‘Will you be able to identify the spot?’ I asked. ‘I mean, they could float away.’
‘Whatever else I may be, I am not an idiot,’ smirked Chetan. ‘The bottles are safely packed in a little cloth bag with a rope tied across the mouth. For your information and peace of mind, the other end of the rope has been securely anchored by a large rock on the edge of the stream.’
The dim moonlight threw eerie shadows around us and I shuddered. It wasn’t a cold night, nor did I believe in ghosts, but I felt creeped out.
‘So, what are we waiting for?’ Shankar wanted to know. ‘Let the party begin.’
‘Let the party begin,’ echoed Sid and the others.
‘For that, we have to fetch the beer,’ said Chetan. ‘Who wants to escort me to the stream?’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Abhinav offered.
‘I might as well stretch my feet,’ said Sid, joining the two boys.
Leaving the rest of us sprawled under the tree, the three of them sauntered towards the stream.
‘It’s kind of creepy here,’ Shankar said, echoing my feelings.
‘I think it’s the shadows that seem to leap out from the dark. On a moonlit night, all this will seem perfectly fine,’ I responded bravely.
‘I agree.’ Vedant nodded his head.
Twenty minutes passed, but the three boys didn’t return. ‘Don’t you think they should have been back by now?’ asked Shankar. ‘The stream must be just about ten minutes’ walk from this spot.’
He was right.
‘Why don’t we look for them?’ Vedant suggested. ‘We are doing nothing, anyway.’
‘I think that’s a good idea,’ Shankar and I agreed.
The three of us began walking through the woods towards the stream. I don’t know where and how I lost my companions, but I did. One minute, I was bending down to tie my shoelaces and the next minute they had disappeared. Flustered, I shouted out their names. No one responded.
‘I am not in the mood for games,’ I shouted. ‘Come out, the two of you.’ There was silence all around. All I could hear was the rustling of leaves. I began running in the direction of the stream. It was only after I had run for a few minutes that I realized I had lost my way. The forest grew denser as I ran. The moon had disappeared behind the clouds and I could barely discern the dirt track that we had followed into the woods.
I had stopped under a tree when I heard a sound. I ignored it, thinking it must have been my imagination. Moments later, I heard it again. This time, it was louder. Looking up, I saw something slithering down the tree. Frightened, I began running in the opposite direction. I wanted to reach the clearing under the banyan tree, where we had been sitting.
Strange sounds followed me as I ran. Moaning, humming, wailing, the sounds sounded terrifying. There are no words to describe my state. I had already wet my pants and was shivering uncontrollably. My shirt stuck to my back with perspiration, but I continued running. By then, I was clueless about my location. Panting, I stopped under a banyan tree. It was not the one I was looking for.
Exhausted and terrified, I sank to the ground. All of a sudden, I felt myself being pulled up by invisible hands. Unseen hands dangled a rope from the tree, one end fashioned into a noose. I felt hypnotized as the noose was placed around my neck and I was lifted from the ground.
I tried to shout, but no sound emerged from my parched throat. I felt my body being pulled up and I found myself unable to breathe. Shocked beyond words, I began struggling with all my strength. By then, my feet were dangling a few inches above the ground. Gripping the noose with both hands, I tried to pry it loose. My body thrashed around as I began to suffocate.
Death was inches away. I don’t know what happened next, as I passed out.
I woke up to the sight of blurry faces crowding around me. My throat hurt as though it had been squeezed with an iron vice. I struggled to move, but my limbs felt leaden. Was I dead or alive?
‘Move back!’ shouted an authoritative voice. Someone felt my pulse. I closed my eyes and surrendered to the bliss of oblivion.
It was several hours later when I finally sat up on the bed and saw the worried face of my father. For a minute, I wondered if I was at home.
‘You are in the hospital,’ said Father, sensing my disoriented state.
‘How long have I been here?’
‘It’s been forty-eight hours since you were brought here.’ There was a worried frown on his face, as his eyes scanned me for damages. ‘Are you feeling alright?’ he asked.
