?
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*tilting her head, voice echoing gently*
I don't know...
That answer froze Aradhya in place.
Aradhya Sharma
*thinking, panicked*
(She doesn't know? Not even her name? What even 'is' she...?)
The ghost girl looked down, almost ashamed. The soft glow around her flickered like a dying flame.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
I... I just woke up. I was alone. Cold. And then I heard you...
Aradhya flinched as the girl leaned forward.
The air shifted again. A chill crept up Aradhya's spine.
Aradhya Sharma
*Snapping, scared*
Don't come near me!
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*Pausing and blinking innocently*
I didn't mean to scare you...
Aradhya stared.The girl didn't look evil. Just... lost.
Her dress looked old. Torn. Her hair gently floated as if underwater. But her eyes... They weren't empty. They were filled with longing.
Aradhya Sharma
*suddenly whispering, hesitant*
You really don't remember... anything?
The girl shook her head slowly
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
Nothing. Not even... My name.
That hit Aradhya harder than she expected.
How must it feel... to not even know your name?
There was a long silence. Aradhya slowly relaxed her body a bit. Still alert. But something in her was softening.
Aradhya Sharma
*quietly, uncertain*
Do you want a name?
The girl looked up surprise. Like a child offered their first gift.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*softly*
A name?
Aradhya paused, eyes scanning the trembling ghost girl.
Aradhya Sharma
(If she really doesn't remember... Maybe she needs one.)
Aradhya Sharma
Until you remember who you are...
I'll call you Anamika.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
A-na-mi-ka...
*smiles softly*
What does it mean?
Aradhya Sharma
*managing a tiny smile*
Nameless one.
The girl laughed. A real laugh— soft and sweet. But her eyes were still watery. Grateful.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
Then thank you... For giving me something I didn't even know I missed.
Aradhya hesitated. Her hand still gripped the sheets. Her heart still raced.
But for the first time... She didn't feel 'completely' alone.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*whispering, nervously*
I can leave if you want...
Anamika (ghost girl) glow dimmed slightly. Her feet hovered just an inch above the ground.
Aradhya Sharma
*softly, shakily*
No... wait.
Aradhya Sharma
*barley above a whisper*
I... prayed for a friend.
Silence. Just the wind outside the window.
Aradhya reached out her hand, still shaking, but willing.
Not cold this time... Just real.
Anamika (Ghost Girl)
*smiling with glassy eyes*
Friends?
Aradhya Sharma
*faint smile, a tear escaping again.
Friends.
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