I know I know, today is not the day of update but enjoy this extra chapter as a token of Happiness. Mysterious Death just qualified for the first round of ONC 2021 contest🎉🎉
Enjoy the chapter.

                         ~~~•~~~

Drishti laid down on the bed as soon as we came back from the little celebration party held for her.

"Man, I had a blast but now I am going to sleep. It was an eventful day," Drishti's voice came out as a mumble as she spoke into her pillow.

She was sprawled on the bed with her face muffled by a pillow.

"Atleast change your dress to a nightwear," I spoke, smiling at her antics.

She waved her hand in a no, "I am too tired to get up. Let me sleep now. Anyways, from tomorrow we would be busy."

"By the way, who are we checking tomorrow? Alisha, Mrunal's coach or are we finally going to approach Niya?" She taunted, moving her head from her pillow.

"Don't taunt me, okay?" I said, not meeting her eyes.

She sat up, pulling her pillow on her lap and placing her elbows on it.

"No, but seriously. She is marked as a major suspect and we haven't yet approached her. What's the deal?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"I couldn't bring myself to face her. What I did to her in school was so wrong. Bullying, body shaming, I literally tortured her mentally and emotionally. I didn't have courage so...," I trailed off, not knowing how to put my thoughts into words.

"Technically you won't have to face her. You know...being a ghost and all...," she said cheekily, hinting towards my translucent body.

"Shut up, don't joke around. Go to sleep and give me this night to build courage."

"Alright alright. No need to get so moody."

Drishti laid back on her bed while I contemplated upon everything.

                         ~~~•~~~
Next Day Morning:

Standing near the window, I looked at the passing cars and people on the road while waiting for Drishti to wake up.

"Build up the courage yet?" Drishti asked with a stupid smile on her face as soon as she woke up.

"Good morning to you too," I taunted scowling.

A chuckle left her lips and she patted the space beside her for me to come and sit.

"Jokes aside, we need to do this. What you did was wrong and me standing there and not stopping you was wrong too. I understand this but we need to confirm whether she is the murderer or not," Drishti explained in a soft comforting voice.

"You are right. Can you do me a favour? I need you to write another letter for me. A letter of apology. It might not heal her wounds but still I should apologize for my wrongdoings," I requested with hopeful eyes.

"What if she is a murderer? Would you still apologize?" She asked looking unsure of my decision.

"If she is my murderer then she will suffer the consequences, but she still deserves an apology for what I did to her," I explained with self guilt.

She nodded having understood my reasoning. 

After getting ready, she wrote the letter and left with me, skipping her breakfast.

We stood outside Niya's flat nervously.

"Shall I ring the doorbell?" Drishti asked, biting her lips.

I was trembling inside but this had to be done. Nodding, I replied, "If you are ready."

Taking a deep breathe, she rang the doorbell.

A middle aged lady, probably Niya's mom opened the door and looked at us curiously.

"Aunty, is Niya at home?" Drishti asked in a sweet voice that she usually used with elders.

"Umm..yes. But who are you?" Niya's mom asked warily.

"We are...I mean I was her classmate in school," Drishti hurriedly corrected her mistake.

Looks like my bestie forgot that no one other than her could see me.

"Dear, You will have to tell me what you want to say and I will relay the message only if it won't harm her mental state," Niya's Mom stated, standing in a way that we couldn't look inside.

"Umm...is she not feeling well? I needed to ask a few things and give her this letter," Drishti asked, showing the letter.

"Drishti?" Niya's voice came from inside.

Her mom turned a little and we saw Niya coming towards the door.

The once overweight Niya had become sickly thin.

"Niya, she said she needs to talk about few things and give you a letter. Should I tell her to leave?" Her mom asked, looking worried.

Something big must have happened for her mother to behave like this.

"No it's okay. Let her in. I am curious to know what she needs to tell me after all these years," Niya spoke a little harshly.

Drishti sighed but didn't say anything as we both knew that we deserved this.

Sitting on the couch, Niya asked.

"Where's your other half? Maira didn't come with you?"

"Tell that her tormentor has died," I told Drishti but that idiot didn't use the same words.

"Maira died few days ago," Drishti simply stated.

If she was acting then she was oscar worthy. She looked taken back from this news.

"I warned you that you should not say anything that would affect her mental health and here you are giving her news of someone's death. Niya just came back from the Rehab Centre yesterday. What if your news spirals her down and she relapses?" Her mother screamed in agony.

"Re...Rehab?" Drishti stuttered not believing it.

My condition was the same. It was unbelievable, for someone like Niya to....

"Don't give me that look. Rehabs aren't just open for drug addicts or alcoholics," Niya deadpanned.

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Drishti nodded, trying to look like she didn't assume the same.

"It was because of my anorexia. I am sure you know the root cause behind it," Niya sneered.

My head automatically bowed down in shame.