‘My throat feels strange,’ I replied. ‘I remember someone trying to strangle me in the forest.’
I saw tears in Father’s eyes. Holding me tight, he ran his fingers through my hair. ‘You are safe,’ he said.
The school allowed me to rest at home for the next ten days. My stepmother fussed over me as I recovered from the trauma, but no one told me what had happened.
It was only after the doctor declared me fit and I returned to school that my friends told me about the strange happenings that took place on that night.
‘You are a damn lucky chap,’ declared Chetan, patting me on the shoulder. ‘I wonder if anyone can boast of being greeted by a ghost on his birthday.’
‘Strange way to be greeted on one’s birthday,’ I muttered. ‘I almost died.’
‘You are lucky to have escaped death.’ Vedant nodded his head solemnly. ‘Another minute and we would have lost you.’
‘I can’t imagine what would have happened if we had not reached in time,’ added Sid.
‘He would have joined the ghost on that tree,’ Chetan chuckled.
‘I panicked when I realized that we had left you behind,’ said Shankar. ‘Vedant and I began running like headless chickens, trying to find you in the woods. It was Vedant who saw you dangling from a branch of the banyan tree. Your face had turned blue and your eyes were bulging. He shouldered your weight, while I cut the noose and we brought you down.’
‘It was fortunate that Chetan and the other boys had also lost their way while returning with the beer bottles. They heard us shouting for help and rushed to help,’ added Vedant. ‘I wonder what would have happened if they hadn’t come in time. One more minute and you would have died.’ He shuddered at the memory of that night.
The five boys had carried me back to the tent and called the teacher. They confessed about the breaking of rules. A doctor was summoned and I was given all possible attention before being taken to the nearest hospital. Father was informed, and he had rushed to be by my side. Although the school took a strict view of the misadventure, they let us off with a warning.
The story of the ghosts was told to us after I had recovered. During the British Raj, landowners were a law unto themselves. So was the Englishman, Frederick Bradley, who punished the locals in the cruellest manner. They were whipped or beaten for minor thefts and offences. Those that failed to pay taxes were hanged.
Locals believe that the ghosts of those who were hanged now haunt the banyan tree. They hang solitary people who wander through the woods at night. Although the locals knew to keep away, tourists would sometimes stray into the forest. A couple of them had been found dangling from the tree.
It all seems like a bad dream now, but I can never forget the terrible experience. The permanent impression of the rope around my neck doesn’t allow me to forget that night.’
11
THE GHOST THAT LOVED SLAPPING
Anirudh noticed a scholarly-looking man sitting a couple of seats away. He had been sitting quietly and listening to all the stories that were being told by the people seated around the table. He had not volunteered to narrate his story.
‘You have not spoken till now,’ Anirudh goaded the man. ‘I am sure you must have some cock and bull story too.’
‘I haven’t narrated my story because no one is likely to believe it.’
‘Well, I have been hearing outlandish stories, so far. You may as well narrate yours.’
‘Yes, let’s
listen to it,’ urged the tramp.
‘It was a lovely winter morning and I was enjoying a quiet cup of tea in the garden of my house in Jaipur, when I got a call,’ began the narrator. ‘It was Bijoy Mukherjee, a childhood friend. It had been several months since we had last spoken. The two of us had been close friends during our school and college years, till our professions had taken us to different cities.
‘I am delighted to know that you remembered me at last,’ I rebuked him gently. ‘I am sure you want something from me.’
‘You know me so well!’ he chuckled shamelessly. ‘I need a favour from you.’
‘I knew it! When was the last time you called without an ulterior motive?’
He ignored my jibe and continued to speak, ‘Yesterday, I met a very nice couple at a party. Sanjay Singh is a young and bright IPS officer. During the conversation, he mentioned that both his wife and he are very interested in ghostly stuff.’
‘I don’t know what’s wrong with the young these days. They are all looking for horror and thrills,’ I retorted. ‘It’s their constant need for an adrenaline rush that makes them seek such things.’
