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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