2022-04-27 21:11:00Trying to keep my cool in the face of adversities, I contacted the bus operator and came to know that my daughter had suddenly halted the bus in the middle of the road, stating an emergency and got off near the market. My wife grew hysterical hearing the news and started screaming, while never stopping to blame me for everything . The teacher who accompanied my daughter later told the bus driver that Isha was not feeling well, so she had sent her home.
I immediately set off for the teacher's house but when I reached Mrs. Gomes's complex, an one hour drive from my place, she was not there. I had the class teacher's number and learnt from her that on the way to school Mrs Gomes came to know of her mother-in-law's heart attack and immediately had to return back, pack her bags and go. 'And where did her mother-in-law stay ?' I asked excitedly. 'Versova, Mumbai', Isha's class teacher said matter-of-factly.
After lodging a formal FIR at the local P.S. I was wondering how to face my wife back home, when I suddenly remembered that I still had the info about the seller on the app's order list . Opening the mobile app, I was surprised to find the address to be near the supermarket we frequented. I lost no time in reaching the shop only to find a closed board. The footpath peddlars told me that the man had shut down his shop once and for all. I jotted down the address of Raghu, the one famous for selling children's toys in the area. 'What made him decide to close his flourishing business of years ?' I felt devastated.
'Raghu had made a fortune in a couple of years of opening his tiny shop. He mainly bought made in China products smuggled through the Kidderpore docks. His offers being the cheapest, he had no trouble in procuring the orders. Since couple of months Raghu was disturbed. His consignments were suddenly being rejected by customers one by one . There were negative feedback on online shopping sites'.
'The police had also raided his shop a couple of times. I guess there was some business rivalry. The products were getting tampered midway. Yesterday he looked completely shattered'.
'One glass special with extra malai' a young man ordered siding off his bike and the teaseller excused himself. 'Make it quick man, if you want to catch him. Raghu had told me he'll be going home tonight. His train leaves in two hours from now'. Hari, a hawker selling cakes and other snacks along with tea seemed to be a close confidante of Raghu, both hailing from the same village in Rajasthan.The address showed South Kolkata and going by the traffic at that hour of the day. it'd take minimum two hours to reach. I knew I couldn't allow so much time. So I rode like a maniac dodging traffic signals and ignoring police sirens behind me . As it was the time of festivals, Kolkata was having a facelift resulting in blockades and traffic detours to facilitate construction of marquees, festooning of public spaces and carrying out lighting arrangements.
Coming halfway through I remembered that I haven't given a call home when my mobile rang. 'Isha had come back by herself' It was my wife's excited voice at the other end. I heaved a sigh of relief. But the next moment I failed to let go of a sneaking suspicion. 'Where is that thing now ? I demanded. She took time to answer. 'Actually Isha called out Mamma in her typical tone. Won't a mother recognize her child ? I had no doubt it was her. Maybe there is nothing eerie and this has something to do with her health. Come home and we'll take her for a check-up' my wife blurted put. 'But it was decided between us that you'd not open that door ' .. I clenched my teeth inadvertently.. ' .. That goddamn store room door till I returned' I spat out my frustration, cursing myself before cutting the line off.
Should I continue riding towards my destination or take a turn back to check my home ? I was in a dilemma now. On one hand I'd got to find my daughter, while on the other that doll .. that creature was let loose in my house. My wife's life was in danger. Without taking my foot from the accelerator I dialed my wife's number. Once. Twice. Thrice. But why wasn't she picking up the phone ?
I was at a loss. A police motorcycle screeched to a halt beside me and a young officer checked my licence and other documents but not before hurling a heap of abuses and threatening to put me behind bars the next time he found me flouting traffic rules. After greasing his palms substantially and promising to do the needful from then onwards, I continued driving and didn't realize when the wide, busy Southern Avenue had given way to quieter, narrow single lane of Joka.
The houses wore a deserted look in this part of greater Kolkata unlike those of the South which bustled with activities even at wee hours during the pujas. Promoter Raj was yet to claw it's way into this area and as such high rise apartments at every nook and corner was missing. I took a turn into an alley, as directed by the g****e map on my mobile screen, oblivious to where I was going. If there wasn't any open area ahead I won't be able to turn my car back leaving me with no option other than to ride one kilometre in back gear to get back into the main road, while returning .. But it wasn't the time to be bothered by such trivialities now. There was nothing important than finding Isha and carrying her back safe to her mother. The road ahead was illuminated only by my car's headlights with no streetlights in the vicinity. It was bumpy and less frequented, I found from the weeds having grown on the surface. Suddenly I was compelled to brake my car to a standstill, as there was a dead end.
A small, single floor building stood blocking my way. It looked dark and shabby. It was unlikely anyone lived here. With no living souls around, there was no way to confirm the address other than to knock and find out. ' Hello. Anybody there ?' My voice echoed in the darkness causing my heart to race. 'Raghu are you there ?' But still no answer. The rusty, metal door creaked open when I gave it a hard push and immediately a putrid smell caused me to feel sick to my stomach. Taking out my torch from the car I sneaked into the passage and immediately felt something run behind me.
