The gigantic council doors slowly began to open.
And not normally.
No. Of course not.
This was a ghost society.
Everything had to be dramatic enough to win three awards and traumatise background characters.
The moment the doors opened—
TAN TAN TADAAAAANNNNNN.
TRRRRRRRAAAAAAAANGGGGGG.
TUN TUN TUN TUN TUNNNNNNNN.
The doors opened so dramatically that even the wind started overacting.
White mist spread everywhere.
Ghosts standing nearby suddenly adjusted their clothes like background extras in an Asian fantasy drama.
One ghost even flipped his hair in slow motion despite being bald.
Honestly?
Lily and Meena stood frozen outside.
Lily whispered nervously,
“Why does this feel like we’re entering a billionaire CEO’s mansion after accidentally signing a marriage contract?”
Meena nodded seriously.
“Or like we’re the female leads of a drama where everyone secretly wants to kill us.”
“Or worse…”
Both gasped in horror.
Now THAT was terrifying.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
They stepped inside.
And immediately, every single ghost turned toward them.
Complete silence.
Just hundreds of glowing eyes staring.
Lily leaned closer to Meena.
“Bro… why does it feel like we’re brides entering a wedding hall and all the relatives are judging our outfits?”
Meena kept smiling nervously.
“SHUT UP.”
“THEY CAN HEAR YOU.”
“Oh, right.”
Lily instantly straightened herself.
“Good evening, respected dead people.”
One ghost in the back whispered, “She’s weird.”
Another ghost nodded.
“Very weird.”
Third ghost: “I like her.”
Meanwhile, the council hall itself looked INSANE.
Huge chandeliers floated in the air.
Golden pillars,floating lanterns.
Transparent ghost waiters carrying glowing drinks.
A ghost pianist was playing emotional music in one corner, as if someone was about to confess forbidden love.
Meena looked around slowly.
“…We died and somehow entered a luxury hotel.”
Lily sniffed dramatically.
“I knew poor people don’t stay poor forever.”
At the very centre of the massive hall…
On top of a gigantic throne…
Stood a child ghost.
Well…
Technically not fully.
Because the child had no head.
Lily and Meena both froze.
The headless child politely bowed.
“Welcome, ladies. May I know your names?”
Lily immediately smiled.
“Lily Verma. Writer. Best-selling emotional queen. Multi-talented. Beautiful. Funny. Mentally unstable sometimes, but in a cute way—”
“We only asked your name,” said one of the minister ghosts.
“…Rude.”
Meena coughed to hide her laughter.
“I’m Meena Sharma.”
The headless child nodded politely.
“I welcome both of you to the Ghost Council.”
Then he raised his hand dramatically.
“This council exists to guide wandering souls in the afterlife. Those who fail to reach Heaven or Hell may stay here and become members of ghost society.”
Lily blinked.
“…There’s literally ghost immigration services.”
“…Basically yes.”
“Oh, my God.”
The child proudly continued,
“I have served this council for 5,000 years. Therefore, I am the Head of the council.”
Then he pointed around proudly.
“The ghost on my right has served for 4,000 years. The minister behind him has served for four 4998 years.”
The old ghost instantly looked offended.
“PLEASE say five thousand. Stop exposing the missing two years.”
“Rules are rules.”
Lily slowly raised her hand.
“Question.”
“…How are you talking?”
The entire hall became silent.
Meena immediately covered her face.
“Oh, God.”
Lily panicked.
“No, no, wait! I’m not insulting you! I’m genuinely curious! Your head isn’t there, so technically your vocal system shouldn’t function and—”
“INSOLENCE!”
One minister suddenly stood up dramatically.
“How dare you question our respected Head?!”
Lily instantly pointed at Meena.
“SHE ASKED ME TO ASK.”
“WHAT?!” Meena shouted.
The Head raised his hand calmly.
“It is alright.”
Then slowly…, very slowly…
The headless child moved aside.
And Lily and Meena finally saw it.
His head.
Sitting peacefully on the throne chair beside him.
Just there.
The head blinked calmly, “Hii so, do you get your answer”
Silence…..
Absolute silence.
Then Lily whispered loudly,
“OHHHHH. THAT’S why he’s called the Head.”
Every ghost turned toward her.
Meena slapped her own forehead.
“LILY, PLEASE.”
“What? IT MAKES SENSE.”
One ghost minister whispered, “She’s either very brave or very stupid.”
Another answered,” I think she is both.”
The Head surprisingly started laughing.
A weird floating laugh because technically, no lungs existed.
“HAHAHAHAHAHA.”
Honestly terrifying.
Then the second-oldest council member stood up.
