By Ananya Agrawal, Class X B
“Mom, when are you going to be back?”
My parents were out of town for their usual business meeting and I was home alone for the first time. Usually, my brother used to be with me on such occasions. But he wasn’t here today and I missed him even more. He was not only my brother but my best friend, my protector. At times like this, we would play cards, watch movies and even try our hand at cooking. But it cannot be the same now.
My brother had died a few days back in a car accident. I was in the car with him. It was all my fault. If I had not insisted that he pick me up from the party, he would have been here with me tonight. I can never forgive myself.
“Sweetheart, calm down. We are on our way but I don’t think we will be able to reach before tomorrow morning.”
I switched off the television when the movie I was watching ended. I made my way towards the bedroom and plopped myself on the bed, falling into a deep slumber.
I suddenly felt cold air rushing past me. I extended my arm to grab my comforter but it met with something cold. I tried to open my eyes but my eyelids were really heavy. I fell asleep again.
Another gust of chilly wind woke me up. I curled into a ball and tried to sleep. But suddenly, I heard a loud crash. Bolting right up, I opened my eyes. I looked around taking in the surrounding. My vision was blurry due to the fog. Fog? I realised I was not in my room anymore. I was in a graveyard!
I had been here earlier. Memories started flooding as I recognised that my brother was buried here. But how did I reach here in the middle of the night? What am I doing here? Is that a hand on my shoulder?
I screamed at the top of my voice and ran like my life depended on it. I guess, it did. I ran to the gate of the graveyard but it was locked. I dared not go back. I turned around slowly and noticed that the fog had cleared. There was no one in sight but white tombstones.
I slowly made my way towards Rick’s tomb and the white tombstone caught my eyes ‘Rick William Richards, the most lovable son and an amazing brother. You will always live in our hearts.’ I was reading the epitaph when I heard someone whisper my name, “Riley”. I jumped at the voice. But then I realised that it was a voice that was very familiar. I knew it very well. It was the voice that I loved. The voice of my brother. I slowly turned around and saw him standing in front of me.
“Rick, I am so sorry, you had to die because of me!” Tears welled into my eyes.
“Riley, I don’t have much time so hear me out. You are not responsible for my death. It was an accident. I don’t want you to live in guilt. I died when my time came and you should not blame yourself. I love you Riles. Take care” he said as he placed something in my hand. I looked at my hand and then at him. He had turned and was walking away. I watched as his retreating figure faded in a crystal and diamond like ray. I felt dizzy and passed out.
Suddenly I woke up with a jolt. I could hear the doorbell. My parents must be back. So was it all a dream? That’s when I felt my hand balled into a fist. I slowly opened it to see a necklace with a pendant shaped like an angel. Behind the pendant was a carving that read “That’s what you are!”