‘You are speaking like an old man,’ my friend sniggered. ‘You may think of yourself as old, but I won’t allow you to drag me into that category.’
Although I was forty-eight, I had never been interested in ghosts. My job took me to places that were rumoured to be haunted, but I had never run across a ghost.
‘Each to his own, I guess,’ Bijoy chuckled. ‘During the conversation, they expressed interest in visiting the Bhangarh Fort.’
I knew what was coming next. ‘And you told them that I have contacts in that area?’
Bijoy sounded sheepish as he admitted, ‘I didn’t intend to tell them, but it happened to come out during the conversation. Sanjay was narrating spooky stories to a couple of people, and someone asked if he had visited Bhangarh Fort. He had heard of the place, of course. His wife is a radio jockey. She is very excited at the chance of experiencing something spooky and the two of them asked if anyone could help in arranging a visit to the haunted fort.’
‘Well, where do I come in?’
‘Since you are based at Jaipur and know the area around Bhangarh Fort, I am sure you can fix up an accommodation close to the fort. They need a place for two nights.’
‘I wish you would stop boasting about your contacts.’
‘Come on, be a sport. For old times’ sake,’ Bijoy pleaded.
This was not the first time, nor would it be the last, I knew. My friend was a generous and helpful chap. He was always the first one to offer help. Since I worked for the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), my help was often sought by people wanting to visit monuments in my area of operation.
Bijoy and I go a long way back. He was aware that I would not turn down his request.
‘This is the last time I will accommodate you, so don’t volunteer my help again,’ I sighed.
‘I promise,’ he said.
‘Do I have a choice?’
‘Actually, you don’t.’
The couple was already planning to drive down from Indore, Bijoy informed me.
‘Are they mad?’ I spluttered.
‘No, they are young.’ Bijoy laughed.
‘Bhangarh is about six hundred kilometers from Indore. Why don’t they take a flight or a train to the nearest place and then drive down to the fort?’
‘They are an adventurous couple and a newly married one at that. Sanjay waved off my suggestion that they should take a flight. “We love road trips,” Neena, his wife, told me. You don’t have to worry about their journey,’ said Bijoy. ‘All you have to do is book their accommodation and facilitate a visit to the fort.’
‘I think they should make a night halt at Kota,’ I suggested after a thought. ‘I can organize their stay at Kota. Bhangarh is around three hundred kilometres from there, so they can drive to the fort the next morning.’
‘That’s an excellent idea,’ seconded my friend. ‘That way, they can do some sightseeing at Kota and take rest as well. Let me hand over the phone to Sanjay. He wants to speak to you.’
‘Good evening, Mr Roy,’ gushed the young man. He was thrilled with the suggestion that they halt at Kota. ‘I am sorry to inconvenience you. Mr Bijoy Mukherjee tells me that you are a very helpful person and won’t mind helping out. I love the idea of halting at Kota.’
Words tumbled out of the officer’s mouth. ‘You see, both Neena and I are very interested in a tryst with the Bhangarh Fort ghosts. I have been told that the fort is the most haunted place in the country.’
‘Well, I am not sure …’
‘Visitors have encountered ghosts at Bhangarh Fort and in the temple, which is located about a hundred metres to the north of the fort.’
‘Those are nothing but rumours. I have visited the fort several times, and not once have I come across any ghost,’ I told him. ‘Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm.’
‘You might have gone there during the day. Neena and I intend on lingering there after dark. From what I understand, the ghosts make an appearance only after sunset.’
I thought the fellow was joking. ‘Well, you need to be very brave to stay there after dark, especially if your wife is with you.’
‘In fact, there will be three of us. I am taking Casper with us,’ Sanjay said. ‘Casper is a brave dog. He will save us from ghosts,’ he chortled.
I was horrified to hear his plan. ‘You can’t do that. There have been some unexplained incidents in the fort premises, due to which the ASI has forbidden the locals and tourists from entering the fort at night. I am sorry, but I can’t allow you to do that.’
