Ghost Lover (A)

"Mum, you don't need to wait up for me. I'll be late again tonight."

"Okay, take care when you're walking home."

I ended the call with a goodbye. It's the peak season for me right now. Staying late in the office becomes a norm during this peak season.

Tonight, there were a couple of my colleagues who are working late as well. I turned my attention back to the laptop screen. The quicker I get this job done with, the earlier I get to go home for a rest.

"Ling, we're going off now."

"You guys are going off already?"

"Yeah, it's 10.30 p.m. now. You better get off too."

I looked at the time on my laptop and realized that it really is 10.30 p.m. I quickly packed up and went home.

The streets were much quieter now since everyone has already gone home. I walked towards the street where my house is.

Somewhere in the distance, a cat is digging through the rubbish pile for some leftover food. The cat gave me a stare when I walked past it. It gave a short hiss.

"Can you hear me?"

I felt a slight shiver run down my spine when I heard that voice. I did realize that there is no one near where I am. The streetlights prove me that.

I continued walking at a quicker pace now, ignoring that voice. Silently, I prayed in my heart. I can see the lights coming my house a couple of meters ahead.

"Is that you, Ling?"

"Yes, mum. I just got home."

My mum walked to the door to greet me.

"Are you alright, dear? You looked a bit pale."

"Oh, I'm fine, mum. Just tired."

"I told you not to work so late every day yet you never listen to me."

"It's alright. I'm fine. I'm taking my shower now. Night."

"Night."

What was that just now? Am I hallucinating? It must be. There's no way I heard that voice just now. Must be my mind playing tricks on me.

The next day, I worked late again.

"Can you hear me? I need your help."

No, I'm not hearing any voices. It's just that I'm too tired. I'm perfectly normal.

Just like the night before, I ignored that voice. I must be feeling too exhausted that I'm hearing voices.

"I know you can hear me. Please give me some response. I r-e-a-l-l-y need your help."

Tonight is the third night I heard that voice again. This time around, there is a tinge of desperation in that voice.

What's different is that I'm hearing the voice in my very own bedroom. I'm starting to feel a bit paranoid here. I'm not going cuckoo, am I?

I know my job is pretty much demanding right now but I don't think I'm up to the point of going nuts. That sounds a bit extreme even to myself.

"I know you can hear me from the way your body reacts whenever I called out to you."

Okay, this is getting very creepy.