"So, can you hear voices of people who are not even there?”

“I really don’t know the difference between spirits and normal people.”

“Okay but can you describe how spirits look like?”

“I don’t know about any other look besides how you and I look…”

“So, what you are saying is that these spiritual characters that you see are none other than like ourselves?”

“I don’t know what to tell you exactly… These people are no different than anyone I see. They just claim to me that they are supernatural humans; apart from that they appear just absolutely normal, like all of us human beings.”

“This is getting so much scarier. Are you sure that what you’re seeing are not hallucinations?”

“I was expecting that. I so knew that you were going to ask that to me. You are a psychologist and that’s why you think in your own way.”

“I am asking you from every possible angle you know. I have to, this is my job.”

“Who are you to ask me that? What do you know about this world of supernatural activities?”

“Not much. But what I do know is that this world does not actually exist…”

“Oh! Don’t get me started, please. Just tell me what I should do…”

“At the moment, you just need to cooperate with me. Just tell me the truth, who are these people that you are seeing…”

“These are the people who are no different than anyone else. They just claim that they are…”

“… Or maybe, they are lying to you. I mean they might just be playing pranks with you.”

“It is possible I think. But I just want to get rid of these.”

“Don’t worry… You just have to change your company. Just stay away from these people and you will never hear from them again.”

“No… I have even travelled to a foreign country. They have followed me there as well. Getting rid of these personalities is not quite easy as you think.”

****************

Toronto, Richard Twain and his wife Pamela Twain were a recently married couple who were living quite a healthy and happy life. Richard was working as a high school teacher and he was recently hired for this position.

Pamela was Richard’s distant relative and they had an arranged marriage with their families involved after Pamela’s recent divorce. The two of them were living quite a satisfying life until things changed all of a sudden for them.

Richard was a smart guy except that he was a little superstitious and he literally believed in everything that he was told about. His father used to call him a blank slate. And since childhood, he did not have had a much positive relationship with his father.

Richard’s mother died when he was quite young. He hardly remembered his mother and anything related to his mother, and he was told by his father that he had inherited this nature of being very superstitious from his father as he also was a very superstitious man.

One day, Pamela asked him,

“Why is your relationship with your father so constrained?”

“Just let it be. Please…”

“You never talk about him. In fact, you never discuss that at all.”

“I don’t have to. I don’t need to discuss these matters with anybody.”

“But I really want to… I want to know about your family.”

“Pamela please, I never bothered you with this kind of topic and questions. Did I?”

“You can ask me anything. I would never mind if you would talk to me about this stuff or anything.”

“Look Pamela,” Richard said holding his head with irritation, “alright, what do you want to know… My mother died when I was very young. My father never told me about how she died, I asked him several times, but he never tells me anything clearly.”

“What does he tell you?”

“He says that she was very weak and ill.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. My father has never been quite open with me. I still have a relationship of respect with him, and I want to maintain that as long as he is alive. I seldom meet him, so our relationship does not get worse that way.”

“I see. Well, it’s been six months since our marriage and we haven’t paid him a single visit.”

“Okay well, I think it’s enough for today. Let’s talk about some other stuff…”

She felt upset and looked aside.

****************

There was an event at Toronto. It was a festival. There were multiple things here, like concerts and magic shows for families. Richard and Pamela were there for attend the festival. The two of them were enjoying their time there.

“Aren’t you enjoying here?” Richard asked Pamela.

“Yes, I am.”

“See, this is our life. We enjoy our time here. Let’s not get involved in conversations of our families ever again.”

Pamela looked at him giving an expression of feeling ridiculed.

“Alright? Let’s go and have dinner.”

“Not now,” Pamela said, “I want to watch this magic show.”

“Alright, fine.”

The two of them walked towards the crowd of people who were watching the magic show.

Half an hour later, the two of them were having dinner on a table for two.

“I had a great time today Richard,” Pamela said happily, “thanks.”

“I’m glad that you are happy. And we will make another program soon.”

“What kind of program?”

“It will be a foreign tour, a vacation.”

“Oh, my God! Really?”

“Yes, I mean it. I am planning it. Let’s see if the school gives me the holidays.”

“Oh, I so hope they do. But Richard, are you sure that you can afford it?”

“Yes, don’t worry about it?”

“It’s not necessary though. I mean I am looking forward to it. I really am, but there are other things that matter as well. I mean…”

“…Don’t worry, we will manage it. We haven’t been to any place outside our city since our marriage. So, this will be our honeymoon travel.”

“Wow! This sounds so exciting. I don’t know if I should raise my expectations.”

Richard did not respond and continued eating dinner. Pamela did the same.

After a brief silence, Pamela asked,

“Okay, so where are you planning the tour for?”

“We can go to Paris. A friend of mine can give me a special discount for that…”

“Oh, my God! Really?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Oh, God! I don’t think I should get too excited in advance.”

Richard chuckled. He continued having his dinner.