I was angry with my friend. How could he expect me to arrange a visit for this idiotic couple? Didn’t he realize that I would not allow them to break the rules? It could cost me my job as well as reputation.
‘Don’t worry. We won’t do anything foolish.’ Sanjay seemed to have read my mind. ‘Thanks a zillion for your help. I will try to meet you on our return journey.’
Warning Sanjay that he shouldn’t carry out the foolhardy plan of visiting the fort after dark, I rang off. However, I wasn’t confident that the stupid man would heed my warning, so I decided to contact the security guards at the fort. They would have to ensure that the couple left the fort at sunset.
I cursed my friend for putting me into trouble as I made a few calls.
Since I knew the owner at Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel at Kota, I called him up and booked a room for the couple. The heritage hotel, located on the banks of the Chambal River, was surrounded by beautiful gardens. With a regal ambience, good food and large, comfortable rooms, it was one of my favourite places. Since it was situated on the outskirts of the city, it suited the requirements of newly-married couples looking for privacy.
A few days later, I received a call from Sanjay. The chap sounded ecstatic.
‘I have just checked into the Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel. It’s a stunning place. Neena has fallen in love with the place and wants to extend our stay for another day. Thank you so much for booking us at this beautiful hotel.’
I could hear the barking of a dog in the background. ‘Is that your dog, Casper?’ I asked.
‘Yes, Casper is excited to be here. He’s running all over the garden. Thankfully, there are no bookings at the moment, so we are the only guests. The staff is very courteous, too. They don’t mind Casper’s presence as long as he doesn’t enter the room. They have requested me to keep him chained to a pillar in the veranda, during the night.’
The very next morning, I received another call from Sanjay.
It was Sunday. I was reading the newspaper and sipping coffee at home when he called. Gone was the exuberant voice of the previous night. ‘I want to thank you for booking our accommodation at Kota. We have decided to curtail our trip. We are leaving now,’ he said gravely.
‘You want to leave for Bhangarh this morning?’ I asked.
‘No, no,’ he exclaimed. ‘N
eena and I have decided to return home. We won’t be going to Bhangarh after all.’
‘But you wanted …’
‘I will call again and explain everything after we check out,’ he said.
‘You had planned a weeklong trip. Are you going somewhere else?’
‘We have decided to return home,’ he said sheepishly.
‘I hope the two of you are well.’
‘We are well.’
‘In that case, why don’t you come over to Jaipur?’ I proposed. ‘You can be my guest for a few days. I promise to take you around the town.’
‘We don’t want to impose …’ he began hesitantly.
‘It’s no imposition,’ I interrupted. ‘I will be delighted to have your company.’
‘Let me get back to you in a couple of minutes,’ he said.
I realized that Sanjay would like to consult his wife before accepting the invitation, so I waited. I didn’t have to wait very long. Ten minutes later, he returned the call.
‘Thank you very much, Mr Roy. Neena and I will be delighted to spend a couple of days with you.’
The couple arrived that same evening. Once we had exchanged pleasantries, I showed them to the guest room.
An hour later, we met at the dinner table. I was curious about the unexpected change in their plans. There must be a reason for the couple, who had been raving about the hotel, to have checked out so suddenly.
‘Do you know the history of Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel, where you had booked us?’ Sanjay asked over a platter of chicken biryani.
‘Yes, I do know …’ I began.
‘The place is haunted.’ Neena pointed her fork accusingly at me.
‘Yes, I am aware of the stories connected with the hotel.’
‘Then why …?’ Her eyes widened with disbelief. She shook her head and continued, ‘I can’t understand why you booked us into a hotel that you knew was haunted.’
‘It’s quite simple. My friend reported that the two of you had claimed that you did not believe in ghosts. Didn’t you tell me that the sole purpose of visiting Bhangarh Fort was to encounter ghosts? In fact, you wanted to stay at the fort after sunset so you could sight some ghosts. I thought the two of you would enjoy a bit of a ghostly experience before you proceeded further. It was supposed to act as a trailer before the main event,’ I chuckled.
Spooky Stories Page 11