“Good Morning, mam,” one of the staff greeted Neha.  

Neha greeted back with a smile. She always treated her employees like family and made them feel valued and respected.

Neha owned a café in a prime location in the city. She meticulously sourced coffee beans from different parts of the country, keeping up with current trends and customer preferences. The unique flavours and aroma set her café apart, making it a favourite hangout spot for coffee lovers.

One afternoon, a staff member pushed open Neha’s cabin door, his breath rapid with an adrenaline rush. Clutching a paper napkin in his trembling hand, the staff tried to speak, but his lips quivered.

“What happened, Dhruv? Not well?” Neha asked.

“Mam, I found this note while clearing table number four. See for yourself.” Dhruv finally managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper.

The note read, “Neha, don’t take the usual route. Danger."

“Dhruv, did you see his face?” Neha asked.

“Yes, mam. But I haven't seen the customer before,” Dhruv replied.

“Then how does he know which route I travel? Is he stalking me?" Neha whispered.

“Mam, you should not ignore this note. There must be something, else why would a stranger warn you from taking the usual route?” the staff said.

“Hmmm…Really? Alright! Let's see,” Neha muttered.

The rest of the day, Neha and her team remained busy keeping their minds off the note.

After Neha reached home, she shared the incident with her husband. He advised her to stay calm and said this could be someone’s cruel prank. Neha agreed and slept peacefully.

A whisper, thin as mist, echoed in the room. It came from nowhere, yet it was everywhere.  “Nehaaaa….don’t take the usual route.” She woke up with a jerk, sweat trickling down her forehead. Her throat felt parched, yearning for water. Her feet trembled as she walked towards the kitchen. On reaching, she found another note on the countertop.

“I may be a stranger to you, not to your husband. He killed me and is going to kill you tomorrow for the insurance amount. It is no prank.”

Neha felt giddy. She quickly gripped the counter edge for support. Fear consumed her. She dared not enter her bedroom and spent her night on the verandah.

The next day, Neha left at her usual time.

A few hours later, news flashed of a car accident on the route Neha took every day.

Ting-tong! The doorbell rang.

“Yes, inspector, what’s the matter?” Neha’s husband asked.

“You are under arrest.” The cop said, snapping the handcuffs onto his wrists.

Neha, standing behind, came forward and slapped him hard. “Never in my wildest dreams thought you would do something like this. Surprised?” she sneered and continued, “Yes, I am alive. Unfortunately, my friend took the car this morning on the same route and was killed by your people, thinking it was me.

Neha folded her hands, thanking the soul who saved her life. At last, the soul found peace.