After the two were done with the dinner, they stood up and left the table.

Few minutes later, while the two of them were headed towards the exit, Richard heard someone saying in his ear,

“Bad things are about to happen in your life…”

Richard turned and saw a man with a horrible face painting. He was scared for a moment and then he asked,

“Who the hell are you?”

“Just remember what I said…”

“Who are you?”

“You can find me at this address,” the strange man said while handing over a little card to him.

Richard looked at the address and tried to read what was on it. He then looked up and saw that person going away.

Pamela who had walked ahead, stopped and asked him,

“What is it Richard?”

Richard looked at her and kept the card in his pocket.

He walked ahead and as he got closer to Pamela, she asked him,

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You were talking to yourself?”

“Not myself, there was this strange looking man. Whatever, just let it be. Let’s go…”

The two of them were headed towards their home now. Pamela felt a little suspicious at him.

While the two of them were in the car, Pamela asked him,

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes, yes I’m fine. Don’t worry. Everything is absolutely alright.”

****************

Two Days Later

Richard was seated at the staff room of his school. He seemed engaged in some thought and was kind of zoned out. Some colleague of his’ came around him and asked him,

“How are you Richard?”

Richard got distracted and replied,

“I am fine. How’re you?”

“What are you thinking about so intensely? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.”

“I hope so…”

“Actually, I am thinking about… never mind.”

“What? What is it?”

“Everything is fine. Don’t worry…”

“Come on, tell me what is it,” his colleague insisted.

“Well, I met this strange guy a few days back. He has kind of horrified me.”

“Who are you talking about?”

That moment, Richard’s phone began to ring. He looked at his cell phone and said to his colleague,

“Excuse me…”

He answered the call,

“Hello?”

“Hey Richard,” the speaker from the other line said, “What’s up? Anyways, there is good news for you. There is a thirty percent discount for you. For your Paris tour.”

“Oh dear, really?”

“Yes, it is. Tell me what should I do? Should I book your name?”

“Yes, do it please. Mine and my wife Pamela’s.”

“I got it.”

“Thank you. Although, I’ll have to work a little hard to get an off but I assure you that I will avail this.”

“Great!”

“Thank you. Bye.”

Richard disconnected the call.

“What’s going on?” Richard’s colleague asked.

“Nothing, I’m just planning a vacation with my wife.”

His colleague moved aside and gave an expression of absurdness.

****************

One Week Later

Richard and Pamela were seated in their TV room. The two were very happy and Pamela was more than just excited. Pamela said to Richard,

“I am so happy. I just can’t believe it that we are headed to Paris and the school has even given you the holidays?”

“Yes. I’m happy too.”

“I have so many expectations. I just can’t control it.”

“I know. Let’s just wait until we get the visa approval. Then, we’ll start packing our stuff.”

“I can’t wait that long. I want to get started right away.”

Richard chuckled courteously. As Pamela left for another room, he got serious that moment and thought about something that happened few days back.

Why is it bothering me so much? He asked himself.

He looked at his wife running excitedly in her room. He wondered,

Should I ask her about it? Should I share these thoughts with her? Maybe I shouldn’t.

He shook his head as if trying to clear the knots in his head and moved straight ahead standing up. He then asked to himself,

Do you or do you not want to get to that place and enjoy yourself. Yes, you do. You are looking forward for the pleasures of life that can make you happy.

He then moved to the next room where his wife was packing stuff quite excitedly. He then asked his wife as he entered her room,

“So, are you excited?”

“Excited?” she replied being a little dramatic. “I am more than just that. I am living the life of a dream. I have to leave this place and make sure that I am one of those who are looking forward to get a little refreshment in life.”

“Is everything alright? I mean why do you want to refresh your mind so badly?”

“I don’t know, I just want to. Anyways, tell me which of these dresses suit best for me.”

He chuckled and responded,

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine. You can pick whatever you like. I like you in whatever way you dress up.”

“Wow! You and your responses…”

“You know actually I was thinking about it the other day and I asked myself, what do I do that I do not get enough time to be with my wife. And the answer is clear that it is my working hours that have made me upset and miserable.”

They had a usual romantic conversation which eventually made them feel satisfied of their lives.

****************

Few days later, Richard and his wife Pamela were at the airport. They were in the waiting area which was why they kept on reading and did other stuff.

Pamela saw that her husband was reading some magazine. As she focused on what he was reading, she asked him,

“Horoscopes? Why are you reading these?”

“No reason,” he responded. “I was just hoping for some excitement.”

“So, you believe in this stuff?”

He did not respond to this. He simply told himself in his mind,

Do not respond to this. This will simply exaggerate the argument and the starting of this trip will get worse and we both don’t want that.

They both heard the announcement of the plane’s boarding. Richard stood up and stated,

“Okay, it’s time now.”

Pamela stood up after him but she gave an expression of disliking him in the moment.

to be continued...