WALKING DEAD

“Bye! I had so much fun today. The party was a blast. I’m going to go home now.”

“So soon?”
“It’s 1 a.m. Beth.” I reminded my half-sober best friend.
“OH! You want me to drive you back?”

“No. I want to get back alive without any accidents. Anyway, I’m off now.” “BYEEEEEE…”

And with that, I got into my car and left. The road was lit up with New Year’s decorations. As I drove, my mind filled with ideas, resolutions and fantasies for the coming year. It was New Year in a day. I was making getaway plans with my friends, getting my dream job and proposing my crush all together in my head. I thought of the Swiss Alps, a bonfire with Beth playing guitar & James singing while Liam grilled the meat. And then we would dance, sing and eat the night away.

‘Wow, what a trip would that be? I would also get myself a new kitten and name it CHUGU. And this year I would get my life together – be more disciplined, hardworking and focused- ‘

“NOO…OH CRAP!” I screamed as I hit the brakes to avoid crushing an old lady, who was trying to cross the road.

“Thank God” I breathed a sigh of relief as I managed to stop the car without any damage. When I got out, I saw her kneeling. I quickly went to her.

“Ma’am, are you alright? I’m sorry for this.” I apologized as I helped her up.
“Can you walk, Ma’am?”
“Yes, I can. But I have something for you before you go.” Answered a croaking voice. “For me?”
“Yes. But if you don’t want it, then you can decline. You’re free to go.”
And that was it. My curiosity took over my judgment.
“What is it that you wish to give me?” I asked, all excited.

“You might not believe me, but I can show you your future. Each day till you die. My cloak will show you all, even your death. Do you want a look? You can still refuse for once you know all about the future, life will seem too boring.”

“Boring? In the 18 years of my life, I’ve always been bubbly and high-spirited. Never have I ever seen a boring day in my life. And I’m sure that I won’t change in the future either. So, I would love to take a look at my future.” I replied confidently.

“Okay, just don’t have any regrets.”

And with that, she took off her cloak and spread it on the ground. She then began chanting in a language I didn’t understand. Suddenly a cold wind blew which sent shivers down my spine and darkness took over the streets. All the lights had magically switched off. I reached for my coat collars and pulled them close, in an attempt to get some extra warmth. The cloak then started glowing so brightly as if it had a thousand suns in it and then the light died. What came on next was my life – each minute and each day. With my eyes glued to the cloak, I tried to remember everything but soon found out that I didn’t have to make an effort, it was all getting imprinted in my memory.

I watched and watched; I don’t know for how long and then came my death. I saw myself loading a gun and shooting……myself?

My eyes popped out of my sockets as I watched my future self commit suicide. There was again a bright flash and then darkness. The magic was over and the lady was gone. But I stood there frozen, traumatised by what I had just seen. Why would I kill myself? I’m not the kind to do so… then why?

Days, weeks and months passed. The question still bugged me. Even though the answer was right in front of my eyes, I forced myself to unsee it. Three years passed, my last day was getting nearer with only two days left. And yes, everything went as the cloak had shown. I got into my dream college, failed to submit my thesis on time because I was out partying, got a cat, never made it to that trip to the Swiss Alps because I already knew a blizzard would come. I knew about everything that was going to happen and that eventually made me lose interest in life. Even though I hated to admit it the lady was right, once you know all, you get bored of life. I remembered how that night I had confidently vouched for myself and my bubbly nature.

“Guess who couldn’t keep those spirits up?” I snorted, nagging myself.

This nagging, this boredom, this lifeless life – I was so over it all at this point. I couldn’t handle this anymore. And just then, my phone rang.

The Last Day

I was walking to the city library to return a book I had accidentally kept for a month. I returned it and was walking out when a boy bumped into me, spilling his coffee.

“God I’m so sorry. Sorry. So-“

He just kept repeating in a hurried tone but I just stood there – looking unbothered.

“Please give me your coat, I’ll get it dry cleaned for you. I’d like to do as much.” He said

“Sure. But what I’m not sure of is whether you’ll find me alive tomorrow to return the coat.” I replied.

“Uh… Pardon me?” he asked looking confused.

“I don’t want to live anymore,” I told him while taking off my coat. “But you can have this.”

He took the coat and walked to one of the racks in the library as I shook my head and walked out.

“Hello! Hey! Miss stop!!”

I stopped in my tracks as I heard the same voice from earlier calling me. I looked back to see him running over to where I was standing.

“Yes?”

“You are not going to die. And even if you are, you will have to read this story once.” He said, while still gasping for breath.

“Read a story? Would that change anything? Change the way life has become for me?”

“You’ll never know it till you try it. It’s up to you. But do give me your address and name for I’ll be there tomorrow evening with your coat.” He said while handing out the book to me.

I took the book and started walking away.

“AYE!! Your address? And your name and- “

“It’s Eva & 28-Styles street” I shouted back

“I’m Louis and I’ll be there Eva. I promise!”

I smiled to myself as I walked away. I had no intention of reading the story or of living on but it just felt so nice – something I hadn’t felt for 3 years, to respond to him.

…

I was sitting on the floor, staring at the wall. I could hear the sky roaring outside, but I didn’t care. In front of my eyes played the past 3 years I had spent. I felt so helpless as I saw my past self getting quieter by each day. I felt a pain so extreme as if a thousand needles were poking my heart, as I watched the bubbly girl losing her interest & curiosity with each passing day. The clock struck midnight and I decided that it was meaningless to live anymore. So I stood up and started walking over to my wardrobe, where I kept my gun but then stumbled on a book. I bent over to look at its cover – “Walking Dead”- it read.

“Walking Dead, walking dead, walking…” I read over and over again, not able to get my eyes off of it. So I sat back down and opened it, without even realizing that I was reading the book I swore I wouldn’t.

I took it from Louis because it felt right, started reading it because of its title and kept on reading because the story hit home. It was of a lively girl who learns about her future but doesn’t change. She wakes up with positivity each day and changes her fate with her actions.

I turned onto the last page which had a quote that read, “It is the uncertainty in life which makes it interesting. But if one day everything becomes certain then remember, your every action has the power to eliminate that certainty and create countless uncertainties.”

…

‘TRINGGG…TRINGGG…’

Louis rang the doorbell for the fifth time. He was standing at 28- Styles Street as he had promised Eva. He made an effort to ring the bell for the last time but didn’t get any response. He turned to leave but stopped as Eva’s voice called out to him from behind.

“Did you bring my coat?”
He turned around. She was smiling while holding an empty trash can.
His expressions changed from sadness to utter joy in seconds. He ran to her as he held her with his eyes. “I thought I had missed you.” He spoke slowly.
“I was just out to throw the garbage. Now, won’t you come in?”
“Oh yes.”
“What would you like to have?”
“A hot cup of tea would be lovely.”
“Tea it is then!”

Daria Khan