“Ladies. There are several rules you must follow if you wish to live peacefully in this society.”
Lily raised her hand again.
“Rules I think no place can survive without rules and regulations”.
The minister continued.
“We maintain balance with humans, animals, and even nature itself.”
Meena frowned.
“Even trees?”
“Yes.”
“…Trees can see ghosts?”
“No, but they gossip.”
“…WHAT?”
“Don’t trust banyan trees.”
Noted.
The minister continued,
“Souls who desire an afterlife may attempt to enter Heaven or Hell. Those rejected may stay here.”
Then he looked toward them carefully.
“So tell us… what do you two desire?”
Lily instantly answered proudly, “Heaven.”
The entire hall exploded into whispers.
“Heaven?”
“She wants Heaven?”
“Bold.”
One ghost muttered,
“She won’t survive Heaven rules for two minutes.”
Lily glared and speak proudly.
“EXCUSE ME?! I was ACCEPTED.”
Everyone froze.
“…Accepted?”
Lily crossed her arms proudly.
“Yes.”
Even the Head leaned forward.
“Then why are you here?”
Lily suddenly pointed toward Meena.
“Because THIS idiot didn’t get selected, and I decided,” Lily continued proudly, “that if my best friend can’t go to Heaven, then I’m staying with her.”
Silence filled the hall.
Emotional silence.
One ghost started crying.
Another ghost wiped fake tears dramatically.
A third ghost whispered emotionally,
“Friendship goals…”
Then suddenly— CLAP.
One ghost started clapping.
Then another.
Even ghost waiters were clapping.
One guy stood up emotionally.
“THIS IS CINEMA.”
Lily proudly flipped her imaginary hair.
“Yes. I know.”
Meena wanted to disappear into another dimension.
The Head smiled warmly.
“In my 5,000 years of being Ghost… this is one of the rarest friendships I’ve ever seen.”
Lily pointed proudly at herself.
“That’s because I’m iconic.”
“Please stop talking,” Meena begged softly.
The Head continued,
“Very well. From today onward… both of you are official members of the Ghost Council.”
Dramatic music played again for no apparent reason.
Lily immediately raised another question.
“So… what exactly do we do here?”
The Head blinked.
“…Work.”
Lily’s smile disappeared instantly.
“…I’m sorry?”
“You will receive duties.”
Meena looked horrified.
“WAIT. THERE’S LABOR AFTER DEATH TOO?!”
“Who do you think provides free energy meals?”
Lily looked betrayed by the universe.
Another minister explained, “Technically, ghosts don’t need human food. We consume energy.”
Suddenly glowing plates appeared.
Ghost ramen, ghost dumplings, ghost noodles, ghost desserts.
Everything looked real but glowed slightly.
Lily gasped dramatically.
“OH MY GOD, DEAD PEOPLE HAVE BETTER FOOD THAN ME WHEN I WAS ALIVE.”
The head announce “It’s a welcome party for both the ladies let celebrate, Lilly and Meena you can enjoy the food.”
Then—
Both of them attacked the food.
Absolutely DESTROYED it.
No dignity, no shame.
One ghost watched in horror.
“…Were they homeless before dying?”
Another ghost whispered,
“She just swallowed noodles without chewing.”
“Can ghosts even chew?”
“I DON’T KNOW.”
Meanwhile, Lily was stuffing glowing dumplings into her mouth.
“BRO THIS IS AMAZING.”
Meena pointed at the ghost fried rice.
“THIS ONE TASTES SOOOOOO GOOD.”
The council members stared like zoo visitors observing wild animals.
After eating enough to embarrass humanity, both women leaned back proudly, rubbing their stomachs.
Lily sighed emotionally, “Death isn’t so bad.”
Then suddenly—
“Now let us show you your rooms.”
Instant regret appeared on both their faces.
Because they forgot one important thing.
Shared accommodation existed everywhere.
Even after death.
The ghost guide took them through endless hallways.
Every room had alphabet labels.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Luxury rooms, Beautiful rooms, huge rooms.
Then slowly…very slowly…
They reached the final hallway.
The LAST door.
The saddest corridor.
The most abandoned area imaginable.
Room Z.
Lily stared blankly.
“…We got the last alphabet.”
The guide nodded proudly.
“New members.”
Meena looked inside.
And froze.
“…Why are there SIX beds?”
The guide smiled innocently.
“Oh no. Those aren’t extra beds.”
“…What?”
“You’ll be sharing the room with four other ghosts.”
Then both women screamed together “EVEN IN AFTERLIFE WE DON’T GET PRIVACY?!”
To Be Continued:
Room Z is a place to relax or ….?