17 January 2019, my birthday turns 18 today. Everyone in my house is very happy and party preparations are done with great pomp. I was also very happy because today I was going to meet a very old friend after 3 years. He had promised me that he would definitely come on my 18th birthday. It was evening and all the guests started coming, but I was waiting for my friend. While waiting, it was 8:00 p.m. in the night. All the guests had arrived but not my friend. My mom said,"It's too late now. We should cut the cake. All the guests are waiting."
I was not agreeing, but on the insistence of my mother, I had to cut the cake. My eyes were looking at the door that he might come but he did not. Soon all the guests went to their house, but I was still waiting for my friend. It was 10:00 p.m. in the night but my friend did not come.
My mother said," Go to sleep now. Now he might not come."
But I was still waiting for him. I was sure he would come. It was now 11:00 p.m. in the night and it was too dark. I thought he would not come. So I decided to go to sleep. I was about to change my clothes and going to sleep then suddenly a voice came,"Samar". Someone called my name. I looked back and saw my friend Zain standing at the door. I was very happy to see him finally after three years we met again. I called him in and served him coffee, then we had dinner together. After dinner we both talked a lot with each other.
Zain – Forgive me for coming so late.
Me – No problem. I was sure you would definitely come.
Zain – Thank you so much.
Me – Zain, do you remember when we were little we bought a locket that looked alike.
Zain – Yes I remember, how I forget.
Me – Do you still have that locket?
Zain's face dropped after asking my question.
Me – What happened! Do you have any problem?
Zain – I am sorry, I am going to tell you the whole truth right now.
Me – Yes, say?
Zain – Just while on the way, my car got damaged near a house. When I got down to see the car, I heard someone's voice. Looking around, I went inside that house. It was very dark inside the house. As soon as I reached inside the house, something fell on me. I was very scared so I started running outside and my locket broke and fell. I am sorry, I lost it.
Me – Never mind but are you okay?
Zain – No, I'm not fine. I want that locket. It was a sign of our friendship. Let's go find that locket.
Me – Now it's too late. We will go to find the locket tomorrow morning.
Despite my many persuasions he did not agree. So, we set out to find the locket. It was 2:00 p.m. in the night and it was dark everywhere. There was also fog due to which nothing was clearly visible. The weather had become very cold.
Me – Let's go back, I guess, we should come in the morning.
Zain – No, we will find that locket today itself and I am sure that it will be found soon.
Me – Are you sure that the locket fell in the house?
Zain – Yes I'm sure.
After about 2 hours we reached near that house. That house seemed too old, as if no one had been there for years. The weather was also getting worse. A cold wind was blowing. I was very afraid.
Me – Let's go back, I don't think we should stay here for now.
Zain – No, that locket was the sign of our friendship. So, we will take it with us.
We opened the door of that house and went inside. The house looked scary from outside but I felt more scared than when I went inside.
Zain – Do one thing you go to the right and search and I go to the left and search.
I started walking slowly, looking here and there for the locket. Suddenly, I saw someone's shadow.
Me– Is there anybody?
I called three or four times but there was no answer so I thought I would go there and see. I slowly started moving towards that shadow, approaching that shadow in fear I saw that there was no one.
So I started looking for the locket again. I was just looking for the locket when I thought someone was following me. I turned back and saw that no one was there. I started thinking in my mind that I should find the locket as soon as possible and leave from here. so, I started looking for the locket again. I was looking for the locket in fear then suddenly someone came and grabbed me from behind. I started screaming loudly- save me! save me! save me!.
Zain – relax! relax! It's me zain.
Me – you just scared me.
Zain – Did you get the locket?
Me – No I didn't get it but did you get it?
Zain – No I didn't get it either. Do one thing: I go out and look, you look inside.
Me – Ok.
He went out looking for the locket and I started looking inside. I searched a lot but I could not find the locket anywhere. so, I went outside and started searching for Zain. There was a lot of fog outside due to which nothing was visible. I started shouting loudly to Zain.
Me – Zain, where are you? We must leave now the sun is about to rise.
Then I heard Zain's shouting: save me! save me! save me!
After hearing his voice I panicked and went to look for him. While searching I reached the backyard of the house where I could not find Zain but I got the locket. After getting the locket. I started looking for Zain.
Me – Zain, where are you? Can you hear me? Please reply.
Soon, it was morning but I could not find him anywhere. When I could not find him anywhere I started walking towards home in despair. When I reached home I saw that there was a lot of crowd outside my house and police were also present there.
I went inside and I was stunned to see what I saw inside. I saw a coffin and that coffin was the body of my friend Zain. I was shocked and stunned. My mother told me that while coming to our house last night he had an accident around 8:30 p.m.
I started thinking in my mind how can this be so? Yesterday I was with Zain the whole night. I could not believe my eyes and my ears. How is this possible?
I could not understand that if Zain was dead then who was I with all night?
Was it the sole or was it my imagination?
All this while I was thinking I realised that I have something in my pocket.
I put my hand in my pocket and took it out.
It was a locket.
I could not believe my eyes. It means it was not my imagination. The whole night I was with Zain's soul. My friend kept his promise.
Before going he gave me a beautiful present, our friendship locket.