EXIT PROHIBITED

FIVE

I proposed to open that box in front of Vibha. She agreed. "We will open that box before going to bed," I said.

In college, Mayur and I had a talk. Just like every day, I had study and classes. I saw Saavi. I'm still confused whether she is only visible to me. So I ignored her.

The number of inklings gets lowered. Only I got an inkling of someone is calling my name. Just from my behind. But I used to ignore all of them. Everything is normal.

While returning in the evening Vibha and Srushti were there with me. Kruti wasn't talking to me. That's why only three of us was there.

Mogra is blossomed today. Vibha and Srushti are plucking the flowers to make hair jewelry from it. I sat on the swing and found that someone was watching them. I saw long fingers and shining mysterious eyes like a cat in the dark behind banyan tree. My heartbeats get faster.

"Srushti, Vibha come here," I called them in a lower voice. Srushti looked at me. I gesture her to the banyan tree. She looked at him. He had a frightened look and a long finger. 

She gestured to Vibha. Srushti is a brave girl. She grabbed Vibha's hand and started walking towards the banyan tree. Vibha was pleading not to. But she was not listening to her. I started walking behind her too. He realized that our attention was focused on him. Ignoring him, he began to take a quick step. Vibha, Srushti and I started running after him. But he crossed the wall and ran away. We didn't know who he was, but the girl's mind was scared. We were scared too.

So the thought of opening the box came out of my mind. The same thought came to my mind again while I was sleeping at night. The Kruti fell asleep. The bulb light was dimmed. I was going to open that box. For a moment, Those slippery insects and ashes came in front of my eyes. So I left the idea of opening that box. I turned off the lights and went to sleep. 

The second day went on as before. I again proposed to open the box in front of Vibha. She agreed again. In the evening someone was putting a canal on her again. We panicked again.

Then I reminded her to open the box. As night fell, she and I came into the room, avoiding going to the terrace. She was looking at me and the box curiously. My hands were shaking. Those slippery insects, ashes and mud were still in front of my eyes. I untied the knot of that red cloth on the box. As soon as I'm going to open that box, she grabbed my hand.

"Stop." she yelled. 

I looked at her.

"Don't, just let it go. I'm scared." She said trembling with fear.

"Why?"

"I don't feel well. Don't say anything." She gestured to look back. A girl's shadow fell on the wall. We felt like someone was standing behind us. She closed her eyes and began to mutter God's name.

"Kruti, Are you there?" I asked holding her hand. 

There was no answer.

We both turned back together to find who is she. No one behind us. There was a flash of light. We were both scared. We looked at the box. There was no shadow on that box and the wall. A moment's betrayal. I hurriedly tied the red cloth tightly. She took my hand and led me out of the room. We took a few steps and went to the terrace. Taking a deep breath, we sat in a corner of the terrace. 

"Raksha, what is this?" She said breathing highly.

"Welcome. This is what I have been experiencing for the last 1 week." I said. 

"But .. but .." she said stumbling. 

"But what?"

"Stop thinking about that box. Already that suspected man pushed us is in big trouble. Now, don't bother with that box again." She said.