Shanthi sat comfortably on her bed, savoring her sandwich while the TV played quietly in the background. Her eyes occasionally flicked to the door, a habit she had developed over the years. The room, decorated with mementos from her travels, felt like a haven, yet something seemed off tonight. She pulled a blanket closer, seeking comfort against the sudden chill that enveloped the room.
Shanthi recalled her childhood, recounting tales to the eager group of girls gathered around her. Her father's work for a plantation owner had provided them with a modest life, simple yet filled with love and warmth. The memory of her mother's missing gold bangles surfaced, a mystery that had taken her to a strange temple in a distant village. The vivid images of the possessed girl dancing wildly, her eyes lined with kohl and mouth foaming, were etched in Shanthi's mind, a haunting reminder of those days.
The night felt different, as if the shadows themselves were alive. Shanthi's heart skipped a beat when she glanced toward the door. The girl from twenty years ago stood there, her long hair neatly plaited, her eyes black and soulless. A smirk twisted her cracked lips, sending shivers down Shanthi's spine. The room seemed to shrink, the walls closing in as fear gripped her.
The encounter left Shanthi shaken. Days passed in a blur, her mind haunted by the girl's visage. When Amal, her neighbor, came knocking, she hesitated before letting him in. His presence was a comfort, yet his behavior seemed off. He waved at her from a distance, an unusual clarity in his eyes that hinted at something amiss. That was the last she saw of him before the news of his demise reached her.
Shanthi decided it was time to move on, to leave behind the remnants of a past that had come back to haunt her. As she gazed at the bustling streets of Chennai one last time, a sense of closure washed over her. With only a pair of gold bangles to remind her of her journey, she stepped forward, ready to embrace a new chapter.
