Ghost Busters

Flames of fire kept flickering and dancing. Waves within waves quivering creating a crackling sound one could hear as the wood kept splitting due to the oppressive heat produced by the fire. Thus, emitting smoke into the surroundings.

All the burning flames reflected in the misty eyes of a young man who stood still and seemed apathetic.

He could see a vague figure. In fact, a corpse lying on the pyre engulfed in fire as the flames encircled around it from all directions.

Quite a few people could be seen standing, giving their condolences and praying for the dead person.

A Pandit (Hindu priest) was also there who did all the necessary required rituals for the cremation ceremony so that the soul of the dead person can find salvation.

Even the weather seemed upset as it started to drizzle making the terra firma humect.

"What will you do now child?" An elderly man who stood near the young man asked while looking at him.

"I don't know uncle!" replied the young man in a perplexed tone.

"I know it's hard. Child! But you must have an aim right now. Without any aim, life is worthless."

"I know uncle! But I don't know what to do now."

"Will you continue your work then? Or you'll leave?"

"As I said, I don't know right now. But, I'll inform you if I'll leave."

*Sigh* "Okay child! If you need anything just come to my home without any hesitation. You are not a guest. Right?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

"No need for thanks! I'll be more than glad to have a company with you."

"Hmmm!"

"Then, I'll leave for now. You take care okay? You should leave too. Don't worry about the ashes. They will be ready after a week or so, then we can go to the ghat later to immerse them."

"Yes! Thank you again!"

"You still thanking me? Are we strangers or what? Anyway, I'll talk to the Pandit. You should leave now. Take some rest. Go on now."

"Hmm!"

The elderly guy tapped his shoulder and left to have some talk with the Pandit. As the young man stood still lost in thoughts, a white aged guy came to his side,

"It's time for me to leave too. But before that, give me your contact number child."

Hearing him, the young man just gave him his number without even thinking whether he should share his contact info or not.

"I'll contact you soon child!" leaving those words behind, he left the cemetery.

The young man also finally took his leave and went to his home leaving the still burning corpse behind.

***

It's been few months since that day. Inside a small room, a young man lying on a single bed could be seen.

Even though he appeared a bit lazy right now because of his posture, his room was tidy and clean.

* Ring Ring *

His phone rang aloud, waking him up from his slumber.

"Haaww," while yawning he sat on his bed and picked up his phone from the wooden stool which was placed right beside his bed.

Getting a bit puzzled he looked at the unknown number on his phone,

'An unknown number? Who is it now? A company call maybe? *Sigh* Seriously now? I woke up only to see a company call?' he thought inwardly.

Without even sparing a second glance he shook his head and placed his phone back on the stool.

* Ring Ring *

'What the heck?' annoyed by the call again, this time he straight on rejected the call.

He lied down again, gradually closing his eyes when all of a sudden,

* Ring Ring Ring *

'These damn companies...,' enraged by the call, he sat and finally answered the phone,

"What the heck is wrong with you damn companies!?" he bellowed.

A silence fell.

'Hmm? Why am I not hearing anything?'

He was about to hang up when an old aged voice from the other side resounded,

"Ahem!! Child! It's me. Uncle George, if you remember? We met in the month of July. Remember? Then, during that day before leaving, I asked you for your contact number too."

"Ahhh!! I see! Yes! I remember Sir. Tell me, how can I help you?" replied the young man.

"Umm... It's about an offer. No not offer, treat it like a request."

"Okay! Please elaborate."

"Ah yes! Since the time we met, I have seen your works and skills child. You are marvelous."

"That will be an exaggeration, Sir. I'm not that impressive."

"Oh come on! Don't be so modest. I have seen it with my own eyes."

*Smiles* "I appreciate it, Sir. So? What's the matter?"

"Ah! Yes! You know about my work right?"

"Yes! You told me about it."

"Good good! It's related to that only and since you belong to that field, it won't be against your field of interest right?"

"Okay! But what's the matter?"

"I want to invite you, child."

"Where? And for what?"

"To the team, here in Canada."

"Huh? Why? I mean..."

"Listen, child! It's very urgent and I really need you. Things are not going well with my son. It was fine during my time but lately, things are going out of our hands. We really need you. Treat it like~ this old man here is requesting you, now say!? Will you come?"

"Explain me in detail, Sir!"

"Fine! So, it's like this..."

After 15 minutes of conversation, silence fell.

Contemplating for few more minutes, the young man finally answered,

"Fine Sir! I'm ready!"

"Hahaha very good, very good! Thank you, child! Really thank you! Just send me your details on this number and I'll book a flight for you right away. You can take your rest today. I'll book the flight for tomorrow, so you will have enough time to pack the essentials."

"Alright, Sir!"

"Okay then, I'm hanging up child!"

"Hmmm!"

And the call was cut.

The young man deliberated for quite some time whether he took the correct decision or not?

'Was it right? I don't know. Since you are not here anymore, I think I'm getting more and more indecisive. I think I should really take some time to explore outside the country. Wouldn't you have suggested me the same if you would have been here? I didn't tell you about that matter too. You would have been really astounded if I would have told you. You might have tried some unseen crazy practices on me right? I'm sorry! I didn't have any guts to tell you about it. I was afraid. No! more like, it was afraid. And that's why I had to. Anyway, I've already told Uncle George and I agreed to his offer.'

*Sigh* 'Let's see how it goes.'

The young man stood, drank some water, and went out for a walk to have some fresh air.