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Episode Thirty Nine - Deceived Once Again
Arunava thought for a moment. He wasn't doing it out of vindictiveness, though a man like Upendra had no right to live. He just needed to make his way to answer his call of duty. As he struck Upendra's neck with his sword he ducked right in time. And when he swiped it aiming his legs he jumped high, soared higher and higher till he reached the ceiling of the cave. The man stood in mid air, defying gravity; much to the amazement of Arunava. 'Special powers endowed, being the disciple of Vetaal?' Arunava asked. 'Like God lends powers to his believers, so too the devil, but with a difference'. Upendra was enjoying Arunava's situation. He was playing a game he was highly skilled at, and the result of which he was aware of. 'God gives people the power to decide between the good and the evil - often they get confused and forget to use them - and remain unhappy throughout their lives, blaming the karmas of their previous births; whereas the first condition to become the devil's disciple is t
Episode Thirty Eight - Creatures, Creatures!
Arunava shouted his lungs out. But his cries got lost amidst the incantations and noise. Tears rolled down his eyes. He remembered the police station he served. He found himself sitting at his desk with coffee. He saw the white board crammed with charts based more of his imagination than clues or crime scene evidences - which appeared like jigsaw puzzles to others in the Department, a child's meaningless scribblings to his boss who wondered how Arunava had passed the IPS interview. But it was an exercise which always led to the truth in the end, much to the discomfort of his peers eyeing the promotion ladder. He always knew he was made for the job. Images of his village, his home, his parents flitted by. Since when did he last paid them a visit? It's been ages he had food cooked by his mother. Would his parents be able to cope up with the pain of their eldest son's death? After he was gone, who would pay for his brother's education? He was a good painter too and had ambitions of holdi
Episode Thirty Seven - The Atonement
Now pronounced disability stood around him like the leafless trees smeared in darkness. Nobody was walking. Nobody was standing properly either. Nothing was moving anywhere. A subtle consciousness of mixed emotions - astonishment, sorrow and loneliness formed lumps inside the throat but wasn't able to manifest itself fully in the end. The divine revelation continued his speech above their heads. 'Those of you who have made it till here - the time for your final verdict has appeared. From here the path will divide into two. One goes towards heaven, the other towards hell. A sky-scraping wall separates the two. Positioned on the wall are my dedicated messengers since time immemorial. Judging the karma of your human births they will decide who chooses which path. The door of heaven would never open for those who've insulted me, been rude to others. But those who've never lost trust in me, have been honest throughout their lives, always cared for others shall always find place in heaven.
Episode Thirty Six - Sara
Scaring the shits out of him a young lady stormed inside. He recognised her immediately to be Sara - his neighbour. They stayed in the same barrack quarters. Despite their age difference of ten years they were quite friends. She was physical instructor Mr. Snehashish Dutta's only daughter. This was the man who had cured him of acrophobia. 'What's up? Won't let me in? Whom did you expect at this hour? A hooligan? A fugitive? Well he must be lion-hearted then .. a gem of a criminal .. to have hoodwinked the security. Did you expect an old rival?' When Sara spoke her words flew copiously like a mountain spring without giving the listener any chance to reply. Then eying the bottle and half-filled glass on his table she asked. 'Partying alone?' There was a twinkle in Sara's eyes. 'Just stressed out a bit', he shrugged. 'Well .. lemme guess .. you must've had a fight with your boss .. no .. you have that every other day. Then any particular case you're worried about?' The words were cascad
Episode Thirty Five - The Gateway to Hell
Slowly the living souls came down on the muddy road. They started their journey again. She was walking beside him. Her eyes held that same innocence. But a question was aimed at him this time. And it seemed to pierce his heart. He increased his pace. He wanted to walk away from her. From others. But an individual's wishes were not considered here. One had to go with the tide.Suddenly a voice boomed in the sky above. 'I don't like torturers. Severe punishments await them. But if anyone is repentent and makes best efforts to rectify themselves I may forgive them. Those of you who have played roles in destruction in your lives - I won't spare you. Those who have been cruel to the orphans, the destitute and homeless would have to burn in fire to cleanse your souls of the evil. I hate those who have misused funds. Those who were busy maligning others and spreading hatred will be punished. Those who have wrongly accused innocent women would be dealt with severly. Those who are proud, arrog
Episode Thirty Four - Lost
There was darkness all around. He strained his eyes but could hardly make out anything. Then slowly shapes of wild bushes and creepers appeared. He discovered himself lying on his back with no sky above his head. How long had he been lying there? He had no idea. He rose up and sat down on the ground with legs straightened before him. He turned his head around in the hope of finding a way around. He didn't feel any fatigue. As if a long period of sleep had rejuvenated his energy. But how strange the shrubs were here. There was no smell in them. He tried to touch them but couldn't. The branches were withered and dry without leaves. Is it winter here? How did he come to such a place? He tried to remember but in vain. Nobody was speaking around him. But there had been people even a little while ago, he could bet. He had felt their presence. Were they too sleeping like him ? Where are they now? He couldn't remember anything before or after that incident. He was feeling very lighter now. H
