Emerald

Her emerald eyes shined at me like a thousand stars aligned together , behind those I could see a whole ocean of pain. Three days before....

The sun started to set gradually , the sky was a blend of purple and orange . The tranquility of the place began to have an eerie touch to it. I had been sitting on the window still for the past few hours, motionless , lifeless. I had mopped and dusted the whole house. The realtor told me that the previous owner was a poet , a lost one . He had never bothered to clean his house. He left saying that the place was distracting. 

It was the only place I could have afforded. I had stopped working after I married , not because I wanted to but I had too. My husband was a rich businessman. His family was a conservative one. He didn't have any high educational degree. I was 23 , locked away , under perennial pressure to have a baby. I couldn't provide my in-laws with a baby ,that was the day I became a reeking maid in the house. My husband who was 5 years older than me used to beat me mercilessly. My life soon became a hell. All my dreams were shattered but I looked at those broken pieces everyday . I didn't throw away those broken pieces I dreamt of fixing them .

I got my divorce 2 weeks ago . Freedom ? Yes. Happy? Can't say. In a country like India divorce is something which is frowned upon. They expect me to just hold on and accept whatever wrath is leashed upon me. My parents were reluctant to welcome me back. I stayed with them for a week , then with one of my friends and finally with her help I found this little house. I had two rooms , a kitchen and an attic . I cleaned the attic and decided to draw paintings there during free time.

I went into deep sleep the first night. I was least aware of my surroundings. It took me a minute to recollect everything and I got off the bed. The sun shone bright and the living turned into a golden miracle. I quickly dressed up. I found a carton of milk and some fruits in the refrigerator. I didn't remember buying or putting them in the fridge. I thought about it for a second and I gobbled it down my throat. I hadn't eaten anything the past night. I hurried out of my house as I didn't want to be late on the first day of my work. I landed a job at an electronics shop , as a sales girl. Perfect job for a science graduate . 

7:00 P.M , I was exhausted . But the wariness had a sweet tint to it.I collapsed on the little chair I bought . Suddenly a light flashed in the kitchen and it went off. I froze on the chair . The light turned on again , I heard the sound of refrigerator opening and plates .I gulped.  I got off my chair and slowly walked towards the kitchen. I could feel my heart in my throat.The fridge was wide open. Noodles were kept on a plate with a fork. My stomach was growling with hunger but I didn't touch the noodle. I stared at it. I looked around the room like a feral person. I took the plate and threw it away. I closed the fridge and walked to my room frantically. I laid down on my bed and pulled up a blanket . I closed my eyes. I was sweating bullets but I held the blanket close to my body. I slowly drifted to sleep.

I was a mess next morning . I was sleep deprived the whole night. The night was followed by terrifying noises. I heard chairs being shifted , doors opening and closing. It all vanished as the sun seized the whole house . I was lost all day at work. I dreaded to come back home. I overworked , it was my mind playing tricks , I thought. 

The door flung open on its own. I was creeped. Did I forget to lock the door ? I wondered. I got inside the house like nothing happened. I changed my clothes and decided to make tea. A lady was sitting on the little chair in the living room . She had long black hairs which could sweep the floor . It covered the most of her right eyes but it still shone , those emerald eyes. Her fair skin had bruises all over it. She screamed the thirst for blood. My jaw dropped a little. My head started spinning . She smiled at me by pulling up the right corner of her lips. 

She looked towards her right and said "Sit down " . A duplicate of the chair she was sitting on appeared out of thin air. My whole body was trembling , I slowly sat down on the chair beside her. I wet my lips and my fingers were intertwined.

"I made the food for you , you can began by saying thanks " She said

I tried to avoid the eerie tint to her voice. "Oh. Thank you " I said

'You're not much of a talker , are you ? " She said slyly

I blankly nodded . "Who are you ?" I asked.

"The same old question " She chuckled . Blood started dripping from the left corner of her lips. She licked it away. " I'm a ghost . Duh." She rolled her eyes.

"How long have you been living here ? " I asked

"149 years and 62 days including my human life which was a mere 25 years "

"What happened ? How did you die so young ?"

"My husband killed me , he found another lady , he wanted me out of his way." She paused "He beat me up " She looked at her bruises"Slit my throat and burried me in the backyard " she smiled weakly.

"They don't hurt anymore " She caught me looking at her bruises.

"I'm so sorry for you. " I said

"Time doesn't heal ya , it teaches you how to endure the pain " She said "Well , I heard from other fellow ghosts that your husband kicked you out ?" . I was surprised to hear that there were many other ghosts out there and they were gossiping about my divorce too. 

"Actually , I left him so that he doesn't kick me anymore."

"You are very brave" She said

"I was a writer back in my time and some of your painting are so relatable to what I wrote. Can I borrow one , if you don't mind ? "

"Sure" 

"And one more thing , can I stay here with you ? I'm getting lonely."

"Just like me ?"

She blinked "No , but can I stay here ? The poet was no able to concentrate because of me , I guess you have no such problems"

"You can stay here only , and only , if you promise to not make clinking noises at night and don't turn the lights on and off in an odd manner."

"I agree" her eyes shone brighter. "I'll even cook for you and do all the household chores. I'll be your housewife " She chuckled. I smiled back.

"Let's be two women helping each other out , we have no one else , do we?" I asked

I lived there till I died and after that. I wasn't alone , I had my inner voice as a ghost by my side.