Sahil was in the midst of the joyful chaos, his face smeared with hues of pink and green. The scent of sweet gujiyas mingled with the earthy smell of wet ground as water balloons burst nearby. Children ran around, shrieking with delight, while adults playfully smeared colors on one another. "This is the best Holi ever!" Sahil shouted to his friends, his eyes sparkling with happiness.
The alley was narrow, with walls stained by years of colorful celebrations. Sahil leaned against a wall, catching his breath, when he suddenly felt a chill despite the warmth of the day. A rustling sound caught his attention, and he turned to find a corner shrouded in shadow. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of fear. The only response was a faint whisper, almost like a chant carried by the wind.
A figure emerged, draped in tattered, colorless clothes that seemed to absorb the vibrant hues around it. Its face was obscured, but Sahil could feel its gaze piercing through him. "What do you want?" Sahil asked, his voice trembling. The figure raised a hand, pointing towards the end of the alley where an old, crumbling statue stood, its eyes hollow and haunting.
The figure whispered again, this time more clearly, "Remember me..." The words echoed in Sahil's mind, triggering a distant memory of a story his grandmother once told him. It was about a girl who had disappeared during Holi many years ago, her spirit said to roam the streets, yearning to be remembered. Sahil's blood ran cold as he realized he was face to face with that very spirit.
Sahil stumbled back, desperately trying to escape the alley. The laughter from the Holi celebration now seemed distant, drowned out by the pounding of his heart. As he turned to run, the figure's whisper followed him, "Tell them my story..." Sahil burst back into the street, the colors and noise enveloping him once more. His friends looked at him in confusion, unaware of the spectral encounter he had just experienced.
He joined his friends, forcing a smile as he recounted the tale his grandmother had told him, sharing the story of the forgotten girl. As the night wore on, Sahil couldn't help but glance back at the alley, half-expecting the figure to reappear. But it remained empty, the shadows holding their secrets tight. "Maybe she just wanted to be remembered," Sahil mused, feeling a strange sense of peace amidst the lingering fear. And so, the story of the girl became part of the town's Holi folklore, ensuring she would never be forgotten again.
