The Second Meeting

That night, I couldn’t sleep.

The boy I saw… his image kept flashing through my mind every time I closed my eyes.

My thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion. Was I imagining him? Was it real?

Why could I see him when others couldn’t?

---

The next morning, I brought it up again with Rima.

“Samira,” she said, rolling her eyes, “Are you still going on about that? I thought you were just joking!

Don’t tell me you’re seriously buying into this ghost-stuff. It’s 2023, girl! We’ve got AI, space tourism, and you’re talking spirits?

Honestly, if I met a ghost, I’d make it my friend. Might as well let it run some errands for me!”

She laughed, grabbing her bag.

“Anyway, enough ghost talk—we’re getting late for class.”

I didn’t expect her to believe me.

Of course not. It sounds absurd.

Unless you’ve experienced something for yourself, believing in the supernatural feels like believing in fairy tales.

But still...

Why did it feel so real?

Maybe it was just stress. Maybe my mind played tricks on me.

But then again, my heart and brain weren’t on the same page.

It felt like an inner war—with no winner.

---

Later that day, we passed the spot where I first saw him.

Nothing.

No sign of the boy. Not even a flicker.

It was like he’d vanished into thin air.

Imagination? Ghost? Real?

No answers. Just more questions.

My life was a mess. Not because I chose it that way, but because life kept dealing me the wrong cards.

Sometimes I wish I could bring Mom and Dad back.

But that’s just wishful thinking, isn’t it?

---

The next few days went by in a blur. No sign of the boy.

Semester exams were announced. Everyone was panicking—they weren’t expecting them so soon after the holidays.

Rima, as always, was good at organizing chaos.

Study plans, group sessions, last-minute photocopies—she had a solution for everything except studying itself.

Her proudest achievement? “Passing is enough,” she’d say, with a dramatic flourish.

Her parents didn’t quite agree, but that’s a story for another day.

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Author’s Note:

We’ll dig into Rima’s family background in future chapters. For now, just know—her parents are world-renowned doctors and researchers. Rima grew up surrounded by science, medicine… and experiments.

Now you understand why Samira’s scared to tell her anything that sounds even slightly crazy.

---

Back to the story:

Rima suggested group study sessions till the exams. I didn’t really need them—but as her best friend, I couldn’t say no.

We decided to meet every day from 3 PM to 6 PM in the library. If needed, we could stretch till 7 PM. After that, the library closed—and honestly, who studies more than three hours straight?

---

On the first day, I didn’t have a specific subject in mind, so I just helped others with theirs.

While browsing books, one caught my eye.

No, it wasn’t a textbook.

It was titled:

"How to Know If You're Imagining Things"

Funny, right?

As if the universe wanted me to read it.

I didn’t open it right away—but I borrowed it for later.

---

After the session, most of the students left. Some went to part-time jobs, some to dinner, and others just crashed in their dorms.

Rima had plans with a few others. I was tired, so I decided to head back alone.

Just as I was about to leave, Rima called out.

“Hey! I forgot to grab a guide from the literature section. Could you get it for me? Pretty please!”

With a sigh, I went back in.

---

As I was walking toward the counter with the book in hand, I noticed someone sitting at the far desk by the window.

That figure… it looked so familiar.

I took a step closer. My heart skipped.

It was him.

The boy.

The one no one else could see.

Just as I was about to approach, my phone rang.

Rima.

"Samira! Get here now! I twisted my ankle on the way to the restaurant—I’m in the infirmary!"

I kept staring at him as she talked.

“Samira? HELLO??”

“I heard you,” I said, still watching the boy. “I’m coming.”

I hung up.

But when I looked back...

He was gone.

---

I borrowed the book and rushed toward the infirmary. On the way, I saw him again—under a tree, sitting quietly, as if he had all the time in the world.

I couldn’t stop myself. I walked toward him.

“Hey… were you the one I bumped into the other day?” I asked hesitantly.

To my surprise, he nodded.

“Yes. That was me.”

I froze.

He remembered.

Then I blurted out,

“If that’s true, then why couldn’t anyone else see you? Why could only I see you?”

His answer chilled me:

“Probably because only you can.”

What did he mean?

I was about to ask when—of course—my phone rang again.

Rima.

“Samira! Where the hell are you?! I’ve been waiting for forever!”

Still looking at him, I replied, “Almost there. I’ll be right there.”

So many questions in my head.

And for some reason, talking to this boy didn’t feel strange.

It didn’t feel like a dream.

It felt… right.

As if reading my thoughts, he said,

“I know you’ve got many questions. But this isn’t the right time. Go. Do what you’re supposed to.”

I hesitated.

What if he disappeared again?

As if answering me, he added,

“I won’t disappear. Meet me here tomorrow evening. I’ll be waiting.”

His voice was calm. Reassuring.

And though I still had doubts, something in me believed him.

I nodded and walked away.

---

At the infirmary, Rima glared at me.

“Where were you? Did you forget I even exist?”

Well… maybe a little.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly.

“What took you so long?” she asked.

What could I say?

“Sorry Rima, I was talking to a possibly invisible guy who no one else can see?”

Nope.

So I said,

“I got lost. Campus is still a maze to me.”

She bought it. Thankfully.

---

That night, I opened the diary Rima gifted me and wrote down everything.

It helped.

You know how sometimes writing makes things clearer?

That’s exactly what happened.

My mind felt lighter.

After dinner—instant noodles, of course—we went to bed.

Rima fell asleep mid-conversation, like always.

I turned off the lights, crawled under my blanket, and stared at the ceiling.

---

His words echoed in my mind:

“Only you can see me.”

What did that mean?

I had no answers.

But at least… I had something to hold onto now.

Sleep came over me gently, this time not with fear, but with curiosity.

---

A new day is waiting.

What does it hold?

I don’t know.

But for the first time in a while… I’m excited to find out.

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Author’s Note to Readers:

Our heroine has so many questions…

Will they be answered?

What do you think is happening?

Is she imagining it all—or is something deeper going on?

Have you ever felt that confusing whirlwind of unanswered thoughts?

How did you deal with it?

Let me know in the comments.

Your thoughts inspire the story, and your encouragement keeps it going. 💬

Also—don’t forget to vote for the chapters you like!

Your support means a lot.

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NEXT CHAPTER

Chapter 5: Questions and Answers

> When curiosity takes over, and the truth slowly begins to surface...

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