Questions and Answers

Just like that, the night passed, and a new day began.

It felt different.

For the first time in a long while, I was awake before the alarm. I didn’t snooze it. I didn’t roll over with tired eyes. I just stared at the ceiling, feeling... alert. Restless. Curious.

My thoughts from last night hadn’t gone away.

> “Only you can see me.”

What did he mean by that?

Why only me?

Who was he, really?

I wasn’t scared—just unsettled. My brain was trying to find logic in something that made no sense.

“Maybe you’re imagining things,” I told myself for the hundredth time.

But it didn’t feel like imagination. It felt real.

More real than most things in my life had felt lately.

---

Rima was still sleeping, tangled up in her blanket, mumbling something about chocolate and missed classes. Typical.

I got ready quietly and left early for the lecture hall. I needed to clear my head. But the one place I thought would help—class—only made it worse.

---

During Lecture

“Samira,” the biology teacher called, snapping me out of my daydream.

“Yes, sir?” I stood up quickly, startled.

“If you're so lost in thought, maybe you can help us with today’s question.”

Here it comes, I thought. Please let it be something from the textbook.

He turned to the board and pointed at the sentence written in bold chalk:

> “Can human eyes see ghosts?”

I froze.

What...?

Of all the questions in the world. Of all the topics.

Was the universe messing with me?

Everyone stared. I felt Rima smirking next to me like this is perfect. I took a deep breath and tried to sound normal, like I wasn’t being haunted by this exact question for the past two days.

“Yes,” I said, surprising even myself. “I believe they can. But…”

“But?” the teacher prompted.

“Well…” I continued, “there are things science still can’t explain. People say that the soul exists, right? That energy never dies. Some people… see things. Spirits, figures. Some say it’s the mind, a trick of the light. Others say it’s real. Who’s to say they’re wrong? Maybe some people can see them—especially if those souls aren’t at peace.”

There was a silence.

I glanced around the room. No one laughed. No one rolled their eyes.

Instead, they listened.

Rima whispered, “Well, someone’s been doing her ghost homework.”

I shrugged and sat down.

> Was I sounding like a crazy person? Or did they believe me… just a little?

---

After the lecture, students came over to say how interesting my answer was. Even the teacher said he’d like to hear more opinions like that during the next class.

But I didn’t feel proud.

I felt exposed.

---

The Meeting

Evening came. I didn’t tell Rima where I was going. I just… left.

I reached the tree where I saw him last night. And sure enough, there he was.

Sitting calmly under the tree. Waiting.

He looked up and smiled.

> “I knew you’d come.”

“I had to,” I said, walking up to him. “I have so many questions.”

“And I’ll answer them,” he said softly. “At least, the ones I can.”

I hesitated for a moment. Then asked,

> “Who are you?”

He looked at me carefully. “That’s complicated.”

“Try me.”

He paused for a while before answering.

> “My name is Aarin. At least… that’s what I was called when I was alive.”

Alive?

The word rang through my mind like an echo.

“Wait… what do you mean was?”

He didn’t flinch. “I died. Two years ago.”

The world around me felt like it paused.

Everything went quiet except for the sound of my heartbeat in my ears.

“No,” I whispered. “You’re— You’re joking. You’re here. You’re—real.”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t real,” Aarin replied calmly. “I just said… I’m not like the others.”

I took a step back. “Then why can I see you?”

He looked straight into my eyes.

> “Because only you can.”

---

There it was again. That line.

Only you can see me.

“Why me?” I asked. “What makes me different?”

“I don’t know yet,” he admitted. “But there’s something connecting us. Something that brought me here… to you.”

He stood up slowly, dusted off his jeans like a regular person, like someone who wasn’t… dead.

> “Samira, I didn’t mean to scare you. I don’t want to harm you. In fact, I think you’re the only one who can help me.”

“Help you… with what?” I asked cautiously.

His expression turned serious.

> “Help me find out why I’m still here.”

---

Author's Note to Readers:

So dear readers…

Now that Samira knows the truth—that Aarin isn’t from this world—what would you do if you were in her place?

Would you run away, thinking it’s all in your mind?

Or would you stay and try to uncover the truth… even if it scares you?

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Quick Question for You:

Do you think Aarin is an angel…

A spirit needing closure…

Or something darker hiding behind a beautiful smile?

Comment your answers below!

Your thoughts help me shape the next chapters!

And don’t forget to vote and share if you’re enjoying the story so far 💙

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Next Chapter:

Chapter 6: Little Do You Know

Stay tuned…

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