When I opened them, I saw Parth emerging from the shadows and coming towards me on his wheelchair. His uniform was covered in blood. His head was smashed and bleeding. He stood up and then started laughing at me.

‘Why are you here?’ I asked him.

‘I will always be here. I will never leave you. I will always be with you, inside you,’ he whispered as he moved closer and closer until he pushed himself inside my chest and entered my body. I woke up, covered in sweat, below the sink.

There was no one around. That was the first hallucination. I thought it was just a bad dream, not knowing that it would become a part of my life. I left the bathroom. I hadn’t realized how long it had been. I walked towards my empty dorm.

‘What are you doing here?’ a security warden asked me.

‘I was just . . .’ I stopped short.

‘You should be in church,’ he reproached.

‘Why in church, sir?’ I asked.

‘This is ridiculous. I thought that crippled boy was your friend,’ he said.

‘What happened to him?’ I was lying to myself now. The warden muttered something and walked away. I was still in my uniform and had not eaten anything since the previous morning. Feeling dizzy, I went to the church. A crowd had gathered in silence and as I stood in line, Father George began speaking.

‘It is a sad morning for one and all as we mourn the demise of one of our dear students,’ Father George said and I almost fainted. I looked around for Parth. I was in complete denial; I couldn’t let him go.

‘We are extremely sad for Parth Aggarwal’s family and wish to express our condolences to his friends. We deeply regret the incident. I would also like to announce that no student is allowed to go to the hill henceforth. Serious action will be taken if anyone is seen around the area. I would like to ask our senior faculty to say a few lines about the child and then we shall all observe a minute of silence.’ He left the podium. It seemed as if a lifetime had passed since I’d seen him fall. But where was his body? Where were his parents? What happened after they found him?

Father Craig, the vice-principal, started speaking. ‘Parth was a bright student. Despite his disability, he won scholarships and numerous medals for the school. His contribution will always be remembered. His achievements shall be displayed on the wall of fame in the school.’

Once the ceremony had ended, the students quietly went to the mess for breakfast.

Sister Stella came up to me and asked, ‘Where were you, Madhav?’ She looked very concerned and upset.

‘I am sorry, Sister. I was disturbed . . . so . . .’

She interrupted me, ‘I am really sorry. We know this is a big loss. We cannot stop what God has planned for all of us. Accidents cannot be avoided, my child. We are all here for his family and friends. I would suggest you take some time to heal.’