Chapter - 3

(NB - To understand the series, please read the previous two chapters.)

There was a beautiful breeze in the evening. Standing outside the hotel, I stared at the beauty of the hotel. Looking at the hotel from a distance, it looked like a mix of some beautiful churches and forts. The white glass windows of the hotel looked very beautiful from a distance. The hotel looked as if someone had decorated the mountains with ice cubes. A Canadian flag fluttered in front of the hotel. A flag was also on the roof of the hotel. The carvings were made of old grey-black stones and cement. On the wall of the entrance was a pale yellow nameplate, beautifully inscribed with words 'FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL' in black.

We entered the hotel. The whole hotel was lit by the wall lights up and the hanging lights on the roofs. The plaques on the walls indicated where and what sections were located. We registered at the reception centre and gave a copy of the identity card. We rented a room for three days. A waiter welcomed us and showed us our room. He opened our room, told us the facilities and gave us the keys to the room. The waiter said, "If you have a problem, you can report it by phone." He asked politely, "Would you like some breakfast or a drink?" But, we thanked him and refused. We left our belongings and were refreshed. Then James showed me around the hotel. He showed me the swimming pools, Willow Stream Spa, fitness center, Stock Food and Drinks center, Aquatic center, Canadian Pacific storage, men's and women's fashion stores and Lookout Patio. Various items were arranged inside glass chambers all around. All of them were shining in the light. CCTV cameras were set up all around. In some places, large LEDs were set up to record all videos of hotels and protected by security. "Let's eat something, I'm very hungry. I'll show you some more places tomorrow," said James, who was tired of the trip. I said, "Okay, so let's go and eat." We ate at Stock Food and Drinks center. Then we went to bed in the room.

Arriving in the room, we changed clothes and turned off the lights and went to bed. James woke up shortly after and lit a cigarette. I said, "You are not sleeping yet." He said with a smile, "It's a bad habit for me to smoke a cigarette before going to bed." I said, "Don't you know that smoking is bad for your health?" He remained a little silent. And then he said, "How long will I live alone?" Suddenly tears welled up in his eyes. "Never feel alone," I comforted. I asked, "Why haven't you gotten married yet?" He said, "I loved a pretty lady in my life. I thought I would marry her. But, she left me and married someone else. She let me burn in the fire of lovesick. Since then, my faith in women has been shattered." I said, "You are not impatient with grief. Not all ladies in the world are the same. Surely one can recognise your heart. And she will even agree to marry you soon." Then he laughed and said, "Would that really be the case!" I said, "Of course it will. You believe and try." I changed the subject to keep him out of trouble.

I asked him, "What are the staple foods of Canada?" He replied, "Cheese, corn, beef, wheat, fish, lobster, bacon etc are the staples of Canada." I asked, "What are the main foods used for dinner?" He replied, "Poutine, Chicken Fricot, Tourtiere, Butter Tarts, Nova Scotian Lobster Rolls, Pea soup and so on." I asked, "What is the national dish?" He explained, "Poutine is Canada's national dish. It's originated from Quebec. It's most defining and side dish of Canada. It consists of French fries and cheese curds topped with brown gravy. This is best served with a meat-based gravy and curds on top of the bowl of fries."

Knowing my interest in food, he asked me, "Are you a foodie?" I said, "Yeah... Kind of like that." He said, "Are you a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian?" I said, "I've been a vegetarian since I was child." He looked at my face in astonishment as he lit a mobile torch. I laughed and said, "That's right." I said, "Well, can you tell me what kind of vegetarian food I can find in Canada?" He said, "There are a variety of vegetarian foods such as Gouda mornay sauce, The Great Canadian Belnga Lentil Burger, Sweet potato and Curried Red Lentil Pizza, Crustless Quiche, Pasta e fagioli etc." I asked, "What are the popular vegetarian foods?" He replied, "The popular vegetarian foods are Spring Rolls, Tofu, Veggie Burger, Eggplant Parmesan, Pasta, Guacamole, Grilled cheese and so on."

Listening to his food, I wanted to taste the food at that time. He said, "I'll introduce you to those foods at breakfast tomorrow morning." Then I told him, "I heard that this hotel doesn't have room number 873." He said, "Yes...". I asked, "But, why?" He replied, "As the story goes, decades a go a family was killed in this room. After a lengthy investigation the room was refurbished and booked out to travelers. Soon after, reports of disturbance flooded the front desk.

The rumour is told that the guests would fall asleep in the room only to be awoken by hollow screams and when the lights were turned on they would be startled to find bloody handprints on the mirrors in side the room. By the time staff could rush to the room to investigate, the prints would have disappeared.

In efforts to cover up the horrific tale it was decided the room would be sealed off. The door was removed and the opening covered with drywall, flush to match the rest of the hallway."

My chest trembled with fear when I heard this. I don't even know when I fell asleep thinking that way. He also fell asleep, probably after I fell asleep.

To be continued....

The Missing room 873

A scary ghost story