I could feel earth's rotation and revolution as I looked at the faces of Aman's friends while Aman was explaining my existence to them. “But she's a good ghost,” he finished and looked at me as if everything was under control. Raghav broke the awkward silence and said,“So Akanksha wants your help to go to her world.” “Yes!” replied Aman. By looking at Raghav's face I got to know that he was happy, though I don't know why but still it feels good that at least someone is accepting me. “I am also ready to help you Akanksha,” Mia said with great gusto and I felt guilty for pushing her like that. “Count us in as well!” Jiya, Raghav and Arjun said in unison. Tears of joy rolled down from my eyes. This is all I wanted throughout my life, I wanted my parents to show some of the emotions of love and care towards me, to accept me just the way I was, to understand me, to stand beside me but all they did was push me away from themselves. I always felt as if I am a different species. I never thought I will be accepted in a group of strangers much less after my death.

        I was brought back to the present situation by Aman who said, “Well I can contact Akanksha directly but what about you guys? Don't expect me to repeat each and every word she says.” That's when an idea struck me and I reached for Aman's pen, kept in his shirt pocket and wrote on paper napkin which was kept on the table ‘I will communicate by writhing :-) ’ I could all of their faces lit up with excitement.

         Hours later of the lunch time. After Aman left the office and we finally made our way into a cab. Despite the awkward situation in his office Aman looked completely undisturbed. That doesn't explains why he kept quite throughout the journey. “I had a great day at office today, I always have great days,” finally Aman spoke while paid the taxi driver. I couldn't help thinking that this boy is overly optimistic.
        “Akanksha, do you remember you told me that your parents hated you? He asked me while he sat on the couch and gestured me to do the same. “Yes, I remember... They actually hated me,” I said while sitting uncomfortably on the couch. “Why do you think like that Akanksha?” Aman asked and this time he was frowned. I knew where this conversation was going but I made no attempt to change the topic. I took a deep breathe and answered, “That's because they used to tease me when I used to burst into tears, they used to say that I always over think... Which indirectly means that whatever I said, whatever I felt we're useless to them. Whenever I used to isolate myself from others because of continuously getting humiliated by them.. They told me that I was antisocial and that's why I was left alone because I was too sensitive. Infact my sisters also treated me miserably. My parents always snapped at me, always stopped me at my mid sentences and used to tell me that I.. I only speak nonsense. They never accepted me as myself, they always wanted to make me like my sisters... Who only had emotions for themselves, who only considered their problems as problems.
       I was not surprised by finding tears in my eyes but I was shocked when I saw Aman's face discolored, firstly I thought that he was having some kind of stroke, later I realized that he was trying not to cry. “Was my life that pitiful?” I asked hoping to calm down the atmosphere a bit. “It's not your life, I am crying about... It's mine,” he replied after a long pause. At least I succeeded in making him speak.
        “You know Akanksha, when I was ten I lost both of my parents. Due to a car accident. I was raised by my grandparents, when I turned sixteen my grandma died and when when I turned eighteen my grandpa left this world as well. Both of them died due to heart attack. At that time I felt as if the whole world was collapsing, everything turned black. After two days from my grandpa's death, I made a desperate decision. I went to search for a job. I was rejected by millions, but I didn't loose hope. I had other option left. Then finally I met Mr. Shashank. At that time he was about to start a business wanted workers so he immediately agreed to take me. There I met my friends, all of them have their own tragic story but still we all are happy, we have each other by our sides. It has been four years I am working here and I am happy.”
       Guilt crawled inside me I never had to deal with financial problems. I was sheltered by my parents. I never actually faced real problems, it was only my thoughts, maybe my parents were right I had over thinking problems. “I am not telling you that your parents were right. Ofcourse that should have paid you more attention. But you can't jump to a conclusion that ‘My parents hated me.’ Aman comforted me, maybe he sensed that I was guilt- ridden. “Akanksha, tell me more about your life.” I will always be gratefull to him for changing the topic. “Let's begin with the most important person of my life, my best friend, Urja.”