'Grandpa,' i called out. I jumped when the door bell rang. I opened the door and saw Grandpa grinning at me. Tom threw himself on me and started licking my face. 'Stop, Tom. Yeeeew,' i said laughing. 'I thought i heard you call me Grandpa before few seconds.' 'But i came home just now,' he said brushing snow off his coat. How can this happen? I have no doubt that i heard him call me. My ears are too sharp! Nick came home along with mom. 'What a game! I enjoyed.' 'What did you play, my dear bro?,' i asked lying down on the sofa. 'X-Men Ultron. You must try it ,' he said. I rolled my eyes. 'Jason's brother is cool,' he said. 'Jason's brother?,' i asked. 'Yeah, Jimmy,' he said switching on the Tv. 'You were at Jason's house?,' i asked. 'Yeah, any problem?,' he asked lifting his eyebrows. 'Nope'. 'His mom makes awesome cupcakes......,' he went on. I skipped dinner and went early to bed. I fell asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow. I dreamt of Anita and me in our music class. Anita was playing the piano. The audience was enjoying it with a beautiful smile on their faces. Suddenly, she Started playing it hard. The music was loud and irritable. The smile on the audience's faces vanished. Anita's eyes were burning red and she was slithering like a snake. She lifted up the piano and flung it towards me. I gulped in air. My face was covered in beads of sweat. I jumped when the scary music started playing. I moved away the bedsheets and put on my slippers. i was sure that it wasn't a nightmare. Someone was really playing the music. This time I'm going to find out where the music is coming from and who's playing it. I stood facing the library door. The music was so loud that i didn't hear the clock going off at 12:00 but not so loud to wake my family upstairs. I turned the knob and the door did not open. I rolled my eyes in disgust. I pushed against it hardly but it did not budge. I was frustrated. 'Aaagh,' i uttered a cry and kicked the door. The music stopped. Someone grabbed me from back and i fell down with a thump.A blood curdling scream escaped my mouth. I fell on my torch and it was broken. I couldn't see the one strangling me. The stranger pressed his/her hand against my mouth. I kicked him/her. 'Ouch, Kat, you will wake everyone,' cried the strnger. But his voice was familiar. He released me. 'Nick, you idiot! You scared me to death,' i yelled trying to sit up. The lights were switched on. I saw mom staring at us, shocked. 'Mom, Nick scared me. He---,' i began. 'Mom, i will explain,' interrupted Nick. 'Mom, listen to me,' i said. 'Shut up. Kat, what's going on?,' asked mom worried. 'Mom, Nick has been scaring me from last two nights. He plays the scary music and disturbs my sleep. He is nuts! Tonight, he strangled me,' i blurted out. 'What rubbish! She's lying. I didn't play any music. I got up for washroom and i thought someone broke into our house. I didn't know it was Katherine,' he said. 'Mom, I am telling you. He's been scaring me from last two nights,' i yelled. 'Liar. I don't have any music player,' he said raising his voice. 'You liar, disturbing me every night just to scare me,' i screamed. 'Stop lying.' 'Shut up.' 'Both of you keep quiet and to your rooms,' said mom losing her temper. 'Mom, believe me--,' i started. 'No mom, I'm innocent,' said Nick. 'Nick, go upstairs now,' yelled mom. I glared at Nick and went to my room. Nick muttered something about me. I cursed him for disturbing my sleep every night. But it was true that he did not have any music player. I guess he managed to get one from his friend. SCOUNDREL! Liar! This time he was caught. He used to hide behind the door and lock it from inside. Then he stopped the music to give me the goosebumps. The next morning, i heard mom talking to Grandma in a low voice. 'I met Sarah yesterday,' said mom. 'She was telling that the ghost killed her husband.' 'Oh my goodness!,' exclaimed Grandma. 'She's leaving this town today. I think she has lost her mind,' said mom. When i reached school, i saw Bella crying. On seeing Jason, she broke down, sobbing into her hanky. Jason didn't even notice her. He waved to me and i waved back but i felt sorry for Bella. Chemistry was boring. I half slept in the class. The old man. Still, i couldn't believe that he was dead. I wondered if he would jump from somewhere and grab my hand. This thought sent a shiver down my spine. I was so lost in my thoughts that i didn't hear Mr. Paul call out my name. 'Katherine,' he shouted. I jumped and got up. 'If you won't answer, I will send you out of the class, i wll not repeat the question.' 'Ummm- er- Einstein maybe,' I answered. The whole class roared with laughter, even Bella was smiling. 'Get out,' he shouted. I obeyed him. 'Bella, you answer me,' he said. 'Magnesium,' she said proudly. 'That's correct,' squealed Mr.Paul. Magnesium? Was that the answer? Then what was the question? How is Einstein related to Magnesium? I scolded myself. After class, i got a long lecture from Mr.Paul about the need of attentiveness in class. Mr.Paul and his chemistry sucks! 'That was an easy question,' said Jason on our way back home. He was walking along with me. 'I didn't hear the question. i was busy thinking about--,' I started. 'What were you thinking?,' he asked. 'Nothing,' I said trying to change the topic. 'Tell me,' he pleaded. I studied his face. I felt that i could trust him. I narrated him the whole incident- the mad man- his prediction about his own death- about the house being haunted. 'So his death ain't an accident?,' he asked after a long time. 'I am not sure,' i replied kicking snow as i walked. 'Why did the ghost kill him?' 'Because his wife, Sarah was our daily. Maybe, the ghost does not like anyone at the house.' 'Wait a second, so ghosts exists?' 'I still don't believe in ghosts.' 'Neither do i,' he said. 'Bella was sulking today,' i said. 'Don't talk about her,' he said making a face. We had nothing to talk more. We walked in silence. I heard a wood-pigeon brooding over it's own sweet voice. A great flight of rooks passed over our heads. It satrted snowing. I recalled that my father telling me that skiing was one of the loveliest games he had played when small. I had never built a snowman or gone skiing. 'Jason, will you come for skiing this Sunday?,' i asked hoping that he would say yes. His eyes gleamed. 'Sure, Let's meet tomorrow.' 'I have never tried skiing,' i said. 'You will enjoy,' he said. My house came into view. 'I think it's going to snow heavily. Need to rush home,' he said. He waved to me and jogged away. I had a peaceful night. No music. No visit to library. Nick had learnt his lesson. It was sunday. I got up early and peered out of the window. Excellent! Atleat four inches of snow had fallen during the night- nice light powder, perfect for skiing. Mom had gone to the parlour. I saw Nick coming downstairs. 'Morning Nick. Golly, you have dark circles under your eyes,' i said sipping hot cocoa. 'Were you reading novels late night?' 'Er- only upto 1:00,' he said yawing loudly. Then a thought came to mind. Where was Tommy?
