Chapter 18
Nemesis at the door
"Well, if you ask me, I do believe in ghosts. I have read a lot of ghost stories, and seen a lot of horror movies. The creature can not be a mere ghost. The ghost of an unsatisfied and betrayed person must have been taken over by a demonic force. A mere ghost could have scared you to death, but it wouldn't kill. Only because of the demonic presence, it has become a killing machine."
My scientific temper was getting ruffled, but the situation was so grave, and I had been so helpless that I could not discard her argument as nonsense.
Bahadur's wife Champa said, "Akshar Shaab, you perhaps don't know that there is a temple of Godess Kali in a nearby village around 5 km downhill from here, where many people from the entire district throng to fulfill their desires. The Godess is said to be very powerful. In fact, we have prayed to her for Tara's father's speedy recovery, and see our wish has been fulfilled. The priest of this temple is personally known to me. He possesses such divine powers that ordinary people cannot even think of. I think we need his help."
Even before Champa could complete the last sentence, suddenly the tube lights began to flicker. That didn't look normal to me. I shouted, "Keep the torch ready. I know these signs."
Tara said, "Don't worry! Our emergency lamp will automatically be switched on the moment the power goes off."
Fortunately, the power didn't go away. Panick-stricken, I said, "We don't have much time Tara. I know from the previous experiences, it will strike sooner than later. Where does the priest live? Can you tell him to come immediately with all the requisites to ward off the evil spirit."
"He lives near the temple. But at this odd hour, will he be able to come?"
We heard a screeching sound, and the dogs began to bark loudly. The screeching sound was the same that we heard at the river bank. Tara understood the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile her sister, Mona, handed her the mobile phone. Tara rang the priest, and began to talk to him in a different hilly language. The conversation lasted around 10 minutes.
I was looking at her anxiously. "Will the priest come, or will there be a repeat of the ghastly incidents? This time, I will not let the creature to do any harm to Tara." I was nervous, but determined at the same time.
Whatever be the outcome of the conversation, Tara's face looked very grim, and she stared at me rather differently.
"What, what did he say?" I stammered. Meanwhile, there had been 3 to 4 times that uncanny screeching sound, and the dogs barked as if they had gone mad.
"I need to know certain information Akshar. The priest, Dhuni Baba has agreed to come. He will be here in half an hour or so. But, he asked me some specific information without which he cannot do much."
" I will tell you everything I know."
Tara was going to ask me something, but before she could, there was a bang at the window. We all were shaken by the sound.
"Are the windows closed? I think the entity is trying to enter forcefully." I screamed.
Bahadur and Mona immediately rushed to see if all the windows were closed. But, Tara was quite composed. She said, "Don't panic. All the windows are closed. More importantly, this is a house of believers protected by blessings of deities. The evil entity will not find it easy to enter here."
I was not convinced, but still went to inspect myself. Indeed, all the windows were closed, and there were idols and paintings of various Hindu deities.
Looking at my frown, Tara said, "You please sit down and answer my questions. If you want to permanently get rid of this evil, you need to answer few specific questions. To ward it off for the time being, my family members will chant mantras."
To be continued
Nemesis at the door
"Well, if you ask me, I do believe in ghosts. I have read a lot of ghost stories, and seen a lot of horror movies. The creature can not be a mere ghost. The ghost of an unsatisfied and betrayed person must have been taken over by a demonic force. A mere ghost could have scared you to death, but it wouldn't kill. Only because of the demonic presence, it has become a killing machine."
My scientific temper was getting ruffled, but the situation was so grave, and I had been so helpless that I could not discard her argument as nonsense.
Bahadur's wife Champa said, "Akshar Shaab, you perhaps don't know that there is a temple of Godess Kali in a nearby village around 5 km downhill from here, where many people from the entire district throng to fulfill their desires. The Godess is said to be very powerful. In fact, we have prayed to her for Tara's father's speedy recovery, and see our wish has been fulfilled. The priest of this temple is personally known to me. He possesses such divine powers that ordinary people cannot even think of. I think we need his help."
Even before Champa could complete the last sentence, suddenly the tube lights began to flicker. That didn't look normal to me. I shouted, "Keep the torch ready. I know these signs."
Tara said, "Don't worry! Our emergency lamp will automatically be switched on the moment the power goes off."
Fortunately, the power didn't go away. Panick-stricken, I said, "We don't have much time Tara. I know from the previous experiences, it will strike sooner than later. Where does the priest live? Can you tell him to come immediately with all the requisites to ward off the evil spirit."
"He lives near the temple. But at this odd hour, will he be able to come?"
We heard a screeching sound, and the dogs began to bark loudly. The screeching sound was the same that we heard at the river bank. Tara understood the gravity of the situation. Meanwhile her sister, Mona, handed her the mobile phone. Tara rang the priest, and began to talk to him in a different hilly language. The conversation lasted around 10 minutes.
I was looking at her anxiously. "Will the priest come, or will there be a repeat of the ghastly incidents? This time, I will not let the creature to do any harm to Tara." I was nervous, but determined at the same time.
Whatever be the outcome of the conversation, Tara's face looked very grim, and she stared at me rather differently.
"What, what did he say?" I stammered. Meanwhile, there had been 3 to 4 times that uncanny screeching sound, and the dogs barked as if they had gone mad.
"I need to know certain information Akshar. The priest, Dhuni Baba has agreed to come. He will be here in half an hour or so. But, he asked me some specific information without which he cannot do much."
" I will tell you everything I know."
Tara was going to ask me something, but before she could, there was a bang at the window. We all were shaken by the sound.
"Are the windows closed? I think the entity is trying to enter forcefully." I screamed.
Bahadur and Mona immediately rushed to see if all the windows were closed. But, Tara was quite composed. She said, "Don't panic. All the windows are closed. More importantly, this is a house of believers protected by blessings of deities. The evil entity will not find it easy to enter here."
I was not convinced, but still went to inspect myself. Indeed, all the windows were closed, and there were idols and paintings of various Hindu deities.
Looking at my frown, Tara said, "You please sit down and answer my questions. If you want to permanently get rid of this evil, you need to answer few specific questions. To ward it off for the time being, my family members will chant mantras."
To be continued
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