Aria had always dreamed of living on her own, far away from the noise of family life and the constant bustle of her siblings. She had finally made it to the city, her new home for the next few years as she pursued her higher education. Moving from her quiet hometown in Multan to Lahore, a city brimming with life and opportunity, was both exciting and nerve-wracking. But in this vast, lively metropolis, she needed a space to call her own.
Finding a place wasn't easy, but Aria had always been good at budgeting. After searching for weeks, she found it—an apartment that was larger than most she could afford. The price was a little lower than others, but the view of the city lights at night was breathtaking, and the quiet of the neighborhood suited her perfectly. It was a bit of an older building, but nothing about it screamed "haunted" or "dangerous" to Aria. She signed the lease and moved in quickly, eager to start her new life.
The first few weeks were nothing less than bliss. She would wake up early to attend university, spend long hours in lectures and studying at the campus library, then return to her apartment, where she could unwind after a long day. Evenings were her time to relax. Aria had found a small part-time job at a nearby café, which she enjoyed. The people there were friendly, and it helped pay the bills. After work, she would often treat herself to her favorite food—steaming plates of chowmein or a bowl of comfort soup—sitting alone in her spacious kitchen and savoring the quiet.
Aria loved the silence, the way her apartment echoed with peace, undisturbed by anyone else's presence. She never had to worry about someone borrowing her things or leaving the lights on at night. The apartment was hers, and hers alone. She couldn't explain why, but this solitude made her feel more alive. It was as if the world outside had quieted, allowing her to hear herself think for the first time in years.
One evening, while eating her chowmein and scrolling through her phone, Aria's mother called. She hadn't spoken to her in a couple of days, and the moment she saw the incoming call, she smiled, anticipating the familiar conversation.
"Hi, Mum!" Aria answered cheerfully, balancing her phone and chopsticks. "You won't believe what I'm eating! Chowmein, just like we used to have back home."
Her mother's voice was distant, but concerned. "Aria, sweetheart, I've been meaning to talk to you about your living situation."
Aria paused, half-chewing a noodle. She knew where this was going. "Mum, not again," she sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I'm just not sure about you living alone," her mother continued. "I heard that apartments like yours, the cheaper ones, sometimes come with a history. Have you checked if there have been any accidents there? Someone might've done something... you know, not so good." There was a note of worry in her voice.
Aria laughed, shaking her head. "Mum, you're still on about that superstitious ghost stuff?" She took another bite of her noodles. "You really think the apartment's haunted? It's perfectly fine. I checked the place before moving in. No weird history. Plus, it's a good deal! And anyway, I don't like living with strangers. You know that."
Her mother sighed on the other end. "I'm just worried, dear. Please be careful. Why not move into a dormitory? At least there, you'd be around others."
"No way, Mum," Aria replied, trying to sound confident. "I need my own space. I love having my own place. And trust me, there's no ghost in this apartment. It's just an old building with great views. Look, let me show you!" She grabbed her phone and began to snap photos of the apartment. "Here's the living room, and look at this amazing view from the terrace at night. It's so peaceful up here. No ghosts, I promise!"
Aria quickly sent her mother the pictures of her cozy apartment, the gleaming city lights from her terrace, and the steaming plate of chowmein in front of her. "See? Everything's fine. Don't worry so much. I'm safe here, and I'm loving it."
Her mother didn't respond immediately, and Aria assumed she had cut the call. She was right, her mother had. But Aria's words lingered, and for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to the old apartment. She ignored it. Maybe it was just her mother's overprotectiveness playing tricks on her.
That night, Aria stood at the edge of her terrace, staring out at the sparkling city below. The lights flickered like stars, and the breeze was cool and refreshing. This was her favorite part of the day. The quiet, the solitude—it felt like the world belonged to her alone. She leaned back against the metal railing, letting the cool air wash over her, lost in her thoughts.
Time seemed to stretch, and before she knew it, she felt her eyelids growing heavy. She hadn't realized how tired she was, how comforting the cool night air and the view had made her feel. Aria slumped down into the lounge chair on the terrace, the sound of the city's distant hum lulling her into a deep sleep.
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The next morning, Aria woke up with a start. She blinked, trying to clear the sleep from her eyes. The first thing she noticed was the warmth of her bed. She wasn't on the terrace anymore. Her body was tucked under the soft covers, and the familiar surroundings of her bedroom greeted her.
"What...?" She sat up quickly, trying to recall how she had gotten back to her bed. She hadn't remembered coming inside. Had she walked in? Or had someone carried her? The thought made her shiver, but she quickly dismissed it. She probably got cold on the terrace and came back in. After all, it was common to fall asleep when the night air was so soothing.
"Just a weird dream," she muttered to herself, pushing the strange feeling aside. Aria swung her legs over the edge of the bed, stood up, and went to open the window. The city was just beginning to stir outside, the sun rising slowly over the skyline. She let out a deep breath, letting the new day wash over her.
It felt like a fresh start, a new chapter. Little did she know, that was only the beginning. Something was waiting, something unknown, and she would soon discover that the apartment wasn't as ordinary as she had thought.
End of chapter 1.