Hollow

Fatih was lying in his bed under the duvet when the alarm rang. He pulled his hand out of the duvet to turn off the alarm. As he did that, the duvet fell off the bed, and sunlight from the windows reached his eyes, forcing them open.

He can feel the warmth of the sun rays. A sign that winter is about to leave. A sigh of relief escapes his mouth. He hates winters. He is lost in his thoughts when he hears his mother calling him for breakfast.

Fatih gets up from the bed, washes his face, changes his clothes and joins his mother for breakfast. She smiles as she puts the breakfast plate in front of him. She has made his favourite breakfast. Pancakes with whipped cream and maple syrup.

A genuine smile tugs at Fatih’s lips. Today, after a long time, she has made his favourite breakfast. He hugs her, thanking her.

Soon, breakfast is over, and his mother leaves for her job.

Fatih’s mother works as a visiting teacher in different schools. She is an expert in Chemistry, the subject he hates the most.

For now, Fatih is alone at home. Nobody is there. He sits on the couch and turns on the TV to watch a movie. He flickers through a list of movies but can’t find any. Frustrated, he closes the TV and opens his phone.

There is a message from his best friend about 5 minutes ago

“Coming to yours! We have to watch the latest movie!”

Fatih reacts with a thumbs-up to the message and closes the phone,e putting it on the sofa. Outside, it’s getting dark. Heavy dark clouds have covered the sky. It’s about to rain. He can feel the coldness now. He grabs the jacket that is hung on a chair close by. It’s his mother’s jacket. Big but comfy. He wraps the jacket around himself and slowly relaxes.

At the same moment, the bells ring.

Once

Twice and

Thrice.

It's his best friend, Aman. Fatih opens the door,r and he jumps up to hug you. A smile breaks on his face. Both of them go towards the lounge and sit on the sofa. While Fatih sets out the snacks, his friend turns on the movie.

An hour passes…

And another…

And another…

Fatih looked towards his left. It’s his friend. He is asleep on his shoulder. He tries to stay still and continues watching the movie.

Suddenly the lights go off. It’s pitch dark. In fear, Fatih clutches his friend’s hand for support,t waking him up.

“Was I asleep?p,” Aman whispers too loudly.

“Yes, idiot,” Fatih mutters in a low breath.

The quietness becomes unbearable to hear. The faint dripping of water in the bathroom is enough to send shivers down your spine.

“I am going to the bathroom,” Aman says as he gets up from the sofa.

“You can go after the lights come…or I will come with you.” Fatih replies hesitantly, holding his arm.

“Don’t be a fool. I will be back in a few minutes. Just stay here.” And he leaves him alone.

Fatih stays there in the darkness. A hundred thoughts zoom through his mind.

Within five minutes, the lights come back on. Fatih calls for his friend,d but no answer. His eyes dart towards the bathroom. It’s open. Nobody’s there.

Fatih lets out a laugh.

It’s a prank

Aman loves to play pranks.

He searches the whole house but can’t find him anywhere. His shoes, nothing is there. The house is empty as if nobody ever came.

With his heart pounding, he dials Aman’s number.

The phone rings, and he picks up at the first ring.

“Hey, you…stop playing pranks on me. You went to the bathroom.” Fatih yells through the phone

Fatih’s question is met by silence and then a laugh.

“Are you crazy? I never came to your house.” Aman replies calmly

“DON’T LIE!” Fatih says, trying to be serious.

“I am not lying, Aman says in a low voice.

Fatih closes the phone. His knuckles are shaking. Who was I, i.e.??. Who was he? He looks towards the sofa where Aman sat, and it seems like no one ever sat there.

Then he hears a soft chuckle. It'ss a figure by the window. Fatih’s friend. He’s laughing. He stares at the figure in shock.

Before it vanishes once again.